Brawn over Brains: Kansas basketball player ratings from A to Z in Jayhawks win over Yale

For nearly 30 minutes, Yale controlled the game and held the lead. The last ten belonged to the Jayhawks. Yale led by as many as 11 points in the first half, going into half up 33-32. Kansas hung in the first half with 7 points off the bench from Nicolas Timberlake. However, the night belonged to one man. Kevin McCullar got whatever he wanted on his way to a career-high 34 points on the game to carry KU to a 75-60 victory.

Tier 1: Big Jays

1. Kevin McCullar

Kevin had a get-on-my-back type of performance as he carried the Jayhawks throughout the game. He has shown that he is the most complete player we have on our team and is playing like a first-team All-American. Kev dropped a career-high 34 points on 11-18 shooting and was a perfect 8-8 at the free throw line. McCullar added six rebounds, four assists, two steals, one block and one turnover. He hit big shots down the stretch, and Yale did not have an answer for him.

2. Nicolas Timberlake

Welcome to the Nicolas Timberlake breakout game. We finally got that glimpse of what we hoped he could be as a Jayhawk. He sparked the team in the first half and added two more threes in the second half. Timberlake played 30 minutes and had 13 points, three rebounds, two steals, one assist, and no turnovers. Just as impressive as he finally lit up the scoreboard was his defense. This was the best he looked on the defensive side of the ball and was his most complete game as a Jayhawk.

3. KJ Adams

KJ didn't have a big statistical game but it was his defense on 7-footer Danny Wolf that changed the game. Danny scored twice quickly on Hunter as he could not contain the big man. Self switched KJ onto him and changed the entire ooutlookof the game. KJ frustrated him with his speed and athleticism and shut him down for the most part for the rest of the game. He finished with six points, four assists, two rebounds, two steals, one block and two turnovers.