Abu on campus today

[Jaybo]

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.

I just about pissed myself reading that!

 

[selles]

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.

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.

 

[I Bleed Blue]

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.

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.

 

[I Bleed Blue]

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.

 

[Skies17]

Wish List;

1a) Abu
1b) Snider
2) Oubre - not happening
3) Robinson
4) Chukwu

 

[aceboon]

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.

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.

 

[Jaybo]

If we come out with purvis hamelton Robinson and either Abu/larrier and a three star back up PG I'm fine with that. although would like a higher rated PG.

 

[champs99and04]

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.

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]

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.

 

[ScottBonz]

i was too busy eating spicy chicken sandwiches from Johnathan's

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.

 

[DOZE860]

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.

cant forget about the brick of rice crispy treats

 

[Huskyforlife]

so nothing about abu?

 

[FriarJ]

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."

 

[upstater]

This same writer said UConn was 4th last week.

Now he reports this quote which is a death knell for his school:

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."

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.

 

[FriarJ]

I found that quote interesting as well. Gotta give the guy credit though for getting hold of Abu quite a bit.

 

[aceboon]

NC State fans seem pretty confident about their chances, I just can't see it happening for them. I understand kids from the South ready to join that graveyard of highly regarded prospects that went nowhere under Gottfried, but a kid from the NE? Plus their comments about his AAU coach wanting to steer him to NC State made no sense, why would he do that when he's tight with Cooley.

 

[Clockshop]

Abu said something similar on 8/11 about UConn:

"Coach Ollie is a really down to earth dude," Abu said. "He is really passionate about what he is about. He is really trying to change the culture at UConn and start his traditions, and be even more of a winning tradition than before. Coach Ollie is going to do big things regardless of whether he gets me or not."

 

[CTBasketball]

Abu is a confident dude. Every school he talks about is like, "whether or not they get me" or "with or without me." He said similar things about PC and Florida too.

Can't tell whether he's pompous or just confident. Either way we haven't had a confident/aggressive big-man since Jeff Adrien. If Abu could be a better version of Adrien he'd be an absolute beast.

 

[alexd]

Abu is a confident dude. Every school he talks about is like, "whether or not they get me" or "with or without me." He said similar things about PC and Florida too.

Can't tell whether he's pompous or just confident. Either way we haven't had a confident/aggressive big-man since Jeff Adrien. If Abu could be a better version of Adrien he'd be an absolute beast.

If he could be JUST LIKE Adrien, we'd be veryy happy.

 

[FriarJ]

NC State fans seem pretty confident about their chances, I just can't see it happening for them. I understand kids from the South ready to join that graveyard of highly regarded prospects that went nowhere under Gottfried, but a kid from the NE? Plus their comments about his AAU coach wanting to steer him to NC State made no sense, why would he do that when he's tight with Cooley.

One thing in regard to NCST is he continually talks about how he fits into a schools system and he spent two days down there with the staff running him through various plays and how he would be used. They worry me frankly.

 

[7774]

I have to be honest, a lot about that article turned me off.

It's one thing if he really doesn't know where he wants to go (which might be 100% true), but if he knows where he's going and is not saying so he "doesn't give schools the message it's all said and done", he's really just screwing with those other 3 schools recruiting resources in a big way.

 

[upstater]

Abu said something similar on 8/11 about UConn:

"Coach Ollie is a really down to earth dude," Abu said. "He is really passionate about what he is about. He is really trying to change the culture at UConn and start his traditions, and be even more of a winning tradition than before. Coach Ollie is going to do big things regardless of whether he gets me or not."

Oh well, there goes that. Usually when you hear comments like that, the guy has moved on.

 

[upstater]

I have to be honest, a lot about that article turned me off.

It's one thing if he really doesn't know where he wants to go (which might be 100% true), but if he knows where he's going and is not saying so he "doesn't give schools the message it's all said and done", he's really just screwing with those other 3 schools recruiting resources in a big way.

How is he screwing with them? We're talking about a 2 week window here. If they don't like it, they can move on now.

 

[tcf15]

I have to be honest, a lot about that article turned me off.

It's one thing if he really doesn't know where he wants to go (which might be 100% true), but if he knows where he's going and is not saying so he "doesn't give schools the message it's all said and done", he's really just screwing with those other 3 schools recruiting resources in a big way.

How is he screwing with them? We're talking about a 2 week window here. If they don't like it, they can move on now.

Plus, he is taking unofficials, so he is paying for all the visits himself.

 

[OkaForPrez]

"I just want to find the best system for me as a versatile four that can bring a lot to the table,"

I think this bodes well for us. Ollie is definitely developing a 4 out 1 in system with NBA length. You can see it with the types of guys we are recruiting. I don't know if the systems at the remaining other schools are comparable, but this sounds like Abu's first criteria and one we are an "order qualifier" for.

 

[caw]

I think he is honestly still weighing everything. Does anything in those quotes not sound like a young man who knows what he wants but isn't quite sure which system actually fits what he wants the best. He sounds like a kid who is still weighing options.

If there is a school out of it it would be Florida, but that's only a guess based on his visit.

 

[upstater]

I think this bodes well for us. Ollie is definitely developing a 4 out 1 in system with NBA length. You can see it with the types of guys we are recruiting. I don't know if the systems at the remaining other schools are comparable, but this sounds like Abu's first criteria and one we are an "order qualifier" for.

I'm mostly afraid of Florida.

 

[tentoes4rings]

I'm mostly afraid of Florida.

I agree, Florida is the big threat here.

 

[tcf15]

I've read that the Florida visit did not go so well, so they may have some ground to make up.

 

[Pudge]

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. /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 .
Abu said he definitely accomplished what he hoped for with his four unofficial visits between Aug. 10-21. 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."

PEEGS isn't a NCState guy. He has been the prime internet guy for Indiana University ... for forever. I am not sure why he writes "with a NC State slant"; but, he might pick up extra money around other sites for articles like these after visits.