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?

Walsh-- Good shooter, tough, moderstely quick/fast, good hands, above average speed for a white guy handles ball well good foot movement.
Gilliam-- an athlete great speed/quickness, good hands, high jumper, good shooter, handles ball fairly well quick feet.

Treaswell and Harney are not allowed to practice, but I hear they are both legit DI players.

Ive seen Harney tear it up at the REC in Akron if that counts for anything

Hey Zeke for MVP, now that you got your screen name/wish granted, can you please change your screen name to Zips to final4?
You never now

Yeah, ZFMVP-- good job!

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

I have to admit, Deji intrigues me more so than pretty much any other prospect we have coming in. His physical tools and his skill set are something we simply haven't seen at Akron in quite a while. Not only that, but the scouting reports on him say he excels on the defensive end of the floor. We all know KD loves guys who give it their all on the defensive end. This kid could be in line for some early minutes.

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

In the video, its apparent the he can use both hands while finishing at the basket. Early on he makes a nice move and finishes with a left handed dunk. Later he does the same thing with his right hand. Very impressive.

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.

I was a "trollin" on bobcat attack, and someone on their commented that they heard Euton was transfering closer to home. Of course, no details. Anyone heard this same rumor?

Like possibly Athens, Ohio?

Great post! Thank you.

So Gilliam has a good outside shot? And Harney has a decent outside shot?

It's certainly understandable how these rumors start. Euton's redshirt was burned when it was thought that B. McKnight might be done for the season, and that he might be able to provide some of McKnight's missing instant offense. He ended up riding the bench and essentially wasting a full season of his eligibility. I'm sure he wishes he was playing for a team where he either got some decent PT or redshirted the whole first season.

It's interesting to consider the possibility that Euton may think he doesn't have the ability to earn significant PT with the Zips. This is a guy who played at a high level on a high level HS basketball team that played other national HS powerhouses across the country. This is a guy who was once committed to a full scholarship at the University of Kentucky. Even if the finished product was not up to current UK standards (not many HS players are), he should have what it takes to contribute to the Zips.

This is all pure speculation. But there are many reasons why Euton might be considering transferring from UA, if that rumor has any legs at all. Some students really do get homesick going to college far from home, and end up transferring closer to home. There's also the possibility that he's been watching Egner, Treadwell and Harney develop, and is not sure if he can beat them all out for PT.

Then there's the possibility that this is all baloney, and Euton can't wait for next season to start and have the opportunity to play a role in taking the Zips back to another NCAA tournament.

To borrow a phrase from an old Led Zeppelin song:

Lots of people talking but few of them know .....

First off ... I could not find any reference to Euton on Bobkitties. Not say that its not
there. Just that with extensive looking I found zero reference to Euton on that board.

Euton with his size is well suited to play with his back to the basket. Zeke was not comfortable
with it at first. It is a learned skill. Euton is certainly capable. Plus, backing Zeke insures
plenty of PT minutes. Much more so than competing with the plethora of forwards.

Perhaps it was wishful thinking on some one's part. Ohio has a well known and recent history of
poaching. Slime does that.

For what its worth, it was under the Akron-ND thread. It was in response to discussing Nik leaving.

RE: Akron-ND
Posted: 3/19/2011 12:36:20 PM


Bobcat Dragon wrote:

Well, he was asked today if he's coming back. His response was, "No comment." It's not a done deal, but the indications are he's leaving.

They have Dakotah Euton, who has potential. I'd play him over Egner right now...




Pretty sure Dakotah is heading closer to home.also.

I have been told by people that he is leaving as well.