Illini Zip

We have such limited knowledge at this point and I expect the lineup and rotation to be evolving throughout much of the season, but it's so fun to speculate. My starting five are: PG: Banks SG: Hester SF: Ivey PF: Utomi C: Sayles Edit: After revisiting Hester's highlight videos I made a change at SG. I could also see Toles challenge Ivey, but Ivey has experience on his side and as long as he's being an effective leader he should be locked into the starting lineup.

When asked about this very scenario back at Illinois, Groce would simply reply; "I can count". My best guess is Groce decided he's not just giving out scholarships at this point, he's giving out opportunities to compete for scholarships. There will be plenty of attrition again next year. But this time when the dust clears there should still be a full roster in place. Not like this year, where it feels like we are rebuilding again for a second season.

Will he be playing for Akron during the 2019-2020 season as a Junior?

Now that's a wing span.

This is actually a complete mystery to me...again for a second year. On one hand a number of players got some valuable playing time in the system and then we also let a bunch of players go. So even if the talent level on the roster is improved, these guys are going to need time to gel. Especially with new point guards. I agree the non-conference schedule isn't overly exciting and not built to earn an at-large, but they will have a few opportunities to challenge themselves. And practically speaking, the team can't rebuild every year so hopefully going forward as this team matures the schedule will strengthen right along with them.

Cotton v. Ivey 2.0. Perhaps even worse, right?

I didn't mean to turn this into an Illini conversation, but since it's slow maybe everyone won't mind taking a break from the Lady Zips and their new basketball coach.

In a word, yes. Illinois has been after a number of quality bigs already since Groce and have struck out on every one of them. That was predictable. I know, because I was bouncing off the ceiling predicting it. I realize Jeremiah Tilmon had a very humbling Freshman year for Mizzou and was constantly in foul trouble, but I bet he is still NBA bound. We shall see over these next couple of years if he could have been a program changer for Illinois. In the meantime, I get to watch a waste of 7 foot, with a bad disposition. So true.

In related news... 7 foot PCCC grad transfer Adonis De La Rosa is headed to Illinois. Why God why?! Why must you challenge me like this? He's a Golden Flush and if I am not mistaken he is the punk-ass who was provoking Cotton from the bench. Ugh!!

Yes Let'sGoZips94, I am thinking I would really enjoy attending this one. And it's the Cayman Islands in November. The gears are smoking.

If Tyler sits on the bench for too long he might get moldy.

And if his guy consistently blows bye him on defense, he will be referred to as Swiss Cheese.

Odds are you are right Clark. I am just saying Groce is likely putting in his best effort at this very moment.

I would add that even with the revamped roster that Let'sGoZips has laid out nicely, I bet Groce is still going hard at Neftali Alvarez. We have one roster spot left and the room for one more true point guard. Jackson is undersized and Banks is oversized. Both have a roll to play depending on the opponent, but a spot still exists for that dynamic difference maker. Come on Alvarez!! I would still take a true freshman big to red shirt if it's the right one.

Another south-paw too. Both Roscoe and Cheese are lefties. Lefties balance out the motion and attack on offense. Also, they can be a scouting nightmare for opponents.

I have to be the first to say it because it makes me laugh; Cheese for three!

Tyler Cheese is #52 on this JUCO recruiting site for what ever that's worth. And he's 6'-3". https://www.jucorecruiting.com/2018top100rankings

Yes and no. I was bullish on Parrish right from the start and believe he has a boat-load of potential. So I hate to see him go. However, the timing and nature of this departure tells me Groce is convinced we are better off without him. It might even mean we are close to landing another guard/small forward. What is surprising to me is that Groce is so much quicker at pulling the trigger. So either he has a better understanding of evaluating talent/character, feels the pressure to succeed immediately or both.

Time will tell, but I like what I see in these two commits (granted it's only a few highlights). I'm guessing Banks (PG) as a JC transfer gets to play right away and Roscoe (SG) has to sit out a year, losing a year of eligibility in the process (2 years left)? I think it would be nice to round this class out with a true freshman big we can redshirt. Any word on any other bigs visiting, Abba Laval is still a year away.

We now have an opening at gwalk-on as well.

That's just brutal. So much for build it and they will come. And how much truth is packed into this line? "The NCAA tourney system is rigged against schools such as UTA, and nothing the school did by firing Cross changes anything about its situation."

Good points Zippy5. Let me add to the equation that an assistant coach who was with Groce at Ohio and Illinois, Jamall Walker, is still at Illinois under coach Brad Underwood. Just something to factor in as well.

I'm here guys. Yes, there is a fire sale going on at Illinois right now and it has nothing to do with the talent or character of these players. They either do not fit within the new system or in some cases they do not mesh well with the new coach, Brad Underwood. And Leron Black is looking to go Pro. Would I like to see some of these guys follow Groce to Akron? Absolutely!! But I would be very surprised if it happens because I don't think Groce rolls that way. He completely cut ties with Caris LeVert to the point of hurting his family's feelings because he doesn't want a reputation. The guys Akron would want is 5th year senior, Michael Finke and Sophomore guard, Mark Smith (Mr. Illinois). Finke is a true stretch 4 with size. He's 6'-10". He struggles on defense at times, but boy can he light it up from beyond the arch. He's a great teammate and distributes so well for a big. For one year, while Sayles and E-man are still developing this would be an awesome get. Mark Smith struggled at times as a freshman at Illinois, but the talent is there. He can score on all three levels and a great fit for what Groce runs. Te'Jon Lucas is a pass first, second and third floor general. But a very good floor general. On the good side, he is a tough defender, can run the offense, makes the right pass and finishes well at the rim. His weaknesses which really didn't improve much his Sophomore year is he is not a great shooter and below average from the free-throw line. It is so important for the point guard in Groce's system to be able to bury the NBA three. It forces the opponent out. As much as I do like Te'Jon and think he would be of value, there are guys Groce is recruiting now that would be better for Akron in the long term. I hope this helps.

Consider me fan shamed. LZip, I route for ISU to be relevant more than anything. They just can't get over that damn hump and the university invests so little to encourage student involvement. As much as I think Coach Dan Muller as a former ISU player is a great fit, his style of basketball hasn't excited me. And just when we do get an awesome player or two, they get poached. Minnesota's Reggie Lynch is the latest example. There are some similarities between the ISU and Akron programs, but I truly believe that Akron with Groce is ready to take a big step forward. But you do have me second guessing myself, good job LZip. Check out the list of schools that were once members of the Missouri Valley Conference. It's amazing to me. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Missouri_Valley_Conference ISU was a damn good party school though. At least we had that going for us.