Illini Zip

For the 8 years I have been following the Zips the Rockets have been an offensive juggernaut. This year not so much, so they went all “Kent State” with their physicality. So kudos to them for having good teams, but the coach is a complete tool.

Stop me if you have heard this one, but I really do hate Toledo.

Nate with 31 points.

We beat Toledo twice this year in basketball and now once in rugby. I love our fight and strong finish. Go Zips!!

Tavari just took a huge step up in my mind.

CBS is as clueless as the refs. That was an intentional takedown of Okonkwo. Good on Tavari. Edit: The refs got it mostly right in the end, but they lost control of this game. CBS announcers are still clueless.

Not a lot of Marvin today and Amani with only 2 shot attempts. 4 attempts for Okonkwo. The game plan was all about the guards in this one.

You would never think BG’s Johnson was a D1 basketball player, but the big guy has a nice stroke.

That sure lit up Groce. You guys weren’t kidding.

Come on Reghi, he said we lost our only conference game to Toledo. 🤦‍♂️

At least Western Michigan made them work for it.

Come on overtime!!

I wonder if Amani Lyles was at all close to getting a mention.

I could see Scott getting the 6th man. Groce, coach of the year and Young, freshman of the year. Besides that maybe “teamism” for player of the year. Nothing is as obvious as Freeman last year.

I just want to add an item to your list, recruiting. Funding for travel certainly applies to this, but I think it’s worth being more specific. Most people don’t realize the time and expense that goes into it. I don’t know how Groce goes about recruiting at Akron, but at Illinois he was flying a private jet all over the country during his so called “down time”. Even with the help of staff and the Fear The Roo Collective to narrow down good prospects, there is no substitute for face time with a player. Especially on their important nights such as state championships. This one on one interaction is an area Groce absolutely excels so the more he can be in the room, the better.

Perkins ended up with a career high 35 points. https://pressprosmagazine.com/2025/03/08/perkins-lights-it-up-as-westerville-north-wins-first-regional-title-since-1996/

I know it’s been mentioned already, but kudos to Groce & Co. for green lighting the Evan Wilson start. Very nice.

Also, I think Okonkwo is handling the ball a little bit more on the move up top.

I ain’t say’n nothing, but I’m smiling. And so is Bud Wentz for that matter.

And Harris without a sling.

What do you say we end the season on a high note. 40 minutes please!! I know they can do it.

This is Senior Day for Evan, Seth and Isaiah. What is everyone’s thoughts on these guys and their contributions?

Not sure I like this shirt idea. Maybe it’s just poor timing. “After dominating the first half in Toledo we squandered a 21 point lead before getting the win…Nothing Easy, Akron.”

Maybe we’ll recruit the brother also.

Very good point, neither have I. The fact remains, good point guards insist on playing somewhere right away. I can see him playing 2-5 minutes (or until his first mistake) in what we used to call the second quarter of every game. Maybe if we have a blow out, injury or someone’s in the dog house he might get additional minutes. It would just be developmental his first year.