Makai Ashton Langford asks for Release

[tzznandrew]

He's at best the fourth guard off the bench next year especially after the year Vital had.

Honestly, MAL was not going to be the fourth guard off the bench. He was going to be the first guard off the bench, and potentially the lead guard in three guard line-ups.

This was a big loss. It's possible we compensate for it with a new recruit or two between now and the Spring signing period, but right now we don't know.

 

[80shusky]

Honestly, MAL was not going to be the fourth guard off the bench. He was going to be the first guard off the bench, and potentially the lead guard in three guard line-ups.

This was a big loss. It's possible we compensate for it with a new recruit or two between now and the Spring signing period, but right now we don't know.

I find it hard to believe he would step right in as a freshman and be the lead guard in three guard lineups over Gilbert. But you could be right. He's the loss that hurts for me the most at the moment but it could still be all about me. He looks like he will be a really nice player and has a winning pedigree no doubt.
*edit - fixed a typo*

 

[The Viking]

Someone needs to call up Dom Amore or Jacobs and put up a good fight.
Preferably someone like Calhoun who can talk a little more freely than his understudy.
Public perception is not good but we need a little Donny Deutsch touch up. The idea this program is about to plunge into the abyss is laughable.
We are a university whose athletic bread and butter is basketball.
That will never change. Our facilities will always be top notch, we will always pay top moolah for a coach, we have a great brand and we have triumphant history in men's hoops... not 40 years ago, three years ago.
And 7-8 years from now we will be out of this conference one way or the other...with the "worst case" scenario being that we have to "suck it up" and play in the Big East and Our home away from home MSG.
And spare me the idea if we end up in the Big East our athletic dept might as well shut down in 10 years.

I'm ready for an old fashioned Jim Calhoun tirade right about now - the guy did maybe the best building job ever and now kids are jumping off ship and the haters are busy hating.
The old Irish sound and fury needs to be released with a big interview above the fold in the Sunday sports section, hell even front page.
The guy needs to set out a reminder to the fans, players, etc what this program is supposed to be about and will always be about at its core even after some down years.

 

[Whtdmd]

Saw him play live a few times and watcj several of his games on youtube. He is a good defender but at best an average offensive player. MAL Can make an open three but release is slow. WILL not get it off against a good college defensive team. He won't be making a big impact on the offensive end next yr. It's the defense that we will miss.

 

[Walker11]

Honestly, MAL was not going to be the fourth guard off the bench. He was going to be the first guard off the bench, and potentially the lead guard in three guard line-ups.

This was a big loss. It's possible we compensate for it with a new recruit or two between now and the Spring signing period, but right now we don't know.

He meant he was going to be the 4th guard, 2nd off the bench (I think - we only had 4 guards). That is likely true. Vital's shooting makes him necessary. Maybe MAL was the 3rd guard. Not really relevant if he wants to be the guy ASAP. MAL is very overrated - he is a scoring guard who can't shoot, a poor mans JA - but now we are stuck with 3 guards and need a Harris or Waters commit. Especially for a team so lacking in the front court that we need to go 3 guard often. The situation is a cluster. We could end up in a better situation or it could end up a nightmare. TBD.

 

[lavuuk153]

I wish he was coming but would prefer he never suit up if he was wavering on his decision. I wish him the best wherever he goes and hope we can pull someone in of similar caliber that wants to be here.

 

[The Viking]

Perceptive. Does not change the fact, I could not care less about him or where he wants to go. My point was what had changed so much to make him leave the school with 4 trophy's?

Your point was he committed to UConn so he's now dead to you - a strange stance indeed

 

[80shusky]

He meant he was going to be the 4th guard, 2nd off the bench (I think - we only had 4 guards). That is likely true. Vital's shooting makes him necessary. Maybe MAL was the 3rd guard. Not really relevant if he wants to be the guy ASAP. MAL is very overrated - he is a scoring guard who can't shoot, a poor mans JA - but now we are stuck with 3 guards and need a Harris or Waters commit. Especially for a team so lacking in the front court that we need to go 3 guard often. The situation is a cluster. We could end up in a better situation or it could end up a nightmare. TBD.

Yes, 2nd off the bench was what I meant, after Gilbert or Vital. Sorry I didn't state that well.

 

[tzznandrew]

He meant he was going to be the 4th guard, 2nd off the bench (I think - we only had 4 guards). That is likely true. Vital's shooting makes him necessary. Maybe MAL was the 3rd guard. Not really relevant if he wants to be the guy ASAP. MAL is very overrated - he is a scoring guard who can't shoot, a poor mans JA - but now we are stuck with 3 guards and need a Harris or Waters commit. Especially for a team so lacking in the front court that we need to go 3 guard often. The situation is a cluster. We could end up in a better situation or it could end up a nightmare. TBD.

MAL was absolutely going to be the first off the bench. At least that's what we assumed when we recruited him.

Also, from what I've read here, he was a pure PG. I haven't seen him in person, so who knows. But that's what I remember being all the rave here. He would be Gilbert's back-up, and allow both Gilbert and Adams to play off the ball. CV is good and all, but he can't do that.

 

[The Viking]

This is bad news only if we don't land a quality guard in his place. And I have a feeling KO and Chillous will bag one of them.
All is not lost.

 

[FriarJ]

Your point was he committed to UConn so he's now dead to you - a strange stance indeed

We have a chance at 3 local kids that I don't want to f up. His choices were made

 

[Walker11]

MAL was absolutely going to be the first off the bench. At least that's what we assumed when we recruited him.

Also, from what I've read here, he was a pure PG. I haven't seen him in person, so who knows. But that's what I remember being all the rave here. He would be Gilbert's back-up, and allow both Gilbert and Adams to play off the ball. CV is good and all, but he can't do that.

I don't think his rep was ever that he was a pure point. I have seen him play on tv and online a few times. Not impressed. @Ricker, who I really respect, saw him play many times live. He was not impressed, even as a commit. The de-commitment is disturbing but not because MAL is some awesome player.

 

[The Viking]

We have a chance at 3 local kids that I don't want to f up. His choices were made

You are acting like a teenager.
Good luck at your prom

 

[tzznandrew]

I don't think his rep was ever that he was a pure point. I have seen him play on tv and online a few times. Not impressed. @Ricker, who I really respect, saw him play many times live. He was not impressed, even as a commit. The de-commitment is disturbing but not because MAL is some awesome player.

Looking back at the original recruiting thread, it's interesting to see who thought he was clearly a PG and who thought he was more a combo. Gotta say, if he's more a combo guard--which some of the people who I respect most think--then I'm much less concerned. Not happy by any means, but less concerned.

PG Makai Ashton-Langford (UConn Offer)

 

[Doctor Hoop]

MAL was absolutely going to be the first off the bench. At least that's what we assumed when we recruited him.

Also, from what I've read here, he was a pure PG. I haven't seen him in person, so who knows. But that's what I remember being all the rave here. He would be Gilbert's back-up, and allow both Gilbert and Adams to play off the ball. CV is good and all, but he can't do that.

Yes, but Vital can shoot. Pretty good this year from 3. And he can defend, too.

 

[Walker11]

Looking back at the original recruiting thread, it's interesting to see who thought he was clearly a PG and who thought he was more a combo. Gotta say, if he's more a combo guard--which some of the people who I respect most think--then I'm much less concerned. Not happy by any means, but less concerned.

PG Makai Ashton-Langford (UConn Offer)

It is still a deeply concerning situation, but yea, maybe not for the reasons you thought. What we have here is a very fast slashing PG whose weakness is his outside shot. His greatest potential is as a lockdown defender but his effort is called into question on occasion (doubt this will be an issue in college). Watching him play live in the Adidas tournament, he didn't even run the point, they had some sub 100 kid going to Butler I think as a combo guard that had the ball in his hands as much, if not more.

 

[Silk31]

Honestly, MAL was not going to be the fourth guard off the bench. He was going to be the first guard off the bench, and potentially the lead guard in three guard line-ups.

This was a big loss. It's possible we compensate for it with a new recruit or two between now and the Spring signing period, but right now we don't know.

He saw what Vital did last year just like the rest of us. Vital would be the 1st guard off the bench and Jalen & AG would dominate the ball throughout the games. This much was obvious when he decided to commit so the only things I can pin this on is Vital's unexpected increased role and Glen Miller leaving (cop out).

Best of luck to MAL but if he wanted the ball in his hands right off the bat then he should have never committed to us in the first place

 

[lange10]

More bad news coming this week unfortunately. Won't say more but I'll leave a hint as Oz would. We will be in need of yet another 4/5 man.

 

[Walker11]

More bad news coming this week unfortunately. Won't say more but I'll leave a hint as Oz would. We will be in need of yet another 4/5 man.

Can't be the guy that just pulled off the UCONN mentions on his twitter bio that is talking about wanting a home cooked meal.

 

[Caronimo]

Perceptive. Does not change the fact, I could not care less about him or where he wants to go. My point was what had changed so much to make him leave the school with 4 trophy's?

Providence is a dump

 

[mauconnfan]

Some day we will bump into each other at a bar and drink until the sun comes up and end up in each other's wills.
Until then, go to hell sir

That would more than likely be the way too I agree.

Red Sox blow

 

[UCweCONN]

Is it OK to say now that I think he looks like Wanda Sykes?

As I posted in another thread. MAL, here's a message for you.

 

[Son of Robert]

More bad news coming this week unfortunately. Won't say more but I'll leave a hint as Oz would. We will be in need of yet another 4/5 man.

Oh my goodness. If this is so I seriously don't want to see this particular player leave. He seemed to have the potential for so much versatility. Really good skills and composure.

 

[superjohn]

More bad news coming this week unfortunately. Won't say more but I'll leave a hint as Oz would. We will be in need of yet another 4/5 man.

This is unreal. I don't ever wish ill will on any kids who leave the program but this is absolutely gutless.

 

[Sonova]

Can't be the guy that just pulled off the UCONN mentions on his twitter bio that is talking about wanting a home cooked meal.

Yup. Just hasn't hit the wire yet. But it's done. And the other rumored guy needed to be begged off the ledge.