clarkwgriswold

Interesting article here about the causes of the death of the Cinderella- https://sports.yahoo.com/mens-college-basketball/article/ncaa-tournament-if-cinderella-is-dead-who-or-what-is-to-blame-here-are-the-biggest-culprits-183114570.html

Still waiting on my hoodie too.

Maybe Taylor Currie or Mark Kostelac have some eligibility remaining.

Inflate-gate. LOL.

I'm as disappointed as anyone that the Zips season has come to an end. That disappointment is enhanced by the current state of college basketball and its impact on programs like the Zips. That being said, I couldn't be more proud of the Zips program for reasons beyond their on court success. Every player that's exhausted their eligibility in Groce's nine year tenure has left with at least one degree. Every scholarship player except one who finished his career with the Zips has become a professional basketball player for at least one year. Arizona, Duke, Michigan or another major conference team is likely to continue winning and add a National Championship trophy to its trophy case but I'd challenge any of them to match the above accomplishments.

I really don't think Butler is that attractive of a job any more. Nice program, great history...sure, but not the type of program you can't pass up.

I do think getting two teams in helps, even if just a little.

I can't consider a Big 10 team a Cinderella.

We should have also learned that a 20 year old's social media commitment means very little.

If you watch him it's obvious that defense wasn't stressed in Europe. He has some offensive skills but he needs to put on some muscle and focus on his defense in the off-season.

MLB will never get it. Too much money involved for them to cut back. I'm always amused when during the wild card or first round someone plays an "on this date" clip from something that happened in the World Series years ago.

That "ceiling" is the result of today's NCAA basketball circus, not the program. The days of Cinderella in the tournament are over. Sure, you'll get an occasional first round upset or a brief run but it's all about NIL and transfers now making it much tougher on the non "power" schools.

Bowen is a good kid and a great shooter but he's pretty much one dimensional. To his credit he was better on defense this year. If he comes set and square to the basket he's deadly on his shot, but teams have figured him out to some extent and set up their defense so that he seldom gets loose.

I think Cody Head will help at guard and I have it on good authority that he will be back.

I had a chance to talk to the Mahaffeys' mom before the PCCC tournament game. She and the whole family were there in UA/Mahaffey gear. I told her how much we enjoyed having her kids and what a fine job they did in raising them. I spoke to both of them at the Tip-off Reception and could not have been more impressed. She indicated they couldn't be happier. Here's hoping that carries over to transfer "silly season."

I think the Zips went to the fast pace offense based upon the roster. When they had a dominant post player in Enrique things were slower as the offense went through the post. Once Enrique was gone, Groce realized a transition to the faster paced offense was in order. We can all remember how ugly things were at first after the switch. Okonkwo was brought in on the assumption the offense was going to be the same and his departure made no one close to the program lose sleep because of the changes that had been made. Groce will always adapt to his talent rather than try to adapt his talent to a specific scheme.

If Groce left, I think they'd offer it to Dustin. He'd then have to decide how much he wants to be a head coach. He could be the head coach at UA or head assistant at a P5 where he's likely get paid better than as HC at UA.

He had a year at OSU where he played 17 minutes. That's the year they're trying to get disregarded.

Exactly.

We need to remember that the pace at which the Zips play on offense detracts from their defense. You can't play at 100% on both ends of the floor. The highest scoring teams generally also give up the highest number of points. The Zips also make some choices in the defense they play. If you pay attention, you see them sag off on the side away from the ball to play help defense if necessary. That's great for helping in the post and on penetration but can be exploited at times on the perimeter. The team also has some players that just don't have the physical skills or size to be great defenders. Despite all of that they were 4th in average points surrendered in the MAC so it wasn't all bad.

You beat me to it @Zippy87! I think the big school vultures may come for Evan and Sharron. I have to hope that the way the Zips have treated the Mahaffeys this season will get him to stay. Sharron will be a junior and has been shown a lot of love and you have to hope that sways him. They're certainly the top returners (with Bowen if he gets another year). As for exits, I don't see a role going forward for Briscoe. I could also see Oggie being disenchanted with his role and moving on. Cody Head and the red-shirt freshman should contribute next year. Groce had a negative big school experience and I have to hope his very positive experience here and being the king of his kingdom is enough for him to resist approaches from other schools. They'll contend. They have the best staff and the best financial support in the MAC. Those alone will keep them in the mix.

I have a whole new appreciation for this guy.

Tough day. Great season. Thanks for the memories boys.

All of this penetration by the Zips will eventually result in some successful kickouts for open threes.

But they are getting good shots. The lid will come off of the basket.