Roster

[quote="Paultzman" post=287533][quote="ghostzapper" post=287530]Paultzman Wrote: In my opinion they will aggressively pursue several prime targets early. As you noted, waiting until end of season makes no sense. They can sort the numbers out later. I could see them adding 3 players & having room with Clarke, Ponds & a player facing a logjam at his position moving on for example. Nature of game today.
Repo

I am curious in your opinion who the prime targets are? Also would be curious what is our order of preference for those targets and lastly how strong are our chances with any of these prime targets?

The name I have heard the most often connected to SJU is Kofi Cockburn and he seems like he is interested in us. The two New Jersey kids Brian Antoine and Scottie Lewis seem to be desired by us, but I hear they may likely go elsewhere. I am unclear of our status with others. Jalen Gaffney, Precious Achiuwa, Aidan Iglehorn etc.are names I hear often. Maybe you can clarify who the prime targets actually are and what are chances of getting any of them to come here.[/quote]
Just my opinion, but they have to give it a go with Aidan & Kofi re bigs. Staff has spent a lot of time on them, as competitive as the hunt may be. For guards, they have a great relationship with Lewis & Gaffney and could get official visits on both, but Lewis will be a tough get. Have heard very little about Precious A pursuit and assume a program like Kansas will get him. A lesser talent like Chris Ledlum for SF spot seems more practical.[/quote]

Ledlum seems more than fine to me. Gafney will see a lot of minutes opening up from ponds and then Simon in subsequent years. Kofi would take it over the top. At least for me, outside top 100 rankings and all ;)
 
[quote="Paultzman" post=287539][quote="JohnnyFan" post=287536]I am all for continuing the pursuit of Kofi. However, I sincerely hope we are looking many, many, many more bigs.[/quote]
With 3 spots possible, how many do you want?[/quote]

Considering the competition for Kofi, I am just saying I hope we have many other irons in the fire.
 
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As we saw with this past year you can all but bank on the fact there will be more than just 3 openings for 19/20. Assuming Heron is eligible and no injuries look for him and Ponds to leave. Throw in Clark as a senior. And you know without speculating on names there will be at least 1 if not more transfers. Safe to say 4-5 openings. I would like at least 3 high quality high school recruits and maybe 1 or 2 transfers/grad transfers. That's a nice balance.

I understand they had 3 HS recruits this past year but SJU needs some immediate impact HS recruits.
 
Kofi is my linchpin of our top 2019 recruits—because we’ve been so ID’d with the big guy.
So leading with Kofi as my catalyst recruit next year, I’d be ecstatic to get commitments from 2 of Jalen G, Scottie L., Aidan I., C. Ledlum , K. Whitney.
And if it proves to be Kofi, Jalen, and Chris—I’m a happy guy.
 
[quote="fordham96" post=287563]As we saw with this past year you can all but bank on the fact there will be more than just 3 openings for 19/20. Assuming Heron is eligible and no injuries look for him and Ponds to leave. Throw in Clark as a senior. And you know without speculating on names there will be at least 1 if not more transfers. Safe to say 4-5 openings. I would like at least 3 high quality high school recruits and maybe 1 or 2 transfers/grad transfers. That's a nice balance.

I understand they had 3 HS recruits this past year but SJU needs some immediate impact HS recruits.[/quote]

Agree totally, but some of the 3-year transfers like Simon and Figueroa work out almost as well for us in terms of capability and years. High school kids still are what will be our bread and butter needed to sustain success over time.
 
[quote="MCNPA" post=287567][quote="fordham96" post=287563]As we saw with this past year you can all but bank on the fact there will be more than just 3 openings for 19/20. Assuming Heron is eligible and no injuries look for him and Ponds to leave. Throw in Clark as a senior. And you know without speculating on names there will be at least 1 if not more transfers. Safe to say 4-5 openings. I would like at least 3 high quality high school recruits and maybe 1 or 2 transfers/grad transfers. That's a nice balance.

I understand they had 3 HS recruits this past year but SJU needs some immediate impact HS recruits.[/quote]

Agree totally, but some of the 3-year transfers like Simon and Figueroa work out almost as well for us in terms of capability and years. High school kids still are what will be our bread and butter needed to sustain success over time.[/quote]

But LJ is a JUCO transfer with immediate eligibility. You can put JUCO's in the same bucket as HS recruits because they are immediately eligible.

Obviously the big difference between transfers and JUCO/HS recruits of course is the eligibility. Transfers have to sit a year. I mean think about it, obviously if kids could transfer with NO sit year it literally would be the wild west. Then every program including the top programs would get heavily involved in the transfer market becasue you could get an experienced kid with IMMEDIATE eligibility including in some cases high major studs. Why wouldn't you then want to get that kid?
 
[quote="fordham96" post=287575][quote="MCNPA" post=287567][quote="fordham96" post=287563]As we saw with this past year you can all but bank on the fact there will be more than just 3 openings for 19/20. Assuming Heron is eligible and no injuries look for him and Ponds to leave. Throw in Clark as a senior. And you know without speculating on names there will be at least 1 if not more transfers. Safe to say 4-5 openings. I would like at least 3 high quality high school recruits and maybe 1 or 2 transfers/grad transfers. That's a nice balance.

I understand they had 3 HS recruits this past year but SJU needs some immediate impact HS recruits.[/quote]

Agree totally, but some of the 3-year transfers like Simon and Figueroa work out almost as well for us in terms of capability and years. High school kids still are what will be our bread and butter needed to sustain success over time.[/quote]

But LJ is a JUCO transfer with immediate eligibility. You can put JUCO's in the same bucket as HS recruits because they are immediately eligible.

Obviously the big difference between transfers and JUCO/HS recruits of course is the eligibility. Transfers have to sit a year. I mean think about it, obviously if kids could transfer with NO sit year it literally would be the wild west. Then every program including the top programs would get heavily involved in the transfer market becasue you could get an experienced kid with IMMEDIATE eligibility including in some cases high major studs. Why wouldn't you then want to get that kid?[/quote]

I think the sit out year is very valuable, not only for the obvious reason of the kids getting better during that year, but because it makes the roster easier to manage. You have 13 guys eligible and you will have 2-3 guys who won’t see any type of significant minutes. With the transfers you don’t have to worry about getting them minutes but you still get the benefit of having them in practice.
 
[quote="Amaseinyourface" post=287580][quote="fordham96" post=287575][quote="MCNPA" post=287567][quote="fordham96" post=287563]As we saw with this past year you can all but bank on the fact there will be more than just 3 openings for 19/20. Assuming Heron is eligible and no injuries look for him and Ponds to leave. Throw in Clark as a senior. And you know without speculating on names there will be at least 1 if not more transfers. Safe to say 4-5 openings. I would like at least 3 high quality high school recruits and maybe 1 or 2 transfers/grad transfers. That's a nice balance.

I understand they had 3 HS recruits this past year but SJU needs some immediate impact HS recruits.[/quote]

Agree totally, but some of the 3-year transfers like Simon and Figueroa work out almost as well for us in terms of capability and years. High school kids still are what will be our bread and butter needed to sustain success over time.[/quote]

But LJ is a JUCO transfer with immediate eligibility. You can put JUCO's in the same bucket as HS recruits because they are immediately eligible.

Obviously the big difference between transfers and JUCO/HS recruits of course is the eligibility. Transfers have to sit a year. I mean think about it, obviously if kids could transfer with NO sit year it literally would be the wild west. Then every program including the top programs would get heavily involved in the transfer market becasue you could get an experienced kid with IMMEDIATE eligibility including in some cases high major studs. Why wouldn't you then want to get that kid?[/quote]

I think the sit out year is very valuable, not only for the obvious reason of the kids getting better during that year, but because it makes the roster easier to manage. You have 13 guys eligible and you will have 2-3 guys who won’t see any type of significant minutes. With the transfers you don’t have to worry about getting them minutes but you still get the benefit of having them in practice.[/quote]

It could be if you don't overuse it. It also could be a detriment. Are you telling me Heron needs a year to sit out to adjust? No you want him playing immediately. Do you think Reid Travis from Stanford needs a year to adjust? I don't think Nova and UK would be pursuing him if that was required to begin with. You are only allowed 13 scholarships and injuries happen. Also rotations shorten, you want to be able to have access to as many players as possible to make sure you are putting the best product on the floor. Redshirting players is also an option with regards to non-transfers.
 
[quote="fordham96" post=287591][quote="Amaseinyourface" post=287580][quote="fordham96" post=287575][quote="MCNPA" post=287567][quote="fordham96" post=287563]As we saw with this past year you can all but bank on the fact there will be more than just 3 openings for 19/20. Assuming Heron is eligible and no injuries look for him and Ponds to leave. Throw in Clark as a senior. And you know without speculating on names there will be at least 1 if not more transfers. Safe to say 4-5 openings. I would like at least 3 high quality high school recruits and maybe 1 or 2 transfers/grad transfers. That's a nice balance.

I understand they had 3 HS recruits this past year but SJU needs some immediate impact HS recruits.[/quote]

Agree totally, but some of the 3-year transfers like Simon and Figueroa work out almost as well for us in terms of capability and years. High school kids still are what will be our bread and butter needed to sustain success over time.[/quote]

But LJ is a JUCO transfer with immediate eligibility. You can put JUCO's in the same bucket as HS recruits because they are immediately eligible.

Obviously the big difference between transfers and JUCO/HS recruits of course is the eligibility. Transfers have to sit a year. I mean think about it, obviously if kids could transfer with NO sit year it literally would be the wild west. Then every program including the top programs would get heavily involved in the transfer market becasue you could get an experienced kid with IMMEDIATE eligibility including in some cases high major studs. Why wouldn't you then want to get that kid?[/quote]

I think the sit out year is very valuable, not only for the obvious reason of the kids getting better during that year, but because it makes the roster easier to manage. You have 13 guys eligible and you will have 2-3 guys who won’t see any type of significant minutes. With the transfers you don’t have to worry about getting them minutes but you still get the benefit of having them in practice.[/quote]

It could be if you don't overuse it. It also could be a detriment. Are you telling me Heron needs a year to sit out to adjust? No you want him playing immediately. Do you think Reid Travis from Stanford needs a year to adjust? I don't think Nova and UK would be pursuing him if that was required to begin with. You are only allowed 13 scholarships and injuries happen. Also rotations shorten, you want to be able to have access to as many players as possible to make sure you are putting the best product on the floor. Redshirting players is also an option with regards to non-transfers.[/quote]


I don’t necessarily think we are disagreeing with each other but to your first point, most high major studs don’t transfer if they have to sit a year. Travis is immediately eligible and heron hopes to be.

And your second point, having your own recruits redshirt a year is a bit different. For one you are asking them to sacrifice a year which is something they may not want to do. And two, if they do redshirt you run the risk of them graduating with eligibility left and leaving as a grad transfer. Of course this possibility exists with transfers you take in (Owens, Simon) but you know that when you grab them and their is really no way around it.
 
[quote="fordham96" post=287563]As we saw with this past year you can all but bank on the fact there will be more than just 3 openings for 19/20. Assuming Heron is eligible and no injuries look for him and Ponds to leave. Throw in Clark as a senior. And you know without speculating on names there will be at least 1 if not more transfers. Safe to say 4-5 openings. I would like at least 3 high quality high school recruits and maybe 1 or 2 transfers/grad transfers. That's a nice balance.

I understand they had 3 HS recruits this past year but SJU needs some immediate impact HS recruits.[/quote]

I just don't see it. For starters, we don't have immeidate playing time next year to sell any high level recruit on. Those types of recruits want to start from day one. The only one we could sell on that is Kofi. Until Ponds/Heron officially declared they are leaving in March 2019, they're still on our roster. Unfortunately by March 2019 the majority of these high level recruits will be signed.

Listen I'm not trying to be negative. I'm more than happy with where we are at. I'm trying to be realistic to the persistent whiners who find any reason to complain about our recruiting despite the fact that we don't even have scholarships to give.
 
[quote="Room112" post=287595][quote="fordham96" post=287563]As we saw with this past year you can all but bank on the fact there will be more than just 3 openings for 19/20. Assuming Heron is eligible and no injuries look for him and Ponds to leave. Throw in Clark as a senior. And you know without speculating on names there will be at least 1 if not more transfers. Safe to say 4-5 openings. I would like at least 3 high quality high school recruits and maybe 1 or 2 transfers/grad transfers. That's a nice balance.

I understand they had 3 HS recruits this past year but SJU needs some immediate impact HS recruits.[/quote]

I just don't see it. For starters, we don't have immeidate playing time next year to sell any high level recruit on. Those types of recruits want to start from day one. The only one we could sell on that is Kofi. Until Ponds/Heron officially declared they are leaving in March 2019, they're still on our roster. Unfortunately by March 2019 the majority of these high level recruits will be signed.

Listen I'm not trying to be negative. I'm more than happy with where we are at. I'm trying to be realistic to the persistent whiners who find any reason to complain about our recruiting despite the fact that we don't even have scholarships to give.[/quote]
Ledlum, Gaffney & Kofi would thrill staff imo. They know Lewis, Precious, Aidan and Whitney are long shots. The only reason I note Kofi is if he & family decide he should stay home, as often rumored.That said, Arbitello, his Coach at CTK, & Mullin have no relationship, so I doubt he would encourage KC our way.

I just sense getting prime kids like the above will be very difficult until SJU starts winning and impressing. That is no excuse, just my realistic impression. That doesn’t mean you don’t still aggressively pursue these talented 19 kids, but prognosis guarded. Btw, imo Matt’s aggressive transfer pursuits recently may reflect his realistic view of 19 re the studs noted. Hope I am wrong.
 
Paultzman wrote: Room112 wrote:
fordham96 wrote: As we saw with this past year you can all but bank on the fact there will be more than just 3 openings for 19/20. Assuming Heron is eligible and no injuries look for him and Ponds to leave. Throw in Clark as a senior. And you know without speculating on names there will be at least 1 if not more transfers. Safe to say 4-5 openings. I would like at least 3 high quality high school recruits and maybe 1 or 2 transfers/grad transfers. That's a nice balance.

I understand they had 3 HS recruits this past year but SJU needs some immediate impact HS recruits.

I just don't see it. For starters, we don't have immeidate playing time next year to sell any high level recruit on. Those types of recruits want to start from day one. The only one we could sell on that is Kofi. Until Ponds/Heron officially declared they are leaving in March 2019, they're still on our roster. Unfortunately by March 2019 the majority of these high level recruits will be signed.

Listen I'm not trying to be negative. I'm more than happy with where we are at. I'm trying to be realistic to the persistent whiners who find any reason to complain about our recruiting despite the fact that we don't even have scholarships to give.

Ledlum, Gaffney & Kofi would thrill staff imo. They know Lewis, Precious, Aidan and Whitney are long shots. The only reason I note Kofi is if he & family decide he should stay home, as often rumored.That said, Arbitello, his Coach at CTK, & Mullin have no relationship, so I doubt he would encourage KC our way.

I just sense getting prime kids like the above will be very difficult until SJU starts winning and impressing. That is no excuse, just my realistic impression. That doesn’t mean you don’t still aggressively pursue these talented 19 kids, but prognosis guarded. Btw, imo Matt’s aggressive transfer pursuits recently may reflect his realistic view of 19 re the studs noted. Hope I am wrong.

Paultz, do you think we still have a decent/good shot with Gaffney? Thanks.
 
[quote="NCJohnnie" post=287598]Paultzman wrote: Room112 wrote:
fordham96 wrote: As we saw with this past year you can all but bank on the fact there will be more than just 3 openings for 19/20. Assuming Heron is eligible and no injuries look for him and Ponds to leave. Throw in Clark as a senior. And you know without speculating on names there will be at least 1 if not more transfers. Safe to say 4-5 openings. I would like at least 3 high quality high school recruits and maybe 1 or 2 transfers/grad transfers. That's a nice balance.

I understand they had 3 HS recruits this past year but SJU needs some immediate impact HS recruits.

I just don't see it. For starters, we don't have immeidate playing time next year to sell any high level recruit on. Those types of recruits want to start from day one. The only one we could sell on that is Kofi. Until Ponds/Heron officially declared they are leaving in March 2019, they're still on our roster. Unfortunately by March 2019 the majority of these high level recruits will be signed.

Listen I'm not trying to be negative. I'm more than happy with where we are at. I'm trying to be realistic to the persistent whiners who find any reason to complain about our recruiting despite the fact that we don't even have scholarships to give.

Ledlum, Gaffney & Kofi would thrill staff imo. They know Lewis, Precious, Aidan and Whitney are long shots. The only reason I note Kofi is if he & family decide he should stay home, as often rumored.That said, Arbitello, his Coach at CTK, & Mullin have no relationship, so I doubt he would encourage KC our way.

I just sense getting prime kids like the above will be very difficult until SJU starts winning and impressing. That is no excuse, just my realistic impression. That doesn’t mean you don’t still aggressively pursue these talented 19 kids, but prognosis guarded. Btw, imo Matt’s aggressive transfer pursuits recently may reflect his realistic view of 19 re the studs noted. Hope I am wrong.

Paultz, do you think we still have a decent/good shot with Gaffney? Thanks.[/quote]
He has really come on, so a cautious yes seems realistic.

Btw re: post about recent transfer additions having a negative impact on early 19 recruiting, many kids will still wait until Spring to commit. Programs by then will have a decent sense who may leave and know how many spots & what positions they have to offer late signees. I never worry about numbers & doubt staff does. Louisville model for years.
 
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[quote="Paultzman" post=287599][quote="NCJohnnie" post=287598]Paultzman wrote: Room112 wrote:
fordham96 wrote: As we saw with this past year you can all but bank on the fact there will be more than just 3 openings for 19/20. Assuming Heron is eligible and no injuries look for him and Ponds to leave. Throw in Clark as a senior. And you know without speculating on names there will be at least 1 if not more transfers. Safe to say 4-5 openings. I would like at least 3 high quality high school recruits and maybe 1 or 2 transfers/grad transfers. That's a nice balance.

I understand they had 3 HS recruits this past year but SJU needs some immediate impact HS recruits.

I just don't see it. For starters, we don't have immeidate playing time next year to sell any high level recruit on. Those types of recruits want to start from day one. The only one we could sell on that is Kofi. Until Ponds/Heron officially declared they are leaving in March 2019, they're still on our roster. Unfortunately by March 2019 the majority of these high level recruits will be signed.

Listen I'm not trying to be negative. I'm more than happy with where we are at. I'm trying to be realistic to the persistent whiners who find any reason to complain about our recruiting despite the fact that we don't even have scholarships to give.

Ledlum, Gaffney & Kofi would thrill staff imo. They know Lewis, Precious, Aidan and Whitney are long shots. The only reason I note Kofi is if he & family decide he should stay home, as often rumored.That said, Arbitello, his Coach at CTK, & Mullin have no relationship, so I doubt he would encourage KC our way.

I just sense getting prime kids like the above will be very difficult until SJU starts winning and impressing. That is no excuse, just my realistic impression. That doesn’t mean you don’t still aggressively pursue these talented 19 kids, but prognosis guarded. Btw, imo Matt’s aggressive transfer pursuits recently may reflect his realistic view of 19 re the studs noted. Hope I am wrong.

Paultz, do you think we still have a decent/good shot with Gaffney? Thanks.[/quote]
He has really come on, so a cautious yes seems realistic.

Btw re: post about recent transfer additions having a negative impact on early 19 recruiting, many kids will still wait until Spring to commit. Programs by then will have a decent sense who may leave and know how many spots & what positions they have to offer late signees. I never worry about numbers & doubt staff does. Louisville model for years.[/quote]

Great point re: Spring commits. If we get Heron eligible and we're ranked Top 20 in the country come March, I think we'll be in as good shape as we could hope for with our top '19 targets.
 
I should have noted Scottie Lewis is obviously a stud, but based on staff’s long term work and relationship with him, I sense we will make his final 5 & get an official visit. We know our historical disappointments with like circumstances, but you have to hang in there with a player of his caliber. You never know. :)
 
[quote="Paultzman" post=287596][quote="Room112" post=287595][quote="fordham96" post=287563]As we saw with this past year you can all but bank on the fact there will be more than just 3 openings for 19/20. Assuming Heron is eligible and no injuries look for him and Ponds to leave. Throw in Clark as a senior. And you know without speculating on names there will be at least 1 if not more transfers. Safe to say 4-5 openings. I would like at least 3 high quality high school recruits and maybe 1 or 2 transfers/grad transfers. That's a nice balance.

I understand they had 3 HS recruits this past year but SJU needs some immediate impact HS recruits.[/quote]

I just don't see it. For starters, we don't have immeidate playing time next year to sell any high level recruit on. Those types of recruits want to start from day one. The only one we could sell on that is Kofi. Until Ponds/Heron officially declared they are leaving in March 2019, they're still on our roster. Unfortunately by March 2019 the majority of these high level recruits will be signed.

Listen I'm not trying to be negative. I'm more than happy with where we are at. I'm trying to be realistic to the persistent whiners who find any reason to complain about our recruiting despite the fact that we don't even have scholarships to give.[/quote]
Ledlum, Gaffney & Kofi would thrill staff imo. They know Lewis, Precious, Aidan and Whitney are long shots. The only reason I note Kofi is if he & family decide he should stay home, as often rumored.That said, Arbitello, his Coach at CTK, & Mullin have no relationship, so I doubt he would encourage KC our way.

I just sense getting prime kids like the above will be very difficult until SJU starts winning and impressing. That is no excuse, just my realistic impression. That doesn’t mean you don’t still aggressively pursue these talented 19 kids, but prognosis guarded. Btw, imo Matt’s aggressive transfer pursuits recently may reflect his realistic view of 19 re the studs noted. Hope I am wrong.[/quote] What confuses me, is that Mullin said he was going to bang the doors down of the NY HS gyms. How come he has no relationship w Arbitello?
 
[quote="richard A Steinfeld" post=287605][quote="Paultzman" post=287596][quote="Room112" post=287595][quote="fordham96" post=287563]As we saw with this past year you can all but bank on the fact there will be more than just 3 openings for 19/20. Assuming Heron is eligible and no injuries look for him and Ponds to leave. Throw in Clark as a senior. And you know without speculating on names there will be at least 1 if not more transfers. Safe to say 4-5 openings. I would like at least 3 high quality high school recruits and maybe 1 or 2 transfers/grad transfers. That's a nice balance.

I understand they had 3 HS recruits this past year but SJU needs some immediate impact HS recruits.[/quote]

I just don't see it. For starters, we don't have immeidate playing time next year to sell any high level recruit on. Those types of recruits want to start from day one. The only one we could sell on that is Kofi. Until Ponds/Heron officially declared they are leaving in March 2019, they're still on our roster. Unfortunately by March 2019 the majority of these high level recruits will be signed.

Listen I'm not trying to be negative. I'm more than happy with where we are at. I'm trying to be realistic to the persistent whiners who find any reason to complain about our recruiting despite the fact that we don't even have scholarships to give.[/quote]
Ledlum, Gaffney & Kofi would thrill staff imo. They know Lewis, Precious, Aidan and Whitney are long shots. The only reason I note Kofi is if he & family decide he should stay home, as often rumored.That said, Arbitello, his Coach at CTK, & Mullin have no relationship, so I doubt he would encourage KC our way.

I just sense getting prime kids like the above will be very difficult until SJU starts winning and impressing. That is no excuse, just my realistic impression. That doesn’t mean you don’t still aggressively pursue these talented 19 kids, but prognosis guarded. Btw, imo Matt’s aggressive transfer pursuits recently may reflect his realistic view of 19 re the studs noted. Hope I am wrong.[/quote] What confuses me, is that Mullin said he was going to bang the doors down of the NY HS gyms. How come he has no relationship w Arbitello?[/quote]
I am under impression he is tight with Sice. Btw, Arbitello is no day at the beach, arrogant.
 
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[quote="Paultzman" post=287602]I should have noted Scottie Lewis is obviously a stud, but based on staff’s long term work and relationship with him, I sense we will make his final 5 & get an official visit. We know our historical disappointments with like circumstances, but you have to hang in there with a player of his caliber. You never know. :)[/quote]

Sometimes you do
 
[quote="Windy City Johnny Fan" post=287608][quote="Paultzman" post=287602]I should have noted Scottie Lewis is obviously a stud, but based on staff’s long term work and relationship with him, I sense we will make his final 5 & get an official visit. We know our historical disappointments with like circumstances, but you have to hang in there with a player of his caliber. You never know. :)[/quote]

Sometimes you do[/quote]
[attachment=209]E017F872-EE15-41BC-9A5A-DE48080A810A.jpeg[/attachment]
 
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