All Activity

I’m just not seeing how this roster stacks up to last year’s. Yeah, we’re taller, but that doesn’t really mean much by itself—there’s a lot more to winning than just size. We’re taking a step back at PG, SF, and center, and it’s not like we replaced that production with proven guys. Right now it feels more like we’re filling in with mid-major bench pieces instead of legit difference-makers. If last year’s team played this one, I think last year’s group wins pretty comfortably.

There's irony in getting significantly taller but using "sizable" as the adverb for your step back prediction. Not sure how you're coming to that conclusion as well.

Agreed and appreciate Illini ZIP's efforts and forum content!!!

He looks to be the perfect roster add at this point. No matter if he starts or comes off the bench. At minimum, he should be an 8pt, 6reb, 20-minute guy with ability to deliver much more at any spot along the baseline. Those kind of players are hard to find.

Sizable step back next season IMO

This is where we're at in college athletics. The Big 12 will likely die as a result of this.

Illini Zip graciously updates this for us in his spare time, but he doesn't owe any of us anything

I think we also need to equally keep in mind that some of the other MAC programs are catching up. Even without a decline in the Zips program, the competition is getting closer as they learn and adapt to the NIL era, an area where UA was in the forefront and got a head start on the rest of the MAC.

I definitely expect a step back this season, but I expected one had Groce stayed, too. Tavari, Shammah, and Amani are all really tough to replace. With that said, I do think this team can be competitive in the conference, if for no other reason than I believe in Coach Ford.

Need scholarship chart updated. Please add their heigth

Those attributes will fit right in, especially with a 6'7" frame.

Hammer is of Native American (Cherokee) ancestry. Love the diversity of this team.

Don't rule out Head as well. He was a near double digit scorer at Lipscomb as a freshman and has good size at 6'3".

Staveskie and Burton were the only players who started all year for the previous teams. Pence began the season as a starter, but came off the bench for the final 13 games (he did play well). Hammer Jr. (14.2 MPG) and White (8.7 MPG) played but not significant minutes. Wilson redshirted. We won't have many proven commodities to start the season, but there's plenty of talent and opportunity to show that talent.

Technically a senior as he did 2 years of JC, but with new NCAA rule of 5 years to play 5 I think he would have 2 years left.

What year is Hammer?

6'7" guy walk on named Fenrique Reeman?

If we add another guy, it will be 4.0 guy.

Agree it is Steveskie, Pence and White are on paper the top 3 offensive options. I am big fan of Wilson, Henderson, and Burton, being under the radar top options. We are positionless and deep. Hopefully 1 or 2 guys step up as Alpha options and a pecking order develops. As there is no clear leader.

I feel some are fixated on positions, but the Zips will be playing a lot of positionless basketball next year so a depth chart is meaningless. This is how I imagine the starting 5 will play out. Steveskie Wilson/Head White Pence Burton/Barre/MMK Steveskie, White, and Pence I will pencil in as starters. The other 2 starters I think will be position battles. Edit: If Hammer has a strong offseason and develops I won't rule out the possibility he starts. In that scenario it becomes possible White/Head are bumbed from the starting lineup.

Barre 6'10" Burton 6'10" Christion 6'9" Hammer Jr 6'7" MMK 6'6" White 6'6" Pence 6'6" Halligan 6'5" Henderson 6'5" Jones 6'5" Head 6'3" Staveskie 6'1" Wilson 6'1" Perkins 6'0" Average height is 6'4". Last year's average height for the 9 main contributors: 6'3" (this is with Tavari and Sharron listed at 6'0" according to ESPN.com). It may not seem like much but that 1"+ is a big deal. This year's Sweet 16 featured an average contributing roster height of 6'5" - the tallest Sweet 16 ever. Akron was almost 3 inches shorter on average vs the standard of teams we strive to compete with. Better yet, this roster is more versatile in their skill sets. As much as Hardman saved our butt at times last season, he was largely a one-trick pony. I'm not seeing anybody like that on this roster at this point in time. Safe to say I'm excited.

Two/three PGs, 2 post players and a bunch of 6-5, 6-6. wings that can shoot is the current formula for success both Akron and Miami have used the past few seasons. Add Toledo to that list and it's easy to see where MAC success in basketball is headed.

Best 3 players? I’ll go Steveskie, Pence, and White..in that order. Will be interesting to see if Halligan starts again if his game doesn’t take a sizable jump.