Andre Appreciation Thread

[MTBingNinja]

I also like how he hides at times in the coffin corner and his teammates can toss it to him when he penetrates baseline.

 

[Scottobot]

I remember Dr. J scoring on that move. Don’t remember seeing others do it.

He also reminded me of Dr J today. Dr J also not the best shooter but a great scorer with all sorts of floating acrobatic shots by the rim.

 

[gtcam]

Ajax played like he should in order to earn starter minutes. He did some really nice things and it wouldn’t be Ajax if he didn’t have a few head scratchers. UConn needed his positive energy today but not sure if he became an NBA draft choice. If he does what he did with a bit more control he makes the team more dangerous.

 

[Kembacity]

He was magic today, and the drives to the hoop for dunks are what he MUST be doing out there. I am fine with him getting up 1 or 2 three attempts in a game, but today he passed it up a few times early which is what we need. He’s definitely hit in big moments, so if Hawkins/Newton/Karaban all start cold some game I say get an open one up Jax.

If he plays this way every game we win a ring basically

 

[DW1361]

I didn’t see the first half so I look forward to seeing the highlights of what I missed obviously.

 

[Palatine]

I still think the perfect number of threes he takes in a game is zero, but he had a layup in transition in the second half that maybe no one else in college could have converted. He was just in the air an impossibly long period of time.

I think he should shoot a three per half. Two a game. Enough to be sharp and confident when he takes them.

If Sanogo can become a adequate three point shooter, Dre should be able to do it as well. But he has to take some to make some.

 

[HuskyHawk]

He had a solid game. One of his failings is actually on his teammates. They need to be more ready for hard quick passes. Too often he makes a pass and they just don’t expect it and it‘s a turnover. We mostly put those on Andre, but he’s been doing it three years. You’d think guys would adapt.

 

[Scottobot]

I think Hurley should queue up 4 hours of classic Dr J footage, look and Andre and say … You’ve got the rare ability to do everything you see here.

 

[Scoe]

I would say he has been our most consistent player. He should be challenging Mac Mcclung in the dunk contest next year assuming he does enter the draft.

 

[Rocktheworld]

Meh it was Seton Hall

 

[uconngb]

I still think the perfect number of threes he takes in a game is zero, but he had a layup in transition in the second half that maybe no one else in college could have converted. He was just in the air an impossibly long period of time.

he should never EVER EVER EVER take another point shot the rest of the season. Just because I see Giselle standing alone doesn’t mean she wants me to talk to her.

Same concept

 

[uconngb]

I think he should shoot a three per half. Two a game. Enough to be sharp and confident when he takes them.

If Sanogo can become an adequate three point shooter, Dre should be able to do it as well. But he has to take some to make some.

Just so he can miss them both?? What does that accomplish….,the fact that he can miss them both??

 

[uconngb]

Would have been a loss without him today. Can’t say that about any other games lately. He did some nice things out there. Good effort

Wrong

 

[DW1361]

Okay, saw the highlights and now understand the love for Andre this game. I just hope this appreciation continues after the Providence game. Andre looked like he was having fun today and played more to his strengths. Maybe it is too late in the season to expect him to be anything more, but he is by far the most exciting player for UConn this year by far. We got 35 minutes, 10 rebounds, fifteen points shooting 50%, one foul (no technicals), highlight reel dunks, great defense, brings the juice and showed the Jackson smile. What is there not to love about this kid?

 

[REB1094]

Just learned that 15 was Andre’s career high in points. And he did it while 0-4 on threes. Really shows what he’s capable of if he plays within himself

 

[BigErnMcCracken]

Meh it was Seton Hall

God we have awful fans.

 

[willie99]

Did anyone see the "alley-oop" dunk he almost had off of Hawkins' missed 3???

If he converts that it's automatically top-3 UConn dunks of all time. Insane.

AJ was productive today. But this play you're citing is the same type of play that I criticize. Everything doesn't have to be a highlight reel. Tone it down and convert

I suppose a counter argument to my point would be you don't want to take away his spirit, and that carries some weight. But I still believe he's better if just executes more with less flash.

 

[Chief00]

Agreed. He needs to stop shooting 3s at all and it would've been perfect. When he's aggressive attacking the rim in transition, we're at our best.

The question is why does the scheme find him in that place before he gets the ball?

Also, agree the simple pass is always better than a flashy high degree of difficulty pass. A good pass is one that leads to a score, no matter how basic.

 

[caw]

He had a solid game. One of his failings is actually on his teammates. They need to be more ready for hard quick passes. Too often he makes a pass and they just don’t expect it and it‘s a turnover. We mostly put those on Andre, but he’s been doing it three years. You’d think guys would adapt.

Dunno, he was on the receiving end of hard close passes today at least once.

 

[Sky ball]

I called this in another thread. I will say this I want him to take one open three. When he is wide open. If he makes it then he does not shoot another the rest of the day. He can screen use headfakes like his might shoot and make good passes. Just good passes and that drive and finger roll that was really nice.

Head Fake...who? The guy 12 feet away?

 

[tentoes4rings]

15, 10 and great D is okay. Joey Calcaterra would have done better though.

 

[jibsey]

When they gave him 10 feet he went to the rack and shot or created. It’s what he has to do. Hurley has to draw up plays just for that scenario because every team is doing this to him now.

 

[CONN78SEJ]

I’ve been critical of AJ and his outside game and playing out of control. Today, he played in the paint and in transition. He played great.

Same for me, and I think going forward his confidence will help things too.

 

[GHSWolverines]

I think he needs to take the ball to the basket more ….

And shoot it. He penetrated more but still is looking to pass first.

 

[jayp123669]

Been 100% critical of Jax as many have and justifiably so. Yesterday he did what he should be doing all the time, transition, attack the rim and play near the rim and above the rim at ALL times. That's where he is a threat on the offensive end. If he starts to go back to the 3pt line and hang out in the midrange area hes useless to us and Hurley should take him out of the game. My ONLY issue with him yesterday is he took 4 3pt shots and was 0-4. 2nd most attempts on the team. I don't mind him taking 1, MAYBE 2 just to see if they are falling but its no coincidence he went 0-4 from 3pt land and 5-10 from the field in total which is essentially 5-6 near the goal if you take away the 4 3pt misses.

 

[Palatine]

Just so he can miss them both?? What does that accomplish….,the fact that he can miss them both??

He makes 1 out of 4. Has his entire career. That is the fact.

I don't expect that to change. It's weird you think he miss all his three point shots in every game. That is simply not supportable according to his history.

 

[Umami Zen]

Guess the new term is dunkers spot.. I call it the baseline.. Anyway.. When Andre is navigating the baseline on offense.. Using his speed and athleticism to get open.. He can really do some damage there...Has been open to him all year.. His teammates just need to give him catchable passes and he needs to co-exist with our Bigs in the paint.

Dependent on matchups but can be a weapon. Heard him and Danny talk about utilizing last week to work on his/the team's understanding of getting him some opportunities in his "spots".. Worked pretty well yesterday. Diarra assisted on a few of his dunks..

Also makes himself available for lobs/oops/offensive boards/putbacks

 

[InKembaITrust]

AJ was productive today. But this play you're citing is the same type of play that I criticize. Everything doesn't have to be a highlight reel. Tone it down and convert

I suppose a counter argument to my point would be you don't want to take away his spirit, and that carries some weight. But I still believe he's better if just executes more with less flash.

.....it was an airball by Hawk at the end of the shot clock so it was actually a heads-up play and attempt by him.

You probably didn't have the full context of the play.

 

[Stinger92860]

I was just telling AZ they play so far off him just take the 10-15 footer floater like Jeremy Lamb . A made 2 pointer is better than a missed 3

it’s unfortunate, but he is not able to make the 10-15 footer. No threes, run him on the baseline, and find him in transition is when he can score.

 

[gsmooth]

AJax got a lot of criticism for his play in the Creighton game and a few games in a row before that and deservedly so. I am glad this thread is here, however, because he was really good in yesterday's game and deserves a lot of credit for yesterday's win.