Illini Zip

I will be holding down the western flank for Zips Nation tonight. Go Zips!!

I am thinking Gavin Clarke will be able to contribute right away as a true freshman. He just put up 29 pts. for Cleveland Heights the other night. So he is adjusting to tougher competition just fine.

I can't take any credit for this comment, but I agree completely.

Like I said, why worry guys? ?

Just sat down. A bit worried only because we have gone awhile without playing our best. And life on the road in conference can be down right brutal. Let's go Zips!!

Dawson Eligible / Edwards Redshirt

Go Zips!!!!

I'm sorry, I just don't have any faith in the NET rankings yet. Maybe it's effective late in the season, but I'm not even sure about that. I will stay with Kenpom for now.

Anyone know anything about Flohoops? It looks like another pay site to me. Ugh!!

Was Mikal Dawson present today?

I’m right with you. I can still picture Tark chewing on his towel. Or what about Houston’s 5 Slamma Jamma?! Where has Houston been?

In my experience, I have found Little Birdie to be a creditable source. I am surprised Dawson would start mid-season, but go Zips!!

French said Zips with 16 turnovers. Do they look sloppy out there?

Keep going @NWAkron You are my eyes. I’m listening to French again tonight. Where is everyone tonight?

I can’t answer your question, but I agree with you that an effort like that on the road against #2 in the country has to do wonders for recruiting.

Any of those options free?

Lot's of great analysis by everyone on this page. But this puts a huge smile on my face. Go Zips!!!!

Ali shoots and scores a three in garbage time!!

Jackie just pointed out that we have not seen Sayles yet. Edit: Entered game with 1:56 left in the game.

Solid execution and shots going down. And a few really nice plays from Cheese and Tribble.

Banks with a mid-range shot.

Now the Zips need to pull away and don't let them hang around.

I agree with you that match ups matter. But that is on defense. I was engaged in a conversation of who, when and where players were taking shots on offense. Players (and their parents/friends) always want to know why someone isn't playing as much as another guy. Or who is handling and shooting more than the next teammate. The way I understand it, Groce's practices are all merit based and if you think you are better than the next guy, even as a freshman, the stats in practice are going to show it. And effort is not negotiable.

Perhaps redshirting. He is in street cloths on game day.

I hear you and maybe I am overthinking it. But let me try again because we are not far off. I am suggesting that each player's role in games is determined by how well they perform in practice and that there is little room for freelancing on game day. That said, those practice performance metrics are fluid throughout the season and off-season. If Sayles practices a ton on the basketball shooting gun and improves his proficiency at mid-range, the coaching staff is going to green-light Sayles taking some of those shots in scrimmages. And if he hits them consistently in scrimmages he will be green-lighted in games. I have seen Ali wide open beyond the arc in the natural flow of the offense and he doesn't even look to shoot. And he is actually a decent shooter from range. Taking those open threes will be part of his role soon enough. So my thought is that it's more than a confidence issue. He is likely not grading high enough in practice to take them yet. There are only so many shots in a game and it's my opinion that Groce plays the odds/statistics not only with quality of shot within the offense, but with the quality of the shooter as well.