Illini Zip

What is everyone's preferred starting line up to end the season? I'll start. LCJ Clarke Trimble Dawson Freeman

I thought Currie was going to be a factor this season as well. Where would we be without Freeman?

Watching the game the word that came to mind was "rudderless". I think this team is maxed out. We need a full off-season of development, individually and collectively. Covid please go away.

This is not an excuse for the Zips drop-off in defense, just an observation. And I agree that there is no excuse for anything less than full effort. But we might be learning just how impactful Riak was as an elite rim protector. And hopefully we can insert Bandaogo into that role next year allowing Freeman to play more at the power forward position. In theory, we should be able to put 5 guards out there and have an effective defense, but in reality Riak covered up for many sins as Groce liked to say last year.

Let's see here. What was Honolulu's weather today...80 degrees and partly cloudy. Nope, no sympathy from me. 😀

I have been paying attention to your frustration with him all season long and I agreed all along that it would have been nice if his senior leadership made an impact early in the season. But I kept hoping he would come around. Now we are near the end of the season and I have to say sometimes the truth hurts. And you are speaking truth. Disappointing.

FUBAR!!

Ugh!!!! We look medicated. Snap out of it guys!!!!

Road kill. Go Zips!!!!

Ali shows some swagger. I like it.

NIU is a pretty good 2-13 basketball team.

I already forgot about this one.

I agree, they are getting a good helping of home cooking. Come on Zips, find a way!!

Anybody know where he was today?

That is the way I see it. I don't know the details, but it would be nice if Freeman was a bonus player for a couple more years. At that point he would have to be granted an athletic scholarship to attend grad school at Akron.

Dawson had a good game.

Not sure what his stats were today, but I think Ali is developing nicely.

There are no redshirts this year. The NCAA cleared everyone to play due to Covid. Edwards was a redshirt last year anyway. Wynn was our only redshirt this year and as you can see he's playing now.

Our 7 ft Center, Aziz Bandaogo is #21, he walks in at the very end of the clip.

What I really like with Freeman is his fast-twitch hops. He doesn't have to wind up before take off. He catches the ball and effortlessly dunks it. Obviously, he will have to add strength to his frame as he goes along, but I hope he doesn't lose any of that explosiveness in the process.

Giddy up!!!

Tribble is having a rough day at the office. Teammates need to help him out and call blind side screens so he doesn't end up with a concussion. Let's go Zips!!

Ugly at times, but take the win, learn and move on.

Good morning, I would say Groce learned a whole bunch about his team vs. Ohio, but the rotation is likely to be fine tuned through out the season. If I were Tre Edwards I might be concerned that I am being passed over. Maybe he is progressing just fine behind the scenes and there are not enough minutes at the wing to go around. Maybe Covid actually helps him. Not a great sign though. Groce moves slower with the bigs generally. I expect to see more play out of both Curry and Aziz going forward. And one of them making the starting line up by March. Freeman is undersized like you have mentioned, but apparently is the best option at the moment. They will have to earn it in practice, nothing is given. Freeman has to be loving life right now.

There will be plenty for the coaching staff to point to when they go over the film, but the Zips took a giant step forward today. The hot shooting is always great to see, but I really liked the increase in hustle and energy. It was also nice to see Currie on the court even though it was at the very end.