Illini Zip

I love it!! The Rowdies need to hold up the Akron "Z" next to a section of white picket fence.

The players might die of hysterics watching me try to chase down balls, but sign me up. I would love that for a day.

Freeman is now on athletic scholarship. As of this year I believe. You might be able to hide a member of your scout team on an academic scholarship, but your Defensive Player of the Year will likely draw attention. Just my guess.

I understand, because of his lack of size and strength. Ali needs to have a big off-season in the weight room because Groce likes to use his wing (SF) as a center on his running line-up.

This is the fun stuff for me. It doesn't mean it's right, just fun. We have seen how much the roster can change depending on a single players development. I personally hope Tavari Johnson is leading the team by the post season next year and that Aziz becomes a starter by conference play. I think the only one that might be a red shirt candidate next year is Prather Jr. And the only one that could lose their position to a transfer upgrade is Wynn. Although Wynn has grown on me and has found himself a niche. For me, the wild card is just how fast does Tavari Johnson develop. Early Season Starting Line Up: 1. X / Clarke / Tavari Johnson 2. Tribble / X / Kobi Mitchell 3. Dawson / Ali / Nate Johnson 4. Ali / Freeman / Wynn / Kalle 5. Freeman / Aziz / Wynn Post Season Starting Line Up: 1. Tavari Johnson / Clarke / X 2. X / Tribble / Clarke / Kobi Mitchell 3. Ali / Dawson / Tribble / Nate Johnson 4. Freeman / Ali / Kalle / Wynn 5. Aziz / Freeman / Kalle / Wynn Alternative Small / Running Line Up: 1. Tavari Johnson / Clarke 2. X / Kobi Mitchell 3. Tribble / Nate Johnson 4. Dawson / Wynn 5. Ali / Freeman

If this last few weeks doesn't motivate our guys to put in the work this off-season to increase their strength and personal skill sets, then nothing will.

The last four minutes leave a bad taste in my mouth for all the stated reasons, but hold your heads high Akron. To the average viewer, we controlled most of the game and looked more like a team destined for the final four. Not UCLA. We will be back with a bigger and better posey. The future is bright!!

I think we have their attention.

How fun is this!! They look good!!

I do think it likely lead to us going this year without a true point guard, but it’s working out alright anyway.

I agree, this applies to the vast, vast majority of coaches and it even applied to Groce the first time around. It could apply this time as well. But he's older and more experienced now. If the Akron community shows him some love and willingness to grow the program under his guidance, I think he would be wise to set up camp and try to build an empire there. Just keep building the brand through media, marketing, events and facilities slowly and methodically. Challenge the MAC to grow as well or bolt. Either way. I bet Groce would be willing to delay financial gratification this time around if Akron truly felt like home to him and his family. But he would also need serious, willing partners in the university and to a lesser degree, city hall. That's my hope anyway.

My first question if someone wants to start a thread; Coach Groce, where do you see yourself in 5-10 years?

How about we pool our questions, comments and concerns on an open thread and designate someone as the Zips Nation correspondent to sit in the post-game interviews with Coach Groce and players. Do we have any Communications Majors on here willing to become a member of the press? Just an idea.

I have been waiting for that aspect of this offense the whole time. I thought we finally had our stretch 4 with Taylor Currie. But you're right, X Williams is the closest we have had and he was more of an over-sized wing. That was sure nice though. Hopefully our current bigs develop some kind of shot away from the basket in the off-season. And maybe 2023 is the class we finally land a true stretch 4.

I am now leaning towards Wynn being back next year. He does have a limited role and that's not likely to change, but he seems to be out of the dog house with the staff. He does hustle on defense, rebound and looks to be a glue guy in the locker room. Which has it's value. And maybe he plays a bunch early on knowing he is going to get passed up. If Groce is able to land a great 2-4 year eligible player in the transfer portal then maybe not. But seeing him pour water over Groce after the win makes me wonder why he might be feeling so comfortable. Also, the staff will have their work cut out for themselves next year bringing a full freshman class up to game speed. Having another person around who already knows how things are done and can help instill the culture into the newbies might be a benefit.

I did update the chart last night to the best of my understanding. I will copy it here at the end of the thread.

I agree with @NWAkron sentiment. I'm not going to make any excuses for Kent State's overall culture. You all know better than me and I have heard some of the stories and even watched some past video. So I get it. But it is important to stay just a bit humble on this matter. As much as Groce runs a tight ship with high standards these things flare up on occasion. These are young men who live most of their lives away from the coaching staff. Groce tries to find guys that are warriors inside the lines and gentlemen outside the lines. Players who love to compete and at the same time he would feel comfortable having around his family. That is a hard balance to strike at times. We had comments on this forum earlier in the year that Akron doesn't have any "dogs" on this team. No killer instinct. Groce will often have one or two guys on his roster that are the enforcer types. But understand, that those are the very guys that often create bad headlines and black eyes for the program. What Groce does stress over all else is mental toughness and boy does this Zips team have mental toughness!! Go Zips!!

Take care of yourself @Z.I.P. I wish you a speedy recovery. If Groce keeps to the current projectory you might actually see the Zips in the Maui Invitational in a few years. And you surely wouldn't want to miss that one. Go Zips!!

I'm going to add to your good point. Due to Covid shortening and tightening our schedule, the staff had fewer windows than usual in which to make adjustments along the way.

This.

Anybody else really excited when Tribble hit his 3 pointer and then a little concerned when he took two more? Ha!! I believe he will continue to get better as time goes on.

I agree, but I wouldn't leave KJ Walton out of this observation. Different circumstances I imagine, but they both had opportunities to be a part of this team's success. And chose to pass.

Sweet!! Nice field. And the Cayman Islands again. I might have to start saving my pennies. Go Zips!!

Great points. I'm currently all out of likes. The pace of the offense being 350th in the country is so not Groce's style, but that shows you how he adjusts to his current team. Having a short bench he slowed it down to save their legs. Quite amazing.

@Let'sGoZips94 Let me be the first to congratulate you because I know how much this matters to you. I can promise you that next year the Zips, with an entire roster returning and some important new pieces will play in a better holiday tourneyment. Not sure how much better, but Groce likes to build on successes. So while we are all looking forward to the big dance, you can start dreaming about next year's OOC schedule.