Illini Zip

Zips pick up Tre Edwards.

It's not often that I'm accused of too much thinking. You and NWAkron might be right that it's a Canadian thing. But I'm pretty sure it doesn't have anything to do with customs.

That's an interesting idea. I didn't think of that. But that would mean his Senior year he would be limited to just the non-conference schedule, right? I don't know if I like that too much.

Here is a short article. http://northpolehoops.com/2019/05/21/akron-locks-commitment-from-tre-edwards/ Also, I'm puzzled to how this is going to play out with Tre Edwards. According to this schedule the signing period for the 2019-20 season was over on May 15th. (Note that athletes sign during two periods Fall & Spring which are identified by the little black triangles in the corners) https://ncaaorg.s3.amazonaws.com/eligibility/recruiting/calendars/2018-19DIMBB_RecruitingCalendar.pdf Edwards has already had his gap year and is listed as a 2019 recruit. Why did he not sign with someone by May 15th? Maybe there is an exemption I am not aware of? I imagine he could enroll in class at Akron for 2019-20 because he is qualified academically and then plan to sign onto the team in the Fall. The problem with that is the Fall signing period is right around the kick off of the 2019-20 basketball season. He would likely be allowed to play right away, but he will have had no official practice time with the team. So I guess that makes him a redshirt candidate. That would be a shame because he looks like he could add some instant offense coming off the bench. Also, he probably could practice his skill work during the Summer and even play pick-up games with his new teammates, but he will not be able to even be in the gym during practices until he officially signs. What am I missing guys?

In case you missed it, Akron has added a brand new Joey as well. Congratulations to Channel Banks!! (scroll down) https://twitter.com/rfulford?lang=en

Nope he is a full commit, a high school player who played in prep school for a year. Toles and Dawson went similar routes.

Fulford is flying a Canadian flag on his twitter. It looks like we beat out Buffalo, New Mexico, Nevada and Missouri for him too. And a three point shooter named Tre. Seriously? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=spqqayYHhE8 https://www.hudl.com/video/3/11978841/5c38b8ee0c53620904110ed8

I agree with you completely, in hindsight. Landing Dos Anjos and Tribble was the better outcome. And too many short-term fixes are not good either. The problem is we have so little information to go on. I think it's possible that if the order in which these players decided to commit was flip-flopped around we might have had a different result. Maishe will bring maturity and experience for that one season, but I think he was recruited as an insurance policy at point guard more than anything. Now that we have secured Tribble, Maishe might be moved over to the 2 or 3 spot. I wish after all the dust settles on the recruiting process Groce would share some of the strategy and play by play action. Maybe someone will ask him.

I am disappointed, but on the scale of d@*# moves this doesn't even register. Now what Cliff Alexander did to Illini fans was brutal. Everyone watched him reach for the Illinois hat first and then put it down for the Kansas hat. A total jackknife of emotions in a split-second. It went down like this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tQ9MkfFtp6E Illini Nation's reaction went something like this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5qCYErpJTF8 So you want to be a Division 1 basketball coach? Illini fans later felt we got the last laugh because Alexander should have gone on to a stellar NBA career after 2 years in college. Instead he was benched the last 8 games of his freshman season when an NCAA investigation was launched (Not surprising). A knee injury then kept him undrafted and though he has signed with some NBA squads he has just been bouncing around ever since. I lay all of this drama at the feet of his parents. Total waste of talent.

Jonathon Dos Anjos will commit to either Akron or Loyola Marymount tomorrow.

Kreed5120 mentioned thunderous dunks. I found a few here on this video. Dunk contest starts just after the 3:00 minute mark (gray shirt, blue shorts). He's got hops. Also, he is interviewed at the very end. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MgmK46MnwjM

I think you could be right. Watching that whole highlight video Tribble does have the ability to distribute. And he might play all three guard spots before he is done at Akron. Basketball practice at Akron keeps getting more competitive. Very exciting. Go Zips!!

This is a true statement, but not in a mean way. I had higher expectations for him coming in. Granted he came around a bit towards the end of the season. And I have always said that maybe he is showing more in practice than what I am seeing in games. If not, then I would go ahead and cut my losses now.

Zips pick up Greg Tribble.

My guess is that Groce and company just recruited over Jeremy Roscoe at SG and Jonathon Dos Anjos is still in play. At least I hope so.

The addition of Maishe Dailey has me rethinking the point guard position. This offense can stall out bad, I mean really bad, if you don't have dynamic point guards who can "stir the drink" and force defenses to rotate. So being able to break down their defender and drive is vitally important. You can do this a number of different ways; being quick, shifty or strong. For that reason, I think Groce is going with a thunder and lightning approach like you often see with running backs. LCJ is the current lightning and 6'-6" Cheese is the thunder. I am going to say the ideal quick point guard is 6'-0" (range between 5'-10" and 6'-2"). LCJ is on the small side. And I predict there will be a new quick point guard added in the 2020 class this Fall. Maishe Dailey has played plenty of point guard for Iowa. I see him at 6'-6" taking over for Cheese for one season. Then either we pick up a new large point guard in 2021 class or maybe Mikal Dawson moves over from the shooting guard spot. Or maybe both. The ideal large guard would then be 6'-4" (range between 6'-2" and 6'-6").

That's a real bummer. He was a good one. And a great shooter. I read he wanted to play close to home. Nothing you can do about that.

This video is pretty good also. It shows more of Jonathon Dos Anjos game. He is wearing #23 Blue/White. There looks to be a bunch of talent in blue/white, but Dos Anjos is definitely a warrior with a high motor. Me likey.

Small ball center, yes. Otherwise, Groce said he is a wing that will play some stretch 4.

Very true. And I understand everyone's frustration with the offense to date while at the same time I see Groce game planning and culture building around the talent he has. Okay, I am going to go back to the scholarship chart and wait for further news like a kid waiting on Christmas.

Just some light reading, enjoy. (Not my notes) https://app.box.com/s/vs4ceg7hm841ucz0a363

Sure, Utomi is a loss. He produced a lot of our offense these last couple of years and now other guys will have to step up and fill the void. That said, replacing him with more mobile wings should pay huge dividends. Utomi is a natural spot up shooter. Hopefully, he gets a chance to shine in that role at USC. I will be rooting for our ex-girlfriend, Utomi at USC. He's still beautiful to me even if he shot-fakes 5 times before going up.

I was hoping for more activity today as well. There is still an open scholarship so maybe something is still in the works. The frustrating part for me is so much of the recruiting process is unknown. Other than watching Verbal Commits we really don't have any idea how things are truly playing out. As they say, recruiting is fluid. I do think Maishe Dailey will bring maturity, athleticism, tough defense and experience from playing in the NCAA tourney this year. Not to mention he has Iowa on his resume. I know they haven't all worked out, but Groce has picked up transfers from Oregon State (Duvivier), Florida (Hester), East Carolina (Riak), South Carolina (Gueye), Dayton (Williams) and now Iowa (Dailey). If nothing else Groce is resourceful, but I do think hearing those other programs has to weigh positively with new recruits. Also, these transfer guys are not intimidated by playing against teams from power conferences and should promote growth within the program. That said, I too prefer the bulk of new recruits come out of high school. Another thing to keep in mind is Groce might have already recruited and locked up his next recruiting class which will be signing in the Fall. How does finishing off this class mesh with them and his overall plan? Again, I am only speculating. Who knows?! I am very happy for Utomi and truly hope he has a great run with USC. I think the decision to move on was mutual. Utomi was maxed out in this system. When he is left alone he can make defenses pay with the big shot. USC should really like his production and strong bodied defense. But I also remember watching that last game against Buffalo and both Utomi and Ivey lost their footing and hit the floor like drunk sailors trying their hardest to drive against their defense. His lack of quickness and inability to drive and close-out effectively against athletic competition was only going to hold us back. This move was a win-win in my opinion.

I'm kind of like the Dennis Rodman of Zips Nation (without the piercings, tattoos and wedding dress). And I'm fine with that.

Zips pick up Maishe Dailey.