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He's the guy I want most in the 2014 class. Then Chukwu. Then Snider. Then a SF. I like Chatman, Robinson, White, and Larrier in that order. We should get one of those 4 SFs.
Abu on campus today
- Thread starter tcf15
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CAHUSKY
UConn Class of 2013
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Don't worry, i went to UCONN for 2.5 years and never set foot in the Dairy Bar(n)
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i've been to the dairy bar more times since I graduated from UConn than I did in my 4.25 years on campus... delicious for sure; ice cream, however, was low on my list of vices when I was there.
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Sounds like a Road Trip to me... Look out National Lampoon's Vacation! Are you Clark Griswald?
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I'd obviously love to have Abu, but I don't see how anybody other than Snider could be on the top of people's wish list right now. At the PG position, it's him, and then a bit of a drop-off. I know a lot of people have Samuel billed as a point, but I view him (and think Ollie does as well) as more of a combo guard along the lines of Craig Austrie. With the talent the staff has amassed on the wings, the 2014 and 2015 teams could be special with the right point guard.
Is Abu as good as Snider? Yeah, probably. But between Larrier, White, Chatman, Abu, Robinson, and even Oubre, we're in a good position to attract another stud on the wing, whether we opt to use him as a stretch four a la Daniels (which I imagine is what Ollie prefers) or in the Adrien mold. By 2014, I have to think either Nolan or Brimah (more likely Nolan) will have developed into a solid starting center, and of course Facey should be a solid 3 or 4 year player assuming that situation gets sorted out.
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i was too busy eating spicy chicken sandwiches from Johnathan's
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Why do you think he's a combo and not a natural PG? Also, while I badly want Snider since it looks like PG options are running out for '14, I think you guys are kidding yourselves if you think he would be able to step in as a freshmen and run an offense effectively. It really took Bazz and Kemba til year 3 to really run an offense, and Boat is still TBD. Truthfully unless Boat comes back for his SR year(he would prob be dominant by that point) PG will likely be a weakness in 14-15 unless Purvis can actually play there better than anyone expects.
Dove
Who wouldn't want to be me?
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I don't have too much to report but I did get close enough to hear Abu joking around with DD and Bazz. He was laughing saying "...and he didn't even wear a hat!!". And that cracked ME(!) up and my cover was blown. The looks they gave me. I went home.
Jaybo
I hate you
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Maybe, but if you're arguing that a freshman point will have trouble running a team, isn't that all the more argument that Snider is crucial? Otherwise we're set back another year? I'm not following where you're going with your premise.
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A stud down low banger/ effort guy that can do the dirty work is higher on my list than a PG for a few reasons. One, we haven't a guy in our lineup like AMA since the guy in my avi. And I love the guy in my avi. Two, with Ollie at the helm I have no doubts that UConn will have elite backcourt and wing players year in and year out. Between Purvis, Samuels, and Hamilton I think we could get away with not getting a top PG. I'd take a guy like Watson and go all in for Dorsey in 2015.
AMA and Chukwu should be our top priorities this year. Of course I want Snider or McLaughlin, but AMA is just a little higher on my list.
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I like your thinking! Great minds think a like, they say!
Indeed. Must be the ESPN conversation board connection. I don't know if you remember me, but I was Vince Wilfork Will Eat You on the old ESPN boards.
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I was basically countering the argument I've seen that Snider will be able to step in and start from Day 1, champs never really said that tho so it was really addressing other posts and not really his. I just included it in that reply instead of posting another one.
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No strong reason other than a hunch, plus, some sites list him as a shooting guard (which admittedly might not mean much). As for Snider running the point effectively as a freshman, who knows. Point guard is certainly the most demanding and difficult position to grasp in the UConn system, but I've watched enough game tape from this past year to think Ollie could tinker with the system a bit to make it a little more simplistic and wing-oriented (even more so than it already is). Plus, everybody adapts differently to the college game - it isn't as if we haven't seen freshman point guards successfully orchestrate high-caliber offenses in recent past. Hell, Shabazz played the point for large stretches of the 2010-11 season, and we won the national championship. That's probably what we'd expect from Snider in 2014 were he to commit here.
Jaybo
I hate you
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Iv seen snider play here in Louisville last year then of course since he was a uofl commit he made the news highlights all the time.i also plan to watch him a few time this year if were still in the running for him,but from what iv seen he needs work to run a NCAA team. Plus kids like 160 needs some muscal on him or hel get banged around easy. On the other hand his up sides great.
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I think it was like two of those, a drink, and some fries for one meal equivalent at Jonathan's. so much food. They did away with the monetary values of the meals a little while after that. Used to go to alumni at the end of the year at get like 50 powerades with my extra meals.
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cant forget about the brick of rice crispy treats
Huskyforlife
Akokbouk
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so nothing about abu?
FriarJ
Never Surrender!
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Guys, this was put out last night but I don't know when the writer spoke to him. It obviously has an NC State bent but I know many of you are craving for any info so here is some FWIW.
ncstate.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=1539513
Meriden (N.H.) Kimball Union Academy senior power forward Abdul-Malik Abu has had a whirlwind of a last 11 days.
Abu said Tuesday how impressed he was with the southern hospitality at NC State. He quickly finished his fourth and final unofficial visit Wednesday to UConn and is now in preparations to make his final decision between the Wolfpack, Huskies, Providence and Florida.
Abu admitted the chance to cram in as much as possible during his NC State and Florida unofficial visits was different than going down the highway from his hometown of Boston to UConn and Providence.
Mike Pegram/Peegs.com
Meriden (N.H.) Kimball Union Academy senior power forward Abdul-Malik Abu is ranked No. 50 in the country by Rivals.com.
Abu said he definitely accomplished what he hoped for with his four unofficial visits between Aug. 10-21. Rivals.com ranks the 6-foot-8, 233-pounder the No. 50 overall player in the country, hence why the four schools have been clamoring for his inside-outside abilities, which have been enhanced this spring and summer with Expressions Elite traveling team program and coach Tyron Boswell.
"Every recruit is going to have their own visit where they can see if they get hit with reality," Abu said. "You can get hit with the facts and what other schools view you as. I feel like I've heard a lot of things and I feel like, 'Yo, I can fit in this system or I can play here.'"
Abu and close friend Jared Terrell, who plays for Wolfeboro (N.H.) Brewster Academy, and with Abu on Expressions Elite will go to the Reggie Lewis Track and Athletic Center in the heart of Boston on Sept. 7 and pick a hat from the respective schools. Terrell is also considering Providence, along with Rhode Island, Oklahoma State and Cincinnati.
"Right now, it is looking like Sept. 7, but only God knows," Abu said. "We'll see what happens from today until then, but that is the plan overall."
Abu won't declare a public leader, but he has thought long and hard about his impending decision, and has seen all four campuses.
"I just want to find the best system for me as a versatile four that can bring a lot to the table," Abu said. "Do I feel I have a leader? I don't really know. I don't want to give any schools the message that it is all said and done.
"I am just at that point where you have an idea and vision of every school and every system. It's up to take it upon yourself and see where you want to fit in and make the biggest impact. Everyone has a chance at the end of the day. Anything can change on any single day."
Abu swung through Raleigh with his cousin Aug. 11-12, and got to interact with the Wolfpack coaches. He didn't get to spend much time with the players, but did get to know local walk-on Staats Battle, a junior wing.
Abu said NCSU coach Mark Gottfried didn't give a hard sales pitch, but a natural one.
"The staff had a down to earth nature and were genuine people," Abu said. "They were just themselves, and that is the most important thing for me. I could just feel comfortable.
"Staats was a down to earth kid who showed me around. I could see how everyone feels about their state and school, and there is a lot of pride."
Abu said he was walking around with NCSU assistant coach Orlando Early and surprised when some students or fans knew who he was.
"On campus, you just feel the vibe from the people that this is what they want to do," Abu said. "A few people knew me. Someone recognized Coach Early first and then were like, 'Is that Abu?' I was amazed they knew who I was, but that shows the NC State pride.
"That is what motivates some players. If you know people are 100 percent behind them, you want to play for them."
Abu is a crafty politician but he knows that vibe in Raleigh is a positive one moving forward.
"It's hard to explain, but it is a special place, and it will be with or without me," Abu said. "It's a great place."
Abu knows the four remaining head coaches will continue to sell their school over the next few weeks.
"It's going to be steady and everyone is going to keep selling their pitch until I pick a hat," Abu said. "When that day starts creeping up, and it is still that day in the long run, it's going to get more hectic. More will want to put out their last day, and I'm not against that. That is their job, to recruit the best players and I'm grateful to be in that position."
ncstate.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=1539513
Meriden (N.H.) Kimball Union Academy senior power forward Abdul-Malik Abu has had a whirlwind of a last 11 days.
Abu said Tuesday how impressed he was with the southern hospitality at NC State. He quickly finished his fourth and final unofficial visit Wednesday to UConn and is now in preparations to make his final decision between the Wolfpack, Huskies, Providence and Florida.
Abu admitted the chance to cram in as much as possible during his NC State and Florida unofficial visits was different than going down the highway from his hometown of Boston to UConn and Providence.
Mike Pegram/Peegs.com
Meriden (N.H.) Kimball Union Academy senior power forward Abdul-Malik Abu is ranked No. 50 in the country by Rivals.com.
Abu said he definitely accomplished what he hoped for with his four unofficial visits between Aug. 10-21. Rivals.com ranks the 6-foot-8, 233-pounder the No. 50 overall player in the country, hence why the four schools have been clamoring for his inside-outside abilities, which have been enhanced this spring and summer with Expressions Elite traveling team program and coach Tyron Boswell.
"Every recruit is going to have their own visit where they can see if they get hit with reality," Abu said. "You can get hit with the facts and what other schools view you as. I feel like I've heard a lot of things and I feel like, 'Yo, I can fit in this system or I can play here.'"
Abu and close friend Jared Terrell, who plays for Wolfeboro (N.H.) Brewster Academy, and with Abu on Expressions Elite will go to the Reggie Lewis Track and Athletic Center in the heart of Boston on Sept. 7 and pick a hat from the respective schools. Terrell is also considering Providence, along with Rhode Island, Oklahoma State and Cincinnati.
"Right now, it is looking like Sept. 7, but only God knows," Abu said. "We'll see what happens from today until then, but that is the plan overall."
Abu won't declare a public leader, but he has thought long and hard about his impending decision, and has seen all four campuses.
"I just want to find the best system for me as a versatile four that can bring a lot to the table," Abu said. "Do I feel I have a leader? I don't really know. I don't want to give any schools the message that it is all said and done.
"I am just at that point where you have an idea and vision of every school and every system. It's up to take it upon yourself and see where you want to fit in and make the biggest impact. Everyone has a chance at the end of the day. Anything can change on any single day."
Abu swung through Raleigh with his cousin Aug. 11-12, and got to interact with the Wolfpack coaches. He didn't get to spend much time with the players, but did get to know local walk-on Staats Battle, a junior wing.
Abu said NCSU coach Mark Gottfried didn't give a hard sales pitch, but a natural one.
"The staff had a down to earth nature and were genuine people," Abu said. "They were just themselves, and that is the most important thing for me. I could just feel comfortable.
"Staats was a down to earth kid who showed me around. I could see how everyone feels about their state and school, and there is a lot of pride."
Abu said he was walking around with NCSU assistant coach Orlando Early and surprised when some students or fans knew who he was.
"On campus, you just feel the vibe from the people that this is what they want to do," Abu said. "A few people knew me. Someone recognized Coach Early first and then were like, 'Is that Abu?' I was amazed they knew who I was, but that shows the NC State pride.
"That is what motivates some players. If you know people are 100 percent behind them, you want to play for them."
Abu is a crafty politician but he knows that vibe in Raleigh is a positive one moving forward.
"It's hard to explain, but it is a special place, and it will be with or without me," Abu said. "It's a great place."
Abu knows the four remaining head coaches will continue to sell their school over the next few weeks.
"It's going to be steady and everyone is going to keep selling their pitch until I pick a hat," Abu said. "When that day starts creeping up, and it is still that day in the long run, it's going to get more hectic. More will want to put out their last day, and I'm not against that. That is their job, to recruit the best players and I'm grateful to be in that position."
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This same writer said UConn was 4th last week.
Now he reports this quote which is a death knell for his school:
It's down to 3 now: Florida, UConn and PC. They're announcing at the Reggie Lewis center? I think Calhoun is holding a seance right now with Reggie.
Now he reports this quote which is a death knell for his school:
It's down to 3 now: Florida, UConn and PC. They're announcing at the Reggie Lewis center? I think Calhoun is holding a seance right now with Reggie.
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