Illini Zip

Poll: Who is the one player everyone is looking forward to seeing the most this year? It can be a new player or an improved player. Rich Brisco really intrigues me, but if I’m picking only one it’s Eric Mahaffey.

3 years would be nice. Good use of the Serbian flag.

How many years of eligibility does he have?

UMass in conference this year?

Did we already know about Bucknell at home? That's a decent opponent.

Watching the highlight videos I see a pretty versatile defender too. On occasion we come across a team with a very big point guard. It’s hard for Tavari and Young to hold off 6-5, 6-6 players from getting a head of steam. Marvin and this guy look to have the lateral quickness and size to make life difficult for them. Edit: Even though we haven’t seen Eric Mahaffey, I imagine he will be able to help guard these big point guards as well.

If his highlights are any indication, he could be the zone-buster I have been pleading for. He looks to have a sweet stroke. Now if he is efficient at the top of the key, can drive to the hoop and can pass in traffic…we just might have a missing piece.

Okay, I am going to need some help here. Not only where does he fit, but also how many years of eligibility left?

Not thinking he plays the guard position or is an immediate contributor because he will need time to adjust to the college game. That said, he’s got some skills. Very exciting addition.

For 1970’s style retro bigs we will probably need to recruit out of Cuba.

Now that we are expanding our recruiting to Europe maybe we can finally get that serviceable backup big?

I really like our depth at Assistant Coach next year. You never know when one of our starting A.C. might strain his voice.

I will repeat my suggestion. Force everyone to play two teams from each Quadrant in the OOC, minimum. One at home and one away. And no two schools from the same conference can double up on the same opponents.

The Illinois vs. Missouri rivalry game is intense every year and a great event. But there isn’t anything special about the Illinois v Iowa game. Not anymore anyway. I do still hate Bruce Pearl, but that stuff goes back to the 80’s.

Well, I admit I was wrong about much of how things played out. The timing of events led me to believe Groce was in control of roster changes, but obviously he wasn’t. I don’t fault anyone for taking a big payday, but he needed to be more timely with his decision. I fault the parents for that. Once your kid commits, teach them that their word matters. And I’m not sure if I believe that Nate put his name in the portal without being contacted first.

My starting lineup followed by position depth: PG) Tavari Johnson - (Young, Scott, Perkins) SG) Shammah Scott - (Head, Hardman, Johnson, Young, Henderson) W) Evan Mahaffey - (Hardman, Eric Mahaffey, Head, Henderson) F) Amani Lyles - (Kamali, Evan Mahaffey, Eric Mahaffey, Hardman, Brisco) C) Halil Barre - (Lyles, Kamali, Brisco) I think we will see lots of variation including fast paced, 4 guard lineups. But this might be our most balance starting 5 since the Covid catastrophe. Also, I am thinking of the Mahaffery brothers as guards and slightly taller versions of Mikal Dawson. And I believe Lyles emerges from the offseason as a stretch 4 since we will have more muscle on the roster to bang down low.

Zips add Halil Barre.

Maybe that’s a new pitch, “Come to Akron. The city of ants.”

He’s huge. He has to be 80 stories tall. Go Zips!!

Zips add Cody Head.

Wait, did I miss something? Hardman is gone?

Don’t bury the lead. I think depth and Shammah Scott’s replacement are good points, but here is a guy who can drive confidently to the hoop on the left side of the court. Actually, he appears to be amber dexterous. I think if Groce could fill half his roster with left-handers, he would. It makes the offense more dynamic and is another wrinkle the opponents have to game plan around. Edit: He is from Cleveland, so there’s that. But watching his highlights more closely he seems to shoot with his left and drive mostly with his right. So we’ll see how that plays out.

Heart condition? That’s scary.

Tavari Johnson returns!!

So if you’re Perkins and Henderson do you both gamble and tell Groce no to a redshirt this year? If the 5 year eligibility rule goes through they’re not likely to be grandfathered in and get a sixth year, so you might as well play even if it’s minimal.