Zippy87

My dream scenario is adding one big and two guards, all immediate-impact. I'll be really disappointed if any of these go to a HS player...this team has pieces to win now in what I think may be a down year for the conference overall - go all in and go for it. Hunter/Lyles/Mosengo (or Baker) Dawson/Johnson/Prather Jr. Freeman/Transfer Transfer/Tribble Transfer/Johnson If you hit on the transfers (big "if") that's a potentially really good squad.

It's fun to look back. We've had some fantastic players in Blue and Gold over the years.

Wikipedia has this: 1. Fred Golding - 1,360 2. Don Williams - 1,218 3. Ray Pryear - 1,213 4. Bill Turner - 1,171 5. Len Paul - 1,021 6. Frank Thompson - 996 7. Enrique Freeman - 952 8. Alex Adams - 872 9. Harvey Glover - 801 10. Romeo Travis - 783 So Freeman is not the all-time leader overall but all-time leader in the D1 Era. He had 370 rebounds this past season, so he has a shot at the all-time mark with a big senior year.

Yeah that doesn't look right. Can't find an online media guide either.

It only goes back to 1989 though I think https://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/schools/akron/men/leaders-and-records-career.html

Thinking back recently to some of our past teams/players and I'm curious to hear thoughts on this. Who is your all-time Zips starting five? To keep it simple, I'm only looking at Division 1 Era. Here's mine: F-Enrique Freeman Already an all-time leading rebounder and 8th all-time in blocks, he will rise into the top 10 all-time leading scoring list next season as well. He has the highest PER of any Zip over the past 20 years. F-Romeo Travis Total package. Most win shares of any Zip over the past 20 years. Bonus points for being one of a couple players who really helped elevate Akron's program near the beginning of the KD Era. C-Zeke Marshall Didn't develop the offensive game of other great Zips bigs, but the rim protection he provided was something special. #1 all-time in blocks at Akron and #31 among all collegiate players since 1985. I'll never forget his block against Kent in OT in Cleveland. G-Joe Jakubick I never had the pleasure of watching him play, but the stats don't lie here - dude was a walking bucket. Two-time OVC POY. From 1980-2023, only 6 D1 players have averaged more points per game in a season than Joe did in 1983-84 (30.1 ppg). G-Loren Cristian Jackson Ball, Dru, XC, McNees, Dials, Abreu...we've had some really good point guards. I'll go with one of the best scorers in school history (especially knowing the defense I have behind him).

Two schollys open so far. With several MAC rivals losing key players to graduation or the portal, this is a huge opportunity for the Zips. A scoring guard who can create his own shot and be a playmaker for others is a must. A big who can rebound and block/change shots would be #2 on my wishlist. If you can't find that, get me another wing who can shoot. Both players have to be immediate impact...no HS players.

The player may have had genuine concerns about fit, development, opportunity. If coach was that quick to assume he wanted him to beg and just dismissed him, Coach is going to struggle with the new reality of college athletics. Re-recruiting your best players is vital now. Some may not like it, but it is what it is. Either adapt or become a dinosaur IMO.

I mean, it's true that they're not always looking at immediate impact players when recruiting HS players. Many true freshman players aren't ready physically and/or skills-wise to make an immediate impact and that's ok. You still take shots on those guys in certain spots. I just thought, given who we had lost and given how young we already were, that a transfer would've been better than Mosengo. It is what it is - you're not going to hit on every recruiting decision.

I was surprised at the time by Mosengo given Ali and Aziz were leaving and felt it would've been better to target a player with more immediate impact. Mosengo not making an impact at all in 2022-23 and now moving on means it was a miss for Groce.

I'm not down on him, it's more: A) I don't think it's realistic to expect him to go from not seeing the floor in big games to starter. If we bring in a transfer PG and Clarke also stays, it seems likely one of Tavari/Garvin wouldn't play much. Personally, I'd rather bet on the upside of Tavari and let Garvin go find a better fit.

I'd be stunned if Kobe Mitchell is back. He seemed to get a shot to play in the first half of the year then fell out of the rotation. I also think either Garvin or Tavari leave. Neither did enough to be a starting guard next season and only one will play as backup. That would open two scholarships - one for a starting guard, the other (IMO) for another big.

I looked back to see what Groce said about Ryan Prather Jr when he signed, and he sure does sound like what we need next year: "Ryan is an extremely talented versatile guard with great size, length and toughness," Groce said. "He is an elite shooter that can create opportunities for himself and his teammates with his playmaking skills. Ryan is also a high-level defender that plays with motor and physicality."

To me, the great unknown for 23-24 is what the young players on the roster can produce. The Zips only played 7 guys most big games and we're losing 2 of them, so while we need to add some instant impact with the portal, we also need some internal options to produce. I think/hope Nate Johnson can be a productive rotation player, possibly more. The game sped up on him at times but he also showed flashes of being a really good player. Amani Lyles should be fine as a rotation big with upside. I think it's fair to say both Johnson/Lyles will at least be playable next season. Is Garvin Clarke a D1 guard? Is Kobe Mitchell good enough to play? Is Ryan Prather Jr capable of stepping in and providing outside shooting help we so desperately need? Do the coaches believe in Tavari? Can Mosengo help Freeman down low? Will Baker contribute right away?

That may be correct. It looks like he'd have to apply for a waiver?

I have no idea on his academic status, but he's been in college four years. Could he be a potential grad transfer?

This is exactly why I wouldn't be surprised if he gets looks. Not saying 1st Round, but as a bench role player? I can see.

Better vs a potential fit in the NBA is very different IMO. I think with a strong senior year Freeman could absolutely get looks as an energy bench big.

Freeman, Hunter, Tribble locked in. Guessing we should hear soon on at least 1 or 2 leaving. Need to be aggressive in the transfer portal.

We have nothing but time until we get actual news

Not saying this is happening/will happen, but would you welcome Ali back?

I think he'd be fine at a P5 school, but he wouldn't be a focal point of an offense like he is here. I think a strong senior season here plus continued improvements could lead him to get some legitimate looks from NBA scouts.

I don't think Barstool is typically a great source, but he does have a NIL deal with them so I'd guess there's at least some relationship there.

Is there a link where you can see every player in the portal?