Illini Zip

Booo!!

I know that to be true. Defending is not optional with Groce. That said, I have to believe the line up ends up closer to what @Blue & Gold suggests.

Allow me to clarify something. Toles was initially a scholarship player, but is now a walk-on. So he is not taking up one of the 13 scholarships. What is disappointing is he appears to be a really good guy/talent and he was looking forward to playing for his local team. I am glad he is able to stay involved with the team to some degree, but some us really would love to see him suit up at some point.

Hilltopper, have you by chance seen Toles during practice? Can you describe his involvement/activity/role?

Good question. My knowledge of Africa is shamefully limited. Fortunately for us he made his way to Louisville, Kentucky. I have seen him linked to both Aspire Academy and DeSales High School. Not exactly sure how that all works, but next stop is Akron, Ohio. Giddy up!!! Hometown: Bamako (Capital), Mali, West Africa

I'm not for certain, but I will take a shot at this. It's possible thanks to Covid we got a steal on Kalle. I didn't come across any flags with personality, actually he's a high-motor guy. Clark points out that 6-10" Kalle is athletic and dunks everything around the rim with authority. But I read he was looking to show prospective schools that he has been working on his shot and gained 15 pounds of muscle. There were even bigger programs than UCLA and Rutgers inquiring at some point. But with limited opportunity to showcase his growth he just might be a diamond in the rough that fell into our lap. Let's hope. Consider that his visit to Akron was a virtual visit and you realise this was not your typical process by any means. Edit: Here is my source material. Is ScoopmanTV creditable, no clue. But the idea that late bloomers would struggle to get attention this year makes sense to me. https://scoopmantv.com/2020/07/18/interest-in-2021-forward-sekou-sada-kalle-starting-to-pick-up/

It sure does feel like a great day to be a Zip with some awesome pick ups. But I am going to predict some even better days during the 2022-23 season. 6 returning Seniors and the turn over of only one scholarship screams success in March. Go Zips!!

Kobe Mitchell highlights. https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=Jk_u7c9AMMc

Sekou Sada Kalle Highlights. https://www.hudl.com/video/3/13880128/5e717ff232dcb217780ea340 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UBao7FWvjso

Zips add Sekou Sada Kalle.

Zips add Nate Johnson.

I have to admit. I needed to Google that.

Zips add Kobe Mitchell.

I'll just add to the conversation that at Illinois the injury bug hit the position of point guard as hard as any. I don't fault Groce for never wanting to feel that helpless ever again. We were at times a car without an engine and it got brutal. Also, players that might play point guard on other D1 teams might not have the running skill set he demands out of his points guards. That said, those same point guards are awesome playing off the ball as shooting guards in this system.

At this point, I will take sloppy basketball and love it. This is a good year to have the leagues MVP leading your team.

I think I just watched that video 20 times and stopped it 100. I loved last year's team - no doubt, but it's fun to see the new comers as well. Go Zips!! And I think he says his celebrity crush is Lauren London. Is that right??

It's slow so I thought I would share a highlight video I just found of Maishe Dailey as a high school senior. His time at Iowa was not very productive. Not exactly sure why. He does have a slender build for being 6'-7" and might have had trouble with the physical play of the Big Ten. As mentioned on this board before, Maishe actually played some point guard for Iowa. I think he could play positions 1-4 for us, even play point-forward. Yes, there is such a thing where with LCJ on the court Maishe could bring the ball up the court and initiate the offense himself. I am thinking he is likely to pick up for X at the wing and Ali will back him up (Damn, I liked X. Cool guy, great player). https://www.hudl.com/video/3/3482320/5721dcfdc124573b548627dc

It will be interesting to see just how challenging an OOC schedule Groce puts together for this years team. When does the OOC schedule get released usually? Obviously, the virus has messed everything up.

I am all for second chances (See Kendrick Nunn). We don't know what Michael Wynn did at Wake Forest, but he needs to take this opportunity seriously. Next stop, irrelevance.

One of Groce's many metaphors or Grocisms is "Steel sharpens Steel". Who knows how it will translate on game day, but this roster is loaded with talent top to bottom. Granted some players are still early in their development, but there are the makings for some crazy good battles in practice. Go Zips!!!

I see similarities to Tyler Cheese's game. https://twitter.com/MICHAEL_WYNN2/status/1257383041841930240

Zips add Michael Wynn.

Zips add Aziz Bandaogo.

He looks to be a tall, long rim protector like Riak. #21 Listed at 7 ft. Stats indicate that he's not a big scorer and doesn't even shoot from beyond the arc...yet. And has too many turnovers. https://www.facebook.com/eyblce/videos/2192739704309129/ Game film: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yMtPxtQ2BuE Home Team (Africa) in white, #21, comes in off the bench.

https://twitter.com/mirambeaux09 Here is Anderson's Twitter account. That is his JUCO assistant coach in the picture. He put it out. I think I read somewhere else only 9.5 RPG, but I am not going to rain on his parade. Close enough I guess.