No AD thread yet?

[UChusky916]

Maybe I missed it, but come on, the kid flat out balled today. Where's the idiot claiming he was overrated?

Drummond scored in a variety of ways and hes obviously making a high percentage of his shots. The jumper was money too (still not sure why he fades away on it, no one will block it, hah). He also had an assortment of jams, some blocks, and his defense and foul shooting is certainly improving.

My one gripe about AD is his positioning. He's a good rebounder when he positions himself well, but he looks too comfortable reaching in and grabbing rebounds over smaller defenders. That won't always work in college, and hes gonna get called for ticky tack fouls. But having a guy his size hit a jumper when rebounding the ball is certainly a great luxury to have.

I LOVE when the team PASSES the ball around the perimeter all the way from the 1 to the 5 (in any order) and it leaves AD isolated baseline. From there, he can catch and shoot, catch and pass, or drive and dunk(most likely). AD is a nice bailout to have when anyone drives at the hoop and the opposing big collapses. He can receive a pass in any fashion while moving to the rim, and he will punish it.

He's a very versatile big man, none like JC has ever had before. I'm sure JC is drawing up stuff just for him, and I'm not sure how often he's done that for centers in the past. If he can continue to stay out of foul trouble, he is just going to get better and better (and the sky is literally the limit for this kid).

It's worth mentioning... I think his dunks excited the crowd and got us back in the game. Plain and simple.

 

[Kitaman]

Him and Jones (BE leading scorer) was a matchup worth paying for. The two were jaw jacking and backing it up. These are the matchups that get him ready for the Tourney. Very proud of AD and that he didn't back down. He is no longer a BE virgin.

 

[uconNYC]

Can't believe AD almost went back to High School

 

[M_Funkhauser43!]

This was the first match-up where AD dominated on the offensive end against a front-court that matched UConn's physicality and athleticism. Big step forward.

 

[slumdog]

He also proffered my favorite quote of the season...a mantra we should all have. AD on JC:

"He loves winning, man. He'll do everything it takes." - Andre Drummond

 

[coloradohusky]

Drummond looked awesome yesterday. That dude gets to the rack faster than any UConn player ever.

I know it's early, but do we think he will stick around more than a year? If he and Lamb stay...holy hell! If not, Noel Nerlens becomes a must.

 

[wpq4elamin]

he should just be like stanley during the 09 tourney- try and dunk everything when he's 10 feet and in! he is sick when he elevates towards the hoop... and he hits those awkward spin turnaround jumpers like it's his job...

 

[UChusky916]

and he hits those awkward spin turnaround jumpers like it's his job...

Soon enough, it will be.

Let's enjoy him while he's here

 

[Tenspro2002]

This was the first match-up where AD dominated on the offensive end against a front-court that matched UConn's physicality and athleticism. Big step forward.

This can't be understated enough.

 

[wpq4elamin]

Soon enough, it will be.

Let's enjoy him while he's here

totally agree, and I plan on enjoying him as much as possible...

just imagine when he actually gets a face up game to go along with his natural ability... scary... he's still just playing on talent and natural athleticism... he could be an absolute beast some day if he works hard

he is going to make a boatload of money

 

[UChusky916]

totally agree, and I plan on enjoying him as much as possible...

just imagine when he actually gets a face up game to go along with his natural ability... scary... he's still just playing on talent and natural athleticism... he could be an absolute beast some day if he works hard

he is going to make a boatload of money

Honestly, Drummond is so raw and talented, that I actually think he will make more money (in the long run) by staying for a 2nd year of college. He's still SO young, and as good as he is, still has MILES to go.

If he goes to the NBA after 1, yeah, hes gonna be a top 3 pick and make millions. However, if he does decide to stay for 2 years, I think it will be a GREAT decision. JC and the other coaches will have more time to add more polish to his game. If AD can work on changing that raw athleticism and potential into dominance, he has superstar NBA potential. I think both realize this. I know JC will help AD make the right choice.

 

[wpq4elamin]

Honestly, Drummond is so raw and talented, that I actually think he will make more money (in the long run) by staying for a 2nd year of college. He's still SO young, and as good as he is, still has MILES to go.

If he goes to the NBA after 1, yeah, hes gonna be a top 3 pick and make millions. However, if he does decide to stay for 2 years, I think it will be a GREAT decision. JC and the other coaches will have more time to add more polish to his game. If AD can work on changing that raw athleticism and potential into dominance, he has superstar NBA potential. I think both realize this. I know JC will help AD make the right choice.

you're absolutely right, but how do you tell someone who will be the #1 or #2 pick and making millions that they should come back to play for free? from some of the reports, maybe it will happen... but I'm not holding my breath

 

[caw]

Drummond could potentially get better at UConn than in the NBA, mainly depending on the team/coaching staff that gets him.

I loved his entire game last night but if I'm being extremely picky there was one offensive rebound that Jones got where Drummond got completely boxed out on (Jones also managed to box out Giffey on that play).

If Jones ever fixes his shot he could be a decent NBA bench player on a good team.

 

[Peacefrog]

Dr. Dunkenstein was in the house last night.

 

[Waquoit]

My mother just asked me who that guy was that's smiling all the time.

 

[Northbound]

The is only one Dr. Dunkenstein and it's not AD.

 

[caw]

Just for fun and correct me if I am wrong (Harvard being the first game without the mask)

First 8 Second 8 BE Play
PTS 7.3 13.3 10.8
Rebounds 6.3 8.4 9.2
Blocks 3 2.37 2.2
FG% 48% 71% 61%
FT% 33% 43% 40%
Fouls 2.5 2.1 2.6
TO's 1.4 1.9 2.2
Steals .8 1 0.8

I think it's safe to say the past 8 games are what we were expecting for Drummond. Interesting note is that Drummond took 50 shots in the first 8 games and had 30 FTA's, in the second 8 games he shot the ball 70 times and had only 14 FTA's. He has also seen about a 10 minute a game spike in play from around 25 to 35.

That's a pretty huge turnaround without the mask and he is still only scratching the surface. However, he has had his two worst performances in the past 8 games against the better frontcourts of USF and Seton Hall. WVU is probably the best frontcourt he has succeeded against so far this year which is pretty good to know. Not many more effective frontcourt players in the country than Kevin Jones who Drummond and company did a great job against in the paint (12 in the paint with only 5 rebounds).

Drummond also could have (should have) had 2 more points with that offensive rebound/lay up attempt he made that got stuck on the rim. I would have loved him to catch that, land and go back up strong instead of rushing the "tip" attempt. Not really complaining though, I mean I don't know if there is another player in the country who could even attempt that rebound/shot.