Akok has arrived, but only as a spectator
STORRS — Typically, when a new walk-on joins a team mid-season, it’s not cause for much attention.
But when that walk-on is a 6-foot-9 athlete who can knock down 3-pointers and guard the rim, and is rated as one of the top 50 or so players in his class in the country? That merits some attention.
Akok Akok officially began his UConn career at practice this week. Akok, who can’t play for the Huskies this season since he’s not on scholarship but is receiving financial aid from the school, began practicing on Thursday with some skill work, and was back at it on Friday as perhaps the best practice player in the country.
“He hit a 3, and then he spooked a couple of guys at the front of the rim when they drove it,” coach Dan Hurley reported. “Those are good things to see, a four-man that can make a 3 and can change shots at the rim. It’s great to have the amount of time we’re gonna have with him, to teach him what it is to be a college student, the responsibilities you’re gonna have. And obviously get him up to speed, because you can see the tools he has that can really help us next year.”
Alas, that’s for next year. Akok will merely be a witness on Saturday when the Huskies host Wichita State at Gampel Pavilion (6 p.m., CBS Sports Network).
UConn (11-8, 2-4 AAC) will have to handle the Shockers without Akok. And while this isn’t your father’s (or older brother’s) Wichita State, a program that has been to the NCAA tournament seven straight years, it promises to be a major challenge for the Huskies.
“We’d better be ready,” said Hurley, “because Wichita State is one of the winningest programs in college basketball the last several years. They’re gonna come in absolutely foaming at the mouth. Their record (8-10, 1-5 AAC) is not indicative of how they’ve played this year. They realistically could have two, three, four more wins right now. They’re young, talented, well-coached and tough. It’s gonna be a bear of a game for us.”
The Shockers lost all five starters from last year’s team that lost to Cincinnati in the AAC tournament title game and has only 11 percent of its scoring back — mostly in the form of Markis McDuffie. Landry Shamet was a first-round draft pick by Philadelphia. Six other players graduated, and Austin Reaves, who could have been the team’s long-distance gunner, transferred to Oklahoma. Even the Shockers’ top recruit, Alex Lomax, opted instead to join his high school coach, Penny Hardaway, in Memphis.
But the team has played one of the toughest schedules in the country and has defeated both Providence and UCF. Hurley has too much respect for the program and head coach Gregg Marshall to take the Shockers lightly.
“It’s gonna be a very, very tough, physical game,” the coach promised. “Two desperate teams that are not used to being in the position that they’re in right now, in terms of records. The level of desperation we see from them (Saturday) is gonna be off the charts, and we’ve got to be ready to match that.”
They’ll just have to do it without any help on the floor from Akok Akok.
“This is a critical game for us.” Hurley added, “if we’re gonna dream and set goals of kind of being in the mix in March for either of those two tournaments (the NCAA or NIT).”
RIM RATTLINGS
While Akok will be improving his game, and his strength, over the next couple of months, he’ll also be helping the Huskies as an opponent in practice.
“He’s got to be the best walk-on in the country,” Hurley quipped. “It’s probably not even close, right? He gives guys a good look. Going into the Houstons and some of the teams we’re gonna play — Central Flori- da, with the great length — it definitely helps. And it’s an extra body to get guys a break, during the course of practice, just to keep fresh legs for late in the season. So, it helps across the board.”
Added Alterique Gilbert: “I like Akok. He can shoot very well. He’s gonna be a great teammate for us. Lanky guy. This is my first time playing with him, so it’s gonna be fun.”