Akok Akok in the portal

[rrlbees]

Why not both Akok and Ballard. Can Weitzman pay Billy Owens for some appearances? Say an amount equal to a SU scholarship; then put a certain roster player on walk-on status?

Hell, on the football side of things, some guy/business is paying the tuition for all walk-ons at BYU.

 

[OrangeDW]

He’s fully back to health. His only issue on the court this year was that he was lost defensively. He’d come in, hit a 3 and then lose the guy he was supposed to be guarding in back to back possessions and get pulled.

Wing-corner-block.

Forward here isn’t that complicated if you can move, and jump.

I’ll take him.

 

[JeremyCuse]

Does anyone know how he is doing with the injury? Did he come back yet to playing? I didn’t pay attention to him nor UConn.

He came back last year (felt like he came back early from that type of injury) and per the UConn board has been a shell of what he was as a frosh before the injury.

 

[OttoinGrotto]

Why not both Akok and Ballard. Can Weitzman pay Billy Owens for some appearances? Say an amount equal to a SU scholarship; then put a certain roster player on walk-on status?

This is how winning programs think.

 

[OttoinGrotto]

so really - is lesser/post-injury AA a better option than big Quincy?

I think so. He's accomplished more at this level, is more versatile, brings a semi-proven outside shot, and... clogs up the scholly for fewer years.

 

[sam]

All of the UConn players who left (so far at least) were glued to the bench or didn't play at all. They have a good core with Hawkins, Sanogo, Jackson, Johnson, Clingan and Karaban and can upgrade their backcourt. Newton is a good start.

 

[pearl31]

All of the UConn players who left (so far at least) were glued to the bench or didn't play at all. They have a good core with Hawkins, Sanogo, Jackson, Johnson, Clingan and Karaban and can upgrade their backcourt. Newton is a good start.

Thanks for your interest in Syracuse basketball.

 

[rrlbees]

This is how winning programs think.

Some of these posts are sad.

 

[sutomcat]

All of the UConn players who left (so far at least) were glued to the bench or didn't play at all. They have a good core with Hawkins, Sanogo, Jackson, Johnson, Clingan and Karaban and can upgrade their backcourt. Newton is a good start.

Not true. I don't care about all the other players who are fleeing Storrs but since Akok was recruited hard by Syracuse in HS, I did a little research to check on your info.

Akok Akok averaged 28 mpg 2 years ago and 13.9 last year.

He only played in 7 games his sophomore year when he had the severe injury.

Akok Akok - West Virginia Mountaineers Forward - ESPN

View the profile of West Virginia Mountaineers Forward Akok Akok on ESPN. Get the latest news, live stats and game highlights.

www.espn.com

Please don't post misinformation on this board. Thanks.

 

[Sherman20]

I checked their board and saw no indication they think they are going to get involved with him...

Akok Akok

Akok Akok

247sports.com

Apparently Capel and Pitt are going to be involved. We should be able to beat them out if we really want him.

 

[Cuse_NYC]

He checks the most important box. Over 6’8 and under 200lbs

 

[OrlandoCuse]

Hell, on the football side of things, some guy/business is paying the tuition for all walk-ons at BYU.

Tuition at BYU for Mormons is extremely affordable

 

[rrlbees]

Tuition at BYU for Mormons is extremely affordable

Regardless of the cost, it can be done as the poster was wondering.

 

[OrangeDW]

All of the UConn players who left (so far at least) were glued to the bench or didn't play at all. They have a good core with Hawkins, Sanogo, Jackson, Johnson, Clingan and Karaban and can upgrade their backcourt. Newton is a good start.

Unfortunately for them, their coach knows nothing beyond “try reeeeeal hard” and thus sucks in close games, particularly against good teams.

So that ceiling is capped.

 

[dasher]

Wasn't he from Putnam health sciences? I wonder if that will hurt them with those kids going forward?"

 

[RF2044]

Dude hit 46% from 3 last season, potentially solves backup 5 and adds another perimeter threat.

He fits the previous relationship standard.

I mean... sorry, Ballard. If there's only one scholarship and he's interested I'd happily welcome in Akok.

Agreed -- if we could, it would be ideal to get a who can also play C, rather than a pure 5 who can only contribute at that position.

Will be interesting to see if we get involved. Isn't this kid injury prone?

 

[dasher]

All of the UConn players who left (so far at least) were glued to the bench or didn't play at all. They have a good core with Hawkins, Sanogo, Jackson, Johnson, Clingan and Karaban and can upgrade their backcourt. Newton is a good start.

Sam, Cole was their whole team. They can't afford to lose guys that aren't accustomed to Dan's lunacy

 

[Yukon]

did you guys expect this departure?

Yeah. With Samson Johnson and Alex Karaban there wasn’t much hope for Akok to get a ton of play. The only surprise so far is Corey Floyd Jr. but given the Tristen Newton commit, possible Stephon Castle reclass, and the other guard targets they’re after, it’s understandable he’d look elsewhere.

 

[Orangezoo]

Yeah. With Samson Johnson and Alex Karaban there wasn’t much hope for Akok to get a ton of play. The only surprise so far is Corey Floyd Jr. but given the Tristen Newton commit, possible Stephon Castle reclass, and the other guard targets they’re after, it’s understandable he’d look elsewhere.

You guys are looking at a rough year as it stands. Newton has some game but its a big step up.

 

[orangemass]

One Akok is enough... 2 is overkill, second hand is holding a taco

 

[CuseMan4]

Ajak for Akok?

Was literally just going to post this and then I saw your post lol

Think we do something with Ajak to make from for Akok.

We love being the Bridesmaid out of high school for these recruits but then they come calling a couple years later. Ballard, Swider, Akok…it’s wild. Just shows how important it is to maintain those relationships.

We could be adding Ballard and Akok to the 6 high schoolers coming in…that’s a lot of new players

 

[Cuse1055]

Was literally just going to post this and then I saw your post lol

Think we do something with Ajak to make from for Akok.

We love being the Bridesmaid out of high school for these recruits but then they come calling a couple years later. Ballard, Swider, Akok…it’s wild. Just shows how important it is to maintain those relationships.

We could be adding Ballard and Akok to the 6 high schoolers coming in…that’s a lot of new players

You thinking we reach out at least?

 

[Yukon]

You guys are looking at a rough year as it stands. Newton has some game but its a big step up.

If the roster ends up as it is today I completely agree. But if they add a Courtney Ramey type and an adequate backup I think they have a very good chance to be better than last year. The major issue with the team last year is that there was only one reliable ball handler and he was under 6’ tall so he really couldn’t create against longer guards. People forget Cole started Howard and ended up 1st Team Big East so I’m optimistic that Newton will do well. The key will be filling out the backcourt. If they don’t it’s not going to fun for me but you’ll probably enjoy it :-D

 

[CuseMan4]

You thinking we reach out at least?

If we give Ajak or Owens “the talk”. 100%

Akok is exactly what we need right now. Have Benny and Akok start at the forwards and the freshman back them up so they aren’t under so much pressure. Obviously we need a healthy Akok which isn’t a guarantee as we can see from UConn. But I would feel a hell of a lot better if we have a Starting line up of:

Mintz
Girard
Akok
Benny
Edwards

Symir-6th man
Taylor-is in the rotation at the 2/3
Freshman forward to back up Benny and Akok (either Bunch or Brown)
Ballard gets spot minutes when Edwards needs rest

That’s a team I can live with

 

[Orangezoo]

If the roster ends up as it is today I completely agree. But if they add a Courtney Ramey type and an adequate backup I think they have a very good chance to be better than last year. The major issue with the team last year is that there was only one reliable ball handler and he was under 6’ tall so he really couldn’t create against longer guards. People forget Cole started Howard and ended up 1st Team Big East so I’m optimistic that Newton will do well. The key will be filling out the backcourt. If they don’t it’s not going to fun for me but you’ll probably enjoy it :-D

Yeah - your bigger challenge is Hurley. He isn't putting the pieces together well enough on the court. Your losing 8 guys total and bringing in a ton of new pieces that have to have chemistry and a good game plan. Talent being less the issue than making it work. Maybe he can do it but needs to be a lot better than he has so far.