Let'sGoZips94

Correct, it wasn't just Hardman, but we saw first-hand why his metrics from @kreed5120's site were so unfavorable. Nate wouldn't have required a double team. He wasn't overly athletic, quick, or threatening from deep. Okonkwo maybe down low but I think that's a stretch, too, considering he only averaged 2.9 ppg as a fully developed 5th or 6th year "senior" at Utah. Young will be missed for his energy, not his height, and we're seeing the future for Akron guards - taller. Tavari and Young got completely covered up by longer TTU players. We have now gone from 2 sub-6ft guards to 6'1" being our shortest (expected) key ball handler (Perkins at 6ft-even would technically be shorter but I'm not expecting a redshirt freshman to be relied on heavily, especially with Tahj/Wilson/Head on the roster). Eric is good and has a ridiculously high ceiling but he isn't the answer at this stage in his career. His game is still raw and his decision making is questionable at times. Not so sure Ty Pence will be much of a downgrade, if any at all. Athletically I'm sure there will be a little bit of a difference, but experience/decision making/etc. should all be upgraded with Pence given his experience. White is also a similar type player but with more physicality.

He couldn't create his own shot which is what we saw vs. Texas Tech. He was completely bottled up.

Bingo. Not to mention closing out is a low harder with small guards vs. larger wings (pun not intended). Miami OH's athleticism was a fraction of Akron's, but they're 3P defense was far superior because the close out was more effective with 6'5"+ players all over the court. Akron wasn't built to play lockdown defense last year; they'll be built for it this year, that's for darn sure.

Henderson is a 2G White is a 3/4 Pence is a 3/2 Halligan is a 3 MMK is a 4/3 White and Pence will be the focal points of the group. Henderson might be a focal point - hard to say without seeing him in action (so many good things have been said about him) and Halligan/MMK are supporting depth pieces. If we're relying on Halligan & MMK to take huge leaps and become dependable, we're in trouble. With the way it's setup, they're not in that position. This roster is pretty well stacked.

Based on the personnel so far, I think Akron can play a multitude of styles and be successful. The concrete issue with last year's team was its true peak was a certain style and Groce didn't fully want to commit to that. This squad looks like it can beat you with finesse, physicality, speed, possession, etc.

This is Pence's last year of eligibility I believe.

Kent also added a 5'11" guard from ETSU

He also came off the bench a chunk of the time on a team that made it to the NIT Final Four. He's going to get more PT here, which will likely make him a 12 ppg, 6 rpg type player. That's All Conference in the MAC.

God bless Luke Getsy. Getsy pumps... he throws to Hixon and it is... CAUGHT! FOR A TOUCHDOWN! - Mike Tirico with Herbstreit by his side and Erin Andrews in her prime on the sideline.

Unlikeable coach, losing program, lost the Wagon Wheel to an interim/1st year HC... shouldn't be a surprise.

Would imagine only 1 spot remains. We're at 13. The next would be 14, and I would bet Akron goes Walk On for the 15th spot (go find the next Freeman/Evan Wilson/Halligan). Pence & White slot into more of a Wing role on this roster, giving us some really nice depth and balance. Look at the height! Barre 6'10" Burton 6'10" Christion 6'9" MMK 6'6" White 6'6" Pence 6'6" Halligan 6'5" Henderson 6'5" Jones 6'5" Head 6'3" Staveskie 6'1" Wilson 6'1" Perkins 6'0" Couple different directions we might go with the final spot... - We're missing a proven sniper. There's a chance Henderson, Jones, Perkins, Wilson, or Head prove to be that, but at the moment we don't have a proven ~40% 3P shooter. - Another front court piece would be nice. There's a gap between the 6'6" group and the PFs. A 6'7"-6'8" stretch 3/4 would be incredible. - In a perfect world, we get a stretch 3/4 at the aforementioned height that is also a sniper from deep, although that type of player is like Elmer and already committed to Wisconsin.

Such a big get. 6'6" G that had 23 vs. Wake Forest in the NIT, 13 vs. Auburn in the NIT Final Four, etc. Comes from a winning program. LOVE this signing.

Reach out privately and ask if they'll honor the match to make your donation go even further.

There's real momentum behind Ford/the program.

"Big" doesn't just mean post players anymore, either. The average height of the Sweet Sixteen has increased every year for the past X amount of years. Wemby isn't on every team, which means the average height is increasing because winning teams have taller guards & wings.