If UCONN is eligible next year, would you take Oriakhi back?

[freescooter]

I don't think I would let him come back. Let him go somewhere and have to sit a year.

 

[CTPride]

No

 

[BigErnMcCracken]

Why do you assume he'd try to come back?

And is anyone surprised at your stance on this?

 

[johnhuskies95]

He'll get a waiver to play right away regardless.

 

[brasssbonanzaa]

If his transfer request truly was solely so he'd have the opportunity to play in the NCAA tournament for his senior season, yes. That's a legitimate reason to transfer. If it was because his dad is a lunatic and thinks Calhoun is a slavemaster, no.

 

[brasssbonanzaa]

He'll get a waiver to play right away regardless.

no, if we're eligible, that waiver grant is far less likely, in fact, it's very unlikely, because there would be no legitimate reason to waive any transfer penalty.

 

[johnhuskies95]

no, if we're eligible, that waiver grant is far less likely, in fact, it's very unlikely, because there would be no legitimate reason to waive any transfer penalty.

He can just say that he made the decision to transfer and got his release when UConn was still banned.

The NCAA is typically very liberal when granting those kinds of waivers.

 

[UCDaveD]

No, once a Benedict Arnold, always a Benedict Arnold. He abandoned the program. Can't trust a turn-coat like that.

 

[HeGotGame]

Absolutely not. If the transfer was solely because of the ban he would have waited out the NCAA decision, there was no reason to rush and do it now. He left because he was sad about his PT and situation with JC.

I really have no issue with him or his decision to transfer, it is his life, but F his dad. The guy is a lunatic and a moron.

 

[AJC88]

Nope. Kick rocks AO.

 

[Kitaman]

How do you bring back a Captain/Leader who chose to leave 'his' team?

 

[UCHuskies08]

No

 

[rbny1]

No. If he came back, he might be a cancer. I wish him well wherever he goes (after all, he was a big contributor to our 2011 NC), but hope he does not return to UConn.

 

[UConn Hoops1]

I don't think I would let him come back. Let him go somewhere and have to sit a year.

Absolutely not. It's not just about him requesting the release. He was made a team captain; and had a tremendous opportunity to excel with all of the returning and incoming talent. He failed miserably to fill the leadership vacuum the team so desperately needed filled. And, when his minutes were challenged he really made no effort whatsoever to step his game up. He's a fairweather guy who's telling us alot by bailing when the program needs loyalty and commitment.
GO HUSKIES!!!

 

[UConn3432]

I'd take him back. Play him all year then bench him in the tournament. Not a single minute.

 

[UConnSwag11]

no

 

[CL82]

Answer depends on what our options were at the time at the 5... but probably not.

 

[sparky]

Give him his wish and send him off. There would be no condition that would have me change my mind.

 

[8893]

Who?

 

[UConn5]

Nope. Don't think JC would take him back either. Quitters don't belong.

 

[7774]

No thanks. I guess I'm in the minority in that I'm not mad at him. We would never have won the NC without his play in the tournament, so I'll always love him for that, but it's pretty clear in hindsight that his unhappiness/sulking/comments in the media torpedoed our team chemistry last year, and I don't think adding him back to the roster makes us better in any way.

I do think whatever team gets him next will be improved. I'm expecting to see more of the sophomore year Alex because he'll get a clean slate and be in a better place mentally, which was 100% the problem this year. So it's a win-win.

Edit: I should add this is all contingent on him leaving in good academic standing. If he duckks with our APR he can fall off a cliff for all I care. That would show he really has no regard for our program.

 

[UCweCONN]

Only if he fires his Dad as agent, stops tweeting, and the NCAA allows him to wear receiver gloves with pine tar on them. Otherwise, HELL NO. Give his playing time to Bradley and other guys who want to be here.

 

[UConn5]

I don't think I am in the minority in saying that I don't believe that his dad's comments weren't directed at Calhoun. I think his dad recanted when he needed to. What real difference is it going to make in AO's career if he does or doesnt play in next year's NCAA tournament? None.

 

[FfldCntyFan]

I will always have fond memories of AO as he was clearly the best big in the final four last year and that he was played a major role in our title. That said, when this team needed him to be a leader last November, the example he set was that it is more important to worry about getting yours and sulk if things don't fall your way.

I was convinced before this season ended and I am still fully convinced that his decision to transfer or not was dependent entirely on what AD ended up doing. AO was not going to attempt to co-exist with AD again.

He can claim whatever he wants as the reason for his departure. The truth is that he did not want to share the post with AD any longer. If AD does in fact remain (as he has stated from shortly after the ISU loss) the situation posed in this thread will not be a possibility as AO will not come back, even if it means sitting for a year.

 

[HistoryMajor]

Can't believe all the hate for Alex. He's a fine young man, has generally represented UCONN well. Like all 20 or 21 year olds, he has to sort things out. Yes agree he should have done this process differently but doesn't anyone here remember when they were Jrs in college? Speaking for myself, I didn't have the maturity that I now have. It's probably a moot point but I'd take him back in a NY minute.