2026 Recruiting: Abdou Toure update from aaron torres

[boog204]

Why couldn’t Nowell get the same opportunity? As a top 30ish kid that we went out and asked to come here over other schools because we thought he would be helpful for our program based on what we saw.

He received over 10 minutes three times all year and only once was it against a real opponent (Colorado). In comparison, Mahaney got all the opportunity in the world to prove himself that Nowell didn’t get a chance to. Despite clearly not deserving it.

Because Nowell really showed absolutely nothing in any of his minutes. Aidan was obviously a major disappointment, but he was our leading scorer in our first preseason game, had 9 and three 3's off the bench vs. Baylor early on, basically won us the PC game with 15 off the bench, and had double figures in a few other games. Nowell could barely handle the ball and was an even bigger liability defensively than Aidan. I mean Dan Hurley played a broken Hass and Liam at PG over them.

 

[HW611]

Because Nowell really showed absolutely nothing in any of his minutes. Aidan was obviously a major disappointment, but he was our leading scorer in our first preseason game, had 9 and three 3's off the bench vs. Baylor early on, basically won us the PC game with 15 off the bench, and had double figures in a few other games. Nowell could barely handle the ball and was an even bigger liability defensively than Aidan. I mean Dan Hurley played a broken Hass and Liam at PG over them.

I guess the question is

Did Aiden show these things because he got the minutes and leash to do it? And if Nowell was given a similar leash/green light could he have shown the same?

However you answer those questions will pretty much be how you feel about the situation.

 

[Waquoit]

I guess the question is

Did Aiden show these things because he got the minutes and leash to do it? And if Nowell was given a similar leash/green light could he have shown the same?

However you answer those questions will pretty much be how you feel about the situation.

For me, the question is: Why do think you know better than Hurley?

 

[auror]

I guess the question is

Did Aiden show these things because he got the minutes and leash to do it? And if Nowell was given a similar leash/green light could he have shown the same?

However you answer those questions will pretty much be how you feel about the situation.

He kept getting hurt. The same leash and green light wasn't possible.

 

[HW611]

He kept getting hurt. The same leash and green light wasn't possible.

It wasn’t possible to get him more than 10 minutes in the 4 cupcake games we played in to start the season?

Just excuses. Is what it is at this point. Hoping the staff learned from last season.

 

[JustbrewitMan]

It wasn’t possible to get him more than 10 minutes in the 4 cupcake games we played in to start the season?

Just excuses. Is what it is at this point. Hoping the staff learned from last season.

What, pray tell, is the "lesson learned" from Nowell's time here, in your expert opinion?

I'll hang up, listen, and undoubtedly laugh.

 

[RuffRuff]

What, pray tell, is the "lesson learned" from Nowell's time here, in your expert opinion?

I'll hang up, listen, and undoubtedly laugh.

Don’t recruit an undersized PG with a loose handle and no ability to stay in front a player on defense just because he’s from Philly!

 

[auror]

It wasn’t possible to get him more than 10 minutes in the 4 cupcake games we played in to start the season?

Just excuses. Is what it is at this point. Hoping the staff learned from last season.

No, it seems pretty clear to me that the better players still needed time to gel and improve since we didn't play all that well in those cupcake games and then got out butts smoked in Maui.

 

[Excalibur]

I guess the question is

Did Aiden show these things because he got the minutes and leash to do it? And if Nowell was given a similar leash/green light could he have shown the same?

However you answer those questions will pretty much be how you feel about the situation.

Nowell fell way behind due to his injuries, which he never fully healed from even by the end of the season. Between the injuries and learning curve, he was basically unplayable. And I think the kid will end up being pretty good if/when healthy.

 

[Lafayette]

Reibe, and especially Mullins, said this? Can I actually see that quote. I can understand Furphy. But I don’t think Mullins would’ve came here if he thought he wasn’t going to get minutes.

the don't care comment was from Furphy. Mullins had an I want to learn quote. Reibe was similar to Mullins quote. Very vocal about being a better player and learning and being pushed.

 

[Excalibur]

It wasn’t possible to get him more than 10 minutes in the 4 cupcake games we played in to start the season?

Just excuses. Is what it is at this point. Hoping the staff learned from last season.

He was late getting going in the preseason because of an injury. The last two cupcake games he got 10 and 17 minutes (pretty appropriate time for a guy in his spot), then got hurt again. Absent the injuries, he was shaping up as a 5-8 minute sub at the PG position. Again, pretty appropriate for a freshman with some holes in his game.

Then he got minutes in the first two Big East games after he was healthy enough to play. Saying he didn't get an opportunity is objectively wrong.

 

[Excalibur]

What, pray tell, is the "lesson learned" from Nowell's time here, in your expert opinion?

I'll hang up, listen, and undoubtedly laugh.

Sacrifice (at best) development of your core unit or (at worst) actual games to get a freshman guard 20 MPG . . .

 

[TheShot1990]

If you look at the history of our shorter point guards - Earl Kelly, Karl Hobbs, Chris Smith, Kemba, Khalid EA, Ryan Boatwright, Shabazz…they all had an outstanding handle, and you felt confident when the ball was in their hands. Nowell, not so much.

 

[Horatio]

Nowell fell way behind due to his injuries, which he never fully healed from even by the end of the season. Between the injuries and learning curve, he was basically unplayable. And I think the kid will end up being pretty good if/when healthy.

I think this is exactly what happened. I think his “shoulder” injury was actually worse than we thought and with the NIL players could lose value if injuries are fully addressed in the media. If he was healthy from the start, he would’ve played

 

[gimber]

Unless someone here can say they had the opportunity to get paid a little more than $1 million upon high school graduation but passed on it to pursue a different path, not one if us is in position to criticize this kid for whatever decision he makes.

Good luck in Arkansas - I've been - it sucks.

 

[RuffRuff]

Good luck in Arkansas - I've been - it sucks.

You've been to the wrong parts - Bentonville & the Ozark Lakes area are pretty darn cool. Another Austin in 25 years.

 

[ArizonaHsky]

While that is probably true, I really think our roster misses that athletic slasher type who can get downhill and just take people to the hole.

And, no, I don't think Jaylin is that guy, even though he probably has the ability.

Absolutely true. We dont have a drive to the hoop player and we need one. Stewart and Ross are perimeter guys

 

[businesslawyer]

He kept getting hurt. The same leash and green light wasn't possible.

Because Aidan was an all conference player in a good mid major league before coming here? Because Aidan was a good starter on a top 40 club before coming here? As opposed to a highly thought of high school player?

 

[Lafayette]

Because Aidan was an all conference player in a good mid major league before coming here? Because Aidan was a good starter on a top 40 club before coming here? As opposed to a highly thought of high school player?

so this thread on Toure should be closed as we have veered into Nowell/Maheney obscurity.

 

[superjohn]

You've been to the wrong parts - Bentonville & the Ozark Lakes area are pretty darn cool. Another Austin in 25 years.

Austin blows.

 

[husky99]

so this thread on Toure should be closed as we have veered into Nowell/Maheney obscurity.

Agree

 

[UCTitleTown]

Agree

We can resurrect it when he portals next year.

 

[UCONNOLOGIST]

We can resurrect it when he portals next year.

Exactly, because he will DEFINITELY hit the portal next season, when he's recruited over, and the next group of 5-star talent hits campus.

 

[Hunt for 7]

You've been to the wrong parts - Bentonville & the Ozark Lakes area are pretty darn cool. Another Austin in 25 years.

I love the Table Rock Lake area which is not to far away. Used to go there regularly when I lived in Chicago and spent my free time on my bass boat fishing.

 

[Hunt for 7]

I think this is exactly what happened. I think his “shoulder” injury was actually worse than we thought and with the NIL players could lose value if injuries are fully addressed in the media. If he was healthy from the start, he would’ve played

Shoulders on guards who have to fight through screens are a tough injury. And they take forever to heal naturally if you don’t go the surgery route. I agree I think he favored that shoulder and it kept him from developing.

We all should know how important confidence is when playing a sport or really accomplishing anything in life. You have to believe and cannot doubt yourself when you are competing at a high level in anything.