Illini Zip

According to Verbal Commits Akron did extend an initial offer to a 2019 Center, Abba Lawal (6-11) a couple of years ago. There must be something very wrong going on there. A kid that size doesn't go unsigned unless there are issues. Both Groce and Fulford are very resourceful recruiters. If they are coming up empty right now then there must not be much out there. They are not even going the transfer route with a big right now. Keep the faith.

I think we all try to block the ugly Khadin Gueye event out of our mind (at least I do), but the fact is we should have had the services of a high energy 7 foot, 245 lb rim protector for the next 2 years.

I couldn't agree more. I'm still disappointed on missing out on Jonathan dos Anjos. But the basketball gods could make it up to us with Luka Eller in 2020. I love this kid, a true Stretch 4. And according to the Akron website Riak is a Senior this year, so just more to your point that we have an urgent need.

Another Newbie, welcome Bigzip1!! If what you say plays out, it will be interesting to see how long it takes for him to grab the reigns. I can see the potential myself and I also could see LCJ and Tribble on the court at the same time. Very exciting.

I have to admit my knowledge of Buffalo's roster wasn't that good, but I agree with the concept of winning match-ups so I'll take your word for it. And yes, ideally these guys should be able to mix and match.

I do think we will see this line-up at times during the season. Perhaps quite often. But as funny as it might look on paper, I think Williams would probably be the over-sized wing and Reece would be the under-sized forward. I believe Reece lacks a reliable outside shot. Thoughts?

Roscoe did come alive late in the season, you're right. Banks was hitting his shots early in the season and then cooled off. Probably right about the time he learned his woman was pregnant. Anyway, the first question should probably be which of Banks, Roscoe and Toles are on the team when we arrive at 13 scholarship players?

Welcome Alumnus!! I see Toles playing either shooting guard or wing depending on the line-up and opponent. Likely coming off the bench. And Williams is a natural wing. A very tall wing, who I expect to start and play some Stretch 4 as well. If I had to roll the ball out on the court right now I am starting LCJ, Banks, Cheese, Williams and Riak. Mostly because of their experience with the system and defensive rotations. But I think this is going to be a very competitive off-season and the maturation of these young guys is going to keep the line-up in play all season long. I see Reece, Tribble and Dawson especially pushing for playing time early on.

I'm as lost as anybody, but K-lac was capable of fouling out of the game by the first TV time out. I do agree with your larger point however.

It's almost as if Groce is adopting the NFL camp roster concept and will cut the team down to his 13 scholarship players right before the season. As to the lack of bigs, I wonder if he's striking out with his type of recruits. Quality bigs are hard to land anyway, but bigs who can run like deer and can shoot away from the basket are even less available. We might have to start winning big games with smaller than ideal line ups just to attract these recruits.

Zips pick up Bryan Trimble Jr.

University of Illinois football is no different than Ohio State in this respect. They are too scared to play and possibly lose to "little brother". I did notice that Illinois football starts the season off against Akron. I didn't bring it up earlier because I am not at all invested in college football. But I think Akron has a great chance of going into Champaign and winning. It wouldn't surprise me at all. So Illinois is willing to play and possibly lose to other MAC schools, but they won't play NIU for nothing.

We all cringed last year when ever the ball was shot from beyond the arc. Let's hope that Tre Edwards can continue hitting them around 40.3%.

Correction: I don't want to be guilty of spreading fake news. Even though Edwards is graduating high school from a place called Link Year Prep in Branson, Missouri which does have a gap year program, he is still only 18 years old. So I am now thinking he is your standard high school Senior at this point. My bad.

So why did Greg Tribble choose Akron? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UD0noJRO_9w&feature=youtu.be Here are some game highlights of 2018-2019 Huntington Prep. Tribble is #3. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C9qpOvccD1c https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tiDzqttIzJI https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WhLO1-8HAu8 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jHo4Lyf8B6E https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bYZgfU4NUlc (Full Game - video is a bit fuzzy)

We were recruiting him. Now he is putting off his decision until next year. We are likely done now as well. I'm sure we will continue to track his progress and we will have 4 more scholarships open up in the Fall. Someone should tell him there is a good prep school in Huntington, West Virginia.

It seems like except for Riak and LCJ everyone else is 6'-6".

Zips pick up Tre Edwards.

It's not often that I'm accused of too much thinking. You and NWAkron might be right that it's a Canadian thing. But I'm pretty sure it doesn't have anything to do with customs.

That's an interesting idea. I didn't think of that. But that would mean his Senior year he would be limited to just the non-conference schedule, right? I don't know if I like that too much.

Here is a short article. http://northpolehoops.com/2019/05/21/akron-locks-commitment-from-tre-edwards/ Also, I'm puzzled to how this is going to play out with Tre Edwards. According to this schedule the signing period for the 2019-20 season was over on May 15th. (Note that athletes sign during two periods Fall & Spring which are identified by the little black triangles in the corners) https://ncaaorg.s3.amazonaws.com/eligibility/recruiting/calendars/2018-19DIMBB_RecruitingCalendar.pdf Edwards has already had his gap year and is listed as a 2019 recruit. Why did he not sign with someone by May 15th? Maybe there is an exemption I am not aware of? I imagine he could enroll in class at Akron for 2019-20 because he is qualified academically and then plan to sign onto the team in the Fall. The problem with that is the Fall signing period is right around the kick off of the 2019-20 basketball season. He would likely be allowed to play right away, but he will have had no official practice time with the team. So I guess that makes him a redshirt candidate. That would be a shame because he looks like he could add some instant offense coming off the bench. Also, he probably could practice his skill work during the Summer and even play pick-up games with his new teammates, but he will not be able to even be in the gym during practices until he officially signs. What am I missing guys?

In case you missed it, Akron has added a brand new Joey as well. Congratulations to Channel Banks!! (scroll down) https://twitter.com/rfulford?lang=en

Nope he is a full commit, a high school player who played in prep school for a year. Toles and Dawson went similar routes.

Fulford is flying a Canadian flag on his twitter. It looks like we beat out Buffalo, New Mexico, Nevada and Missouri for him too. And a three point shooter named Tre. Seriously? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=spqqayYHhE8 https://www.hudl.com/video/3/11978841/5c38b8ee0c53620904110ed8

I agree with you completely, in hindsight. Landing Dos Anjos and Tribble was the better outcome. And too many short-term fixes are not good either. The problem is we have so little information to go on. I think it's possible that if the order in which these players decided to commit was flip-flopped around we might have had a different result. Maishe will bring maturity and experience for that one season, but I think he was recruited as an insurance policy at point guard more than anything. Now that we have secured Tribble, Maishe might be moved over to the 2 or 3 spot. I wish after all the dust settles on the recruiting process Groce would share some of the strategy and play by play action. Maybe someone will ask him.