Chuka Played Well Today

[Chescat]

Much as I criticized his play last year, I've been firmly in his corner this year.
This is not to say that I feel he's an ACC level player, he's not. However, IMO
we wouldn't have won today without him. He was active all game long and kept
many balls alive while hitting the boards. He did this on both ends of the floor.
This kept him in the game, and when Brown got in he did very little (he did
hit an important baseline jumper late that was important).
I don't know where Chuka ends up next year, but I gotta believe Capel asks him to
stay even if he's recruited over. He needs to be recruited over as does Brown if
this program is going to move forward. However given his constant hustle and effort
all season long, I'd like to see him back here next season even if it's further down
the bench. He really hustled today (as he has all season) and helped us win.

 

[gary2]

Much as I criticized his play last year, I've been firmly in his corner this year.
This is not to say that I feel he's an ACC level player, he's not. However, IMO
we wouldn't have won today without him. He was active all game long and kept
many balls alive while hitting the boards. He did this on both ends of the floor.
This kept him in the game, and when Browne got in he did very little (he did
hit an important baseline jumper late that was important).
I don't know where Chuka ends up next year, but I gotta believe Capel asks him to
stay even if he's recruited over. He needs to be recruited over as does Browne if
this program is going to move forward. However given his constant hustle and effort
all season long, I'd like to see him back here next season even if it's further down
the bench. He really hustled today (as he has all season) and helped us win.

For our style of play, he is a much better fit than Brown.

 

[DT_PITT]

Much as I criticized his play last year, I've been firmly in his corner this year.
This is not to say that I feel he's an ACC level player, he's not. However, IMO
we wouldn't have won today without him. He was active all game long and kept
many balls alive while hitting the boards. He did this on both ends of the floor.
This kept him in the game, and when Browne got in he did very little (he did
hit an important baseline jumper late that was important).
I don't know where Chuka ends up next year, but I gotta believe Capel asks him to
stay even if he's recruited over. He needs to be recruited over as does Browne if
this program is going to move forward. However given his constant hustle and effort
all season long, I'd like to see him back here next season even if it's further down
the bench. He really hustled today (as he has all season) and helped us win.

Indeed.

 

[DiehardPanther]

Much as I criticized his play last year, I've been firmly in his corner this year.
This is not to say that I feel he's an ACC level player, he's not. However, IMO
we wouldn't have won today without him. He was active all game long and kept
many balls alive while hitting the boards. He did this on both ends of the floor.
This kept him in the game, and when Browne got in he did very little (he did
hit an important baseline jumper late that was important).
I don't know where Chuka ends up next year, but I gotta believe Capel asks him to
stay even if he's recruited over. He needs to be recruited over as does Browne if
this program is going to move forward. However given his constant hustle and effort
all season long, I'd like to see him back here next season even if it's further down
the bench. He really hustled today (as he has all season) and helped us win.

Yes he did. That was his best defensive game.

 

[Tiger Paul Lives]

Capel said Kene has not practiced due to back issues. So impressive the way he plays being hurt.

 

[sonofabit]

I believe he landed on an academic all-conference team? You sorta want that kind of 6'9" player on the bench next year if not playing some. Good role model. I think he stays.

 

[raleighpanther]

The non-use of Brown could signal his departure at the end of the season. One would hope so.

 

[Jeffburgh]

The non-use of Brown could signal his departure at the end of the season. One would hope so.

Been posting, if they can get a viable replacement, definitely possible there is a mutual parting of ways.

 

[sonofabit]

The non-use of Brown could signal his departure at the end of the season. One would hope so.

Yeah when he lost Mooney that was it for me. How does anyone lose track of Mooney?

 

[Chescat]

The non-use of Brown could signal his departure at the end of the season. One would hope so.

Brown is one oversized enigma. He occassionally would show flashes
and sporadic glimpses of what he was capable of doing. Unfortunately
he never seemed to build on these infrequent glimpses. In fact we haven't
seen much the last several games. I once thought he might be useful
as a Big along side a legitimate center. He occassionally has shown he
can hit that 10-12 footer along the base line.
I've since changed my mind. In fact Chuka has more of a floor game and
can move fluidly (something Brown cannot do), that maybe he could find
a role complimenting a Big. Chuka has never struck me as anything
other than a forward since he has no possibility of inside dominence.
It'll be nteresting to see if either or both of these two are here next year.
Maybe as the above poster stated......"the non-use of Brown could signal
his departure at the end of the season."

 

[levance2]

Kene is such a weird case. He's got an outrageous ORtg (128 in ACC) because he hardly ever touches the ball. He's shooting 65% for the year on 2s. He's carved out such a tiny niche for himself. I definitely didn't want him on the team this year, but now that he's played two, I hope he gets to finish his career here. He'd at least be a nice veteran practice matchup for whoever Capel manages to sign.

 

[FireballZ]

I love how people are willing to get rid of Brown, a kid that has two years of ACC experience and is nearly 7 feet tall. The guy should be a RS FR and playing 5 minutes a game. He has value and if he's willing to stay and play in a reduced role (assuming we add viable upgrades), then it's a no-brainer.

 

[Chescat]

I love how people are willing to get rid of Brown, a kid that has two years of ACC experience and is nearly 7 feet tall. The guy should be a RS FR and playing 5 minutes a game. He has value and if he's willing to stay and play in a reduced role (assuming we add viable upgrades), then it's a no-brainer.

I for one wouldn't mind seeing him back IF we land a few BIGS, preferably a JUCO or
a grad transfer plus a frosh BIG for development. Having Brown as a backup would
be fine by me as long as he has very reduced minutes. I guess we're saying the same
thing. What we don't know is....what does Brown want? Maybe he wants to play at
a lower Div1 level. IMO he wouldn't start in the Atlantic 10. Maybe a St.Francis or
school of that level. We also don't have any idea what Capel wants. It'll be
interesting to see how this plays out.

 

[docpanther26]

Agree about Brown, I think he only gets better when surrounded by more talent. The question like everyone else has said is how much better? He has done some really good things but then has done enough of those “what is he doing” things. I still believe he has a role, it’s hard to give away seven footers!

 

[gary2]

I for one wouldn't mind seeing him back IF we land a few BIGS, preferably a JUCO or
a grad transfer plus a frosh BIG for development. Having Brown as a backup would
be fine by me as long as he has very reduced minutes. I guess we're saying the same
thing. What we don't know is....what does Brown want? Maybe he wants to play at
a lower Div1 level. IMO he wouldn't start in the Atlantic 10. Maybe a St.Francis or
school of that level. We also don't have any idea what Capel wants. It'll be
interesting to see how this plays out.

I am guessing Brown leaves. I am hoping for a grad transfer better than Brown to replace him.

 

[Elsalvador]

I am guessing Brown leaves. I am hoping for a grad transfer better than Brown to replace him.

I said this is another thread. The hope has to be for a immediate impact/starter to get recruited for 2019. Whether that's a Grad Transfer or a JUCO (Sy) or a surprise, it'd be nice for Kene to come off the bench and get some active minutes in spurts. Same for Ellison too. Easier said than done, but hopefully Capel finds a few more guys to take some time next year.

 

[JRPITT]

I love how people are willing to get rid of Brown, a kid that has two years of ACC experience and is nearly 7 feet tall. The guy should be a RS FR and playing 5 minutes a game. He has value and if he's willing to stay and play in a reduced role (assuming we add viable upgrades), then it's a no-brainer.

I hope both Brown and Chukwuka stay. Don't underestimate an extra year of coaching by Capel and staff. Programs like Pitt use to be successful when they have older players; ones who have experience in the system. Not saying they will become "all-ACC" players but I believe they'll both be improved by next season.

 

[Fsgolfdr]

Openly rooting for a kid to leave is just wrong . If the player and coach concur that the player would be better off elsewhere then so be it .

Grey and McGhee really weren’t world beaters as sophomores.

There’s no doubt Pitt will not be a better team if the post play doesn’t improve tremendously.

Who knew that Chewy’s back was an issue , there might be circumstances with Brown that no one knows about .

Pitt needs upgraded at all positions , but it’s not easy to replace an entire roster and still have class balance .

 

[vikings1980]

Grey and McGhee showed willingness to work hard. I have not seen that in Brown at all.

 

[Fsgolfdr]

Grey and McGhee showed willingness to work hard. I have not seen that in Brown at all.

No , you just see what you want to see . Everyone moves at their own rhythm and his just happens to be slow plus he doesn’t show much facial expressions . None of us know how hard he does or doesn’t work off the court . We all want him to be better than he is , maybe this is all that he has .

 

[Joe the Panther Fan]

None of us know how hard he does or doesn’t work off the court .

Exactly. Brown could be one of the hardest workers ever and he just doesn't have the ability to be much better. Or he could be the biggest slacker anyone has ever seen who is wasting great potential. Or most likely somewhere in between. None of us know any of those for sure unless we are there at practice all the time and we are there when he is doing individual work with the coaches and we know how much work he's putting in on his own outside of practice and other team activities.

Just because someone isn't as good as we want them to be that doesn't mean that they aren't trying.

 

[FireballZ]

There's absolutely no way Capel is pushing Brown out. I think we all know his motor isn't consistently running, but he has some offensive skill and can alter shots. You don't get rid of 6'10" dudes like that, especially with our current overall talent level.

Now, if Brown doesn't think he fits here or doesn't like being pushed harder, either by the coaching staff or by incoming competition, and decides to leave on his own...I wouldn't rule that out.

I hope it doesn't come to that. I think he's going to be a really solid player by the time he hangs them up.