Illini Zip

After discussing Ali Ali, we should check in and see what's new with Mikal Dawson. He was harder to find and there is not much good video out there on him. He is using this gap year to develop with a group called Huntington Prep Post Grad (Gold Team) which I believe operates out of Marshall University facilities. The kid is indeed strong, especially for a guard and plays a hard nosed game. Anyway, the following video is a mess. There is camera lens fog for one thing and the operator doesn't follow the action well, but you get a sense of his ability and the level of competition he is running with this year. Blue and Gold team, #22: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y3yb_Sxvs2g Program twitter page: https://twitter.com/HunPrepPostGrad

I agree with everyones comments, but I am all out of "likes" AGAIN. I vote for more "likes". I would just add, don't forget about Mikal Dawson. He is likely to only get garbage minutes at the start of next year, but unlike Ali Ali, Dawson has the strength to compete in the MAC on day one. So he will not be red-shirted, guards seldomly are. He will also be creating competition in practice and pushing the guards in the way Captain Kangaroo desires. It's possible by MAC play he could earn some real playing time.

Here are a couple of the latest high school games involving Ali Ali (East Noble #12) for anyone with the time and patience. I was curious to see how he is progressing. My assessment is that he flashes the skill and athleticism we desire from a small forward, but by no means does he take over games. He doesn't shoot much at all from the outside in these 2 games, but I know he has the range. I did see a very solid handle for a kid his size, 6'-8". He is quick when he wants to be and makes the difficult pass. And he has no problem dunking in the open court and he hits his free throws. I think it's possible he is a red-shirt candidate. Either way he needs another 15-20 pounds of muscle so he can hold his ground and battle inside. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nlkV7zFLRAk https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LmDnZlt3Qok

Don't forget about Kreed5120 from his bleacher seat.

And this is why I have a level of confidence and understanding of Groce's system and coaching style. The man actually teaches the fan base along the way. After a few years of post-game interviews, you too can be as obnoxious as me.

Steve French isn't happy with the refs either. The Utomi foul was just ridiculous. Buffalo was the better team tonight, but I agree with Zipsrule that we are not far off from Buffalo's level.

Talking about the foul on Banks?

Somebody tie Buffalo's shoe-laces together. I'm exhausted just watching.

E-man did look to be set on that screen.

I can add to this. When Groce landed in Illinois, the 7 foot center Meyers Leonard decided to go pro. Meyers would have been a junior and averaged 13 pts/game his sophomore year, but he was not even close to a finished product. However, nobody could blame Meyers for leaving because he ended up being a first round pick in the NBA draft and his Mom needed lots of medical help. So getting paid was a high priority. But by him leaving, Illinois had a huge whole in the roster which Groce had to try to patch with a grad transfer. Years later Meyers Leonard was coming around the practice facility. I guess no harm, no foul. Personally, I thought not only would one more year at Illinois help his fellow teammates make a run in the tourney, the added experience at that level would have done wonders for Meyer's confidence and footwork development. Anyway, Groce has a healthy attitude towards these kinds of situations and he's a long-term relationship builder.

And if my memory serves me right, we gave Nevada all they could handle for most of the game. That day is coming, why not Tuesday. Go Zips!!

Aren't you the clever one.

We just moved up to the #24 defense on Kenpom.

Akron fans picked a good game to fill the JAR.

Cheese needs to add just one more inch to his vertical in the off-season.

It's a grudge match alright. Two teams exchanging blows. It would be nice to have an inside presence, but our guards are playing aggressive with active hands on defense leading to some fast breaks. Nice to see.

Riak sure doesn't look to score at all. Someone on here said it's like a hot potato to him. So true.

Road kill.

Here comes the treacherous road 2nd half. Let's get'r done!!

I would think so, signing day was November 14th, 2018.

I think this is great news. If the MAC can hover around the top quarter of the conferences it should lead to better recruiting for the whole league. Granted Buffalo will come down to earth next year, but hopefully this is a sign of good times ahead for the MAC. Where has the MAC usually ranked in the past?

It would appear we Zips fans needed a bye-week as well.

I think Groce said on the postgame show he was going to give the guys a couple days off to decompress for a bit before focusing on Ohio. I agree, the rest mentally and physically should help them at this point in the season.

Indeed. We are up to 43rd best defense on Kenpom.