IF Akoh is done, yes, I agree UM will be another team and not nearly as good as they have been. He's the straw that stirs the drink.
However, I still think the Griz will/would win the conference and the conference tourney. The other guys will step up. Mainly the seniors and guys who have been playing. All of them are capable of upping their games.
There will/would be no waiting for Akoh to return. Every single one of the seniors is capable of upping their games. Same with the juniors. They want the ncaa's. They've been there before. They will listen to their coaches, who will know how to coach them to be the best they can be. I don't see any selfish players on the team.
Rorie is capable of looking to score earlier and scoring big, with drives, shorter jumpers and the 3. Morehead is stepping up his all around game. Oguine and Pridgett can step up their games, and still play within themselves. Falls and Manuel can too. Dorsey is now coming on and can be a huge plus.
The 3 young bigs have all played some. I think all 3 of them are better now and can play bigger roles, and play them well. They will listen to the their coaches. Freddie Brown has played a bit. I think he can come into a game and knock down a 3 or two.
Based on nothing, I still think Akoh will play. But if he doesn't, this team and coaches can and will find a way to get where they want to go, or at least go down swinging.
This team having been to the tourney last year will be a huge positive.
However, I still think the Griz will/would win the conference and the conference tourney. The other guys will step up. Mainly the seniors and guys who have been playing. All of them are capable of upping their games.
There will/would be no waiting for Akoh to return. Every single one of the seniors is capable of upping their games. Same with the juniors. They want the ncaa's. They've been there before. They will listen to their coaches, who will know how to coach them to be the best they can be. I don't see any selfish players on the team.
Rorie is capable of looking to score earlier and scoring big, with drives, shorter jumpers and the 3. Morehead is stepping up his all around game. Oguine and Pridgett can step up their games, and still play within themselves. Falls and Manuel can too. Dorsey is now coming on and can be a huge plus.
The 3 young bigs have all played some. I think all 3 of them are better now and can play bigger roles, and play them well. They will listen to the their coaches. Freddie Brown has played a bit. I think he can come into a game and knock down a 3 or two.
Based on nothing, I still think Akoh will play. But if he doesn't, this team and coaches can and will find a way to get where they want to go, or at least go down swinging.
This team having been to the tourney last year will be a huge positive.