Illini Zip

And may I boldly proclaim, the best fan forum in the MAC.

And in the portal/NIL environment, retention is all the more challenging.

By Akron not having an obvious Player of the Year candidate doesn’t that just strengthen the argument for Groce being Coach of the Year?

Always a good day when Kent State loses.

Always a good day when Toledo loses.

Anybody know how Rich Brisco is developing as a red shirt? He seems to be very similar in style as Okonkwo. I wouldn’t expect him to play much next year regardless of what happens with Okonkwo. I’m just curious if he’s a keeper.

Some days he’s better at finishing around the rim than others. We were so spoiled with Freeman being almost automatic. May I ask what encourages you that he has a higher ceiling? I do like his energy for defending, rebounding and dunking. But he is currently fouling too much.

That’s funny. You just beat me to the Amani subject @clarkwgriswold, but with a different take. Hat tip to Amani, he’s turned into a real good shot blocker.

I also think they need to adjust to teams running them off the three point line. Their offensive flow appears to be out of whack. And thus they are not stepping into their shots naturally. They still have time to figure it out before Cleveland.

Congrats Enrique!! Now win this thing.

Not how you want to go into a halftime celebration for Enrique.

Now neither is looking good.

Our defense is looking better. Our offense not so much.

Long, baggy shorts era.

The whole is greater than the sum of the parts.

He didn’t dive on a ball he lost either. It might be because he had just hurt his hand a bit earlier, but it was a bad look.

I hear unicorns wear #25.

I just want to caution against looking at the final foul tally in the box score. It doesn’t always tell the story of the game. The type and timing of the foul is how refs manage the game. This game was pretty close throughout, but in my opinion by the second half this game should have been played between a 10-20 point advantage for the Zips. Central Michigan was allowed a lot more hand-checking and body contact leading to bad shots and turnovers. That’s why I keep on Tavari to get physically stronger. He will not get any help on the road when the opponents rake his arms. We should have had many “and one” opportunities in this game. Scott was given a dead ball foul when he should have went to the line. And that half-court violation at the end is caused by the refs allowing physical play by the defense. It’s harder to protect and advance the ball when you know the opponent has been allowed to rape you all game. Understanding these things and being able to play through them on the road will make this team all the more dangerous come March.

I’m thinking our transfers from other leagues; Wilson, Gray, Okonkwo and Hardman are wondering what the hell was that? That was some special road treatment they were served up tonight. I’m proud of them. Sure, they could have helped themselves a bit more down the stretch, but they didn’t crack and got the dub.

ROAD KILL!! Kiss my butt MAC refs!!

Scott and Gray both dunking tonight. Our guards got hops.

Nice strong put back by Okonkwo.

We can’t rest on our laurels. Other teams are getting better with every game as well. If we can complement this offense with some solid Zfence I think we have something special.

NIU is a suitcase school with very little campus life.

Only the Enrique 2.0 that is playing with the Pacers/Ants. He’s added to his skill set. He drives to the hoop more and shoots the three better. He has always had the motor to play at this pace. I just think he would be an absolute nightmare with this team because nobody could double or triple team him. If they did, these shooters would make them pay.