Let'sGoZips94

I want a replacement for Ali Ali, and I think we'll find one, but I'm not sure we need one. We are going from a guard-light team, that allowed Ali Ali to take 477 shots last year, to a guard-heavy team that has 4 new guards (good size, too) to consume 477 shots. Those 477 shots were second on the team (X took more) and only led to less than 14 ppg. Can those 4 guards slot in and average more than 14 ppg in total with 477 shots? A modest 6 ppg per player (around Tribble/Dawson production) would equal 10 more ppg. That would be 78 ppg (subtracting Aziz's ppg), with zero increase in production from the returning guys. Moneyball.

I thought I saw Freeman on an ad.

The main thing that matters is looking at how Ali's decision impacts the Akron basketball program. I truly believe it'll be a net positive based on fit, and I wish Ali success at Butler.

Northern Illinois ➡️ Balls ➡️ Toledo Only took him several years, but he finally went from worst to first in the MAC West. Oh wait, there aren't divisions anymore in basketball... Side note: the MAC should hire him post-graduation. This kid clearly loves the conference.

This one has me excited. Watched a few highlights, and he seems to be quite athletic/coordinated. Looks like the perfect compliment to Freeman, and interchangeable with Freeman where the offense doesn't change when one or the other isn't on the floor. His offer list shows he has promise. Up to Groce & Co. to tap into that potential and develop him. I'm stoked.

Are we at a safe point of not losing anyone else at this point?

Top scorer in the nation, Goose from Top Gun - I mean Doug Edert, and a brawl in the stands last season. They're going to have to call it the House that Tim O'Shea Built.

My thoughts exactly. Well said.

Groce learned under Thad Matta, now Thad Matta is poaching a Groce player. Full circle? Probably the best possible move for Ali aside from staying is going to play for someone that is probably very similar to Groce or at least has an open line of communication with Groce to understand Ali's game.

Guys who produced 17+ PPG previously aren't going to be heading to a mid major. However, guys who can produce 17+ PPG but were not given the chance due to system fit or lack of playing time, they would presumably be willing to come here. That guy is definitely one of the 1000+ transfers still available. Again, for as nice of a player Ali Ali was, he was only the leading scorer by .3 ppg on this team. He produced 2nd or 3rd man numbers. We desperately need that #1.

Whatever description they slot into, we need 17+ ppg. We need that guy that can take over a game consistently.

Somewhere in there is a 17+ PPG player that we desperately need.

Amazing what happens when you hire a P5 staff - you get P5 players.

Are we tracking potential transfers here, too?

When's the last time there was this much excitement surrounding the Spring Game?

One Shining Moment has a snippet of Aziz guarding a UCLA player. That's it. What a joke. Bring back this... https://youtu.be/6aPFlZF765M

1) My first thought was the +/- 5 spots was a bit misleading. When I looked at the conference standings, that thought was instantly corrected. There are some very clear conference tiers in college basketball. 2) The Transfer Portal is a mess right now for 2 reasons. - It's the new shiny toy that kids have to have/try. - The extra year of eligibility due to COVID really created a log jam in college athletics. These things will iron themselves out. Those stats are pretty telling of likely outcome for most players. Very curious to see what patterns continue to be created.

Is there any way to track the TP like high school/JUCO recruits (247)?

His yards after contact had to be huge.

Sellers also back to Balls.

That second sound you hear is their realization that Boals is staying with a bare cupboard.

Does she return like Sparks if Ali goes there?

Just a thought... Does Ali Ali end up at Balls? Doesn't his girlfriend play for the Lady Balls? UCLA assistant is there now, after Cronin talked up Ali Ali. Close to home. Sparks is a nice supporting cast piece.

I read somewhere that Boals' buyout is $100k cheaper after this week(?), which would explain why this move wasn't made prior.