[Blue & Gold]

I know a couple of posters on ZN have seen Gilliam & Walsh in action. Can you describe their games? What could we expect from them next year?

I'm even more curious about the mysterious Treadwell & Harney. Has anyone on ZN ever seen one of these two even step a foot on a basketball court? If so, please describe their games, respective styles, strengths, etc. What can we expect from these guys next year?

[lilroodude]

From what I've heard:

Gilliam: Serious athlete.
Walsh: Amazing mid-range game.
Treadwell/Harney: Most athletic players on the Zips and the best players overall.

Don't forget about Deji Ibitayo. 6'3" with a 6'9" wingspan.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qk660q0bHf8

[midmajormadness]

From what I've heard:

Gilliam: Serious athlete.
Walsh: Amazing mid-range game.
Treadwell/Harney: Most athletic players on the Zips and the best players overall.

Don't forget about Deji Ibitayo. 6'3" with a 6'9" wingspan.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qk660q0bHf8

how can they be the best overall players when they have never played a collegiate game in their life?

[skip-zip]

From what I've heard:

Gilliam: Serious athlete.
Walsh: Amazing mid-range game.
Treadwell/Harney: Most athletic players on the Zips and the best players overall.

Don't forget about Deji Ibitayo. 6'3" with a 6'9" wingspan.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qk660q0bHf8

how can they be the best overall players when they have never played a collegiate game in their life?

It took until the 8th post for someone to be realistic?

I caution people about this all the time. It's fun to dream about the future, but it would be just as easy to predict that any of these guys will be a bust as opposed to a star at this point in time. Getting any kind of significant production out of a newcomer in the earlier part of their career is an ABSOLUTE luxury. Even getting some quality play can never be expected. Just look at the various new players that have come and gone from here in the last several years.

This year's Zips team was a typical example. We had a lot of new players on the roster, but we had a reasonable expectation of success because of the players that had already played, and what we knew of their proven abilities at this level. The good contributions we got from the new players were a bonus. That's the way it usually goes. The most accurate perspective right now is to imagine what will happen next year with the players who have spent time on the floor, and HOPE for a little extra from some new guys.

[UAZip0510]

From what I've heard:

Gilliam: Serious athlete.
Walsh: Amazing mid-range game.
Treadwell/Harney: Most athletic players on the Zips and the best players overall.

Don't forget about Deji Ibitayo. 6'3" with a 6'9" wingspan.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qk660q0bHf8

how can they be the best overall players when they have never played a collegiate game in their life?

It took until the 8th post for someone to be realistic?

I caution people about this all the time. It's fun to dream about the future, but it would be just as easy to predict that any of these guys will be a bust as opposed to a star at this point in time. Getting any kind of significant production out of a newcomer in the earlier part of their career is an ABSOLUTE luxury. Even getting some quality play can never be expected. Just look at the various new players that have come and gone from here in the last several years.

This year's Zips team was a typical example. We had a lot of new players on the roster, but we had a reasonable expectation of success because of the players that had already played, and what we knew of their proven abilities at this level. The good contributions we got from the new players were a bonus. That's the way it usually goes. The most accurate perspective right now is to imagine what will happen next year with the players who have spent time on the floor, and HOPE for a little extra from some new guys.

While I agree that you can't get too excited, I feel like the size and athleticism Treadwell and Harney possess will, at the very least, make them rotation guys next year. Also, Walsh and Gilliam should make easy transitions, as both have practiced with the team all season.

I think KD will roll with a 10 man rotation, at least to start the season:

1st Unit

C-Marshall
F-Cvetinovic
F-Diggs
G-McClanahan
G-Abreu

2nd Unit

F-Harney
F-Egner
F-Treadwell
G-Gilliam
G-Walsh

And If Nik's gone:

1st Unit

C-Marshall
F-Egner
F-Diggs
G-McClanahan
G-Abreu

2nd Unit

F-Euton
F-Harney
F-Treadwell
G-Gilliam
G-Walsh


As others have previously stated, it will be cool to watch the talent we have compete for PT, and to see KD put together a rotation from what may be the most talented roster he's had in Akron.

[GoZips]

From what I've heard:

Gilliam: Serious athlete.
Walsh: Amazing mid-range game.
Treadwell/Harney: Most athletic players on the Zips and the best players overall.

Don't forget about Deji Ibitayo. 6'3" with a 6'9" wingspan.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qk660q0bHf8

how can they be the best overall players when they have never played a collegiate game in their life?

It took until the 8th post for someone to be realistic?

I caution people about this all the time. It's fun to dream about the future, but it would be just as easy to predict that any of these guys will be a bust as opposed to a star at this point in time. Getting any kind of significant production out of a newcomer in the earlier part of their career is an ABSOLUTE luxury. Even getting some quality play can never be expected. Just look at the various new players that have come and gone from here in the last several years.

This year's Zips team was a typical example. We had a lot of new players on the roster, but we had a reasonable expectation of success because of the players that had already played, and what we knew of their proven abilities at this level. The good contributions we got from the new players were a bonus. That's the way it usually goes. The most accurate perspective right now is to imagine what will happen next year with the players who have spent time on the floor, and HOPE for a little extra from some new guys.

While I agree that you can't get too excited, I feel like the size and athleticism Treadwell and Harney possess will, at the very least, make them rotation guys next year. Also, Walsh and Gilliam should make easy transitions, as both have practiced with the team all season.

I think KD will roll with a 10 man rotation, at least to start the season:

1st Unit

C-Marshall
F-Cvetinovic
F-Diggs
G-McClanahan
G-Abreu

2nd Unit

F-Harney
F-Egner
F-Treadwell
G-Gilliam
G-Walsh

And If Nik's gone:

1st Unit

C-Marshall
F-Egner
F-Diggs
G-McClanahan
G-Abreu

2nd Unit

F-Euton
F-Harney
F-Treadwell
G-Gilliam
G-Walsh


As others have previously stated, it will be cool to watch the talent we have compete for PT, and to see KD put together a rotation from what may be the most talented roster he's had in Akron.

Looks like you put some good thought into this.

A couple of points to consider: Treadwell is a big, man sized body most suitable
to play the power forward. Thus, he is likely compete with Josh Egner for the PF position.
Egner needs to continue to build his strength and game.

Harney, while athletic is more of a reed than either Treadwell or Egner. Which slots the "new"
Nik to the small forward. Until Harney gets up to speed look for a three guard line up utilizing
Nitro as the wing. Harney is more of a true small forward and will by MAC time be up to speed.

Diggs needs to upgrade several components of his game to get into the starting rotation.
Nice things about Diggs, he can play small forward, wing guard, shooting guard or the point.
But, until he gets his emotions under control and improves certain elements of his game such
as ball handling, dribbling left handed better, reading the defenses and recognizing that he is part
of a team he will not be a starter. In my eyes Diggs could be a great sixth man, that is,
if his ego can handle it. He sure has the tools to be an excellent first man off the bench.

Euton is a true center. Like Zeke, Dakota can play with his back to the basket. Euton probably
will see floor time both as a center and as a power forward. I think Dakota is most valuable
as a back up center. Time will tell.

The rotation could go eleven or even twelve deep early on as the coaches sort out the best
combinations. The athleticism will be amazing and fun to watch. Especially if you like alley-oops
and dunks and blocked shots.

After struggling with a thin back court in 2010-11 next season will have a rich, deep back court.
The weakness here will be the relative inexperience with only Abreu and Diggs having any
time as a Zip on the floor. However, I do not think that will be a real obstacle as Walsh,
Gilliam and the two freshmen guards will make the battle for playing time an excitement all
its own. We can now go tall or small in the back court and all the guards are shooters.

Perhaps Mike Green will step up and provide even more front court depth.

While the Zips wont start the season as a top twenty-five team, by MAC tournament time,
when they are peaking, they well could be a top twenty-five team. For once, the talent is
rich and deep. So, you are correct.