Illini Zip

Ahhhh!! Thanks. Never heard that one. I have heard of Press Virginia (WV).

I would never think of Arkansas or Utah for the Top 25. And our ranking of the top 5 is different than theirs for whatever reason. Very cool.

That’s awful. He acts like a high school recruit and does it BYU’s gym. I would be pissed as a BYU fan.

Illinois in basketball and Ole Miss in football are 2 programs unapologetically taking advantage on this NIL Wild West with booster cash. If either of them get their first championship it will be during this window before the NCAA tries to cap it.

Add Illinois to that list.

While we are waiting to see who else Coach Groce adds to the roster here is a game video of incoming forward, Richard Brisco. He is #13 in white and plays most of the first half and only the first 3 minutes of the second half.

I thought he would be back, but I'm no longer certain he's a center. I wonder if he's a more natural fit at the 4 spot. It will be interesting to see who comes in. That might tell us more about how they plan to use Lyles.

Or Kent’s coaching staff.

Looking at the list online. Kentucky definitely. Indiana like UCLA hasn't done much lately, but yes. I mean Indiana has one more championship than Kansas. And Kansas is a no brainer to most people. UConn has 2 more than Kansas so I think it's official, they are a blue blood. The school that is borderline and the reason I Google searched is Villanova with 3 Championships.

UConn lost only 3 games all year; Kansas, Seton Hall and Creighton.

I thought of this, but I'm not sure if Kentucky is a move up at this point. Money talks, but staying at UConn might be the better play.

Agree. 8:20 CT is still too late for me.

Cue the Pinky video. 😂

I like this debate. I guess I am hoping it doesn't turn into the pro mentality where all you're rooting for is a jersey.

Okay. I believe you guys. But I can't see this amount of turnover being good for college basketball in the long-run.

That would mean that this turmoil is happening across the college basketball scene. Are all non-P6 conferences experiencing this amount of turnover?

I realize the portal and annual line up reshuffling is the new normal, but I wonder if the addition of UMass has teams really trying to improve their rosters in preparation. Because 55 MAC players in the portal is not normal or healthy. Competing against UMass might even be a talking point on the recruiting trail, selling to players that the MAC is only going to improve going forward. Time will tell. Just trying to understand this mass exodus.

I thought of this too. Not sure if this is a factor, but Akron won their second championship in 3 years since Senior day. Maybe recruiting is going well for Groce. Or Dawson might be seeing what options are out there. Very good question.

Not the best stats for Dawson to try to entice a good program off the portal. I wonder if he ever really got back to 100% after his injury? He didn't drive to the basket like he did before. We'll see who comes in. Maybe Groce had some success on the recruiting trail. Once a Zip, always a Zip. Best of luck Mikal!!

@Blue & Gold posted an interview awhile back with Bud Wentz. It was mentioned on there. That was the first I had heard of it.

Right now Illinois is getting the Shaka treatment by UConn. I believe that’s what you call it. Well it was a good run.

#LeavetheMAC

If I'm using my trusty calculator correctly, 39 transfers equals 25% of the MAC scholarships from last year are in the portal. Ugh!!

I get it, but it’s happening everywhere. The NIL will have to be capped at some point because even the major conferences are eating their own. We will first end up with just 2 conferences and then just a handful of teams to root for. I have read that Illinois is pursuing this 5th year center from Rutgers as well. https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/nba/rutgers-basketball-two-new-schools-reached-out-to-cliff-omoruyi-this-weekend-in-the-transfer-portal-who-has-reached-out-so-far/ar-BB1krhtM

I’m watching JMU get curb-stomped by Duke (4). Down 35 points with 2 minutes to play. I guess losing to Creighton (3) could have been worse.