Illini Zip

The answer to your question is yes. So these two were going head to head all the time. And possibly battling for a spot on next years roster. I have never watched a Groce practice, but have heard they go full speed and are highly competitive by design. So temper flare-ups and unfortunately some injuries are not uncommon. HillTopper said this altercation was unprovoked, but I also wonder if there was some lingering bad blood between them.

I'm so bummed. I have had this game circled as early as last year because NIU is here in my back yard. And now I can't go, Ugh!!!!

It sure would be nice to have a few more guys (at any position) who can rock the rim. It would make going on the road into hostile environments or up against good shot blockers a little less stressful. Just saying.

I didn't even realize Roscoe got in for 3 minutes last night. No idea what's going on there.

You're talking to someone who just watched the Bears lose a playoff game to the Eagles with a double-clank off the goal post. So yes, it is all starting to feel like horseshoes and hand grenades to me right now. I am late to commenting and I already "liked" all the comments critical of the second half defense and the stupid foul in the corner. As frustrating as tonight's loss is, I do think the whole losing 6 games by a total of 20 points is something to discuss. How much of it is learning to finish games? I mean we had some good looks for the win that didn't go down. Is it that we lack a cold-blooded closer? Did we get tight as a team and forget to play the right way down the stretch? There is a road-game component. I don't know, maybe it's a bit of all of it. But according to Kenpom math, there is only one other team who has fans that are more pissed off than we are with the close loses a record that doesn't match expectations and that's Mercer. Correction: I took a look at Mercer's schedule and their loses were not always close so I was reading the "Luck" column the wrong way. Kenpom "Luck" is the deviation in winning percentage between a team's actual record and their expected record using the correlated gaussian method. Correlated gaussian method, any statisticians in the house?

On the subject of luck. Mercer is holding strong as the most unlucky team in Division 1, but Akron is nipping at their heels in second place.

Amazing how much better a team looks when their shots fall.

I am able to watch on the internet.

I realize this is a road game and perhaps not the best time, but the question of where's Khadim Gueye has me concerned. I can't sleep at night I tell you!! Hopefully someone can solve that mystery. Go Zips!! I am feeling a win today too.

I am excited to see what Williams brings to the team next year because the videos show a much needed versatile big. But just to give everyone a reminder of how far our bigs need to improve to get this offense humming properly, everyone in a Zips uniform should have the versatility of Ivey and LCJ. Just like Clarkwgriswold points out, LCJ battles guys a foot taller than himself in the paint on a switch and so to our 7 foot center needs to be able to dribble the basketball up the court if necessary to break a press. Each player will have their strengths, but there needs to be a base level of effectiveness across all basketball disciplines. We might be a couple years away before we meet these expectations. Hopefully our bigs are still improving in practice.

I very much agree with the general sentiment of this conversation. Our bigs are lagging way behind the developmental curve. And the missed bunnies, so many missed bunnies by everyone has been very frustrating to watch. I too, am waiting for someone to claim the mantle as our back to the basket post-up player. But I also keep waiting for someone to get the green light to take more than one outside shot here and there. Give me a big who can get hot from the arch or even the mid-range and I will show you a wide open lane for our guards to attack.

Groce mentioned that a year ago the Zips would have lost todays game by 20 points due to tying poor defensive effort to poor shooting. It looks like that is what happened to the Golden Flushes tonight. 86 -62 loss at home to BG.

Pinky is all red and now T-up.

I agree. Take the win and run. But they can burn the tape on this one.

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.