Illini Zip

That sure lit up Groce. You guys weren’t kidding.

Come on Reghi, he said we lost our only conference game to Toledo. 🤦‍♂️

At least Western Michigan made them work for it.

Come on overtime!!

I wonder if Amani Lyles was at all close to getting a mention.

I could see Scott getting the 6th man. Groce, coach of the year and Young, freshman of the year. Besides that maybe “teamism” for player of the year. Nothing is as obvious as Freeman last year.

I just want to add an item to your list, recruiting. Funding for travel certainly applies to this, but I think it’s worth being more specific. Most people don’t realize the time and expense that goes into it. I don’t know how Groce goes about recruiting at Akron, but at Illinois he was flying a private jet all over the country during his so called “down time”. Even with the help of staff and the Fear The Roo Collective to narrow down good prospects, there is no substitute for face time with a player. Especially on their important nights such as state championships. This one on one interaction is an area Groce absolutely excels so the more he can be in the room, the better.

Perkins ended up with a career high 35 points. https://pressprosmagazine.com/2025/03/08/perkins-lights-it-up-as-westerville-north-wins-first-regional-title-since-1996/

I know it’s been mentioned already, but kudos to Groce & Co. for green lighting the Evan Wilson start. Very nice.

Also, I think Okonkwo is handling the ball a little bit more on the move up top.

I ain’t say’n nothing, but I’m smiling. And so is Bud Wentz for that matter.

And Harris without a sling.

What do you say we end the season on a high note. 40 minutes please!! I know they can do it.

This is Senior Day for Evan, Seth and Isaiah. What is everyone’s thoughts on these guys and their contributions?

Not sure I like this shirt idea. Maybe it’s just poor timing. “After dominating the first half in Toledo we squandered a 21 point lead before getting the win…Nothing Easy, Akron.”

Maybe we’ll recruit the brother also.

Very good point, neither have I. The fact remains, good point guards insist on playing somewhere right away. I can see him playing 2-5 minutes (or until his first mistake) in what we used to call the second quarter of every game. Maybe if we have a blow out, injury or someone’s in the dog house he might get additional minutes. It would just be developmental his first year.

I predict Perkins will get only spot minutes, but will likely play. I have yet to see Groce redshirt a point guard.

Groce knows what it’s like to be without a quality point guard, unfortunately, and to run this system wide open he needs at least two. I think the NIL/portal reality spooks our staff as well, which is why they started to stack them up. Next year we will have three legitimate point guards on the roster, in addition to Scott. That is a feat all by itself. Most point guards are prima donnas and want to play right away. But if you find “Akron guys” who buy into the vision and care about the right things the sky is the limit. Young knows that he is in line to be the man come his Junior year if he continues to improve. Hopefully that will be enough. Being on a winning team doesn’t hurt either.

That would be good too.

I think Lyles continues to grow as an offensive threat. And Harris has great potential, but he missed a whole season. He’s a bit of a wild card. That said, this is my preferred starting lineup for next year. Tavari Nate Harris Amani Jimmy

We have not heard anything about Brisco yet, but Groce likes Mahaffey. He’s a tall, long guard who will be playing some next year.

I’ll tell you what that means to me. A much better non-conference result next year. Maybe a tougher non-conference schedule.

If we have any scholarships available I would seek to pick up a big bodied guard to replace the role of Gray and Wilson.

💯💯💯