[UAZip0510]

The first seven rotation players are locks:

SR-C-Zeke Marshall
JR-F-Demetrius Treadwell
SR-F-Chauncey Gilliam
JR-G-Brian Walsh
JR-G-Alex Abreu

SR-6-Quincy Diggs
JR-7-Nick Harney

The remaining five roster spots will be filled by Josh Egner, Deji Ibitayo, Blake Justice, Carmelo Betancourt, Jake Kretzer, and Reggie McAdams.

I can honestly see major improvements from each of the first seven. The key to our success next season may depend on 2-3 of the last seven listed becoming reliable rotation players.

[UAZip0510]

Just to reset this thread a bit, I'd expect Akron will go with a solid nine for the most part.

5-Marshall
4-Treadwell
3-Gilliam
2-Walsh
1-Abreu

6-Diggs
7-Harney
8-Egner
9-Betancourt

With the addition of Betancourt, it really makes me wonder if Blake Justice and/or Deji Ibitayo consider transferring elsewhere. If Betancourt is as good as advertised, neither would have the opportunity to play much until their senior year.

[Blue & Gold]

With the addition of Betancourt, it really makes me wonder if Blake Justice and/or Deji Ibitayo consider transferring elsewhere. If Betancourt is as good as advertised, neither would have the opportunity to play much until their senior year.

Especially with the way KD's been composing the roster. We don't really run a "shooting guard." Instead, we have a PG and two Wings - both of which are expected to swing & go down low. I think Deji could do that. Blake Justice... I don't know.

To make matters worse (on Deji & Justice) we're bringing in the two top rated wings in the state this year in 1) Reggie McAdams and 2) Jake Kretzer. Linky. (Scroll down to "Small Forwards.")

Both can handle the rock (McAdams often handled the point for Elida), shoot from well behind the arc, and go down low with their height (Kretzer @ 6'7" and McAdams @ 6'6"). I don't forsee much PT for either Deji or Blake.

[wadszip]

Especially with the way KD's been composing the roster. We don't really run a "shooting guard." Instead, we have a PG and two Wings - both of which are expected to swing & go down low. I think Deji could do that. Blake Justice... I don't know.

To make matters worse (on Deji & Justice) we're bringing in the two top rated wings in the state this year in 1) Reggie McAdams and 2) Jake Kretzer. Linky. (Scroll down to "Small Forwards.")

Both can handle the rock (McAdams often handled the point for Elida), shoot from well behind the arc, and go down low with their height (Kretzer @ 6'7" and McAdams @ 6'6"). I don't forsee much PT for either Deji or Blake.

Great points. KD is definitely constructing this team as having a true PG (Abreu, maybe Betancourt) and then a bunch of 2-3 guys (which are mostly interchangable in not only the MAC, but unless you are a high, high major, in college basketball in general). It's going to be interesting to see how things work out for both Deji and Blake. Right now, both are in a log jam (though from the limited amount I've seen, Deji is more equipped of handling that). Though, just from what I know, Kretzer and McAdams, both are going to have a say in who gets minutes next year.

Kretzer nearly single-handily led his team to the D2 regional finals this year while averaging close to 27 per game. That's actually an asterik to what he did on the AAU level, where he was a contributing player on the All-Ohio Red AAU teams that won a national title this past year and finished runner-up the year before. Those All-Ohio Red teams were loaded with high-major talent.

McAdams didn't play at the same AAU level as Kretzer, but has led his H.S. team to the regional finals (has a shot at the state tourney today). Plus, he's is almost universally rated as the higher of the two prospects. He turned down some BCS-level offers in football to play hoops. If basketball doesn't work out for him, hopefully Terry Bowden can convince him to playing QB.

Anyway, the Zips are in great position next year (even more so if Egner steps up, or Harney can develop more into a stretch 4).

Overall, Ohio looks good on paper due to bringing everybody back, but if the guys Akron has (or will have) develop like they should, the Zips will be right in the mix again. Personally, I think next year is when the MAC breaks the streak of only getting one team in the dance. Both Ohio and Akron are going to be a load to handle.

The best thing right now is to root for Ohio to make a long run. As much as I hate to say it, the Bobcats are representing the MAC. The better they do, the better the league (especially the East) looks. The good thing is, at least the Zips have a chance to prove they are the better program on the court, at least two times. ... Can't say the same thing if it was say Detroit (or pick your Horizon or any other mid-major team making a run).