Illini Zip

Going with Cheese at the point is making a difference with penitration and ball movement. Hopefully, it's not too late.

Did you guys have to pay?

' I like free and available.

Exclusively on Facebook Watch. Whatever that is. https://www.sporttechie.com/stadium-will-broadcast-cayman-islands-classic-exclusively-on-facebook-watch/

Should we break it to them that Chicago is not a state?

I tuned in to watch a fight, and a basketball game broke out.

Welcome LePear Toles!! Since he's diving on the floor left and right, I'm thinking his back is fine now. Somebody please tell Cheese and Roscoe to fix their waist band.

I'm so happy our defense showed up. Looking good guys.

It sounds like you found a good one. Not every guy would have been able to pull that off on their wedding day. Stream on.

When Groce recruits new players I like to compare them to past players to try to get an idea of how he intends to utilize them. Some are more obvious than others. Mikal Dawson's videos scream former Illini guard, Rayvonte Rice to me. And that would be a very good thing. Both 6 - 4. I think Dawson has longer arms. Dawson 200lbs now. Rice 220lbs out of high school, played at 230lbs for Illinois. Both Shooting Guards that played some forward in high school. Both very strong and played football in high school. Both seek contact and can rebound/score in a crowd. Both have hops and play above the rim. Both team leaders and state champions. Rice was runner-up to Mr. Illinois Basketball and a 3 star recruit. Dawson was voted captain of the Class AAA all-state first team in West Virginia and a 2 star recruit. Both passed over by P5 schools out of high school. Rice transferred in from Drake after 2 years to play for Groce. I don't know if there is such a thing as a power guard in basketball, but that is exactly what Rayvonte Rice was for Illinois. He was "Mr. And 1" because he drove the lane like a running back. I think Utomi, who is taller and a natural wing could very well take on that role now that he has help and depth at forward. And I sure do hope to see Mikal Dawson develop into some version of a power guard. https://www.hudl.com/video/3/5343942/58fbe8b002b1c631d0ccfdbf

So we can expect them all hurrying back on defense then.

I actually checked out the game on ESPN3 last night. Illinois State did play their whole roster from start to finish and one of their starters didn't play the first half for some reason. The final score is more of an indictment of Illinois State's defense than anything. The game looked like something you would find at a college rec. center. If the Zips show up with the right attitude they will be fine playing their entire roster as well.

Just like I said, the Zips had better not look past Chicago State.

Kenpom Ratings (As of November 21th) 19 - Clemson 36 - Creighton 100 - Georgia 113 - Georgia State 122 - Boise State 128 - Illinois State 145 132 - Akron 157 163 - St. Bonaventure https://kenpom.com

Thanks Let'sGoZips94 for pointing that out. I see it now on the website, but I don't understand it. The brackets are already determined. Thoughts?

Initially I had thought NWAkron was being his funny, sarcastic self. But since I'm not certain I will expand my thoughts. Clark has pointed out here that Chicago State is about the worst team in Division 1 basketball. We should be able to get everyone playing time again without too much concern. I am looking at these first few games like practice games that count. Especially with Cedarville being a Division II team. And why not start out slow with a team full of new players. It's not like we have to worry about strength of schedule this year. That being said, NWAkron is absolutely right that this is the perfect trap-game scenario. A game the night before the morning flight to the Cayman Islands Classic. I just don't think Chicago State has what it takes to upset this Zips team, even on a good day. Lord help me if I am wrong.

25pts. for Utomi.

The Zips weren't revolutionary today (see what I did there), but they were flashing some serious potential in the second half. I think they are just scratching the surface.

I'm thinking if Toles meets expectations at all, then he will likely move into the shooting guard and wing rotations. That puts Tyler Cheese in the point guard and shooting guard rotations. And Scott Walter will be back on the bench. Walter has his limitations, but it looks like he could fill in a bit here and there when necessary. He looks stable and under control.

I think so too!!

That is true, but we kind of slept through the first half. We won't be able to do that against the really good teams.

And the Academy Award goes to...

Are you talking about the head nod, whip-lash deal?

Nice Ivey!! Defense to offense working for us in the second half.

Looks like no Toles again today.