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Freeman is going to have to work on his jump shot to be able to have any shot at getting drafted - whether it's this year or next year. Imagine him consistently hitting from 18+ ft.

"While maintaining my college eligibility to return to Akron"... I like that part.

I agree w/ everyone here. IMHO Enrique is the best post I've ever seen play for the Zips. I'm even putting him ahead of Jeremiah Wood - possibly my all-time favorite Zip. On my short list he's also ahead of Romeo Travis, Zeke Marshall, and Tree Treadwell. Enrique will make good money playing professional ball... just not in the NBA. He'd have an excellent shot at the NBA if he played in the 80's, but not nowadays. He's simply not big enough. In today's NBA, at Enrique's size, you've got to be able to stroke 3's from 10 feet behind the line. Today's NBA players are just insanely talented.

Oesterle out at CMU. I'm surprised it took them this long. Also surprised Hendrix is still holding on at Miami.

He's been a D1 coach for 21 years and has never made an NCAA Tournament. One would think by dumb chance he would have at least lucked into one by now. He just seems like a good regular season coach who just doesn't know how to win in March. I think some just don't realize what it takes to win in January or February is different than what it takes to win in March. Let's take that Big Dog and Cheatham team as a prime example. In a scenario where you only need to play 2 games a week and there are 3-4 days off between games, that Akron team was clearly the best in the MAC. We won the MAC regular season title by 3 full games. When you're asked to win 3 games in 3 days and your best player is north of 300lbs, that becomes a lot more challenging. Tod IMO has ridden his starters too hard over the years and just hasn't had the depth to keep players fresh. Also, his style of play doesn't really preach giving 100% effort on defense every possession. You can mask those things in the regular season. They catch up to you come March.

I love Freeman but how many 6’7” low post players can you name in the NBA? Danny Fortson is the last one I can remember. Freeman is a tremendous talent but his lack of NBA size makes me think that pre-draft he grades out as an undrafted free agent and returns to the Zips. Zeke was a legitimate seven footer who did not get any looks from the NBA at draft time. At 6’7” Freeman needs small forward skills to go to the show. He will be a beast oversees when his time at Akron is done. if Freeman does leave, I hope I am wrong and he makes it. However, I remember reading how several members of ZNO thought LCJ was heading to the show as well. You can’t coach speed or height.

New offer out to JUCO CB Marion Ponds. That’s the first 2023 CB offer we’ve issued in a while. Guessing we see some more offers go out as that probably means someone from the CB group will be hitting the portal.

This terrified me when I first read it. But he gave heart and soul to the program so if he does get a chance to move on I support him 100% and wish him nothing but the best.

He’s 6’7”, can jump out of the gym, finishes at the rim, plays great defense, hustles relentlessly, great head on his shoulders, has shown well against P5 competition…what’s not to like for an NBA team? Second round draft picks are like confederate money to NBA teams. I’d spend a late second rounder on Enrique and see how he could develop when he dedicates 100% of his time to hoops rather than 25% to hoops, and 75% to study tables. Fully immersed in basketball, with a professional coaching and training staff, he could develop into an NBA player. He has all the tools.

This now seems to be an increasingly commonly used tool for promising players to explore the NBA's interest, gauge their talent, learn some of the pro system, take part in some drills with the teams and interact with the NBA execs. I'm not concerned that he won't be back.

Win. Win for everyone. I guess we wait until 6/22.

Would love to see him get drafted. Seriously - how cool would it be to have an Akron player to root for in the Association? Especially Rique?

I counted one A-10 team in the tourney this year? Even 25-8 Fordham, and 22-win Dayton were passed-over by the Big Dance committee. When Groce considers departing the Rubber City one day, how much weight will be placed on the fact that it's easier to win the MAC than is it to finish 3rd or 4th in many larger conferences? $600k+ per season, and a 30%+ chance to go dancing at season's end (he's perennially playing on Friday's and/or Saturday's in the MAC Tourney every year)? That's a pretty good gig.

I hope this post sets the ZN.o record for likes.

Ali Ali