Andre Jackson continues to impress

[UChusky916]

While Bouknight will get most of the attention (rightfully so), Jackson has played really well since his own return from injury and it feels like he's turned a corner.

Early in the year, Jackson struggled to find his role, pressing a bit too much as he adjusted to the college game. He struggled to find minutes before his injury. But now, he does so many things that help the team, it's hard to keep him off the floor.

Defensively, he's quickly become our best perimeter defender. He locked down Duke tonight. His length and athleticism is a real problem for opposing guards. He's quick and savvy to deny his man the ball altogether. He's not afraid to mix it up in the lane either... he's had a few uber-athletic blocks and skied for some rebounds among the bigs.

Offensively, he keeps the ball moving and gives our offense a nice flow. His solid ballhandling has really been a help, especially when Bouknight was out. We're starting to see his elite court vision and passing that was highly-touted coming out of HS. He made some great skip passes against Xavier that resulted in open looks.

Jackson's high IQ, court vision, and athletism allow him to shine in transition. His pass ahead to Whaley tonight was sublime.

Overall, Jackson is quickly becoming an X factor for this team, positively impacting the game in all facets. Like I said earlier, it feels like he's turned a corner... he has all of the tools to become an impact player and we're starting to see that happen.

 

[Rico444]

May make the best entry passes on the team

That one entry pass he made to either Sanogo or Whaley (can't remember which) when they were being fronted, and Andre threaded the needle and put the ball low and away from the defender was beautiful. It didn't lead to points directly because the defender had to foul on the floor to avoid an easy layup, but it was beautiful.

 

[dennismenace]

He's where I thought Gaffney would be.

Still think Gaffney is/will be a valuable piece, but will take some more time.

Agreed. Tools are there; just needs more confidence and experience. These young guys are really talented and they have good attitudes. All of them showing up last summer was great and really showed me something. Every game they are like WOW. Sometimes they are off like Sanogo last night but overall they are guys who want to play and win and are not afraid to leave it on the floor. What a great refreshing change after the previous year droughts.

 

[TheChamps990411]

Would like to see Jackson shoot more. He passed up several good looks last evening. Loved the way Bouknight squares his body before shooting.

Id prefer to see him attack the basket. Hes got decent handle and hes explosive, he should be looking to get past his defender and attack the rim looking for contact.

 

[Marat]

Id prefer to see him attack the basket. Hes got decent handle and hes explosive, he should be looking to get past his defender and attack the rim looking for contact.

Exactly. He's got to attack more, and try to score or pass.

I'm just waiting to see him dribble around a guy and explode over another defender for a dunk.

 

[superjohn]

He's a player right now who doesn't have to score to impact the game in a huge way, reminds me of the impact Camby had on games in the NBA. The next step will be putting it on the floor and driving in the paint for finishes which I know he can do.

 

[Deleted at users request]

Exactly. He's got to attack more, and try to score or pass.

I'm just waiting to see him dribble around a guy and explode over another defender for a dunk.

He should be taking more layups than 3s at this point. He looks good and can hang and finish the few times he decides to attack.

 

[HuskyHawk]

Id prefer to see him attack the basket. Hes got decent handle and hes explosive, he should be looking to get past his defender and attack the rim looking for contact.

Exactly. He's got to attack more, and try to score or pass.

I'm just waiting to see him dribble around a guy and explode over another defender for a dunk.

His ability to attack goes up dramatically if they aren't sagging off of him when he catches the ball outside (which is all the time). You can see him hesitate, thinking if he should shoot because he's wide open and they aren't closing on him. Against Xavier he did, hit a couple and they had to come out on him. That opens up the options to attack and either pass or score.

So while I agree that's the best part of his offensive game right now, everybody knows it and they defend against it. So I don't want Andre to become Vital, but he needs to take that shot when he's left wide open. His form looks fine to me, nice high arc.

 

[JMick]

Exactly. He's got to attack more, and try to score or pass.

I'm just waiting to see him dribble around a guy and explode over another defender for a dunk.

you could kind of see him looking to get into the paint a bit last night. He seems like he's still tentative driving and on the few opportunities he had he looked like he was about to go for it, hesitated, and then passed it out.

one of these days he's just going to drive hard into the paint, put someone on a poster, and then the switch is going to flip

 

[Umami Zen]

you could kind of see him looking to get into the paint a bit last night. He seems like he's still tentative driving and on the few opportunities he had he looked like he was about to go for it, hesitated, and then passed it out.

one of these days he's just going to drive hard into the paint, put someone on a poster, and then the switch is going to flip

Dan Hurley has to give him a green light. He's listening to his coach right now and not acting on his natural instinct to attack.

 

[August_West]

The fact is we don’t need him to score right now. We need him to do exactly what he’s been doing since he’s been back, pass ( and dear lord he’s gifted) , rebound, run and facilitate (or finish ) in open floor play, and defend ( and he made Dukes life last night a living hell) great disruptive defender already who will only get better in a hurry)

he is a huge contributor in those areas already, and they are all vital. The rest will come, we’ve got guys to put it in the hoop if AJ does the above we are in good shape.

 

[Griggs]

While Bouknight will get most of the attention (rightfully so), Jackson has played really well since his own return from injury and it feels like he's turned a corner.

Early in the year, Jackson struggled to find his role, pressing a bit too much as he adjusted to the college game. He struggled to find minutes before his injury. But now, he does so many things that help the team, it's hard to keep him off the floor.

Defensively, he's quickly become our best perimeter defender. He locked down Duke tonight. His length and athleticism is a real problem for opposing guards. He's quick and savvy to deny his man the ball altogether. He's not afraid to mix it up in the lane either... he's had a few uber-athletic blocks and skied for some rebounds among the bigs.

Offensively, he keeps the ball moving and gives our offense a nice flow. His solid ballhandling has really been a help, especially when Bouknight was out. We're starting to see his elite court vision and passing that was highly-touted coming out of HS. He made some great skip passes against Xavier that resulted in open looks.

Jackson's high IQ, court vision, and athletism allow him to shine in transition. His pass ahead to Whaley tonight was sublime.

Overall, Jackson is quickly becoming an X factor for this team, positively impacting the game in all facets. Like I said earlier, it feels like he's turned a corner... he has all of the tools to become an impact player and we're starting to see that happen.

Would like to see him develop a midrange game. So far it's either a 3 or a dunk

 

[TheChamps990411]

His ability to attack goes up dramatically if they aren't sagging off of him when he catches the ball outside (which is all the time). You can see him hesitate, thinking if he should shoot because he's wide open and they aren't closing on him. Against Xavier he did, hit a couple and they had to come out on him. That opens up the options to attack and either pass or score.

So while I agree that's the best part of his offensive game right now, everybody knows it and they defend against it. So I don't want Andre to become Vital, but he needs to take that shot when he's left wide open. His form looks fine to me, nice high arc.

Completely agree but there are times the drive is there as hes not guarded perfectly all the time he could also use picks better. When he gets these opportunities he should do so.

 

[Palatine]

At the :38 second mark of the video. Dre jumps a tick too soon or it would have been another thunder put back.

 

[olehead]

May make the best entry passes on the team

Without a doubt.

 

[olehead]

I loved how pissed he got when he was unable to block the dunk and got called for a foul, he took it personally. Impressed by the defensive intensity. Once he improves on moving those feet, he will be a lock-down defender. (Not far off I'd say) Minutes are really helping him.

That block was clean.

 

[olehead]

It's crazy how much he impacts the game when he's not even a threat to shoot the ball unless there's no one within 20 feet of him. I don't think I've ever even seen video of him pulling up to shoot a jumper.

Good point. As in your basic pull-up jumper. If he gets that, he will be filthy with his power to jump and hang in the mid-range and get off a high percentage shot.

 

[UCPharma11]

Anybody who has Duke as a top 10 pick is insane

Bouk has head to head annihilated Zegarowski (40+) and Duke (Easy buckets all day and plenty of and-1s) , NOVA up NEXT!

 

[Chief00]

Other than his shooting, which Chief knows he’s working diligently on and I am confident will get better, no one combines old school with new school better than Andre. Two hand rebounds, verticals shot block attempts, contagious top tier passing and lock down defense. The 3/4 plus full court pass he threw to have a teammate convert into a layup showed both mental and physical acumen. Chief is so happy Andre choose to be in the second Dam Break wave.

 

[August_West]

He was pissed because he did block the dunk, cleanly. All ball. No body contact either. I think it's one of those things with athletes like him, who haven't yet built a reputation, that the refs don't really think he can do what he just did.

It was the big arm swing swat/slap at the ball. It was totally clean and he was totally vertical (not to mention his head being above the rim, which was insane) but refs almost always automatically call big arm swings fouls in live action bang bang moments. Its a shame.

 

[BigErnMcCracken]

Chief is so happy Andre choose to be in the second Dam Break wave.

 

[superjohn]

 

[navery12]

It's crazy how much he impacts the game when he's not even a threat to shoot the ball unless there's no one within 20 feet of him. I don't think I've ever even seen video of him pulling up to shoot a jumper.

He pulled up and took a 3 early in the shot clock against Xavier. Not surprisingly Hurley immediately pulled him. He seemed to be get the message because he was still agressive, just within the flow of the offense

 

[StllH8L8ner]

I was a bit disappointed early on and while his jumper needs some help (I think I saw one of his threes from the corner hit the top of the backboard recently?), he does A LOT during his time on the floor and seems to be having fun out there now.

 

[husky429]

Can't say I've ever been as excited about a kid averaging 3/3/1. He's just improving so much every time he steps on the floor--he's a sponge out there and clearly prides himself on defense and making his teammates better. That's a recipe for a really, really talented college player.

I think he needs to start getting to the rim now. Against the guys that will be guarding him in the big east (usually the weakest wing defender on the team) he should be able to blow by or elevate for 2 at will. He has done a great job moving the ball and getting the offense going, but basically doesn't even look at the rim right now.

 

[AZHuskiePop]

He is a rare combination
The athleticism and defensive skills of Scott Burrell with the vision ,slashing and passing skills of Jalen Adams. If he could shoot like DD he would be a lottery pick.

 

[444JR]

Can't say I've ever been as excited about a kid averaging 3/3/1. He's just improving so much every time he steps on the floor--he's a sponge out there and clearly prides himself on defense and making his teammates better. That's a recipe for a really, really talented college player.

I think he needs to start getting to the rim now. Against the guys that will be guarding him in the big east (usually the weakest wing defender on the team) he should be able to blow by or elevate for 2 at will. He has done a great job moving the ball and getting the offense going, but basically doesn't even look at the rim right now.

He needs to improve his gather as he elevates to the rim. A better counter move when driving into the traffic. He’s attempted to get to the rim a few times this year and has been stripped during his gather move(at least twice).

I imagine that’s what’s causing his hesitation now. His handle is looking more fluid and I would bet it’s a combination of his confidence going up and the gym rat in him. Andre seems like a true student of the game, wants to learn and improve to maximize his talent. I think we’ll see him improve in each of these last 5 regular season games. Tournament time is going to be exciting.

The issue of concealing the ball on the gather when driving to the rim really showcases a players feel for the game, imo. I was watching Samson Johnson last night and it’s a skill he will really need to hone if he wants to be a perimeter oriented player at the next levels(Zion Cruz is very good btw).

Bouknight is elite at masking and protecting the ball on his gather and his strength and touch have helped him finish and1’s when he gets hacked. Martin has showed a great ability to conceal the ball on his way to the rim as well.

Helps to have some shake and rhythm to your game. BAdams does a decent job of using his body and physical strength to conceal the ball on the drive.

Once Andre gets this down, everyone will need to watch their heads.

 

[Guapo]

He does a tremendous amount on the floor that doesn’t show up on the stat sheet, but the impact is obvious.

his defense against Duke on Tuesday was just great.

the stats will come.

 

[Waquoit]

Can't say I've ever been as excited about a kid averaging 3/3/1.

Numbers are so overrated

 

[ScuderiaDiU]

I don't know that he deserves to be playing over Gaffney just yet.

 

[Chief00]

View attachment 64774
I don't know that he deserves to be playing over Gaffney just yet.

If you just went by just that, you wouldn’t need Chief. Brown is 50% better than Bouknight this season “per your table”. Suggest you “per Chief’s eye test” instead. It also doesn’t incorporate growth one’s Freshmen year for Sanogo and Jackson or factor in Jackson’s injury impact.