KAEO Alex Oriakhi

blackbriar · Post by **blackbriar** » Wed Mar 21, 2012 10:47 pm

ESPN Alex Oriakhi will spend his senior season with a team that has a chance to play in the NCAA tournament.

The 6-foot-9, 240-pound Oriakhi will transfer from Connecticut, his father, Alex Sr., told the Hearst Connecticut Media Group.

"Alex will transfer because of the NCAA tournament next year," his father told the newspaper group.

http://espn.go.com/boston/story/_/id/77 ... nament-ban

UMass is already widely considered a lock for next year's tournament, and its well known our biggest weakness is at the 5. UMass makes more sense than any other school, and I truly believe that from an objective standpoint.[/quote]

Marty Peretz · Post by **Marty Peretz** » Wed Mar 21, 2012 11:01 pm

Let's not get ahead of ourselves. No one is a lock for next year's tournament and if any are, we aren't among them. We have the talent to get there, but a lock is much too strong a term.

inthescoop · Post by **inthescoop** » Thu Mar 22, 2012 12:47 am

blackbriar wrote:
ESPN Alex Oriakhi will spend his senior season with a team that has a chance to play in the NCAA tournament.

The 6-foot-9, 240-pound Oriakhi will transfer from Connecticut, his father, Alex Sr., told the Hearst Connecticut Media Group.

"Alex will transfer because of the NCAA tournament next year," his father told the newspaper group.
http://espn.go.com/boston/story/_/id/77 ... nament-ban

UMass is already widely considered a lock for next year's tournament, and its well known our biggest weakness is at the 5. UMass makes more sense than any other school, and I truly believe that from an objective standpoint.

[/quote]

Oh really?..........what

Chris20 · Post by **Chris20** » Thu Mar 22, 2012 7:06 am

ShotPutNC wrote:
Chris20 wrote:Don't get your hopes up....and shot put, the fact that he just announced doesn't mean much.
Yes it does. Telling Administration in this case is asking for "Permission to Contact" other schools. He hasn't been able to talk to other coaches yet. So even if he had some schools in mind, He would have to talk to the other coach before he rushed into anything. So yes, the fact he just announced does mean something.

I understand that's the rule, but it really doesn't mean he hasn't had conversations. i have no doubt that he had conversations programs before officially announcing he was transferring.

It's a shady business. Don't think for one second that coaches haven't had feelers out for a guy like him, who was an obvious transfer possibility the minute UConn was declared ineligible for the tourney.

kdogg8173 · Post by **kdogg8173** » Thu Mar 22, 2012 7:07 am

You have to remember that Cady hasn't played more than half this season and he probably won't have a full summer to work on his game either. To expect a normal freshman to sophomore progression is pretty optimistic. I'd welcome AO with open arms.

UMassFan99 · Post by **UMassFan99** » Thu Mar 22, 2012 7:59 am

I do agree with who ever asked why he would want to go to a team that's a non-contender? Is it really going to benefit him to go to a school like Providence which is on the way up (most likely) but probably not next year. Same question with regards to URI and Hofstra.

You would think he would want to go to a school that has a chance to make the tourney. Not even saying UMass specifically, though that would be great, but not sure why he would go to Providence or Hofstra. That's not going to help him out in his last year.

I'd also like to see him here because you have to figure that it will really help both Cady and Tyler in terms of day-in and day-out big man competition. I think Cady is the future - as long as his foot is OK - so adding AO would not only help AO and the current UMass team, but would really help our future.

Chris20 · Post by **Chris20** » Thu Mar 22, 2012 8:06 am

We are not a lock for the tournament. But the fact that he would consider URI, while curious, might be a good sign....it indicates he wants to stay close to home and is not against moving "down" to the A10.....URI is probably closer to home, but I have to think we have a better chance to dance next year than they do....

InnervisionsUMASS · Post by **InnervisionsUMASS** » Thu Mar 22, 2012 8:15 am

^

No way! URI has the best coach in the league now!

Chris20 · Post by **Chris20** » Thu Mar 22, 2012 8:19 am

The "power"......it just might be too much to overcome....

Stnwaller · Post by **Stnwaller** » Thu Mar 22, 2012 8:48 am

Amherst is slightly closer to Lowell than North Kingston RI and a lot nicer ride. Just wondering if schools can put any restrictions on players transferring outside of the conference. I doubt Calhoun would want him going to UMASS. I think UMASS would be a perfect fit.

InnervisionsUMASS · Post by **InnervisionsUMASS** » Thu Mar 22, 2012 8:52 am

I don't believe the school can do that, no.

km109 · Post by **km109** » Thu Mar 22, 2012 8:55 am

NCAA allowed free transfer because of Tournament ban. Don't think Mumbles can do a damn thing about it.

Chris20 · Post by **Chris20** » Thu Mar 22, 2012 9:04 am

If he still has a relationship with Calhoun, that doesn't help us...and might help explain if he picks URI over us.....if we are even in the mix, that is.

ShotPutNC · Post by **ShotPutNC** » Thu Mar 22, 2012 9:12 am

His father says he wants to play in the tournament. URI has a new coach, potential new system, and holes in the roster. What is the likelihood they make the tournament without having to win 4 straight in the A-10 Tourney? I don't think its very good. Not good enough to draw Oriakhi to URI at least.

Also, I get the feeling that things arent peachy between Calhoun and Oriakhi. I doubt Calhoun's opinion will sway him.

utterlyoptimistic · Post by **utterlyoptimistic** » Thu Mar 22, 2012 9:25 am

^^^
Based on the tweets from AO's father, in the CT post or Hartford Courant article, I would say the relationship between Calhoun and the Oriakhi's has been fractured.