Why the Jae Crowder love?

[🏀]

Jae surprised me tonight. Foul trouble early on and invisible at times in the first half, yet still managed to tally 15 points, 9 rebounds, and 4 steals. It was a DJO-like performance...quiet but effective.

I would have to look closer, but I thought he poured it on after the score was +15.

[RJax55]

Jae was terrific in the second half. When he sits, MU really misses his presence out on the floor.

[brewcity77]

I would have to look closer, but I thought he poured it on after the score was +15.

I'd guess the same, it certainly wasn't in the opening 20. But like DJO earlier this year when you'd look at his line and think "how the hell did he get 20?", Crowder had one of those nights where he put up a good line quietly. I have to imagine a number of those rebounds came earlier, at the very least. And it's nice to see him NOT foul out. He played smarter in the second (and some pretty good D).

[LA]

I would have to look closer, but I thought he poured it on after the score was +15.

4 of those points came in the run that opened the second half to put us up big. Another 4 in the first half. Use some came in garbage time but he was still a valuable contributor tonight.

[Silkk the Shaka]

4 of those points came in the run that opened the second half to put us up big. Another 4 in the first half. Use some came in garbage time but he was still a valuable contributor tonight.

Thanks for doing the legwork.  Crowder is arguably our MVP.  A lot of really dumb threads pop up on here after rough road losses to top 10 teams.

[MUMac]

4 of those points came in the run that opened the second half to put us up big. Another 4 in the first half. Use some came in garbage time but he was still a valuable contributor tonight.

This exactly.  He went inside early in the 2nd half and made some big buckets.  First half was a nightmare for him, with two hand fouls.  Can't slap at the ball, esepcially early in the game.  When Buzz put him back in with DJO to stabilize the team, he was - understandably - tentative.

[MerrittsMustache]

This exactly.  He went inside early in the 2nd half and made some big buckets.  First half was a nightmare for him, with two hand fouls.  Can't slap at the ball, esepcially early in the game.  When Buzz put him back in with DJO to stabilize the team, he was - understandably - tentative.

I've been critical of Jae lately because he's invisible for stretches and his defense and boxing out need some work, but it's definitely a different/better team with him on the floor. Even when he was tentative late in the first half, his presense on the floor was crucial because he was an offensive threat and had to be accounted for. Even though he wasn't scoring much, he was helping to open things up for Gardner and for drives.

After the 2 quick fouls, a nice game from Jae.

[MuMark]

15 points on 7 of 10 shooting, 9 rebounds 4 steals, 2 blocks, 2 assists and only 1 turnover in 23 minutes.......wow.

[🏀]

Jae played a good half...

What happens when Vander only plays one good half?

[🏀]

Hope Jae's got a second half in him after that great first.

[🏀]

JAE!