Jump to content

2015-2016


UAZip0510

Recommended Posts

Here is who everyone is losing at this point:

Akron - Deji Ibitayo, Nyles Evans

Central Michigan - Austin Keel

Buffalo - Will Regan, Xavier Ford

Can't State - Kris Brewer, Devareaux Manley, Derek Jackson, Craig Brown, Blake Vedder, Xavier Pollard

Toledo - Julius Brown, Justin Drummond, J.D. Weatherspoon

Bowling Green - Richaun Holmes, Jehvon Clarke, Damarkeo Lyshe, Anthony Henderson

Western Michigan - David Brown, Austin Richie, Tim Brennan

Miami - Will Sullivan

Eastern Michigan - Karrington Ward, Mike Talley, Anali Okoloji, Jerome Hunter

Northern Illinois - Aaron Armstead, Pete Rakocevic, Kevin Gray, Anthony Johnson, Jordan Threlofff

Ohio - Maurice Ndour, Javarez Willis, Stevie Taylor, Chandler Thomas

Ball State - Matt Kamieniecki, Jeremiah Davis

That's a pretty good amount of talent leaving the MAC. Can't State and Toledo seem to be especially taking big hits.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

CMU started the same 5 players in every game this season -- 3 juniors, 1 sophomore and 1 freshman. Their 4 leading bench players in minutes played are 2 freshmen and 2 juniors. So the most successful regular season team this season will return their top 9 players. The Chips will be the MAC pre-season favorites regardless of what happens in tonight's game. After next season they'll lose 5 of those top 9 players.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

What do we know about the schedule next year? Are the Zips in another early season or holiday tournament? I hope they are and can get a shot at some bigger name programs on a neutral floor. What I don't like seeing them in are those so-called tournaments where the teams advancing to the championship rounds are already determined regardless of preliminary round results.

Plus, I would like to see the Zips play some games in and against one or some of the Houston area schools since we will have two players on the roster from that area.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I feel there might be more separation at the top, unlike this year.

I agree with Dave that CMU will open as the favorite. I think Akron and Buffalo will fill the 2 and 3 spots in the preseason voting (not sure who will be higher). Both are losing some good players but bringing in some top talent to make up for it. My way-too-early is one of those three will be the champion in 2016.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

The Zips coaching staff is continuously trying to upgrade the team's tournament status. This season they moved up from previous tournaments where the mid-major entries weren't eligible to play for the tournament championship even if they beat the high-majors to a tournament (Charleston) where they played 3 high-majors (actually 4 including the Penn State road game) and were eligible to win the tournament championship. Beating both USC teams in Charleston helped raise the Zips tournament profile another notch. They're working on the best possible future tournaments that would not only allow them to play for the tournament championship against high-majors but which would also enhance recruiting. There's no reason to be concerned that nothing has yet been announced.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I expect the challenge next year from CMU, and possibly from Buffalo.

But I love that the Ken+'s challenge this year may have been temporary. They were very much Sr. loaded.

I also think we can all agree that since Toledo was able to beat a healthy Zips team at both locations, it's nice to see that they have arguably lost their 3 biggest contributors.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 8 months later...

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Restore formatting

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

Loading...
×
×
  • Create New...