A leader has emerged......

[djct1999]

Big props to our lone junior, Alex Oriakhi. I think we all realize how difficult this season has been for him, but the last few weeks he has shown maturity and has really handled himself well. The difference for me last night comes down to 1 thing.......when Alex plays aggressive, the whole team takes his lead and UConn can be the team we all thought it would be. We can talk all we want about Shabazz or Lamb, but when Alex shows up, the offense opens up, the kids have fun, and play with the moxy a defending champ typically plays with. Keep it going Alex!!!!!! There is a lot of season left to play and its your turn to become a part of the programs storied history!

 

[businesslawyer]

AO has had a very tough year. Some of it has been adjusting to playing alongside Drummond, but I don't think that's all of it. Whether some of it is not having the comfort of Jamal Coombs-McDaniel there, or easing of after the championship, or feeling the burden of repeating, or whatever -- something else hasn't been right.

That having been said, I remain firmly convinced that our ability to win a post-season championship -- conference or national -- is 0% if Alex isn't playing like he did last March, but some percentage greater than that if he is. He needs to keep playing and to work through whatever the issues have been.

 

[Rico444]

To be honest, we've played a lot like last year ever since AO called that team meeting. Sure, we were blown out by Louisville, but we always seem to have trouble against them in their building. In our other loss, we played really well, but Cuse shot the lights out.

Alex has really turned a corner. Yesterday after DeAndre hit his 2nd 3, during a time out, Alex came over, put his arm around him, and got in his face a little, looked like he was saying "great job, but don't you dare let up now! Make this YOUR game!" I loved it. These kids are starting to look up to him.

And I never, ever, EVER thought I'd say this, but Andre needs to watch what Alex did last night and use that as a template for going hard to the hoop. Alex dunked everything inside 5 feet, and he used his body to post up, get good position, and put a little drop step on his defender to get an easy bucket. Also, did anybody else practically blow their top (in a good way) when Boatright fed AO on that pick and roll? And it worked! Look at that! We need to be doing a LOT more of that. This was Alex's best offensive game of the year, and probably of his career. He was very strong around the hoop, energetic, and scored in a number of ways. This kid plays like this going forward, and we can beat ANYBODY.

 

[Dann]

1 thing happend last night with alex

for i would say 6 out of the last 10 games alex would get the ball low in the post on 1 of our first couple possesions of the games. he would back his guy down bump and go for a post move. in most of those games the D player would flop and get the call. it was a obvious flop each time but alex was paying for his agressive body on it ealry in games. he would sit down right after each time and becuase of the foul trouble his head wasn't in it. teams were scouting that as a easy way to start games off with something in there favor. we didn't adjust.

alex was a little stubburn about it and did that same thing several games in a row, eventually he now realizes that he needs to be careful with the stupid fouls early. wehter he agrees with it or not he has to watch how much body he uses in the post early, refs are looking for the first call of the night and its a easy 1 to go on when a player flops. the team does feed off him being on the court. his jump shot is 100 times better than last year and he is finishing strong. its all about keeping him on the court. the more time him and ad are on the court the better we are. it allows olander to be our big off the bench for small amounts of time and a change up in style. its the perfect combo/rotation to have, its just being able to use it the way we want.

 

[Poe]

1 thing happend last night with alex

for i would say 6 out of the last 10 games alex would get the ball low in the post on 1 of our first couple possesions of the games. he would back his guy down bump and go for a post move. in most of those games the D player would flop and get the call. it was a obvious flop each time but alex was paying for his agressive body on it ealry in games. he would sit down right after each time and becuase of the foul trouble his head wasn't in it. teams were scouting that as a easy way to start games off with something in there favor. we didn't adjust.

alex was a little stubburn about it and did that same thing several games in a row, eventually he now realizes that he needs to be careful with the stupid fouls early. wehter he agrees with it or not he has to watch how much body he uses in the post early, refs are looking for the first call of the night and its a easy 1 to go on when a player flops. the team does feed off him being on the court. his jump shot is 100 times better than last year and he is finishing strong. its all about keeping him on the court. the more time him and ad are on the court the better we are. it allows olander to be our big off the bench for small amounts of time and a change up in style. its the perfect combo/rotation to have, its just being able to use it the way we want.

This is exactly Alex's issue, early offensive fouls seem to get into his head and cut into his PT when he has to sit. If he can avoid the early fouls and stay agressive he will get into a rythm and be much more effective.

 

[Cheddie]

Also - props to Alex for maintaining a 3.0 average last semester!

 

[ford82]

Don't get carried away. Depaul is godawful.

 

[Waquoit]

Let's face it, the team "leader" this year is the guy who had the best last game. Bazz led until he went 0-for-aweek. Boatshow talked about leading until he hit his recent rough stretch. Why not AO? He played with energy and looks cool on the pocket schedule.

 

[huskymagic]

To be honest, we've played a lot like last year ever since AO called that team meeting. Sure, we were blown out by Louisville, but we always seem to have trouble against them in their building. In our other loss, we played really well, but Cuse shot the lights out.

Alex has really turned a corner. Yesterday after DeAndre hit his 2nd 3, during a time out, Alex came over, put his arm around him, and got in his face a little, looked like he was saying "great job, but don't you dare let up now! Make this YOUR game!" I loved it. These kids are starting to look up to him.

And I never, ever, EVER thought I'd say this, but Andre needs to watch what Alex did last night and use that as a template for going hard to the hoop. Alex dunked everything inside 5 feet, and he used his body to post up, get good position, and put a little drop step on his defender to get an easy bucket. Also, did anybody else practically blow their top (in a good way) when Boatright fed AO on that pick and roll? And it worked! Look at that! We need to be doing a LOT more of that. This was Alex's best offensive game of the year, and probably of his career. He was very strong around the hoop, energetic, and scored in a number of ways. This kid plays like this going forward, and we can beat ANYBODY.

Rico whats this have I made you change your mind about Alex or did it take one game against a bad Depaul team lol.

 

[Rico444]

I will fully admit, you were right. I see a different man, but you stuck by him when he was struggling, and I'll give you credit for that. He has been great. Let's hope he keeps it up.

 

[TheChamps990411]

After AO gets 2 points 2 rebounds and 4 fouls in his next game the tune will change right back to AO sucks.

 

[Waquoit]

After AO gets 2 points 2 rebounds and 4 fouls in his next game the tune will change right back to AO sucks.

You mean that wouldn't be a sucky game?

 

[GavinEdreamy]

After AO gets 2 points 2 rebounds and 4 fouls in his next game the tune will change right back to AO sucks.

A guy can suck and still be a leader. I present to you: Donell Beverly.

 

[TheChamps990411]

A guy can suck and still be a leader. I present to you: Donell Beverly.

i just threw up in my mouth a little.