Alterique Gilbert

[Rico444]

This kid has gotten absolutely skewered on this board - - most recently by me. He played under control tonight, didn't try to do too much, and got some help so he didn't have to. When he drove the ball with just over 4 minutes left and 5 seconds on the shot clock, I cringed and expected the worst. He hit a layup and got fouled, drained the free throw, and I don't think it's an overreaction to say that the entire program breathed a huge sigh of relief. That was when I knew we were winning this game.

Big props to Alterique for a strong game, and props to Hurley for pushing the right buttons and not listening to fools like me that wanted Alterique to sit down the last 4 minutes of the game.

 

[LIuconn]

You guys were unbelievably brutal towards him

 

[JustbrewitMan]

He still had some bad drive decisions but the good decisons faaaarrr outweighed the bad tonight.

big step towards redemption. I hope he helps us go on a tear and we rip off 5-6 straight wins!

 

[Kitaman]

All of our players are like see-saws, and so are we Yarders.

 

[awfuldan]

He was great tonight. His best game of the season and it isn't even close.

 

[Captbluefin]

I like having Al come in off the bench. It seems to have helped his game

 

[UconnU]

He’s so much better off the ball. I really like what Hurley is doing with him.

 

[husky429]

His play deserved criticism before. It was bad.

And his play deserves props tonight. Really nice performance. Props to him for taking th message to heart from Hurley and improving his game.

 

[AntG168]

N

 

[LIuconn]

Hurley needed to put him on a Calhoun-esque short leash early in the season. Hopefully he will continue to make good decisions. The shots won’t always go in.
We need Al, bottom line

 

[Chin Diesel]

I think he will continue to do well coming off bench.
Takes the stress off him.

 

[HuskylnSC]

Obviously sores better as a 2. Hurley had to remind him during the game to pass the ball and it will come back to him. Hope he learns that lesson.

 

[UConnDan97]

A great game for AG and I'm extremely happy for him. He deserves our love through god and bad...

... and tonight was very very good...

 

[Jay-Bone]

I have been one of his biggest defenders, ashamedly so. The biggest difference is he made shots. He still made 2 terrible drives that are typical for him to be skewered. He made one awesome floater, for the 2nd time of late. He didn't control the ball, so much fewer TO's, HOWEVER, not many assists. I would call it his best shooting game, but I wouldn't call it his best game. I am biased to assists. However, I have no explanation for why we won on the road without many assists. His D was on par with his typical great D. I am happy he's still contributing after losing the starting role. Good for him. I think this season would look much different if he was hitting shots early on, but what do I know?

 

[LIuconn]

Starter or not, he played the second most minutes.

He didn't force passes, and many of his passes to Gaffney should have been shots, so that could have cut into your assist numbers, JayBone

 

[BNich]

Love you Al!!

 

[UconnU]

Gaffney at the top, AG playing that off ball 2011 Kemba role, and Bouk on the wing is a winning perimeter look for us.

 

[RF79]

Happy for AG, he played within himself and didn’t force the game as much as before. He can help out tremendously as long as he plays smart.

 

[jdb50]

Al used his left hand on the late game drive. Because others made shots tonight he did not have to feel it was up to him to make things happen. he could have more patience. This game could be a breakthrough for the team.

 

[LIuconn]

We can't afford to have AG, CV, JB and JG on the court together against bigger, better teams. We'll get killed on D

 

[BigErnMcCracken]

Hurley on Gilbert. "That two-or-three day window he had just kind of re-charged, refreshed him, gave him a chance to look in the mirror and evaluate how he needs to play. I think Jalen’s presence out there definitely helps. It takes pressure off Al.”

Gilbert on his time away last week: “Honestly, I talked to a lot of my family, my support system, stayed close to my teammates, of course. I just kept fighting, man — stayed in the gym, just tried to keep working, listen to everything coach was saying and embrace the process.”

Alterique Gilbert: “Whatever’s best for the team. If coach likes bringing me off the bench, that’s something I’m willing to do for the team. Absolutely. I think it gives us a little boost off the bench. Guys are playing well, so it’s easier for me.”

 

[BGesus4]

View attachment 50668

Hurley on Gilbert. "That two-or-three day window he had just kind of re-charged, refreshed him, gave him a chance to look in the mirror and evaluate how he needs to play. I think Jalen’s presence out there definitely helps. It takes pressure off Al.”

Gilbert on his time away last week: “Honestly, I talked to a lot of my family, my support system, stayed close to my teammates, of course. I just kept fighting, man — stayed in the gym, just tried to keep working, listen to everything coach was saying and embrace the process.”

Alterique Gilbert: “Whatever’s best for the team. If coach likes bringing me off the bench, that’s something I’m willing to do for the team. Absolutely. I think it gives us a little boost off the bench. Guys are playing well, so it’s easier for me.”

Wow, awesome quote. That's a truly mentally tough kid, on par with anyone we've had in my book.

 

[dwalks93]

Most of the year AG has struggled with his perimeter shot. And, at some point, it became obvious he lost confidence in his perimeter game and instead elected to try and drive to the rim.

AG is a deadly player when his shot is falling (and when he is taking it.) He is quick enough to go around defenders if they aren't giving him a step. However, when AG can't make outside shot or won't shoot outside shots then the defenders are going to back off and deny the drive. Kemba Walker's shot as a freshman was not much different. However Kemba learned to shoot and then he was unstoppable. AG needs to do the same if he wants to succeed at this level and potentially the next.

My heart goes out to the kid. Its been a rough year for AG and hopefully yesterday's win and performance are something he can build on. I still think AG is a work in progress and he has a lot more game than he has shown.

 

[HuskyBoi]

View attachment 50668

Hurley on Gilbert. "That two-or-three day window he had just kind of re-charged, refreshed him, gave him a chance to look in the mirror and evaluate how he needs to play. I think Jalen’s presence out there definitely helps. It takes pressure off Al.”

Gilbert on his time away last week: “Honestly, I talked to a lot of my family, my support system, stayed close to my teammates, of course. I just kept fighting, man — stayed in the gym, just tried to keep working, listen to everything coach was saying and embrace the process.”

Alterique Gilbert: “Whatever’s best for the team. If coach likes bringing me off the bench, that’s something I’m willing to do for the team. Absolutely. I think it gives us a little boost off the bench. Guys are playing well, so it’s easier for me.”

A true testament to Gilbert. Someone who is willing to do whatever it takes to repair the team's chemistry and do anything to rescue the season. Love Gilbert.

 

[imno1]

I noticed that Al took the ball inside and scored with his left last night. That is something he had been reluctant to do. Even when going left he usually shoots it with his right and ends up getting stuffed.