Illini Zip

I get it. Enrique made great use of his time at Akron. And watching him take over games by himself and racking up awards and records was awesome. I just think it’s likely we would have been further along if not for Covid. That 2020 team was balanced and built to do damage in the NCAAT. Groce was licking his chops. I know there is no guarantee that the Zips would have won in Cleveland, but they were the best team in the league that year. And if they could just escape the MAC officiating I could see them making the Sweet 16. With that you either lose Groce (which I doubt) or the program takes off with higher level recruits. Enrique would still have been a stud, but he would have had a lot more support. I’m hoping next year’s team does for Akron what the 2020 was denied a chance of doing. Go Zips!!

Agreed. I would gladly trade a year of their eligibility for the 2020 team having a postseason.

Not to mention we were in the driver’s seat in 2020 before Covid struck. That could have made it 3 out of 5 years. I believe the horses are in the barn for another exciting season.

I was thinking the same thing. I vote for hanging a banner for Enrique's Mom right next to his.

Just so you know I already have that pick, but you are welcome to join me in victory. 😀 👍

I wonder what Ohio thinks of this hire. Did they perhaps have their eyes on Mike Allen themselves? Who knows, in time he might end up the head coach over there. Looks like he can recruit.

If so, I just got squeezed. Ha!!

I will say the 30th pick. The last pick of the first round.

Even if sending Enrique to the NBA isn’t a major draw in recruiting, it would remove a negative recruiting tactic done by other schools/coaches. They wouldn’t be able to tell an athlete he has NBA potential so why would you go to Akron where you are less likely to get noticed by NBA scouts. That said, every time Akron is mentioned during the NCAAT it is instant advertising. So I have to agree with you all.

The Davidson/Curry example makes for a strong argument. Davidson had basically the same Kenpom rating as Akron last year.

What would have more impact on the recruiting trail, Enrique being selected in the NBA draft or the Zips winning their first NCAA Tournament game?

Are we still waiting on Coach Fulford’s replacement?

Wait...what...seriously?!

I think it would be a challenging task to get next year’s OOC schedule right. There is a lot of talent on paper, but how long do they need to play as a unit. Not to mention ironing out the rotations.

Yep.

Ooops!! Misfired. My bad.

How about build a Sweet 16 team and they will come?

What position group does Fulford develop currently for the Zips?

…but we are talking about Western Illinois. Not only are they bad, in a bad conference, they’re not exactly next door to Chicago. SMH.

I wonder if Dawson was a part of the conversation at the time. One way or another.

All I can say is I hope someone got a coaching job out of this move. Western Illinois, good grief.

@Hilltopper would be a great name for someone from West Virginia. Coach Fulford is that you? Have you been lurking the whole time? Inquiring minds want to know.

Ryan Prather Jr departs. Zips add Bowen Hardman. Note: Prather was the sole Sophomore on the team going into 2024-25. Now we have Seniors, Juniors and Freshmen only. In 2025-26 we have Seniors and Sophomores. 2026-27 Juniors only. 2027-28 Seniors only. I think it's safe to assume that this class balance will likely change again next year.

Does adding Hardman move the needle with respect to the NIL ranking?

I’ll tell you what makes me all warm inside. Improved shooting from deep gives the MAC refs less opportunity to manage the game. Oh, don’t get me wrong they will try…but they will fail.