Hoops

Ater Majok Watch - 2009/10 NCAA Season

I'm not one to shy away from acknowledging the kid had a very poor freshman college season, however give the kid a break - he still has potentially 3 more years at college on one of the stronger programs in the country.

A kid with his size and athleticism deserves perserverence. Don't be so quick to shoot down a kid with potential. If he can develop he could have a great future, whether that be here in Australia or overseas. Let's see how he goes over the next few years before you write him off.

UConn's season of dispair has finally been put to an end by Virginia Tech in the second round of the NIT, going down in a thriller, 63-65.

Ater Majok saw increased minutes today in coming off the bench, scoring 2 points on 1/4 shooting along with pulling down 6 rebounds and rejecting 2 shots in 17 minutes of action.

Connecticut finishes the season with an overall record of 18-16.

3 more years of college eligibility...

Connecticut just managed to hang on in order to defeate Northeastern today in the first round of the NIT, prevailing 59-57.

Ater Majok was relegated from the starting lineup to the bench and played just 1 minute and failing to record any stats.

A pretty disappointing outcome for Majok, however I suspect Calhoun is showcasing his seniors in preparation for the NBA draft and their European professional prospects.

Connecticut were today confirmed as receiving an invite to play in the NIT after missing out on an NCAA torunament ticket.

Connecticut as the #4 seed have been drawn to play against #5 seed Northeastern in the first round. Northeastern also boast an Aussie of their own in guard Mathiang Muo. The game is scheduled to be played on 17 March Australian time.

Connecticut today lost in the first round of the big East Tournament to St. John’s, getting done over 51-73.

Ater Majok had little influence, going 0/2 from the field and scoring just 1 point on a paltry 1/5 from the line. He did also manage 2 rebounds, 3 blocks and no thankfully turnovers in only 17 minutes as a starter.

UConn's chances of earning an at-large NCAA tournament ticket are now extinguished. The best they can hope for now is an invite to the NIT. The Huskies who reached the Final Four last season, has not won a game in the Big East tournament since the 2005 quarterfinals!

Connecticut today lost thier final chance to push for at at-=large NCAA toruney berth today, going down to South Florida, 68-75.

Ater Majok however had his best game in months! Majok scored 6 points on 3/5 shooting alongside 6 rebounds. He also had 1 assist and a career-high 6 blocked shots and 2 turnovers in a much improved 29 minutes of game time.

Connecticut finish their regular season with a very disappointing 17-14 ovrall record and were just 7-11 in Big East conference play. In all likelihood, they will now miss the NCAA Tournament and instead get invited to the NIT.

Connecticut'S NCAA tourney prospects today took a massive nosedive after they lost to Notre Dame, 50-58.

Ater Majok continued to start and this time managed to score 4 points on 2/4 shooting. In fact Majok played 17 minutes - way up on normal - also picking up 5 rebounds and 2 turnovers in his time on court.

The Huskies fall to 17-13 on the season and are just 7-10 in Biog East conference play. They round out the Big East regular season with a game against South Florida on 7 march Australian time. The NIT is now probably the best UConn could hope for.

Connecticut today failed to take down Big East and fellow NCAA Tourney bubble rivals Louisville, going down 76-78 in a close one.

Ater Majok didn't really didn't get a chance to have an influence. Despite starting, he logged only 2 minutes of action, missing his one and only shot and didn't manage any other stats - not even a turnover!

The Huskies are now 17-12 on the season and have a 7-9 losinmg recording in the Big East. The loss to Louisville may yet knock them out of tourney contention. They still have 2 more Big East games to go, but next up on 4 March Australian time is the streaking Notre Dame who are also riding the bubble. A loss to them shoudl all but end their tourney hopes.

Connecticut today continud on their recent path of destruction in cutting down #8 ranked West Virginia, eventually holding off a late challenge to win 73-62.

Ater Majok saw 17 minutes of action as a starter and scored 3 points on 1/3 shooting and hit 1/2 from the line. He also had 2 rebounds, 1 block and no turnovers before fouling out. He played an important role in helping negate the Mountaineer's plethora of forwards.

UConn's resurgence now has them at 17-11 on the season and they improve to 7-8 in the Big East. The Huskies next face fellow bubble team Louisville on 29 February, and if they want to see post season action it really is a must-win game.

Connecticut is on somewhat of a mini-revival as they won back-to-back games in overcoming Rutgers 76-58. Again, Ater Majok had little influence on the result.

Ater Majok scored just 2 points on 1/1 shooting to go with 4 rebounds, 1 block and no turnovers in 11 only minutes despite starting again.

Connecticut improve to 16-11 on the season and 6-8 in the Big East. They need to keep winning and their next assignment in #8 West Virginia tomorrow will not be easy...

Connecticut yesterday stunned the #3 ranked Villanova, recording an amazing 84-75 win!

Unfortunately for Ater Majok, he had very little impact on the game despite starting yet again. He failed to put up a shot and recorded just 1 rebound along with 2 turnovers in playing just 9 minutes.

Connecticut are now 15-11 on the season and 5-8 in conference play. They next take on Rutgers on 21 February Australian time.

With their season on the line and caoch Calhoun back in control, Connecticut today lost to Cincinnati, 48-60 and with it it seems a ticket to the NCAA tournament.

Ater Majok had minimal influence. He went scoreless on 0/2 shooting and had just 1 steal and 1 block in 8 minutes as a starter.

The Huskies are now a miserable 14-11 on the season and just 4-8 in conference play. They next play against #5 ranked Villanova on 18 January Australian time.

The #3 ranked Syracuse today proved far too strong for Connecticut despite a late game comeback. The Huskies ended up going down 67-72 in what is turning out to be a miserable season.

Ater Majok once again started and this time scored 2 points on 1/4 shooting that was complemented by 3 rebounds, 1 steal and 1 turnover before he ran out of fouls to give late in the game (to stop the clock), playing just 11 minutes in total for the entire game.

UConn is now a poor 14-10 on the season and just 4-7 in conference play. They are now unlikley to get an invite to the NCAA tourney...and instead are looking at a battle to even make the NIT! They next play against Cincinnati on the 14 February Australian time.

Connecticut defeated De Paul, 64-57 yesterday to break a 3 game losing skid.

Ater Majok started and had a quality all-round outing, scoring 6 points on a perfect 3/3 shooting. He also had 4 rebounds, 1 assist, a career-high 5 blocks and recorded no turnovers in playing a healthy 32 minutes.

UConn are now 14-9 on the season and improve to 4-6 in conference play. They next play #3 Syracuse on 11 February Australian time.

Connecticut's season and NCAA tourney aspirations continued to slide away as the Huskies today l;ost to Louisville, 69-82. UConn has fallen out of the national top 25 rankings and now has a less than impressive 13-9 overall record and is just 3-6 in conference play.

Ater Majok started once again but was largely ineffective in offence and did not take a shot. However he did pick up 5 rebounds, 1 steal and 2 blocks with no turnovers in limited action.

The Huskies next play against De Paul on 7 February Australian time and another loss could just about pyut a final nail in the coffin for their tourney chances.

The #19 ranked Connecticut now have a 13-8 overall record and are 3-5 in conference play after losing to Marquette, 68-70.

Ater Majok once again started and this time scored career-high 7 points on 3/6 shooting that included 1/2 on free throw's. He also had career-highs in rebounds and block with 7 and 4 respectively, and had 2 turnovers in playing just 18 minutes.

UConn now have an uphill battle to qualify for the NCAA Tourney despite having the toughest schedule of any team. They next play against Louisville on the 2 February Australian time and wil be desperate for a stabilising win.

After accoutning for the #1 ranked team in their last start, today the #19 ranked Connecticut capitulated to Providence 66-81 in a big let down.

Ater Majok returned to the starter's lineup and had a minimal impact, faling to score on 0/1 shooting and recordinging just 2 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal, 1 block and 1 turnover in 19 minutes.

UConn now have a 13-7 overall record and are 3-4 in conference play. They next face Marquette on 31 January Australian time.

#21 ranked Coninecticut today defeated the #1 ranked Texas, 88-74. In winning, UConn won their first game against a ranked opponent this season after losing their last 4 attempts. The game was broadcast live on One HD and it was a good game to watch.

Ater Majok was reinstated to the starting lineup and played arguably his best game to date and getting some serious burn time today. He scored 5 points on 1/5 shooting and 3/6 on free throw's. He blew a couple of lefty layups that with more game time he should make in future. However it was on the defensive end where Majok excelled as he blocked or changed shots regularly. He also had 7 rebounds, 1 assist, 4 blocks and no turnovers in 32 minutes.

UConn are now 13-6 on the season and 4-3 in conference play. They next face Providence on 28 January Australian time.

The #21 Connecticut got a much needed win today against St John’s, running out 75-59 winners.

Ater Majok came off the bench yet again and this time scored 2 points on 1/2 shooting. He also had 3 rebounds and 2 turnovers in just 9 minutes fo court time.

Ater needs to continue progressing and is likely to get a big chance to be THE player on next season's team.

Connecticut are now 12-6 on the season and 3-3 in Big East conference play. They next face #1 ranked Texas in non-conference play on 24 January Australian time.

#14 Connecticut today lost their second straight game to #20 Pittsburgh 47-57.

Ater Majok started and scored 4 points on 2/2 shooting which is more pelasing to see. He also had 1 rebound, 1 steal, 2 blocks with no turnovers in just 10 minutes of action.

UConn next play against Michigan on 18 January Australian time.

The #13 Connecticut this morning lost to #12 Georgetown 69-72, now moving to an 11-4 overall record.

Ater Majok continued his string of starting gigs however went scoreless on 0/1 shooting. He had just 2 fouls and no other stats in just 8 minutes on court.

UConn led by 19 points late in the first half, and by 15 at halftime, but the Hoya's came back in the 2nd half behind a career-high 33 points to Austin Freeman, 28 of whcih came in the 2nd half. UConn lost its third straight conference road game and its fourth straight against a ranked opponent, dating back to last season.

The Huskies with a 2-2 conference record next face Pittsburgh on 14 January.

The #10 ranked Connecticut defeated Notre Dame 82-70 and move out to a 10-3 overall record.

Ater Majok started again but went scoreless, recording just 1 rebound, 1 block and 1 turnover in a paltry 4 minutes.

With a new ranking of #13, the Huskies backed up with a win over Seton Hall 71-63.

Ater Majok started yet again and this time scored 3 points on 1/2 shooting, including 1/1 from the line. He also had 2 rebounds, 3 blocks and no turnovers in a better looking 14 minutes of game time.

The #13 ranked UConn now have an 11-3 overall record and take on the #12 ranked Georgetown on Sunday Australian time in what promises to be game of the week! Let's hope Ater can start contributing more on the stat line and get some mre minutes.

#10 Connecticut lost to Cincinnati today in a nailbiter, 69-71.

Ater Majok had an indifferent game, not taking a shot, but recording just 2 rebounds and 3 turnovers in 20 minutes as a starter.

UConn next face Notre Dame on 2 January Aussie time.

UConn and Ater Majok are in action against Cincinatti today.

#11 Connecticut today defeated Iona 93-74.

Ater Majok started and played 16 minutes in total, scoring 2 points on 1/2 shooting to go with 6 rebounds, 3 blocks and 2 turnovers.

UConn now has a 9-2 overall record and next plays against Cincinatti on 31 December Australian time.

Ater Majok played his second game for UConn today, and started yet again in their win over Maine, 71-54.

Majok scored 5 points on 2/3 shooting (1/2 FT) and also had 4 rebounds, 2 blocks and no turnovers in a game were he was plagued by foul trouble after a great start to the game that ultimately limited his time.

This from the ESPN Recap: "Ater Majok, UConn's 6-foot-11 freshman forward, had a better night than his one-point debut against UCF."

The #11 ranked UConn now improve to 8-2 on the season, and next play against Iona on the 28 December Australian time.

Played MJ's lad Marcus in that game.

In his debut against UCF, Ater Majok and UConn posted a 60-51 win.

Majok started and scored just 1 point on 0/2 shooting and 1/2 on free throws. He also had 3 rebounds and 1 turnover.

As quoted from the ESPN Recap in full and within context:

"Majok started and received a standing ovation when he was introduced. He played just 2½ minutes and got a seat on the bench after his man, Keith Clanton, scored four quick points."

"He received another ovation when he made a free throw with just over 4½ minutes left in the first half, his only point of the game. That was the highlight of his night. He left the game for the final time late in the second half after Calhoun used an expletive and told him to sit down."

"I take that as a motivation," Majok said. "The more he cusses me out on the court, the more he yells at me, the more I know that he loves me and at the end of the day he wants me to be the best I can be."

Majok is in action right now...

Projected #1 NBA draft pick John Wall hit a dagger at the death to sink UConn in their recent matchup.

PS: That article was posted in it's own thread last week.

#13 Connecticut today defeated Harvard 79-73.

Ater Majok is now just a couple of week's away from finally hitting the hardwood.

Connecticut next plays Kentucky on December 7 Australian at Madison Square Garden in the SEC/BIG EAST Invitational.

PS: UConn are currently 6-1 to start the season, their only loss coming at the hands of #7 ranked Duke - a game in which Duke's front court struggled, both offensively and in rebounding.

A dud that has already played for the Boomers? I'm not sure if you have exhibited any logic there...

UConn today won their second straight game to move to a 2-0 record without Majok.

hey fellas..lets talk bout the up coming 2006 open basketball season...who are gonna be the strong teams?