Akok Akok in the portal

[Cuse1055]

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

My thoughts and hope exactly. He fits our style and what we need too much to pass up. Hope the coaches feel the same.

 

[SWC75]

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

Per 40 minutes last year:

Ajak 3.2p 9.2r 3.3a 0.0s 0.7b - 3.3mfg 0.7mft 2.4to 5.2pf = 5.2NP
Akok 9.9p 9.2r 1.0a 0.6s 3.1b - 4.1mfg 1.5mft 0.4to 2.6pf = 15.2NP

Also:

Ballard 7.5p 9.9r 0.5a 0.9s 5.2b - 1.4mfg 1.9mft 1.9to 3.3pf = 15.5NP
BHH 12.4p 9.4r 1.0a 1.1s 1.1b - 6.4mfg 1.0mft 2.9to 2.6pf = 12.1NP

 

[UpstateSM]

Assemble as much talent as you can and let everything figure itself out. Guys are going to transfer/leave early regardless so scaring one or two freshmen away 12 months from now can't be something you worry about.

Winning now is more important than rolling those dice. Especially when they seem to go against us more often than not.

 

[hoopsupstate]

Akok never showed much. I’d rather go with our freshmen or if you’re going to go to the portal get someone really good.

 

[orangepassion]

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.

So he's a perfect replacement for Anselem.

 

[CuseMan4]

If Akok can stay healthy he will be very good here. If I had to predict he’ll average around 10ppg and 7rpg but I think he would be a real menace on defense for us. He also runs the floor well and brings athleticism we desperately need. Akok and Benny would compliment each other very well. I’m confident Benny takes that next step, I’m even more confident Akok would kill it here if he stays healthy.

In terms of Ballard my thoughts have been known. I’d rather have another Center. I hope he kills it here too but I don’t see him getting much more than 5mpg here next year unless Jesse is in foul trouble.

If we add Akok and Ballard to next years Cuse team will start looking a bit like Cuse teams of old in terms of size and athleticism. Which is a breath of fresh air.

 

[Giants1973]

If Akok can stay healthy he will be very good here. If I had to predict he’ll average around 10ppg and 7rpg but I think he would be a real menace on defense for us. He also runs the floor well and brings athleticism we desperately need. Akok and Benny would compliment each other very well. I’m confident Benny takes that next step, I’m even more confident Akok would kill it here if he stays healthy.

In terms of Ballard my thoughts have been known. I’d rather have another Center. I hope he kills it here too but I don’t see him getting much more than 5mpg here next year unless Jesse is in foul trouble.

If we add Akok and Ballard to next years Cuse team will start looking a bit like Cuse teams of old in terms of size and athleticism. Which is a breath of fresh air.

Need get rid of Chaz or john bol then

 

[CuseMan4]

Need get rid of Chaz or john bol then

Yup. Realistically could keep them. Just tell Chaz he’ll be a PWO this season. Idk if he would stay but I have a feeling he might

 

[sam]

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.

He averaged 28 minutes before tearing his achilles and sitting out for two years in 2019. How many minutes did he average when you factor in his 10 DNP's this year when he was fully good to go? The kid scored 79 points this year.

 

[OttoinGrotto]

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?

I don't think he's injury prone. I think he just had the one injury but it was a bad one.

 

[jdubs30]

I think Akok could find a bigger role at places other than Cuse, but man he’d be great here with about 15mpg

 

[tee1222]

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

That would be one heck of a zoneish frontcourt, folks! I'm sold.

 

[Capt. Tuttle]

If we are not reaching out to Clignan...

 

[dasher]

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

You might try and figure out how to replace Cole. Who was really your whole team.

 

[Capt. Tuttle]

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.

But how did that make him feel?

 

[Capt. Tuttle]

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?

$100k. Really

 

[Loki]

Yup. Realistically could keep them. Just tell Chaz he’ll be a PWO this season. Idk if he would stay but I have a feeling he might

Can't take a scholarship away Chaz either elects to transfer or stay.

 

[rrlbees]

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

I’m not all that impressed especially since it will probably cost us recruits and AA hasn’t really shown a lot mostly due to injury.

 

[Cuse_NYC]

You might try and figure out how to replace Cole. Who was really your whole team.

Us or them??

 

[dasher]

Us or them??

LOL Good. Them

 

[OttoinGrotto]

Can't take a scholarship away Chaz either elects to transfer or stay.

You're really in to keeping track of this and reminding everyone about the scholarship situation.

I expected something a little different from a time variant. Something a little more chaotic. This seems like something more orderly.

Unless... is that the play?

 

[Yukon]

You might try and figure out how to replace Cole. Who was really your whole team.

Tristan Newton should more or less do that. I’m much more concerned with having additional guards who can handle the ball and facilitate offense. Otherwise it’ll be exactly like last year whenever the starting point guard sits. Ugly.

 

[cliftonparksufan]

You're really in to keeping track of this and reminding everyone about the scholarship situation.

I expected something a little different from a time variant. Something a little more chaotic. This seems like something more orderly.

Unless... is that the play?

What's interesting is that guys are still entering the portal, even at this late date.. I'm not sure anyone is expecting more exits from us but it could happen until May 1st, which I believe is the last date.

 

[cliftonparksufan]

I’m not all that impressed especially since it will probably cost us recruits and AA hasn’t really shown a lot mostly due to injury.

Definitely two sides of the argument. You have those who want to use the portal to upgrade every position at any cost. Then you have the argument that you need to take your recruits (six in our situation) and give them a chance, otherwise risk losing them a year from now. Not an easy scale to balance.

 

[rrlbees]

Definitely two sides of the argument. You have those you want to use the portal to upgrade every position at any cost. Then you have the argument that you need to take your recruits (six in our situation) and give them a chance, otherwise risk losing them a year from now. Not an easy scale to balance.

Exactly. It’s not a slam dunk to just take a kid who might do well.