Akok Akok

[TripleDribbleMan]

Do you think UConn will get anything out of Akok in the postseason? Will we even see a 5 point, 3 rebound, 1 block game in 10-12 minutes of action, or is that a bit too much to ask? Will he even get 10-12 minutes to game? Is this a "wait til next year" situation, in which the severity of his Achilles injury was just too much to overcome for this season?

 

[the Blades]

Is this a "wait til next year" situation, in which the severity of his Achilles injury was just too much to overcome for this season?

To me Akok is a "as needed" situation like for foul problems. I think he can handle things offensively, like vs. Xavier, but his biggest issue seems to be moving and recovering to position on D. Especially compared to how good he was on D prior to the injury.

 

[ChiefOO]

In his current state, he’s not someone you can rotate into a game with confidence in any positive you know what you are getting. Hopefully, a healthy Akok returns next season.

 

[TripleDribbleMan]

What I liked most about the healthy Akok preinjury last year was his shot-blocking. Although Sanogo, Whaley and Carlton combine to provide good shot blocking and rebounding at the 4/5 positions (Carlton is particularly good on offensive rebounding), I had hoped Akok would be able to help with shot blocking more than anything. Akok has greater shooting range than those other 3 guys and can stretch the D and he seemed like he could be a stretch 4 type of dude. It's nice to have him around even as a body for foul trouble because if UConn were to advance a round or 2 and play a team like Gonzaga or Michigan (which have huge frontlines with fundamentally sound big men that can get position and make aggressive low post scoring moves), foul trouble will happen. And then Akok becomes a body. On that note does anyone remember when Emeka Okafor fouled out all 3 Duke centers and used up their 15 fouls in 2004 Final 4? The only one of the 3 who was decent was Sheldon Williams, the other 2 guys were 6'11" stiffs. I remember the 3rd string guy who didn't play came in and he rang up his 5 fouls in around 6-7 minutes. Pure banger not much talent. Emeka was shooting lots of FTs end of that game.

 

[CL82]

In his current state, he’s not someone you can rotate into a game with confidence in any positive you know what you are getting. Hopefully, a healthy Akok returns next season.

Look for Hurley to spot play him in NCAA early rounds, but I agree he won't be an integral part of the game plan.

 

[alexdz]

Look for Hurley to spot play him in NCAA early rounds, but I agree he won't be an integral part of the game plan.

So you're saying he's going to sit for the BET and then suddenly be used in spots in the NCAA's after not seeing game time for three weeks?

 

[TripleDribbleMan]

I think the NCAA early rounds will be competitive games and not cakewalks. If UConn is a 7 seed they play a 10 and then the 2 seed in the next round. You need to have an established competitive rotation for such games. I would like to see Akok be able to give them 10-15 minutes of productive action but it seems like that is a pipe dream at this point either in the BET or NCAA tourney. I hope I am wrong as I would like to see Akok even in a limited role.

 

[CL82]

So you're saying he's going to sit for the BET and then suddenly be used in spots in the NCAA's after not seeing game time for three weeks?

I was expecting him to get in in blowouts for limited minutes just to get NCAA tournament experience. Then again, if that were true, you think he would’ve gotten in for a minute or two tonight.