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Can't State still sucks! Couple more thoughts pertinent to the thread... I've narrowed my wish list down to the 3 & D guy as previously mentioned by someone in this thread. We need a Banks type of player to complete this roster, assuming Kalle and the redshirt/incoming guards are able to contribute on both ends of the floor. Banks shot 41% from 3 and played some of the best defense we've ever seen. I've seen some comments on this board that this team overachieved. I don't know if that's exactly the case. The 2019-20 team and the 2021-22 team are VERY similar when looking at depth/talent/statistics, and until a team achieves what that 2019-20 team did (tied school record 24 regular season wins), they will be the benchmark for comparisons. Castaneda had become very similar to Cheese by season's end, providing a deep/mid-range/dribble-drive scoring threat. Riak was more developed than Aziz, but similar game style. Freeman & X almost cancel each other out; similar scoring/rebound numbers, but X provided a deep shooting threat (although Freeman is borderline unstoppable down low). We had Ali & Tribble back then although they're much improved now. Dawson is similar to Banks - maybe slight edge to Banks on D, Dawson on O? Nobody on this team was LCJ, as LCJ was truly that special; his quickness, scoring ability from anywhere on the floor (one of the best at-the-the-rim finishing guards we've ever had), and leadership are unrivaled. That 2019-20 team wasn't deep, but they had a slight edge in scoring ability. PTS REB AST STL BLK TO FG% FT% 3P% 76.0 38.3 13.1 5.2 3.0 12.9 44.0 77.0 35.7 71.2 35.0 11.9 5.8 3.3 11.5 46.2 68.7 35.7 Statistically, these teams borderline mirror each other. The biggest differences are PPG and FT%. The difference in PPG is essentially LCJ who averaged 19 ppg. The FT% was LCJ (87%), Cheese (82%), and X (91%). I think our conglomerate of guards next year should be able to somewhat replicate what LCJ was able to do. Freeman/Aziz/Kalle take care of the front court like X and Riak did (especially if Freeman develops a mid range jump shot). Dawson is similar to Banks, but the issue is what's behind Dawson as that 3 & D guy. Tribble and Wynn can't shoot. I wonder if this is why Trimble was held onto for so long. He never committed to the defensive side of the ball, but was supposed to be a better scoring threat than he was. At the detriment of our regular season record, Groce gave him every opportunity to be a positive on at least one side of the floor; never materialized, and that's what led to our close losses. That was our hole on this team. I thought this team needed this stretch 4 or that take-over-the-game guard. After looking at these numbers, comparing rosters with the 19-20 team, and thinking about our system, I'll be writing Santa for a 3 & D guy. 6'5"-6'6" or so that can shoot and play lockdown defense. I think a stretch 4 would lack the quickness that a 3 & D guy typically possesses, but that is my second choice. Is Prather this guy? Does someone transfer out for us to bring in this guy? Not sure. But this is my final analysis until actual moves are made (if any). If no moves are made, I hope the incoming freshman and redshirt guys saw the secret ingredient to our success is 100% commitment on the defensive side of the ball. This team is poised to be the most decorated & accomplished in program history; everyone needs to be on board. Go Zips!

KENT STATE STILL SUCKS!!! ….AND SINCERE CARRY DANCED FOR THE CAMERA WHILE TRAILING IN A GAME

Thanks guys. I do appreciate the kind words. Do you believe it has been 5 years already? It feels like yesterday that we were watching Duvivier, Ivey, Utomi, Cotton, Patton and JPoke. Groce recently brought up Lucas Smith. I remember joking at the time, somebody hurry back to the rec. center and see who else you can find. I didn't even know where Akron, Ohio was back then. Of course I had heard of it. Now I know Zippy is a girl. I recently read that your motto is "Blue Collar. Gold Standard.", which I really like. I also know that @NWAkron is deathly afraid of the T-shirt cannon. Groce just killed Buffalo. I know you play games in a J.A.R. and everyone hates the running track. I have learned so, so much already. Too much to itemize, but most importantly is that the future is indeed bright in Akron!! It's 8:48 on Sunday morning and...

Correct. A two-semester season, taking a 3-month hiatus during winter.

Illini Zip, glad to have you on board. Your posts are always informative and w/o the hype/trash we occasionally see. Keep calling this your new home. There is so much positive energy running thru Zip sports now. We have a bright future and we'd like to have you along for the ride. But I gotta ask, is calling us your kind of people a positive or a negative? Remember Groucho once said " I would never join a club that would have me as a member." 😂

I said it in another thread I feel we really need a stretch 4. Some here seem to think the same. We also need at least 1 other person to emerge as a legit scorer whether that be Tavari or someone else. Tribble needs to spend the entire offseason working on his 3 point shot. Being a guard that is no threat from deep really allows the opposing defense to play 5 on 4

There would be a few more games per year under the 21st C. model.

Nate Johnson: https://www.maxpreps.com/athlete/nate-johnson/X-dcicsyEeeT-Oz0u-e-FA/default.htm I suggest anyone interested to revisit the "2021 Offers" page under Basketball Recruiting. There might be more there.

Kobi Mitchell:

Not sure if this is going to work, but here is my post on Prather Jr.

I would like to echo all of the positive sentiments regarding @Illini Zip and add the following. I know Groce is what brought you to the board, and that speaks wonders to Groce's character and system. But you've really embraced Akron as a whole, and it's incredible to see. There's another P5 fan on the board that participates in Akron football discussions, but that P5 school is still his #1 and his participation isn't consistent. You're involved in nearly every single basketball thread, the construction of the program, scholarship chart, etc. I don't think you've made a negative contribution to the board. It's a pleasure to have you as part of ZipsNation - both the board and as a fan. By the way, after last night, I feel reaffirmed that next year's team will be something special.

Do not forget about Eric McLaughlin in 85/86. He was very good and scored nearly 8 ppg teaming with Marcel Boyce and center and football player Russell Holmes who ruled the key at 6ft. 3in and nearly took down Michigan in the NCAA with the best basketball coach Akron had in Bob Huggins. . However, the best guard was Joe Jaubick in 80/81. He averaged 13 ppg as a frosh and went on to lead the nation in scoring as a senior at 30+ ppg. I played against both Eric and Joe in open gyms and they were so good. Actually, I should say I was on the court and I played ole defense. They went by me like the wind. Joe and Eric are the best freshmen guards in Akron history. Go Zips!!!

Have u ever driven the PA turnpike? I'm flying

Definitely. In prior trips to The Dance I was always just crossing my fingers that we’d look respectable. This time around we definitely looked like we belonged there. Our defense was elite - not just on the MAC level, but on a national level.

Yeah. They said St. Mary’s isn’t disrupting UCLA’s passing nor keeping them from getting into the paint like we did. 😕

Lots of respect from the announcers during today's game about how well the Zips played the other night. I believe in this coach and team. We have arrived. Gone are the days of just hoping to win the MACC then getting blown out in the NCAAT.

So far I'm not impressed. I believe the announcers just gave a shout-out to our defense on Thursday, basically stating that our level of defense hasn't been replicated yet in this game. Make 2 more shots and this is us... Damnit.

Thank you. @LZIp I'm not happy with Illinois lately, but that is a long boring story. Just as Groce does more with less than any coach I know, Underwood does less with more. Still my Big Ten team, but I spend more time over here these days. You are all my kind of people. Thanks for having me. Go Zips!!

X was a 4 to the extent that he could really pull down rebounds, at a rate of nearly 9 a game. He could also play down low when needed. Ali is a 3. He's never going to have the mass to play in the post if needed and his ball skills aren't those of a guard. I hope he develops a little more patience and anticipation as he matures as a player. Up to now he seems to make up his mind that he's going to try to score and there's no going back once he makes that decision. I wouldn't worry about anyone getting displaced by a solid transfer. You can't have enough good players.

Nah. Ali is a guard imo. He has a bit of a post skill set when he has a mismatch and can back down another guard. But he's not a 4

Beating UCLA would have been perfect, but for nine years we've been living with that 46 point defeat to VCU which was direct result of a drug dealing point guard. Last night officially ended that ugly chapter in Zips basketball. We saw from our friends in Nelsonville that NCAA success can be fleeting. Buffalo's sustained success over 4 years also is in the rear view mirror. I know our coaches are focused on March but having to fight off a 3 or 4 seed every year is brutal if lucky enough to get there. And let's not forget the good luck, Segu's 3 pointer a little to the right and we would be in misery these days.

I'm not trying to downplay war, but the Z was prominently displayed last night on the jumbotron and elsewhere for the basketball game. That means the arena, NCAA, etc., were all accomplices in promoting war propaganda. Tired of this angle of the debate.

We'd be in the Sweet 16 with 2 more made shots on Thursday.

I think I might pass on watching the rest of this game. It's a bit of salt in the ole wound...