KAEO Alex Oriakhi

UMassFan99 · Post by **UMassFan99** » Sun Mar 18, 2012 2:01 pm

^^Also, it was widely known that he was not happy with the fact that he was playing second fiddle to Drummond.

xlgman · Post by **xlgman** » Sun Mar 18, 2012 2:03 pm

It's not a reflection of the individual at all. I don't know AO from a hole in the wall. It has everything to do with where he came from and the state of their program right now. Everything that comes out of Storrs right now is tainted by association. I'm closed minded about that and won't make excuses for it.

Plus the one and done aspect.

I say build a program with HS kids. If you're going for transfers every now and then that's fine but get at least 2 years from them. Most of our transfers under DK have given us 3+ years in the system.

Looking at his stats alone, he doesn't look any better than Sean or Cady on paper.

Like I said, if DK thinks it'll work and goes out and gets him I'll ride it out and hope for the best but I'll always be nervous it'll backfire somehow. I'll try to adopt him but it will not be easy.

ShotPutNC · Post by **ShotPutNC** » Sun Mar 18, 2012 2:13 pm

Looking at his stats can be misleading. It varies depending on what system you are running. Sean has been benefiting from a system where all his points come off rebounding the quick shots or getting a pass threaded to him on the low post. Oriakhi is more talented than Sean, easily. Not to put down what Sean has done.

I do think that we will be getting a transfer this offseason. Whether that is Oriakhi or someone completely different, I don't know. I bet it will be a guy from a big 6 conference who isn't getting the time he wants or isnt happy about the system. A deep NIT run with a young roster should be enough to entice someone to come. Adding on to that, we play a very fun system by all accounts. People say we are playing closer to street ball with the way we run.

UMassFan99 · Post by **UMassFan99** » Sun Mar 18, 2012 2:16 pm

^^So, you're saying if the only HS players left for next year are sub-A-10 caliber, that we should go after them and have them commit for 4 or hold onto an empty scholly -- rather than getting AO for one year? Even though getting AO would give an additional mentor to Cady and Tyler and give us senior depth at the position for an extra year while freeing up the scholly a year later where we have the potential to recruit more actively at this point?

I don't get that rationale. If we can get a stud for next year, I would agree with you, but given that most of the really good players for next year have committed, I would doubt there are very many big guys we can get for next year who would be worth the scholly. Also, I think Cady is our future - so getting AO would also help him out.

MassModestMouse · Post by **MassModestMouse** » Sun Mar 18, 2012 2:48 pm

Alex Oriakhi seems to be some kind of magician. I'd take him:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nOakJyu7jSc

twisters tavern · Post by **twisters tavern** » Sun Mar 18, 2012 2:52 pm

My hatred for Con U comes way before '02. Mumbles ducked us in the early 90's when our program rose to power. He and the program have introduced college basketball to a litany of scandals and "scholar" (LOL) athletes with less than questionable character.

AO may be a fine person, but the fact that he chose to attend a despicable program like Con U makes me as a die hard UMass fan not want my program to invest a scholarship on him for one year, regardless of his talent. I wonder if those students who played in high school with or against all of the Con U players who have documented scandals attached to their names throughout the Mumbles years' were surprised or knew it was coming.

Let us immunize our program from these inevitable problems by not taking in anything from that cesspool to the south.

Go UMass!

twisters tavern · Post by **twisters tavern** » Sun Mar 18, 2012 3:00 pm

This statement is mind-blowing to me. I thought it would be an outlier and then xlgman says something similar only a couple posts later. What the hell is wrong with you people? First of all I do not understand the disdain for UConn in general. It wreaks of jealousy when people on this board complain about them. Regardless, I get it to an extent, Calhoun wont play us since we beat them in 02, they're another new england school, its kind of a shaddy program. Whatever. Personally I like watching UConn. Napier is one of my favorite players in all of college basketball. Crazy amount of heart on that kid. But I get the backlash on here and it doesnt bother me.

Speaks volumes of this poster.

Chris20 · Post by **Chris20** » Sun Mar 18, 2012 3:04 pm

I agree that having a uconn player as one of your favorites is a little much....but I must say that twisters tavern is a little nutty to the other side....I don't like Calhoun or uconn either, but.....whoa.

CrooksisRhyming · Post by **CrooksisRhyming** » Sun Mar 18, 2012 3:10 pm

I would take any player that can help the program, but we don't have the best track record with taking UConn defectors recently. Every player is different, though.

ShotPutNC · Post by **ShotPutNC** » Sun Mar 18, 2012 3:12 pm

UMassFan99 wrote:^^So, you're saying if the only HS players left for next year are sub-A-10 caliber, that we should go after them and have them commit for 4 or hold onto an empty scholly -- rather than getting AO for one year? Even though getting AO would give an additional mentor to Cady and Tyler and give us senior depth at the position for an extra year while freeing up the scholly a year later where we have the potential to recruit more actively at this point?

I don't get that rationale. If we can get a stud for next year, I would agree with you, but given that most of the really good players for next year have committed, I would doubt there are very many big guys we can get for next year who would be worth the scholly. Also, I think Cady is our future - so getting AO would also help him out.

I am going to guess that that wasn't replying to my post, but that I got in before your post did.

twisters tavern · Post by **twisters tavern** » Sun Mar 18, 2012 3:13 pm

Chris20 wrote:I agree that having a uconn player as one of your favorites is a little much....but I must say that twisters tavern is a little nutty to the other side....I don't like Calhoun or uconn either, but.....whoa.

Care to review your posts in the Con U thread?

Chris20 · Post by **Chris20** » Sun Mar 18, 2012 3:21 pm

Sure. I can't stand them. But I wouldnt summarily dismiss the thought of considering a transfer from there, because he chose to go there a few years ago. I abhor Calhoun....everything else is just association. If kellogg thinks the kid would fit in, crazy not to grab him. He's exactly what we need - a strong, proven power forward as Cady insurance.

ShotPutNC · Post by **ShotPutNC** » Sun Mar 18, 2012 3:28 pm

Think of it this way, there is a possibility that a Big 6 Conference center going into his senior wants to transfer, and would not have to sit out a season, and you have a feeling he could consider your program. In his sophomore season, he was a 10 point, 9 rebound player in 29 minutes per game and was key in the team winning an NCAA national championship. His numbers were down this past season due to decreased minutes and an offense with more weapons, but he was still a good 7Pts, 5 Rebound guy. Better yet, the guy never publicly spoke out about it. He did what was best for the team. You feel like he would fit in with the system you are already running, and could play 30 minutes plus a game between Center and Power Forward.

You have no idea where he goes to school currently, do you take him?

If you answered no, then you are clinically insane.

UM'12 · Post by **UM'12** » Sun Mar 18, 2012 3:28 pm

There's no way anyone can call themselves a die-hard fan of UMass BBall and say that they wouldn't want Oriakhi to come to UMass. If he actually wanted to come to Amherst and Kellogg felt like he was a solid fit, he would be an enormous addition. Not to mention the fact that Oriakhi has done NOTHING to make anyone question his character whatsoever, AND he is a native of Lowell.

A true UMass die-hard would be salivating even THINKING of a starting lineup consisting of Chaz, Jesse, Skinny, TV & Oriakhi- with a bench of Samp, Maxie, Javorn, Laguerre, Cady & Freddie. That would easily be the most talented UMass team in 15 years. It's obviously premature and even slightly ridiculous to talk about Oriakhi coming at this point, but if he did, imagine the possibilities.

As a Red Sox fan, this situation would be similar to not wanting to sign someone like CC Sabathia if he was a free agent just because he played for the Yankees. If he doesn't have a character problem and will definitely help the team win...who cares?

I'll take Oriakhi any day of the week, and I'm sure DK would too if he had the opportunity.

xlgman · Post by **xlgman** » Sun Mar 18, 2012 3:41 pm

UMassFan99 wrote:^^So, you're saying if the only HS players left for next year are sub-A-10 caliber, that we should go after them and have them commit for 4 or hold onto an empty scholly -- rather than getting AO for one year? Even though getting AO would give an additional mentor to Cady and Tyler and give us senior depth at the position for an extra year while freeing up the scholly a year later where we have the potential to recruit more actively at this point?

I don't get that rationale. If we can get a stud for next year, I would agree with you, but given that most of the really good players for next year have committed, I would doubt there are very many big guys we can get for next year who would be worth the scholly. Also, I think Cady is our future - so getting AO would also help him out.

How about maximizing minutes and experience for the young guys so they are ready to step into leadership roles the following year? Would a one and done affect the overall development of the0other players and team chemistry? Isn't Drummond's one and done year high on the list of possible friction points and chemistry problems for them this year? It's not a slam dunk decision IMO.

Try for other longer lasting untainted options first but if DK does his due diligence and still thinks this is the best option, fine.