Illini Zip

I asked that question awhile back and Sergeant Zip said he was hearing rumors that Toles was going to be taking a medical redshirt. But nothing official as far as I know.

Hide the women and children!! It's time for MAC play!! (That is just a metaphor)

While we are counting players and trying to figure out who is going to be on next years roster, Groce is out there trying to make it better yet. I didn't remember this guy by name, but while researching it turns out that his recruitment out of high school came down to Illinois vs Oregon and Oregon won. So he has been given the full Coach Groce recruitment effort once before. That could make all the difference. And yes, I see that Illinois is in on this recruitment again as well. Here's the story. The comments are worth a read too. https://247sports.com/college/oregon/Article/Oregon-basketball-Abu-Kigab-transfer-127219184/ The old story with some high school credentials: https://www.thechampaignroom.com/2016/10/12/13264636/abu-kigab-illinois-fighting-illini-basketball-recruiting-news-oregon-ducks High School highlights: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IEpML_xs4Nw https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ys9PdmlGAXo

I understand NWAkron, you have served me my notice. And believe me when I say that I am invested in the Zips now. I really am. It's just so damn hard to watch a once proud program burn to the ground. And I have to listen to arrogant know-nothings in the other camp every step of the way. Somebody on here would have noticed the Kenpom ratings eventually. I just thought I would address it in the moment. Go Zips!!

Wait, Illinois has a football team. When did that happen?!

Please feel free to move this entry. Not sure where to put it and have never started my own thread. Definition of schadenfreude: enjoyment obtained from the troubles of others Example 1: Coach Groce is not one to discuss such matters, but the schadenfreude must have been overwhelming when he learned that his Zips have just surpassed his former team on Kenpom. (Akron 109, Illinois 113) https://kenpom.com Example 2: Illini Zip displayed much schadenfreude when he chose to share that the Fighting Illini fan base and media which were so eager to pack Coach Groce's bags for the unforgivable sin of missing 4 consecutive NCAA Tournaments have set their sights on a new scalp in just a year and a half. https://illiniboard.com/story/2018/12/30/crossroads/ Note: I am not abandoning my Fighting Illini in any respect, but I am furious. Collectively, the lack of patience and pragmatism cost Illinois dearly. I did choose to change my avatar on this forum out of respect for you all. I truly appreciate being welcomed here and it's been quite enjoyable. So fear the Roo and let's kick some W.Michigan Bronco butt!! The last time I checked these lists was probably around 2010 and Illinois was just inside the top ten of all-time winning college basketball programs. They are now down to the 15th spot depending on if you choose to count overall wins vs win percentage. And in terms of fan attendance we were sometimes in the top 10, but always in the top 20. Lately #25 or so. Illini basketball fans are criticized in the national sports media for having lofty expectations. These numbers prove that their expectations are the only thing that is in line these days. Which leads me to my next prediction; Illini nation will completely come unglued the moment Groce gets Akron into the NCAA Tourney making him the fourth consecutive coach to have success after leaving Champaign; Lon Kruger of Oklahoma, Bill Self of Kansas and Bruce Weber of Kansas State. And I don't see any sign of a turn around for Illinois anytime soon. Stay tuned, more schadenfreude for Groce is coming to a basketball arena near you. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_teams_with_the_most_victories_in_NCAA_Division_I_men's_college_basketball http://fs.ncaa.org/Docs/stats/m_basketball_RB/Reports/attendanceYBYtop25.pdf

I contribute to a blue out every game. But I will join in by wishing everyone a Merry Christmas too.

I'm curious if these guys run the Princeton style offense. Groce will put teams on the schedule just so they start to see different styles of play. Another one are teams that love to full-court press, such as West Virginia.

Fair enough.

Sorry, I can't let this stand. This is pure ignorance. You will not find the true story of Groce's tenure at Illinois in a stat book. I have already spelled out much of it on this forum. There is not a coach in Division 1 who would have survived what happen to him in terms of injuries, having recruits bought out from underneith him, losing home court advantage much of the time due to the arena going through a 3 stage/3 year remodel, etc. Why do you think I'm here? I want to see what I was robbed of come to fruition. On a related note: 3 of Groce's last recruits before he was let go now start for our inner-state rival, Missouri. Mizzou just blew us out tonight by 14 points in our annual rivalry game. Oh, what could have been.

Playing a 7th ranked team on the road with Kenpom predicting a 17 point loss. Yeah, I would say it's okay to be proud of the Zips for their effort. This is a growth game for the program, no doubt.

This is fun. Compete guys, compete!! Go Zips!!

Do we know what's up with Toles? Is it his back again?

It feels like Akron has been playing with their prey all night long. Deliver a kill shot already.

Ivey - 1,000 pts.

Not a fast start, but the body language is much better.

Let's go Zips!!

108 years...that was the Cubs drought before winning it all in 2016. So we know a few things about finding creative ways to lose; Bartman, goats, day games in the Summer, etc. Remind me, who was it the Cubs beat again in 2016? Ha, I kid. I'm more of a White Sox fan anyway so we get to beat on each other regularly.

I'm not sure how Kenpom places a numeric value on luck, but out of 353 D1 teams only Hampton and Mercer are less lucky than Akron. Anybody surprised by that?

LCJ deserves some love. 26 pts and 5 for 8 from beyond the arch is a solid day's work.

Any idea how serious?

Marshall defended this play completely different than #1 ranked, Indiana. Illinois got a wide open lay up for the win. I agree, this attempt looked really ugly and LCJ should not be the one taking a 3 on the move like that. Ivey would have had a much better chance, but moments like that you have to take what the defense gives you. Even if you only need 2 to win. Found it. https://deadspin.com/5982703/illinois-shocks-no-1-indiana-on-a-last-second-layup

We are in agreement here. I was so frustrated watching this game I would have had our guys back out on that court once the fans left the building. Groce isn't afraid to shame them for a lack of effort so there must be something we don't know. He did mention a short bench today, but we were slow to everything and looked disinterested even early on.

I agree. I just wish they had played the whole game with more urgency.