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This does make you appreciate Kwan's mom. Several years after her son graduated still feels like she's a member of the Zips "family." Guys like Kwan Cheatham, Dru Joyce, Joe Jakubik, Eric McLaughlin, Len Paul, Zeke Marshall, Bruce Weinkein ...they're "Zips for Life." A guy that feels he's too good for the Zips program, and bolts it rather than elevates it, is just a ship we crossed in the night. Next man up...

those balls state transfers are excellent let me tell you

Not sure who else disagreed with you, but I mentioned the reasons why I thought we’d be in a 3-4. Looks like I was incorrect in my assumption. The question now is it actually a 4-3, a 4-2-5, or a hybrid? Richardson is listed as an OLB so is it a true 4 man front? Or is it potentially a dominant 3 man front with a walked down linebacker to the weak side? I have no idea, but we’ll find out soon enough.

I'd say his career arc will be most comparable to that of Utomi. Both were wings who were asked to play as an undersized 4. They both developed into being efficient long-range scorers who could create their own shot, but weren't great at creating shots for their teammates. Utomi transferred to what had been the previous season a 16-17 (8-10) USC season. He started the season as the 6th or 7th man, but played his way into the starting lineup. He saw a decrease role, but he was still a key piece on a team that would have made the tournament had the tournament not been cancelled. Ali similarly will have to accept a role of playing 25-28 minutes a night, but him being the 3rd or 4th scoring option is probably what's best for him. All throughout the season he seemed to play his worst in crunch time situations where he felt he had to shoulder the load. He's at his best when he's not asked to do too much and instead takes what's given to him.

I think Akron would beat Butler.

With the commitment of Sammy Hunter, our roster is already looking good, but we still need one more legit wing to try & fill some of Ali's big shoes. PG: X..................Clarke......... Tavari Johnson G: Tribble.........Kobe G: Dawson.......Nate W: Wynn.......... P: Freeman.....Hunter Point Guard: X is set in stone as the starter & may be a preseason All-MAC selection. Clarke was coming on at the end of the year getting big (and productive) minutes in big games. I think Tavari Johnson will redshirt (a minority opinion on the board - I think he'll need a year in the weight room). G: I think Kobe will be a starter come MAC play. He'll likely be our #1 shooter from the jump next season and he's had a year to acclimate to the intensity of D1 ball. Tribble's lack of an outside shot still worries me. I think that come MAC play Tribble will be bringing great energy and leadership off the bench. G: I like Dawson in the starting lineup. He's a junkyard dog and has a nice outside shot. I think he'll hold the starting spot over Nate... for at least this year. (I think Nate will be our best player and face of the team after X & Freeman graduate.) W: Gaping hole here. We need a strong wing who can come in and start from Day One. P: Hunter is the Stretch 4 we were looking for. He and Freeman could see a lot of time on the court together as he'll compliment Freeman much better than Aziz did. If we could run 3 guards with Freeman & Hunter on the court together it'd be great. But we still need a true 6'6"-ish wing, IMHO. EDIT: I forgot to include incoming freshman Ryan Prather. He's a 6-5 guard. At 6-5 could he add to our depth at wing?

St. Vincent St. Mary

I like the transfer portal. It gives freedom to people. The thing about freedom is it allows a person to make both good and bad decisions then hopefully learn from them. We learn more from failure than success. There are a lot of young people who are going to learn some rough lessons over the next 4-5 years until this fad has less importance. In my opinion, Ali has made a bad decision. History shows he's an above average MAC player, not great. Those of us old enough realize he isn't close to some of the great Zips or MAC players of the past 30-35 years. The Big East is a very good league and much better than the MAC from talent to coaching to player size. Players have to be on the top of their game every night and he really isn't that guy. He'll have some good games, but not be close to being a difference maker. His potential is much better at Akron. I'm not certain what professional league is going to be impressed by a mid level player at a mid level Big East school....maybe someone could help me out with that?.?. The NBA is extremely difficult to get in because there are so few players and anyone who is any good typically doesn't waste much time in college. There are some really good college basketball players playing in the NBA D League and Ali isn't at that level. Playing in Europe in a cigarette smoked filled arena? Maybe. Ali is gone...whatever. Guys like him can be replaced.

Yes and he is someone I hope we are pursuing. We were one of the schools interested in him before he committed to Georgetown, so I would assume we still would be.

I wish Ali the best of luck and I understand his desire to play closer to home. If he works on his game, he could be a good Big East player. However, my prediction is the MAC championship and the NCAA game against UCLA will be the highlight of his college career. Although Ali was our leading scorer, he also led the team in minutes and shots. Freeman actually made 10 more baskets with 100 less shots. Unless he improves his game, I just don't see him leading his new team in minutes or shots attempted and he will average less than 10 points per game.

Maybe he just wasn't that into us.

Ali who?

The main thing that matters is looking at how Ali's decision impacts the Akron basketball program. I truly believe it'll be a net positive based on fit, and I wish Ali success at Butler.

Same. I like saying “Once a Zip always a Zip,” but that is always in reference to graduates or to those who transfer because they want to transfer down due to lack of PT at this level. It does not apply to someone who was supposed to be a cornerstone of the team going forward and decides to bolt. Don't let the door hit you…

I guess it all depends on his priorities. I think the move results in him playing a lesser role and not being a focus of the offense and he leaves behind friends. It appeared that he and Tribble were very close. However, he's closer to home and playing in a real basketball conference. Whatever the reasoning, I wish him well but since he's no longer a Zip I don't much care where he goes from here.

Just thinking out loud but is Jalin Billingsley out of Lutheran West in Cleveland and transferring from Georgetown still available? Seems to me that with his versatility, size (6’8” 225lbs) and local ties he may be worth a look. Any thoughts on him?

He was.

Arkansas, Kansas State, Oklahoma and Western Kentucky had all offered him out of high school as well, so I am hopeful that he has a lot of upside still.

6’9” STRETCH 4 🙏🙌🙏🙌 (😂)

AKR 0-1 BGSU FT Zips players, coaches, managers, trainers and administrators, friends of program, etc. LISTEN UP! (Is this thing on?) Bowling Green is our chief adversary. No bout adout it!!! Falcons have beaten Zips in every match that has mattered for several outings, over multiple years. Where is that vomit emoji? They! Own! Us! Do not train your sights on any other foe until we dispatch Bowling Green. I do not want to hear any more rhetoric about national championships, blah, blah, blah. F***ing beat Bowling Green in Akron; then maybe we can talk about larger aspirations. Is this message overly nuanced or too subtle? Good! It is high time the people listed above start taking their work more personally. In yesterday's match, many Zips showed moments of brilliance, only to negate the positives with boneheaded plays or squandered opportunities. A silly foul here, a bad touch there. The little things accumulate. The one player I will salute is Ryan Kingsford, probably our best player. He continues to show grit and savvy, and a very strong work ethic. Playing in the hole is evidently Ryan's best position, so he should remain there. Kingsford's production is top drawer and consistent. Real quality. Too bad we do not have a few of him. And I am going to call out a good player that is underachieving. Because he deserves it. And also because he can take the criticism. Jason Shokalook can and must do better finishing in front of the goal. He is our best option up top. I have watched this guy score dozens of goals in his young career. But right now the goal seems like the eye of a needle to him. Do we still have a Sports Psychologist on the payroll? Relax, Jason. Do not hurry. Make solid contact. Pass the ball into the net. See you all in Columbus come Saturday!

Hey, the Zips got out of the weekend series with WMU 2 and 2.