[Strikeout King]

UConn big man Alex Oriakhi is the first player out the door for the embattled program, and the question now is whether Jeremy Lamb and Andre Drummond will follow.

“Alex will transfer because of the NCAA Tournament next year,” Alex Oriakhi Sr. told the Hearst Connecticut Media Group.

The Huskies are currently banned from the 2013 NCAA Tournament because of APR issues.

The 6-foot-9 Oriakhi hopes to play immediately next season at another school because the NCAA typically grants waivers for players whose eligibility would expire before the program comes off probation.

A key contributor on the 2011 UConn NCAA championship team, Oriakhi never got comfortable playing alongside Drummond and often became the whipping boy for coach Jim Calhoun. After averaging 9.6 points and 8.7 rebounds in 29.1 minutes as a sophomore, he averaged 6.7 points and 4.8 rebounds in 21.5 minutes this year.

“It is going to be difficult, especially for the program next year,” he said following UConn’s loss to Iowa State last Thursday in Louisville. “You know, guys are going to have to make tough decisions on their future.”

Lamb and Drummond are both potential lottery picks and said they would decide whether to go pro or remain.

“I’m not thinking about that,” Lamb said when asked if he had a timetable on making a decision. “I’m not trying to think about that right now.”

Said Drummond: “I’m not worried about that right now. I’m worried about what we gotta do for tomorrow…so I’m not really thinking about that right now.”

Calhoun, who turns 70 in May, also faces question about his future, although he is under contract until 2014.





http://www.zagsblog.com/2012/03/21/uconn...nsferring/

[vundy33]

lol...

[PaintsvilleTigerfan]

Id like to have him at UK

[Axel Foley]

I hear he may end up at Iowa St.

[zaga_fan]

If he can get eligible just about anyone would take him.

[Scotty doesn't know]

At this point, it is up in the air whether or not there will be any spots available with the potential recruits coming in. Say for instance if we got all three of the big time players left (Noel, Shabazz, and Bennett). However, Oriakhi is a great big man with a lot of experience. Not just any other kind of transfer but one with three years college experience and a national championship. He would provide so much depth to a frontline that (hopefully) would consist of 4-Wiltjer and Bennett 5-Noel, Cauley, and Oriakhi
Thats downright scary!!! If things do not play out for UK and Noel or Bennett I say sure sign him up Cal!!!

[toussaints]

most athletes leaving troubled programs usually are granted a waiver if their eligibility expires before probation ends, however, there are situations where the ncaa says no

this could be one of those times

if oriakhi can prove that his grades were satisfactory with the ncaa, then he should be fine, but because this is an academic issue, if his grades are below satisfactory, his chances are very slim

[Stardust]

^ I think so too, there will be no leniency for anyone associated with the program

[RunItUpTheGut]

I will take him only IF we do not get any of the recruits we need.

[PaintsvilleTigerfan]

I personally would rather have him over another freshman center. Both are one and done for us, but one has a championship, and three years at this level under his belt.

[RunItUpTheGut]

^
Not me.
As weve seen time and time again with UCONN players this guy is only going to bring attitude, not to mention the fact he wont gel with returning players.
Ill take Shabazz over him any day of the week.