clarkwgriswold

Pittsburgh media piece pushing Dru Jr. as KD's successor - https://pittsburghsportsnow.com/2024/03/24/weiss-joyce-is-duquesnes-only-choice/

So, according to the rumor, they're losing their best player to a 14-18 Horizon League team? I can't imagine there's more NIL money at YSU. it must be the Jackson connection at play. It's a damn shame, she was a great representative of the university. It certainly doesn't look good for the program if that's where she's headed.

That's now referred to as "pulling an Ali."

Dambrot Court at Kaulig Arena. I like the sound of it. It'll happen right after they join the Big 10.

I think we should name the new arena after him. 😁

Creighton cold so far tonight. Sigh.

Izzo just made it on my list the last couple of days. Self is a charter member.

He's on my list too. Arrogant Hair Club for Men member arrogant cheater.

Cal's one of the greatest recruiters in the game. Unfortunately, he is not one of the great retainers in the game and as a result he ends up every year with a bunch of 18 and 19 year olds that don't have the experience or moxie to rely on under the pressure of the tournament. I trust that's the emphasis in his recruiting- getting kids quickly to "the show", but that also comes back to bite him in the rump. Couldn't happen to a better guy (cheater). Self, Calipari, Pearl and Izzo all go down within 24 hours. That's a good day in my book!

Izzo forgets his time at Northern Michigan. He's been in the ivory towers so damn long that he forgets the other aspects of college basketball. He thinks the mid-majors are just fine when he uses them in the early season. Maybe those mid-majors like James Madison and Oakland should tell him to go pee up a rope the next time he tries to round out his OOC schedule.

I really thought PCCC could have a leg up next year with Sullinger, Davis and Hornbeak. Lots of rebuilding in the MAC last year. Now I am thinking OU has a possible leg up, but it's early.

Yep, I never saw kids with their hands on their knees or otherwise struggling, so I don't think it was conditioning. I think it had to do with an inconsistent offense and a lack of killer instinct. The large number of quality players and portal entries from the MAC has me more encouraged for next year.

Amen Captain. You not only have to recruit a kid to get him there but then you essentially have to re-recruit him every year to keep him. It's a mess.

They had some losses I didn't like or expect and didn't win the regular season MAC title as I expected, but the final result was what I expected- winning the MAC tournament and going to the NCAA tournament where they would likely be a low seed underdog and lose.

Nice work. I was hoping for someone to do this.

That Creighton performance certainly took away the argument that his successes were a result of the level of competition.

Two kids I'd like to find a clone for on the portal are Tyler Cheese and Xeryius Williams. Cheese could play the point or off guard, facilitate or go get a bucket. X could play inside and work as a backup 5 and go out on the floor and hit the outside shot. That kind of flexibility goes a long way.

Whoever Groce brings in, I will be confident that they are good kids. As pointed out in the Pluto article today (which has since been paywalled, grrrrrrrr), a player at Akron has to be unselfish and not have their own agenda. That's what made this team so special, they were not only talented but seemed to just be good kids. We all like to look at kids who can score or jump out of the gym but I want no piece of them if they're going to come in here and not put the team first. PCCC can have the Reggie Basses of the portal who change teams like underwear and are more concerned with their stats than the team. For the Zips, I'll take the Greg Tribbles of the basketball world that will put their body on the line for their teammates.

Scott Van Pelt had KD on SportsCenter last night.

Lots of MAC talent in the portal, but if I was Groce I'd be contacting the Swedish Embassy and imploring them to help bring Konan Niederhauser from Northern Illinois to Akron!

I'm exhausted, but some quick points: I'd be surprised if Lyles is back. I think Tavari is 50/50. Groce will bring in some help. They're already probing the portal. Also, that help will be in the form of unselfish kids who can be good teammates and play Groce ball, not merely kids with nice stats. At Akron, it's about fit, not strictly numbers. Shammah was very good in the last 3 weeks. I don't at all consider him a waste and Groce clearly doesn't either with the way he used him in the last month.

Tom Izzo too, and the horse he rode in on.

Proud of our Zips. Thanks for the ride.

Davis can't be far behind. I figured with guys like Sullinger and Davis they were off to a good start for next year but the exodus has started.

Sullinger, Bass and Hayes. Bass went to 4 high schools and is now on his way to his 3rd college in 3 years. That's the kind of guy you want on a team. I thought PCCC had a lock on Sullinger with his uncle on the staff.