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10:36

courant.com - Good morning ... welcome to our regular Friday UConn men's programming. Beat writer Mike Anthony will be along at 11 a.m., but you can start loading questions and comments right now!

10:37

[Comment From Zionn ]
Ok Mike...give it to us......I know you answered a mailbag question but what is the deal w/. Dyson and Beverly? Why reported links to NCAA review? What should we be bracing for?

10:42

[Comment From ryan v ]
Fun one for you who would win in a wreslting match Calhoun or Calipari?

10:42

[Comment From Matt (Chicago) ]
Is Okwandu not nearly as far along as we may have initially thought? Will his playing time essentially be done once Majok comes on in Dec?

10:43

[Comment From Nick from Arizona ]
Hey Mike, why isn't there more transparency in this investigation? UConn is a State University, funded by tax dollars. Why are aspects of this investigation bleeding out slowly - primarily through the press with periodic misinformation sprinkled in. Would it not serve JC and the Athletic Department well if they held a lengthy press conference and discolded everything their findings - particularly in regards to Nochimson and any dealings he may have had with players or the staff? These University statements on the matter are so cryptic, it leaves the impression that they are not being forthcoming.

11:00

manthony - Good morning, folks. Thanks for joining me again. I just polished off a bagel, wiped the cream cheese from my fingers and I'm ready to go with another hourlong chat. A lot going on with UConn as it prepares for another exhibition Sunday and the season opener Nov. 13.
Some things on my mind:
-Hoping Dyson, Beverly and Coombs will be cleared before Sunday because I'd like to get a look at what the Huskies are capable of. Hard to judge a team without its starting shooting guard and the guard/forward who could be first off the bench.
-Man vs. Food is the best show on television
-Alex Oriakhi is really impressive
-What's up with that New Mexico women's soccer player going nuts and taking out every BYU player?
-Nate Miles, Craig Austrie and Rashad Anderson selected in NBDL draft.

11:01

manthony - Going to try to catch up with a few of these questions already posted to start... As you know, would welcome any thoughts, comments, questions as we move along here

11:04

manthony - Dyson and Beverly are being held out as a precautionary measure. I re-examined that subject in today's story. I'll post a couple of links shortly... .Anyway, the compliance dept knows that, one day in the next few months or year, it's going to have to answer questions from the NCAA about the state of the team and its players. Because of that, they're conducting and internal review and are requesting documnets such as phone records from players, who will have to show they haven't had improper relationships, etc. Dyson and Beverly were late getting their paperwork in so the complicance dept didn't want to risk playing kids who could ultimately be deemed ineligible. Still, neither is suspected of wrongdoing and expected to be cleared soon.

11:06

manthony - Cal vs. Cal, huh? Calhoun has the size, and the temper, to win that one, in my mind...

11:08

manthony - Matt, Okwandu looks far from ready to contribute at this level, but Calhoun and Co keep saying their going to need something from him, particulary early. Alex Oriakhi looks great, but if he lands in foul trouble -- and he will, on occassion -- Calhoun needs to have anoother options and he doesn't want to have to play Sticks at the 4 too much. When Majok comes back, there is less pressure to get something out of Okwandu but he'll still have to contribute with rebouding and defense. He can't score, I'll tell you that.

11:12

manthony - Nick, this is not a comfortable situation for UConn, no matter how small of a deal this might end up being. Two things: It stems from the allegations from last spring, a review that was only necessary because of those alleged recruiting violations. There's no link, but that is what started this. 2. This probably could have been taken care of if the documents were submitted when they were requested in July, not Wednesday. I believe UConn thought a quick, general statement was enough in this case, that the players would be quickly cleared and that everyone could move on. ... As for the main NCAA investigation, UConn won't shed any more light on it than it has to, and while silence sometimes leaves the impression of not being forthcoming, as you said, that eventually passes...

11:13

[Comment From Dan E from Gbury]
This is THE question of the season: We all know Kemba and Dyson together are going to be one of the best back courts in America. But do we have enough firepower down low to hang with the big boys this year? Side note - is Majok really THAT legit? Thanks Mike.

11:14

manthony - Dan, Calhoun said the other day that Majok, by far, has been the most impressive freshman. From what I've seen and heard, yes, he's the real deal

11:14

[Comment From mcgill]
I know player comps are usually flawed, but is there a player who comes to mind when you think of Ater Majok?

11:15

manthony - Not really off the top of my head... and that might be a good thing. He does a lot. He's big enough for the post, athletic enough to run the break, skilled enough to score from the perimeter. He's got a great skill set to work with

11:15

[Comment From Colin]
Mike, Are you concerned about the lack of depth on the post this year. I think we are going to have the advantage on just about every team this year in the back-court with dyson, walker, robinson and the freshman. Up front we have nobody after oriachi, edwards and chuck. Especially considering they are all foul prone.

11:17

manthony - Colin, Majok will help. Even then, yes, frontcourt depth should be a concern. I really don't see UConn getting much out of Okwandu. Oriakhi is the real deal but fouls could pile up on him. Also, Edwards, while effective in many areas, I don't think will be a true, strong post player. It's going to be Oriakhi and Majok with help from Edwards and Robinson and, for a rebound and a foul here adn there, Okwandu

11:17

[Comment From Zionn]
and would be remiss to not have at least one recruiting question- let's fast forward a bit and say we miss on all our top targets (Cory, Brandon, Roscoe, and Doron)...where would that leave us? Outside C. Melvin I don't feel like we are hearing that many new names on the radar. Have any to throw into the mix?

11:19

manthony - Zionn, I really don't. Keep my eyes and ears open for stuff on the kids you mentioned. Kids that come by surprise just sneak up sometimes, but if UConn is close or shows increased interest with someone, there is usually some talk about it that heats up. What I mean is, I don't expect UConn to get a committment from someone you or I have never heard of.

11:19

[Comment From Pat]
Mike, assuming everything is ok with Dyson, do u think we could see him at point guard this year if kemba is struggling or in foul trouble? I thought he was actually the best passer on the team last year before he got hurt and PG could be his position in the NBA considering its obvious he is around 6'1

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