Illini Zip

That is a legit argument, but my counter argument would be that a coach might find it wise to rest all valuable players dealing with a nagging injury once they secure a trip to Cleveland. What are the team’s priorities? It might cost the player some stats and accolades, but it will put the team in a better position to win in Cleveland. Players play through a lot of pain at times to win the conference title and get the best seeding. The problem is the MAC sends only one team to the NCAAT and the seeding has proven to not be much of an advantage. Recently Kent State and UMass have both been dangerous as the 8 seed. So the whole season is about playing your best and being healthy come March. And if it means dropping a few spots so be it. Better to go into MAC Tournament at full strength than a top seed currently. Can you imagine showing up at a Kent State v. Akron rivalry game with top players on both sides sitting out? I could Todelo doing this. Winning the conference has only gained them mockery.

I think the MAC Tournament is one of the best run events in all of college basketball. I do like having the whole league participate with the lower seeds having play-in games on college campuses. Too often an 8th seed with a .500 record gets hot and healthy at the very end of the year. The current format gives them the same road as the teams carrying the weight of being the target all season long. Not fair. And because the MAC is usually a 1 bid league, I do favor giving the top seeds a bye. I agree that sometimes a bye will backfire because the opponent has the advantage of getting acclimated to the large arena. But more importantly, having to win 3 games in 3 days is just not ideal for anyone. You end up with the most resilient team, but not necessarily the best team. It would be nice if the MAC was given an at-large bid more often, when warranted.

Somebody might want to have a long talk with the equipment manager when he returns from his trip to Ibiza.

He looks strong and confident.

I have been curious all year how Shammah graded out defensively. So many times Shammah was the closest guy to an opponent hitting a three. That doesn’t necessarily mean he was at fault. But it has me wondering.

Zips add Buddy Hammer Jr.

What year is Hammer?

I’m going off the player card graphic @kreed5120 posted earlier.

Even though I find it amusing that a fellow Redbird is now an Akron Zip I have nothing to offer pertaining to Ty Pence. I have watched very little ISU basketball. I checked into a game and I remember thinking the pace was just so slow. I have become so accustomed to Akron’s fast pace. So the question I have is will Ty Pence adjust easily to the faster pace? Or is Ford not looking to continue the fast pace offense?

Zips add Ty Pence.

Zips add Colin White. Bowen Hardman, Rich Brisco, Ognjen Stankovic and Jashawn Ladd depart.

Oggie?

Good question. I have not heard anything on Brisco. Does anyone have a definitive answer. He got practically zero playing time this year.

I see the same thing.

I still find her performance to be more impressive than anything else I will see on a basketball court during the course of a game.

That might be enough to cover the architectural drawings and permits. Maybe.

Zips add Exavier Wilson and Max Burton. Sharron Young and Eric Mahaffey depart. Still to be determined is the status of the incoming Freshman class along with Bowen Hardman and Ognjen Stankovic who are in the portal.

I put this under addition by subtraction for Akron.

I missed that. Ugh!!

After having guards named Sharron and Shammah on the court together which scrambled my simple, little brain…we will now have a Tai’Ree and a Tahj. 🤦‍♂️

First of all, the Tahj addition fits the system already in place. Time will tell, but this leads me to think Ford isn’t looking to make drastic offensive changes. I agree with this statement. I thought with the loss TJ to graduation bringing in senior leadership at PG was going to be necessary. And with Young in the portal, he is a good insurance policy, but won’t necessarily step on Young’s toes if he decides to stay. They are complimentary pieces. Just like TJ, Young and Scott were this year. He could very well be PG1. Hopefully there’s a vigorous battle this offseason with Young. But again, they likely share the PG responsibilities and play together a bunch. Tai’Ree will be in the PG rotation as well.

Zips add Tahj Staneskie. Zips entering the portal with a possibility of returning; Bowen Hardman, Sharron Young, Eric Mahaffey, Ognjen Stankovic. (Still on the chart in green) Those not likely to return; Connor Groce and Rich Brisco.

News to me. It shows you just how much NBA I follow. If they keep messing around with college ball it too will be unwatchable.

I think one or two from this board would be fine because I'm sure a lot of our opinions would be repetitive

Good Lord!! Not only is college basketball turning into the G League, it’s taking a page from NASCAR. I hadn’t heard that about the sponsorship patches.