another AO thread

[bobbygt]

Alex's rebound and put back was so similar to the plays he was making in the tourney last year- I can think of one each in the Arizona and Kentucky games that were just as big (obviously bigger).

I noticed that after Lamb hit that big three in OT, around the 2-3 minute mark, he extended his arm aftter it went in, and put his head down and was jogging back, when AO nudged him, and told him to get back on d.

Good stuff from AO right there.

 

[businesslawyer]

I thought AO played very well in the second half. Unfortunately, playing very well becomes less important if he can't avoid quick early fouls and stay on the damn floor in the first half. He simply can't keep committing two fouls in his first few minutes on the floor.

I still believe that making a run will require, and will only be triggered by, AO playing like he played last March. And that means consistently rebounding, and not just finishing and D (both of which were fine last night).

 

[caw]

AO had a fantastic game, even if it didn't fully show in the boxscore.

There were a few things that stood out to me:

• He hustled
• He didn't get down on himself (there was one play where he had a call go against him and he started to do that all too common AO arm wave/slap of the air and caught himself in mid action and seemed to say, "I can't act like this")
• He was actually really good in the post. Not only did he make quick, decisive moves when he was in position, but he held the ball and passed out of the double team (when it came). His passing wasn't always great, but no TO's and he wasn't forcing things.
• He went strong to the hoop a few times.

 

[baldinghusky]

I thought AO played very well in the second half. Unfortunately, playing very well becomes less important if he can't avoid quick early fouls and stay on the damn floor in the first half. He simply can't keep committing two fouls in his first few minutes on the floor.

I was thinking the same thing to myself during the game: we are a different team when Alex doesn't get two fouls in the first half, and that's been a big problem lately.

 

[sammydabiz]

Totally agree with everyone. For us to make a run we need:

1. AO to play with aggression and exude leadership on the floor ( which he has the past couple games)
2. Lamb to be the go to guy, and demand the ball, like he did in the Nova game
3. Buzz to play with poise, and be the great feeder and defender we all know he can be.
4. Drummond to summon his inner Karl Malone, and dominate underneath the basket (particularly on D, his offense is only a bonus)
5 and for our other guys to hit the open J, when presented with the oppurtunity

***But most of all Defense, when played well, our offense looks quite smooth.

 

[HuskyWarrior611]

One thing though. Itd be great if somebody could take a charge.

 

[businesslawyer]

One thing though. Itd be great if somebody could take a charge.

It's just not how they're coached to play. The last big who focused on taking charges was Ed Nelson. The decision to leave our feet and challenge all inside shots is clearly not something the players do on their own -- it's clearly how they are being coached.

 

[HuskyWarrior611]

I don't think its that hard to figure out at all. If somebody is driving out of control directly at you, get in position and take a charge. There's times when if you don't it going to be a foul. So just take the charge.

 

[Tenspro2002]

AO had a fantastic game, even if it didn't fully show in the boxscore.

There were a few things that stood out to me:

• He hustled
• He didn't get down on himself (there was one play where he had a call go against him and he started to do that all too common AO arm wave/slap of the air and caught himself in mid action and seemed to say, "I can't act like this")
• He was actually really good in the post. Not only did he make quick, decisive moves when he was in position, but he held the ball and passed out of the double team (when it came). His passing wasn't always great, but no TO's and he wasn't forcing things.
• He went strong to the hoop a few times.

While I completely agree with your points about last night, I can't help but read this and think "don't these expectations seem a little low for a junior, former McD-AA?" I guess that's a whole other thread topic in itself.

On the other hand, if Alex can give us the toughness he showed last night going forward, we'll be a much improved team.

 

[Kitaman]

Alex was energized and aggressive. His 1st half fouls are disappointing but he makes up for them later.

 

[caw]

While I completely agree with your points about last night, I can't help but read this and think "don't these expectations seem a little low for a junior, former McD-AA?" I guess that's a whole other thread topic in itself.

On the other hand, if Alex can give us the toughness he showed last night going forward, we'll be a much improved team.

Perhaps they are a little low if you look at it in that light but I have reevaluated my expectations for Oriakhi based on his performance this season.

 

[businesslawyer]

AO is a junior. You've seen him play for almost three full season. What in the world does how he was perceived in high school have to do with anything at this point?