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100%. Plus neither guy jumped ship during the rebuild as transfers came and went. I have a lot of respect for them staying here and working hard, especially Sayles after all the injuries and limits on this PT.

No question. Their shortcomings have nothing to do with effort. I'll take one Riak or Sayles over a hundred talented head cases (e.g. Harney, Cotton...)

I like Sayles and Deng a lot. Both guys hustle and play up to their abilities. They are certainly not the only bigs around with less than a stellar touch. Both are competent players and an asset to the Zips. Now this dude had some bad hands yet he adapted quite nicely.

As they have done for many years, the zips will visit Pittsburgh and the play their USL team in the spring

Keep eye out for Bam Bowman. Bam had some injury woes and came back in less than playing shape. His minutes have now been increasing and he's got some game. He'll go off soon one of these nights. Hopefully it's not Tuesday.

Charles Amankwaa, CB, 5-11, 180, Monroe J.C., New Rochelle, NY.

Riak - Sayles' hands don't shoot 3's.

Riak. Qualify that with they are both great guys and are doing their best on a high level team this year.

Reece doesn't give us a guaranteed win against a team that shoots 50%+ from both beyond the arc and the field. He definitely would have helped spell Riak, and given us some much needed physicality inside. This is a must win bounce back game. Suffocate them with defense, make your shots, and all will be well.

Willie looks like one of Uncle Drew's counterparts.

I would LOVE to get toledo in the MAC tournament. They're Dead Meat. They'll never shoot 58% from 3 again. Akron has FAR superior talent. Next time we just won't over pursue on closeouts and/or maybe just switch to a zone. Winning really isn't "rocket" science if we see these dingbats again. Plus, Akron is a far superior university and city in every possible way. Go Zips!

Yep. Riak was making me nuts guarding Teague tightly at the 3 point line, even leaving his feet on occasion. My view is that with about 90% of big men you should back away and let them hoist all of the three pointers they want. As I recall, Teagie shoots in the low 20s percentage-wise on 3 points. He can shoot all of those he wants. Knapke is one of the 10% you can't do that with. Knapke's ability to go outside is in part facilitated by Willie Jackson being a strong inside presence and controlling the boards. X is going to have to work to keep him off the boards. Knapke is an interesting story coming from Maria Stein Marion Local, a great small school football power. I can't imagine many quality basketball big men come from 2100 person communities.

Worse hands- Riak or Sayles?

As long as the court isn't elevated! Like I said, NIU gave the Zips a nice parting gift. But for that "drop off" Zips would be 5-0 in the MAC