Crowder foul trouble

[Skatastrophy]

I realized something about Crowder yesterday:

1.  Remember last year when EWill was starting games to keep Crowder out of early foul trouble?  And even that didn't work sometimes?

2.  Remember earlier this year when it was every other game that Crowder ended up having to take a seat during the first half and finishing games with 4 fouls?

Crowder has always been a beast for us - *when he is in the game* - the problem is that he had a tendency for slapping at the ball on defense and removing himself from the game.

This past stretch of games without Otule and DG, when we've needed Crowder the most, he has really gotten his crap together.  He only has 4 fouls to give because there's nobody that can come in for him or JWilson off of the bench.  I don't know what clicked with Crowder, but the most important thing that he's accomplished in the later half of this year is reducing his number of fouls so that he can stay in games and remain effective.

It's nothing compared to DJO's stretch of finishing games with around 20 points with only 1 or 2 fouls, but Crowder is using his head a lot more.  Both guys are playing great basketball, but more importantly they're playing smart.

[brewcity77]

Not much more to say other than...yup. 

[96warrior]

Correct me if I'm wrong...very well may be, I was blinded with joy at Crowder's game on Saturday, but UConn didn't even reach the bonus in the second half...am I making that up? If not, that is a tremendous team defensive performance.

[Marqevans]

I've noticed he often smartly doesn't challenge someone when he knows he's beat.

[Spotcheck Billy]

I've noticed he often smartly doesn't challenge someone when he knows he's beat.

I also have noticed and discussed that with the friends that watched the UConn game at our house last weekend (since I got a 59 inch plasma I see alot more of my friends coming over  )

[LON]

I also have noticed and discussed that with the friends that watched the UConn game at our house last weekend (since I got a 59 inch plasma I see alot more of my friends coming over  )

#humblebrag

[jsglow]

I've noticed he often smartly doesn't challenge someone when he knows he's beat.

That's one huge key.  2 points with 6 minutes to go in the first half is not worth a Jae foul.  He's also quit reaching in 25 feet from the basket unless he has a clear steal opportunity.

[THEultimateWARRIOR]

He's also quit reaching in 25 feet from the basket unless he has a clear steal opportunity.

I have noticed more than anything out of Jae lately. I couldn't stand it earlier in the year when he would get those reach in fouls after he missed a basket.

[T-Bone]

...but UConn didn't even reach the bonus in the second half...am I making that up?

Correct.  But UConn didn't reach the bonus in EITHER half.
http://statsheet.com/mcb/games/2012/02/18/marquette-79-connecticut-64

(Though I thought they did in the 1st half...)

[bilsu]

There seems to be only one set of refs in Big East that calls fouls. Crowder has stayed away from the stupid fouls this year, but there is no such thing as a foul under the basket in Big East. Mugging is allowed there. What is not allow is touching a guard 25 ft from basket. They get Derrick Wilson all the time on this.
That is why MU could be in trouble in NCAA tournament as most likely we will not have Big East refs and a lot of fouls will get called.

[96warrior]

T-Bone, thanks for verifying both the stat and the fact I'm not totally losing my head.

How is more not made of this?? Our guys defended without the other team having the chance to even get to the line on a non-shooting foul. That's huge! Isn't that huge? That's huge!!!

[Aughnanure]

There seems to be only one set of refs in Big East that calls fouls. Crowder has stayed away from the stupid fouls this year, but there is no such thing as a foul under the basket in Big East. Mugging is allowed there. What is not allow is touching a guard 25 ft from basket. They get Derrick Wilson all the time on this.
That is why MU could be in trouble in NCAA tournament as most likely we will not have Big East refs and a lot of fouls will get called.

This. How the games are called out of Big East conference play will be huge. However, watching Big 12 and Big Ten games, refs are allowing a good amount of Big East type physicality (think Kansas St).

[Silkk the Shaka]

Three fouls in the last five minutes - you jinxed him!

[MattyWarrior]

Jae needs a breather, its a wide open game.

[mileskishnish72]

Skat, you are absolutely correct!

[Skatastrophy]

Three fouls in the last five minutes - you jinxed him!

I'll jinx our players every night if it means we get a win like this

[Silkk the Shaka]

I'll jinx our players every night if it means we get a win like this

Please do!

[warriorchick]

On a related note, has anyone else noticed that Jae is excellent at drawing fouls? He is especially skilled at drawing the offensive charge.  Between that and his powerful drives to the hoop, I am certain that he draws far more fouls than he commits.  It's just one more positive Jae brings to the table.

I am not one of you stats nerds, so can someone tell me if that is a statistic that is commonly tracked, and if so, is there is a place to see how Jae ranks?

[Silkk the Shaka]

On a related note, has anyone else noticed that Jae is excellent at drawing fouls? He is especially skilled at drawing the offensive charge.  Between that and his powerful drives to the hoop, I am certain that he draws far more fouls than he commits.  It's just one more positive Jae brings to the table.

I am not one of you stats nerds, so can someone tell me if that is a statistic that is commonly tracked, and if so, is there is a place to see how Jae ranks?

He draws 4.2 fouls/40 minutes and commits 3.2 fouls/40 minutes.  Pretty sure that doesn't include charges drawn, so the disparity is probably even higher.

[warriorchick]

He draws 4.2 fouls/40 minutes and commits 3.2 fouls/40 minutes.  Pretty sure that doesn't include charges drawn, so the disparity is probably even higher.

It seems to me he draws at least 1-2 charges per game.  I wonder if they do "flopping" drills in practice.  He is amazing at it.

[MU82]

I marvel at his ability to draw charges every game.

He did commit a coupla silly fouls last night -- one reach and one over-the-back -- in his 3-fouls-in-5-mins stretch. Then managed to go the rest of the way without another; nice discipline.

[Canadian Dimes]

I marvel at his ability to draw charges every game.

He did commit a coupla silly fouls last night -- one reach and one over-the-back -- in his 3-fouls-in-5-mins stretch. Then managed to go the rest of the way without another; nice discipline.

Jae is simply showing more discipline.  HE loves to slap and reach and poke and low block to get steals.  that is OK, provided he realizes the situation.  reaching in on a fast break with 8 minutes left in the first half with zero fouls is OK.  Doing it with 16 minutes left in the first half when he already has 1 foul is dumb. 
It would appear he has controlled himself from those poor decisions.

Additonally, i think as JAe's persona and star power has risen he is getting more of those calls.  He could have had 10 fouls called aginst him last night but it seems the referees are starting to give him the benefit of the doubt that comes with star power.

[warriorchick]

Additonally, i think as JAe's persona and star power has risen he is getting more of those calls.  He could have had 10 fouls called aginst him last night but it seems the referees are starting to give him the benefit of the doubt that comes with star power.

My son (HS Senior, likely MU class of 2016) told me he had a crazy dream the other night that Jae cut off all of his hair and was down to a very short Afro.  Could you imagine?  I think his hair is part of his star persona.  Even the most casual BEast fan could probably pick Jae out from a random group of basketball players.