If Alstork throws one more lazy, lobbed, over the top pass that gets to its destination in the Horizon League but doesn't in the Big 10....I'm gonna lose it. I know he came here to showcase his talent for the NBA, but the only play I've seen him make all year which made me think "That guy is an NBAer" is the infamous TJL lob to him that should have sealed the deal in the Maryland Game where it looked like his head was rim high. Yes, he's played better defense than I expected....but I expected a calming Senior influence and some consistent production offensively. Not someone who looks like they are gonna pop a blood vessel in their head every time a call goes the other way.
As for Mark Smith, I think he'll be fine. Outside of his elbow injury which curtailed his baseball career, I'm not sure he's had to experience too much failure. I just want him to quit turning his head on defense so much and using his peripheral vision to see the ball and his man. I've never seen anyone turn their head as much as him in all my years....drives me up a wall. Can no one on the coaching staff see that is why he loses his man so much?
AJ has disappeared. Sure he gets a hustle play a game, but the only time he was going to catch the ball with any space was the fast break where he fumbled the pass from Smith in the first half. If he catches that cleanly and sinks it....the momentum is vastly different. Great kid....proud of how he has worked....but he should be thought of as Sean Harrington type weapon. He's gonna come in in situations, get a 3 to stretch the D, and have sick "per 40" stats because he takes 3 shots in 2 minutes and then gets subbed out before his other weaknesses are exposed. There's nothing wrong with being that type of player..there is a place for them on a good team, but expecting more from him than what he is will disappoint everyone.
Still though....I'm watching and can't wait for the next game.