Illini Zip

They are definitely a hand full. I thought it was a just a fast start, but NIU is quick.

If we're both feeling it, then the basketball gods have to come through for Utomi, right?!

I have not made an Akron game yet, but what comes to mind is a local single A baseball team, the Kane County Cougars. Even with 2 major league teams an hour away people find this to be an easier, safer, more comfortable and family friendly option. This is obviously apples to oranges in a number of ways to college basketball, but the Cougars are always setting attendance records. Ticket prices are not cheaper either, between $14 -27, $10 parking, but they do sell beer. https://www.milb.com/kane-county Or the Zips could make it to the final four. That might do it.

Dilly. Dilly.

Utomi's bounce back game? I think so.

Cardiac kids pull it out. It's safe to look up NWAkron.

Utomi is really struggling. Good thing Cheese is stepping up.

Roscoe, you're killing me!!

Thanks for the compliment, but ahhh no. I admitted to being a bit of a homer long ago. I just want to see this offense take flight. Remember Ohio had mostly 2 star and NR recruits. Baltic was a 3 star and Offutt maybe a 4 star. I want to see Akron landing 4 and 5 star recruits to apply to this offense. I have a dream... Edit: Cooper was a 3 star as well.

You guys are all hitting on the right questions. NWAkron points out that stiff defense is our only route to victory, especially on the road. Last game we produced 6 points total from the center position. The rest of the MAC can read box scores too and that just adds more stress on our guards. When the Zips are on the same page defensively they are actually quite good and their Kenpom ranking (#57) bares that out. But they do have mental lapses and it's very frustrating to watch the opponent drive the lane untouched. But not only do I see "Angry Groce" flare up, but LCJ is starting to take over this team and holding teammates accountable. They know what needs to be done, but they are lacking consistency. If we are locking down so tightly on defense then we can not afford to take chances. I love the transition game, but most of it comes from steals from jumping the passing lanes. I am not seeing the guys gambling out there at all which is likely a coaching decision. It is very much like a defense in football ball-hawking when they are up by a comfortable margin. We do need to do a better job blocking out and everyone needs to put their body on their guy, but with this offensive style there is not going to be someone staying home under the rim to rebound. Our center on offense should be all over the court. For example, when Ohio had their run in the Tourney their starting center was 6'-8", Ivo Baltic, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=alFzurcDB0E and you will see a similar skill set in Luka Eller, https://www.hudl.com/video/3/6276902/5aa83507478e590ee078ac4d a recruit who Groce is pursuing as part of his 2020 class. I will now go and give myself 1,000 lashings for linking to anything Ohio related. Please forgive me. Edit: I should add that our approach on defense, both attacking passing lanes and hitting the boards will have a lot to do with the opponent. If we are playing a team that likes to run themselves then you have to choose your battles and it often means prioritizing getting our butts back on defense asap.

Amen.

That was a scary fall by Ivey.

Let's get that first road kill today!!

This Scholarship Grid includes the 2017 - 2018 roster for reference. I had already forgotton all about Virshon Cotton so maybe this will be of value to others as well.

You're welcome guys. It wasn't a completely selfless act. I have been looking for this grid myself ever since I arrived. I am willing to keep it going so if anybody has updates or corrections you are free to private message me.

This should be good enough. A screen shot of all things. Who would have thunk.

New scholarship grid, enjoy. Go Zips!!

Oh, I definitely agree. But I am just saying that Ivey's game has improved so much even since last year when I thought he struggled driving the lane and handling the ball. So kudos to Ivey for putting in the work. ...and kudos to NWAkron.

I remember before any of us had seen the new players, we were guessing what the starting line-up might look like this year. NWAkron thought I was crazy, but I wasn't sure at that time if Ivey was guaranteed a spot in the starting line-up and that maybe LePear Toles could beat him out. But I did say that leadership was needed and if Ivey embraced that role he would be fine. I have to say the growth Ivey has shown from last year to now has been amazing, both as a player and a leader. I am very happy for him.

I have a mystery to solve. Not a big mystery, but still a mystery. Why did Ivey not start against NIU? He was back against Eastern Michigan. Usually if it has something to do with a violation of team rules a player will be forced to sit during tip-off, but would be allowed to start the second half. Ivey didn't start either half against NIU. So that's why I thought maybe Groce was shuffling his roster to maximize leadership/productivity. Say for example, that Sayles, Roscoe and Ivey really click together. Groce did that one year at Illinois with a bunch of young players. Anybody?

That's right. The departure of Cotton feels like ancient history to me already, but really not so long ago in terms of the recruiting calendar.

This is so very true. It doesn't make sense to not have a second point guard so it has me wondering. I watched Mikal Dawson highlights again and there is nothing there that screams point guard to me in terms of running an offense or ball handling. I see a shooting guard. But this 2019 class would be the right time to bring in a back up/alternate point guard. Thoughts?

Is it safe to breath?

I quite agree. I will make that change right away.

Hey 1981 Grad, good to hear from you. There is plenty for us to agree upon even if we end up with two different opinions. I totally agree with limiting minutes. Somewhere in the high twenties to low thirties seems to be the sweet spot for starters. The star player often plays in the mid to high thirties. But you can totally wear down your team going through the grind of conference play if you are not careful. Often coaches will go with light walk-through practices towards the end of the year. I personally would prefer Groce have a large active roster, especially if we get to the point where the Zips open up a running style. The common debate is when you get past a 9 player rotation will you start to lose team chemistry. Anyway, I think it's easy for us to forget about the insane recovery time of these kids. In 2017 the Michigan wolverines had their plane slide off the run way. The next day they got up at 6:00 in the morning, flew from Detroit to Washington D.C. for a noon tip off and in their practice uniforms beat Illinois. They went on to win the Big Ten Tourney (4 games in 4 days). So my opinion is that the Zips had plenty in the tank and in their legs on Saturday. Now as to the refs. I really hate talking about the refs. I am not one to play that card often. But on the same note, there are good refs and bad refs and they do effect games. And in my opinion the other night the Zips had to battle a team that was hitting on all cylinders in the second half while trying to figure out what the hell was a foul and what was incidental contact, etc. In the end, it's the Zips job to figure it out and overcome the refs calls no matter what. They ended up losing their composure and the game in glorious fashion. Hopefully, they will soon have the mental toughness and the horses necessary to overcome such a challenge. But I don't have a problem at all throwing lousy refs under the bus as part of my analysis.