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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.

Not sure where you're drawing the comparison between my expectations of the football and basketball programs. Akron is a top regional destination. For as good as the program is on the court, Akron itself has a lot of limitations that knock it down a few pegs for the masses. Regardless, I think Akron knocked it out of the park with this class. Part of the reason Todd Simon has struggled to have W/L success is because his Portal classes lack a clear system and execution. Akron's struggles last year came when they tried to play a certain system they lacked the personnel for. Sounds like we'll play a similar system but we'll have the personnel this time around. How often has Akron had 4 capable, athletic wings at 6'6" or taller? Add in 2 6'10" C and some solid guards - Akron is going to be a major threat with this roster assuming they can execute. Hammer will likely be a bench/rotational piece and should have much improved numbers. North Texas was 230th in possessions per game. Akron was top 80. Go Zips.

White/Hammer Jr. Halligan/MMK Burton/Barre Pence/Head/Henderson Steveskie/Wilson/Perkins Obviously nothing set in stone and several guys who can play multiple spots. I have absolutely no idea how good they'll be, but there's talent on the roster for sure.

If this is true and he's a role player, I'll recant my statement.

I appreciate him including a highlight of him clearly dropping a pass but cutting it off like he didn't drop it.

If my maths right we have one more roster spot, need a grand slam

I feel like your standards are higher for our struggling football team than the basketball team that went dancing 4 out of the last 5 years. UA should be one of the top mid-major destinations and we aren't capitalizing on it.

Looks like the batch of perm headed kids I coach in middle school baseball are making their way into college now..