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A.J. Merriweather - A Little Larger than Life
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swvabucsfan Offline
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A.J. Merriweather - A Little Larger than Life
When A.J. Merriweather was being recruited by the Bucs, he was generally listed at 6’5”. Therefore it came as a shock and surprise when he was announced to be only 6’2”. That’s a pretty radical difference. It’s common enough for a guy to “lose” an inch in the recruiting process hype. But how can people think that a 6’2” guy is 6’5”?

The answer came when the energetic, enthusiastic freshman burst onto the court as the most exciting part of the Bucs first few games. Through the first 10 games, against some of the best competition that the Bucs would see all year, A.J. was averaging 7.4 rebounds, 11.4 points (on .556 shooting, 40-72)and 1.1 steals in 28.7 minutes. He may have been closer to 6’2”, but he certainly played like 6’5”. There wasn’t a single 6’2” D1 freshman in the country who could rebound like A.J..

That was the peak for his rebounding numbers, but he continued to shine going into conference till his points and steals peaked at 15 games in, after the first Mercer game. At that point he was averaging 6.7 rebounds, 12.1 points (63-111 .568)and 1.6 steals in the same 28.7 minutes.

He seemed to tire in the last 7 games as many freshmen do. From the second Jacksonville game through Towson his numbers fell to 5.4 rebounds per game, 5.6 points on 17-48 for .358 in an average of 24.1 minutes in that 7 game period.

That brought his final season total to 6.3 rebounds, 9.5 points on .482 shooting in 26.5 minutes. Steals (1.4), rebounds (6.3) and 3 point production (.433 on 13-30)remained about the same. Turnovers per game actually improved to 1.6 over the last 23 games from 2.5 in the first 13, as he became much better with the ball as his freshman year progressed.

Although A.J. scored mostly on slashing to the basket, he could certainly hit the 3 when open, making 13-30 for an excellent .433 on the season. A.J. could develop into another really strong perimeter option for the Bucs. But mostly nobody was running plays for A.J.. He just went and got the ball and scored.

Some guys (Mike Smith, Lester Wilson) slump a bit in the sophomore year. Others (Tommy Hubbard, Rashawn Rembert, Petey McClain) really improve. Freshman year is a different thing, anything you can do for the team is generally a pleasant surprise. Sophomore year performance, and improvement, is expected. So there's more pressure. The Bucs really hope that the energetic A.J. works his way into that second category. And here’s hoping that he never loses that infectious enthusiasm for the game.

Some freshman year comparisons:
Lester 6’4” FR.: 13.0 ppg on .422, .366 from 3 (75 made), 5.3 rpg, in 31.9 min.
Mike S 6’6” FR.: 11.0 ppg on .469, .378 from 3 (48 made), 3.7 rpg, in 25.7 min.
Ben Rhoda 6'4": 8.6 ppg on .515, .176 from 3 ( 3 made ), 3.0 rpg in 22.5 min
A.J. M. 6’2” FR: 9.5 ppg on .482, .433 from 3 ( 13 made ), 6.3 rpg in 26.5 min.

PS: A.J. would have been 5th in the SoCon in steals with 1.4, and the best freshman rebounder in the conference of any size with 6.3.
(This post was last modified: 10-17-2014 12:09 PM by swvabucsfan.)
08-18-2014 02:26 AM
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etsubuc Offline
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RE: A.J. Merriweather - A Little Larger than Life
AJ was my favorite player last year. His energy and positive attitude made him fun to watch even when we were struggling early. I wouldn't be shocked to see him slump this year and spend much of the year reinventing his game as the opponents adjust to him. With our depth at the guard positions, he might even be benched if he has some bad games. If that happens, keeping that positive attitude will be key.
08-18-2014 05:11 AM
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squeak Offline
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RE: A.J. Merriweather - A Little Larger than Life
Reminds me of Rodney English.
08-18-2014 07:18 AM
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RodShaw2 Offline
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RE: A.J. Merriweather - A Little Larger than Life
(08-18-2014 07:18 AM)squeak Wrote:  Reminds me of Rodney English.

I would have said Talford. English was a lot more dour then A.J. and Calvin. A.J. and Calvin were always smiling really seeming to enjoy the game.
(This post was last modified: 08-18-2014 07:48 AM by RodShaw2.)
08-18-2014 07:47 AM
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shampoo Offline
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RE: A.J. Merriweather - A Little Larger than Life
I'm sure when his four years are up, we'll be comparing future Bucs to Merriweather in his own right. Great kid, and one of those recruiting surprises you just never predict!
08-18-2014 12:04 PM
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Bucfaithful Offline
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RE: A.J. Merriweather - A Little Larger than Life
I'd throw in a little Kevin Tiggs in terms of demeanor and a Ben Rhoda motor (better athlete).

What a gem of a recruit.
08-18-2014 01:06 PM
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swvabucsfan Offline
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RE: A.J. Merriweather - A Little Larger than Life
The Calvin Talford comparison is interesting. As a freshman in 1988-89, Talford put up the following numbers:

Talford FR: 23.3 min., 11.7 pts on .522 from the field ,.488 (20-41) 3's, .768 free throws; 3.6 rebounds, 1.0 assists, 2.0 t.o. and 0.8 steals
A.J. M. FR: 26.5 min., 9.5 pts on .482 from the field, .433 (13-30) 3's; .672 free throws; 6.3 rebounds; 1.2 assists; 1.9 t.o.; and 1.4 steals

http://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/scho.../1989.html

That team averaged 86 points a game, creating a lot of scoring opportunities, with Greg Dennis underneath (17.2 ppg), Mr. Jennings out front (14.7 ppg and 6.3 assists)and shooters Major Geer (10.2)and Alvin West (12.6) on the perimeter. The team averaged .413 from 3, with Jennings, West, Geer and Talford all shooting well over .400 from 3. The 3 point line was one foot closer at its apex then (19' 9" compared to 20' 9" today).
(This post was last modified: 08-18-2014 01:43 PM by swvabucsfan.)
08-18-2014 01:13 PM
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bucfan1968 Offline
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RE: A.J. Merriweather - A Little Larger than Life
(08-18-2014 01:13 PM)swvabucsfan Wrote:  The Calvin Talford comparison is interesting. As a freshman in 1988-89, Talford put up the following numbers:

Talford FR: 23.3 min., 11.7 pts on .522 from the field ,.488 (20-41) 3's, with .768 free throws 3.6 rebounds, 1.0 assists, 2.0 t.o. and 0.8 steals
A.J. M. FR: 26.5 min., 9.5 pts on .482 from the field, .433 (13-30) 3's; .672 free throws; 6.3 rebounds; 1.2 assists; 1.9 t.o.; 1.4 steals

http://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/scho.../1989.html

That team averaged 86 points a game, creating a lot of scoring opportunities, with Greg Dennis underneath (17.2 ppg), Mr. Jennings out front (14.7 ppg and 6.3 assists)and shooters Major Geer (10.2)and Alvin West (12.6) on the perimeter. The team averaged .413 from 3, with Jennings, West, Geer and Talford all shooting well over .400 from 3.

That team for a time could put 5 one thousand point scorers on the floor at the same time.. plus English only missed a thousand by a couple of points... when they were all on hitting 3's.. sometimes I actually felt sorry for some of our opponents.. for a second or two...
08-18-2014 01:42 PM
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