Cajuns MBB Sign Portland Transfer!

[Cajunsmike]

Is it unrealistic to think Akwuba might go for 6-8 points/rebounds a game, in addition to 2-3 blocks a game?

And in the meantime, Jalen Johnson regularly gets to check somebody his size, or maybe even a little smaller?

Three role-playing bigs giving you 20-25 ppg/rpg and the bulk of scoring coming from Cedric, Mylik, JJ, and Kobe(hopefully?)?

Good analysis. I wonder what Akwuba's stat is for blocks per 40 minutes in his freshman year. His no. of blocks dropped substantially in his sophomore year compared to his freshman year. He was second in the conference in blocks in his freshman year. That drop seems unusual and there may be a reason for that. Coach Morris may address that in his interview with Steve coming up later this morning. I think his freshman year block no. is the main reason they targeted him in the recruiting process. Noticed he is from Alabama originally. Probably where Coach Morris noticed him as he was on the South Alabama staff two years ago.

[Hatch]

Good analysis. I wonder what Akwuba's stat is for blocks per 40 minutes in his freshman year. His no. of blocks dropped substantially in his sophomore year compared to his freshman year. He was second in the conference in blocks in his freshman year. That drop seems unusual and there may be a reason for that. Coach Morris may address that in his interview with Steve coming up later this morning. I think his freshman year block no. is the main reason they targeted him in the recruiting process. Noticed he is from Alabama originally. Probably where Coach Morris noticed him as he was on the South Alabama staff two years ago.

3.61 Blocks per 40 minutes as a Freshman. He played almost twice as many total minutes as a freshman.

[Cajunsmike]

3.61 Blocks per 40 minutes as a Freshman. He played almost twice as many total minutes as a freshman.

Coach Morris just said in the interview just concluded that he had a family emergency in Alabama his sophomore year. Whatever that was contributed to his sophomore year not being as good as his first year. He also said that situation is why he is coming here as it is a little closer to home. I imagine that issue will be the basis of a waiver request for immediate eligibility if the one time transfer rule without penalty does not pass or goes into effect a year from now.

[RaginDave]

https://www.wbko.com/content/sports/...480368093.html

Interesting article on this young man coming out of HS. He was recruited by WKU, at that point in time he was listed as 6'10" 201, he is now listed as 6'11" 220, so he has put on nearly 20 lbs. He has some HS video on this article to watch, he seems to be a pretty athletic kid has some skills around the rim and also has a soft shot at the FT line. Seems to be a solid pickup in my eyes. Again, I don't think the expectation is for him to average 10 and 10, but if he can get us a few points as well as be a rim protector and get rebounds, I think it is a win. I see him as being similar to a Byron Collins type player, but more athletic. with limited minutes at Portland he averaged 4 rpg and roughly 1.5 blocks per game while contributing 4 or so ppg and all while doing it in a much tougher conference then we play in, remember we are talking about a conference with Gonzaga, St. Mary's and BYU at the top.

[Hatch]

Coach Morris just said in the interview just concluded that he had a family emergency in Alabama his sophomore year. Whatever that was contributed to his sophomore year not being as good as his first year. He also said that situation is why he is coming here as it is a little closer to home. I imagine that issue will be the basis of a waiver request for immediate eligibility if the one time transfer rule without penalty does not pass or goes into effect a year from now.

Thanks, I listened to the interview as well. I had in the back of my mind there could be more to the story as he only played in 21 games last season. I still think from the stats and the little bit of video I have seen that Tirus Smith would be ahead of him in the rotation. Of course Smith is the biggest question mark on the roster. If he is not allowed to return or if he returns and isn’t on scholarship I hope the scholarship that opens up is used on another big. Temple’s scholarship could be used on a forward as well as he didn’t really fill a position need as much as he was just adding depth when he filled the open scholarship last year.

[Cajunsmike]

Thanks, I listened to the interview as well. I had in the back of my mind there could be more to the story as he only played in 21 games last season. I still think from the stats and the little bit of video I have seen that Tirus Smith would be ahead of him in the rotation. Of course Smith is the biggest question mark on the roster. If he is not allowed to return or if he returns and isn't on scholarship I hope the scholarship that opens up is used on another big. Temple's scholarship could be used on a forward as well as he didn't really fill a position need as much as he was just adding depth when he filled the open scholarship last year.

I have heard Tyrus hopes to return but personally I doubt he will be on scholarship if he does. Reason I say that is indications are they are looking to bring in at least one more inside player. As far as who will play more between Smith and Akwuba, that will be decided in practice. They are both rim protectors which is something we missed much of last year. Assuming Akwuba is eligible I bet they both play a lot as guys like that tend to get in foul trouble. Having 10 fouls will be a luxury at that spot. Temple's scholarship will probably be used on a guard as you referenced. Coach Morris did say he hoped to have more good news in a few days. I did not catch every comment but I think he said that in reference to a scoring guard.

[CajunEXPRESS]

I have heard Tyrus hopes to return but personally I doubt he will be on scholarship if he does. Reason I say that is indications are they are looking to bring in at least one more inside player. As far as who will play more between Smith and Akwuba, that will be decided in practice. They are both rim protectors which is something we missed much of last year. Assuming Akwuba is eligible I bet they both play a lot as guys like that tend to get in foul trouble. Having 10 fouls will be a luxury at that spot. Temple's scholarship will probably be used on a guard as you referenced. Coach Morris did say he hoped to have more good news in a few days. I did not catch every comment but I think he said that in reference to a scoring guard.

Coach Morris had plenty of great news last season until the actual tipoff.

One thing we know after more than a decade of Big Fish defense. It’s pretty much a sieve. It matters not if you measured defense by score, or points differential he’s an abject failure.

[Cajunsmike]

Coach Morris had plenty of great news last season until the actual tipoff.

One thing we know after more than a decade of Big Fish defense. It’s pretty much a sieve. It matters not if you measured defense by score, or points differential he’s an abject failure.

I think they know defense is a problem which is why they targeted this guy in recruiting. A competent rim protector is an absolute necessity in order for improvement to occur. I fully expected to have an improved defense this past season and I admit I was completely wrong. Part of that is due to not having Cadwell who is a plus defensive player on the perimter and wing. No idea how either he or the other two guys who sat out will come back from injury. Understood that is a concern.

[CajunEXPRESS]

Of course it’s not considered appropriate to be critical of the Big Fish career record at UL, his decade old inability to retain players, have a good defense.

Instead like a good Chinese Propaganda campaign we get 5th in active G5 wins. Yeah because the better ones get to power conferences. He’s edging up in statewide Louisiana wins for the same reasons. He’s almost the SBC all time winner with one trip to the NCAA. It’s mostly due to his abject failure as a defensive coach.

[talktomewillis]

I have heard Tyrus hopes to return but personally I doubt he will be on scholarship if he does. Reason I say that is indications are they are looking to bring in at least one more inside player. As far as who will play more between Smith and Akwuba, that will be decided in practice. They are both rim protectors which is something we missed much of last year. Assuming Akwuba is eligible I bet they both play a lot as guys like that tend to get in foul trouble. Having 10 fouls will be a luxury at that spot. Temple's scholarship will probably be used on a guard as you referenced. Coach Morris did say he hoped to have more good news in a few days. I did not catch every comment but I think he said that in reference to a scoring guard.

Bump