AO officially released from scholarship

[CL82]

So this means that Duffy is completely making up the Kensucky interest then ? I was surprised to see that anyway, surely they are focusing on the Final Four, and recruiting big guys that know how to make layups

Or that the Squid is soulless cheater to whom rules mean nothing. Jury is still out.

 

[businesslawyer]

.the fans have been disrespected!

You have to be kidding.

 

[Tenspro2002]

UNC could be a good fit for him if they lose everyone as early rumors had them - he'd be a main man on a visible team. Alex would probably do really well in the ACC. Still sucks it's come to this though.

I could see this as well, for some of the reasons you stated. Zeller is gone. Henson might go pro as well. That leaves a gaping hole in the UNC frontcourt. And as a national power, if UNC has any kind of success with him as a starter, that automatically boosts his stock.

Also, playing in the ACC where defense and toughness are optional will be a relief for him; nobody will be there to strip him on the way up for a layup.

 

[Fishy]

Ed Daigneault ‏ @EdDaigneault
#UConn forward Alex Oriakhi cannot transfer within Big East or to SEC school. SEC doesn't allow transfers with 1 year of eligibility left.

I think Ed D is wrong - I am not certain, but I think the SEC banned the graduate transfers, not undergrads with a season left.

Pretty sure they did it in response to that Oregon QB who transferred to Mississippi after getting tossed of the team.

 

[UConn77]

lol but uk called? typical squid.

Squid probably called three weeks ago before Alex even knew he was transferring.

 

[Ricky1Moore]

I think Ed D is wrong - I am not certain, but I think the SEC banned the graduate transfers, not undergrads with a season left.

Pretty sure they did it in response to that Oregon QB who transferred to Mississippi after getting tossed of the team.

Every journalist is so eager to yell "first!" and get their crap on Twitter that it's harder to find someone with their facts straight then without now... especisally concerning all the APR / NCAA stuff...

Wait, I need to go back and put quotes around "journalist"

 

[Fishy]

Ed could be right and I could be wrong - honestly, I'm not sure.

If he's wrong, it's just an honest mistake, not a reflection on his abilities as a journalist. (He's quite good.)

If I'm wrong, it's because I'm pretty much a nitwit who's too lazy to check what the actual rule is.

 

[Askgreek]

The most disapointing fact for me is that Alex was a captain of this team. In my mind that should mean something to him and to the program. That is not something that should be taken likely and he should have recomitted himself to the team and the program. If he had led this group to committ to their roles, the season would have gone differently.

 

[UCDaveD]

Ed could be right and I could be wrong - honestly, I'm not sure.

If he's wrong, it's just an honest mistake, not a reflection on his abilities as a journalist. (He's quite good.)

If I'm wrong, it's because I'm pretty much a nitwit who's too lazy to check what the actual rule is.

I asked Ed about it, his response was:

Ed Daigneault ‏ @EdDaigneault
checking on that. Info came from compliance office.

 

[Letsgohuskies11]

if he goes to UNC or Kentucky, he's riding pine his last year. No way Roy or Cal are gonna give up spots of newly highly talented freshman or experienced players to a player that has attitude problems and has a hard time finishing around the rim

 

[UCDaveD]

Update on SEC thing:

Dom Amore ‏ @AmoreCourant
verdict from SEC: Bylaw 14.1.15 says student with 1 year can't transfer to league school and play. So Oriakhi can't play at SEC school

Dom Amore ‏ @AmoreCourant
1 ys transfer could get SEC waiver only if previous school is discontuining sport, or 4 academic prog not offerd at prev school. #UConnmen

 

[TRest]

Update on SEC thing:

Dom Amore ‏ @AmoreCourant
verdict from SEC: Bylaw 14.1.15 says student with 1 year can't transfer to league school and play. So Oriakhi can't play at SEC school

Dom Amore ‏ @AmoreCourant
1 ys transfer could get SEC waiver only if previous school is discontuining sport, or 4 academic prog not offerd at prev school. #UConnmen

I've got a feeling Kentucky offers academic programs that are not offered at any other school in the country.

 

[UConnSportsGuy]

I've got a feeling Kentucky offers academic programs that are not offered at any other school in the country.

And AO can probably even get an 'intership' with World Wide Wes that pertains to one of these unique majors and get $25,000 for his 'work' this summer!

 

[mauconnfan]

You have to be kidding.

I may have exaggerated admittedly regarding the fans but he certainly has disappointed...unless of course you actually believe JC made him lose his confidence....and that would be more absurd....I'm amazed anyone would put any blame on JC after watching this guy play this year....that's more like a "You have to be kidding"..

 

[UCweCONN]

Kevin Duffy ‏ @KevinRDuffy

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Kentucky and North Carolina among schools to contact Oriakhi since release, source says. Oriakhi will not consider Duke

Ok, this makes no sense. He won't consider Duke but will consider Kentucky?? Is it because Coach K is an 'old school' coach like JC and Calipari is the opposite, the anti-Calhoun, given his relationship with JC? Dude's a senior. Shouldn't he be choosing the best academic school for the prestige of the name that will be on his diploma? If you're gonna be in the job market someday as most ex-athletes will be, what name would you want on your degree, Kentucky or Duke? I have the perfect school for him and the one I would choose if I was in his shoes. Harvard. He gets a Harvard degree, can dominate the Ivy League, can play in his homestate, and have an excellent chance of making the NCAA tourney. Seems like no-brainer to me.

 

[UCDaveD]

I've got a feeling Kentucky offers academic programs that are not offered at any other school in the country.

Would he abandon his major (whatever that is) to study The History of Incest for a year?

 

[UofCT]

One would have to imagine that Alex is a good get for any program on paper. McDonalds AA, National Champion, 6'8-6'9...

 

[Robertelamin]

I hope he goes to BC.

 

[7774]

Ok, this makes no sense. He won't consider Duke but will consider Kentucky?? Is it because Coach K is an 'old school' coach like JC and Calipari is the opposite, the anti-Calhoun, given his relationship with JC? Dude's a senior. Shouldn't he be choosing the best academic school for the prestige of the name that will be on his diploma? If you're gonna be in the job market someday as most ex-athletes will be, what name would you want on your degree, Kentucky or Duke? I have the perfect school for him and the one I would choose if I was in his shoes. Harvard. He gets a Harvard degree, can dominate the Ivy League, can play in his homestate, and have an excellent chance of making the NCAA tourney. Seems like no-brainer to me.

He won't go to Duke because he and his dad are looking for a school where he can be the "man" and showcase his skills as much as possible for the league. It's 90% of the reason he's transferring. This has very little to do with the APR ban. There is no way he's going to a school thats gameplan for the last 7-8 years has been to jack up 30 3's and hope for the best.

 

[huskymagic]

I could see this as well, for some of the reasons you stated. Zeller is gone. Henson might go pro as well. That leaves a gaping hole in the UNC frontcourt. And as a national power, if UNC has any kind of success with him as a starter, that automatically boosts his stock.

Also, playing in the ACC where defense and toughness are optional will be a relief for him; nobody will be there to strip him on the way up for a layup.

yea Alex will definitely do well in the ACC and at UNC next year if thats where he decides to go which he and his father most likely will decide is the place for him. Roy Williams is a laid back coach who wont get on Alex's case and hound him for every little mistake which will help the guy and the defense in the ACC isnt anything to be concerned about. He will be a starting big man there next year if he went and if he scores in double figures the UNC bump will make him a first round draft pick next year.

 

[djct1999]

Jeff Goodman tweeted:
GoodmanCBS Here's who has reached out to Alex Oriakhi: KY, UNC, Duke, NC St, Fla., Temple, Xavier, UCLA, Mizzou, George Mason, Va Tech, Va., Charlotte.

 

[jrazz12]

Question about this situation: if the NCAA rules in our favor and we're eligible for 2013, AO can't play next season right? (assuming he does leave, which is inevitable)

 

[RayRay19]

there was talk that noel was leaning toward UK and wanted AO to come with him...hope thats not true...i know we are out of the noel race but i would hate that...wherever AO does go...i hope he flashes that ring around!

 

[UCweCONN]

I think most here know that Oriakhi is only using the current post-season ban as an excuse to leave. If for some reason the post-season ban is really the reason and in April the NCAA revises the guidelines and allows UCONN to qualify for next year's tourney meaning AO would have to sit out a year at a new school, could UCONN offer him a scholarship again and bring him back if he wanted to??

 

[tcf15]

Question about this situation: if the NCAA rules in our favor and we're eligible for 2013, AO can't play next season right? (assuming he does leave, which is inevitable)

Correct, which is why (I believe) Kentucky and Florida are showing interest. If UConn is banned, and AO can play immediately, the SEC doesn't allow players with a year of eligibility left to transfer in from other schools. In that case, there really wouldn't be a point for them to express interest in him. Or, both schools could just have no idea about their conference rules, which is entirely possible.