Illini Zip

Dawson Eligible / Edwards Redshirt

Go Zips!!!!

I'm sorry, I just don't have any faith in the NET rankings yet. Maybe it's effective late in the season, but I'm not even sure about that. I will stay with Kenpom for now.

Anyone know anything about Flohoops? It looks like another pay site to me. Ugh!!

Was Mikal Dawson present today?

I’m right with you. I can still picture Tark chewing on his towel. Or what about Houston’s 5 Slamma Jamma?! Where has Houston been?

In my experience, I have found Little Birdie to be a creditable source. I am surprised Dawson would start mid-season, but go Zips!!

French said Zips with 16 turnovers. Do they look sloppy out there?

Keep going @NWAkron You are my eyes. I’m listening to French again tonight. Where is everyone tonight?

I can’t answer your question, but I agree with you that an effort like that on the road against #2 in the country has to do wonders for recruiting.

Any of those options free?

Lot's of great analysis by everyone on this page. But this puts a huge smile on my face. Go Zips!!!!

Ali shoots and scores a three in garbage time!!

Jackie just pointed out that we have not seen Sayles yet. Edit: Entered game with 1:56 left in the game.

Solid execution and shots going down. And a few really nice plays from Cheese and Tribble.

Banks with a mid-range shot.

Now the Zips need to pull away and don't let them hang around.

I agree with you that match ups matter. But that is on defense. I was engaged in a conversation of who, when and where players were taking shots on offense. Players (and their parents/friends) always want to know why someone isn't playing as much as another guy. Or who is handling and shooting more than the next teammate. The way I understand it, Groce's practices are all merit based and if you think you are better than the next guy, even as a freshman, the stats in practice are going to show it. And effort is not negotiable.

Perhaps redshirting. He is in street cloths on game day.

I hear you and maybe I am overthinking it. But let me try again because we are not far off. I am suggesting that each player's role in games is determined by how well they perform in practice and that there is little room for freelancing on game day. That said, those practice performance metrics are fluid throughout the season and off-season. If Sayles practices a ton on the basketball shooting gun and improves his proficiency at mid-range, the coaching staff is going to green-light Sayles taking some of those shots in scrimmages. And if he hits them consistently in scrimmages he will be green-lighted in games. I have seen Ali wide open beyond the arc in the natural flow of the offense and he doesn't even look to shoot. And he is actually a decent shooter from range. Taking those open threes will be part of his role soon enough. So my thought is that it's more than a confidence issue. He is likely not grading high enough in practice to take them yet. There are only so many shots in a game and it's my opinion that Groce plays the odds/statistics not only with quality of shot within the offense, but with the quality of the shooter as well.

I agree. I will wait for the official announcement, but that's awesome news.

I have a theory that Groce uses a theorem when it comes to shot selection and who is taking them. I have never heard him straight out say this, but contextual clues leaves me to believe that players earn their right to shoot in practice. Their practices are designed with competition built in and everything is graded out. I'm sure if Ali gets a rebound under the basket he is green lighted to go right back up with it. But I would not be surprised if the freshman, Riak, Sayles, Reece all have certain restrictions placed on them. Remember Groce a former math teacher and stat junkie. And my guess is that those restrictions were lifted for the freshman and walk-ons during garbage time.

I have no class and I still can't attend. ?

He needs to be both, but wisely. Groce wants his point guards to able and willing to hit a long three if left alone. That pulls the defense out and opens the lane. But I agree with everyone's sentiment that LCJ isn't choosing his moment's intelligently and it often looks like he is just chucking it. He should always be considering time and score for starters. We had a point guard at Illinois who when left alone from 5 feet beyond the arc would make teams pay constantly. LCJ is not Brandon Paul. He's not nearly as strong and needs to shorten his range.

This is exactly how I felt. I was thinking this is like watching a game at the Rec. Center on campus. It's good that Ali and X can bring the ball up the court if necessary, it's another thing for them to think they can run the offense. Get the ball to one of the guards and get back already.