Illini Zip

Let’s go Zips!!

Let's go Zips!!

I agree with much of what is being said by everyone here. The whole team needs to improve their game to some degree and I think they will. But imho, the amount Tavari grows at the point throughout the course of the season will be the greatest factor dictating the Zip's success. His untapped potential is the key. It's not much, but Hunter did hit a couple of 3's again tonight.

You did not. It was an ass whooping from start to finish.

Agreed. Tribble's struggles in particular has hurt the flow and spacing of our offense. I keep hoping he would just hit a few to keep opposing defenses honest. Hopefully our team shooting percentage continues to improves. But I am thinking Tavari is going to be exceptional in his role as an orchestrator and distributor. Hunter should benefit from beyond the arc and Enrique/Lyles could from mid-range if they are able to shoot away from the rim. Time will tell.

Talking about Enriques game. I noticed last night he made a couple of sweet passes to Tavari and Tribble as they slashed for a lay up. Enrique passed from around the free throw line. He was also the recipient of a no-look bounce pass from Tavari between two defenders for a dunk. This type of give and go action as well as pick and pop action with Tavari will free Enrique up for some wide open 10-15 footers. Something we have not seen from him to date. I'm hopeful he adds that element to his game during the course of the year.

If my memory serves me right Tavari can drive and finish with both hands. I watched some of his high school game videos awhile back. Hopefully he will display more of that as he gets comfortable at this level. Edit: 12:38 marker in the second half Tavari does drive and finish with his left hand. I think he is going to be special.

Just in: The popcorn machine is broken tonight. Go Hunter Go!!

One of Groce's sayings is "Winter will ask what Summer did". Something like that anyway. Basically, the time for forming good basketball habits and personal improvement on their shot, dribble, post moves, etc is the off-season. Now is the time for competing and building team chemistry (Teamism). I sure hope these guys have put in the work and are just off to a slow start. Because I too am less than impressed and we need to make up for the lost production of Ali, Dawson and Wynn if we want to have a successful March. We need 2 or 3 players beyond Castaneda, Freeman, and TJ to contribute on a consistent basis. It is getting late in the developmental process for some guys so the potential for them being passed over going forward is quite real. Not concerned yet, it's a long season. And I'm rooting for all of our guys to break out.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!! I will admit that X played the point better last year than I had originally given him credit for and he will have the ball in his hands plenty this year too. But this system is designed for a point guard who can break down a defense at will like Tavari. Not only will he be a weapon in his own right like LCJ, but he will make everyone else better. Double-teaming Freeman will become a thing of the past and the other guards will have more room to operate. I didn't get to see the games in the Caymans, but 21 points is awesome to see. Go Zips!!

Anybody catch Groce's comments after the game?

I am hopeful Mikal Dawson gets another year of eligibility due to his injury. I made that correction here.

Zips add Darrian Baker and Marvin Musiime-Kamali. Also, I am making an assumption that Ryan Prather Jr and Prince Mosengo are red-shirting.

Tavari Johnson's career started tonight in the garbage minutes.

I will update this chart hopefully this week. Been away from my desktop computer for awhile. Sorry for the delay. Go Zips!!

I think if he could just get rid of the hitch in his shot he would be fine. Hopefully, he is able to conquer that part of his game this off-season. He is a team leader with high energy and a big voice. We need him to be a threat at the end of a game.

Not sure if that is less confusing, but I will sleep on that one. Sorry to hear that about Akron’s water supply. Ha!!

Sorry if I made this confusing. I don't know how else to present future scholarships so I just use the "Open". But you see each year how many new recruits would be added to replace graduating Seniors. Assuming there are no transfers, etc which we know by now is not likely. So if you add 2 recruits in 2023 to the 4 recruits in 2024 and the one recruit in 2025 with the 6 players currently on the team you end up with a 13 player roster. I really hope that helps.

I am surprised he was able to land 2 high schoolers this late in the game, definitely.

I agree, but it sure would be nice if Lyles was given the green light this year. Not that we need an active roster 11 players deep, but having a tall wing sure would be nice on defense. Ali played right away his Freshman year and Lyles is physically ready. I see Dawson as the only other obvious wing at 6'5''.

Makes sense to me. I could see the last 3 on the scholarship chart redshirting this year. Going a legit 10 deep would be awesome and it would likely mean we are back to a running style team.

This one slipped passed me. Does @kreed5120 know the Zips picked up a wing to replace Ali? With his size and strength already as a Freshman he will be able to play 3-5 in time and depending on the line-up. I like that he seeks contact and can finish inside. He has some Cameron Reece to his game.

I think grades is a logical guess, but sometimes they just don't like the offers they get and this is one way to maintain full eligibility. And Akron was an enticing offer.

Zips add Amani Lyles. And we are loaded.

Even though Wynn has at least one foot out the door already I am going to wait for a replacement or further word before I remove him.