1981 grad

Tavari is a great player and I love him as a Zip. He got better every year. However, we need a bigger and stronger guard who can play tough defense if we are ever to get that elusive first win in the NCAA tourney. He had a terrible NCAA tourney game playing against higher level competition. I hope Groce can sign him.

Kwan was a great player for Akron but I do not remember him having a great tourney run in Cleveland. I did not check the stats but that is my recollection, I apologize if my memory has failed me.

My kids play NBA 2k and tell me that Freeman is on the roster and they can use him as a player so it makes sense he would get a check.

I thought I had already voted but I did vote again just to make sure.

Great Poll!!! I am going with Shammah Scott for three because it was the most recent and symobolizes a player who just hit some great buzzer beaters the entire season. He had several amazing shots at the end of the half during the season and if I had to rank them for difficulty they would be a 10. Each year we ask outselves who should get the ball with the game on the line. Last year we had the answer, Shammah Scott.

The offensive numbers were not great but I wonder how he graded out defensively. When I watched the games I thought he played great defense, was very strong on the offensive glass, and on occassion could play bully ball and get to the hoop using his size and strength against other forwards. He has to improve his 3 point shooting and his foul shooting has been better in the past. Will be interesting to see how he does during the preseason. Right now he is listed as number three on the depth chart as a forward. If he has a great preseason he could be competing for a roster spot and not just a 2 way contract.

I watched some of the Freeman's game today when the World Cup was not on and Freeman looked good scoring 14 points and 11 rebounds including 6 offensive rebounds. At the end of the game he was a beast on the offensive boards givning Minn multiple offensive possessions.

I just read the NCAA rules and it indicates that students who have completed their eligibility under the old rules do not get the 5 for 5. Somebody posted that Tavari should come back. I am confused but glad to see Evan back. https://www.ncaa.org/eligibility-center/division-i-age-based-eligibility-rules/

I did not see Monday's game but Freeman was a -29 and there is no way you can spin that in a good way. He did lead the team with 7 rebounds. He also had 4 assists and only one turnover. I watched the first 2 games and Freeman is usually in the corner as a wing and just does not have a lot of offensive moves to the basket. He sets ball screens and cuts to the basket but most times comes up empty handed even if he is open. Sometimes he pops up behind the 3 line but has not been htting the 3 ball. His defense has been good along with his rebounding. Very active on the offensive glass. The Timberwolves gave his a 2 way so they are invested in him this season. He also got cut Friday diving for a ball so that certainly indicates his toughness. It is way too early to judge him based on summer league play.

Maybe if Evan come back Eric can always change his mind and play one more year with big brother. Blood is thicker than money.

Thanks for the explanation. I would love to see him play one more year. One of my favorite Zips from last year. Always played hard and one of the more physical players for the Zips. I guess he gets a double second senior night. (LOL)

I thought he was a senior. How is he back?

Lyles made the hightlight reel with a nice spin move and dunk in the paint. https://www.nba.com/game/det-vs-phi-1522600003?watchRecap=true

Went to watch Freeman and the 76ers were playing in summer league and next thing I hear is Amani Lyles for 2 on a nice spiin move. He looks good in a sixer uniform.

Great picture. I have a recollection of Sammy having an amazing game at the JAR and then we learned post game that his parents were in attendance. I think the chatter on the board was that we wanted to take up a collection to get his parents to more games. (LOL).

Freeman starts his quest for a full time job with the NBA in the summer league. Here is the link to the Timberwolves schedule with all the games being telecast https://www.nba.com/timberwolves/schedule

The Summer league starts in about a week. The best thing that could happen if Freeman stands out on the roster showing that he can hit the 3 ball, score and rebound. He has always been a good defender but needs to jump start his offense from all over the floor. I agree this is a make or break year for him in the NBA.

Every year it is always going to be a new picture with different players. I already miss the bygone years when players entered as frosh and we observed players improve each year. And some players did not improve and transferred out. Players coming to Akron for one year was the exception and not the rule.

Thanks, I thought that was a done deal. His failure to sign now makes sense. It is weird in that before the college money, players could not wait to make money and left college early. Now they want to stay in college to make more money than they ever could as a pro.

Did Hardman sign with another team?

I am really disappointed that we lost both of these guys. It reminds me when KD left the program we lost another West Virginia guard Tavian Dunn Martin and a center, Michael Hughs and Groce had almost a rebuild in year one and we had a losing season. (Jimond Ivey stayed and had a fantastic career at Akron) Sharron did not have a great 2nd season but he came on at the end with a fantastic game at Kent and played well in Cleveland. Eric has a lot of potential but I think for his development it would have been better for him to stay one year as a starter and put up the great stats and have payoff in year 3. I will be curious if he gets to be a starter in Cinn or just a role player. I also wonder if therse guys would have stayed but for the coaching change.

I know many on this board blame the Timberwolves. I do not. I watched several of his games and he is a good g League player but did not stand out. He plays the wing and was just not the impact player like he was at Akron. He needs to improve his 3 point shot, develop moves to the basket, and also get stronger to compete at the NBA level. His last few games where he was averaging a double double show that he was improving. It will be interesting if he gets another 2 way.

Minnesota is locked into the 6th playoff position so I would think that they would rest some of the started and maybe Freeman would get some court time.

Watching Freeman play on prime and he is really playing well. Last 4 games averaging over 20 points and already has 19 points tonight in 3rd quarter with double double.

Thanks, I am sure we will learn more as this plays out. I was on a flight wearing a Zips hat right after Cleveland and I spoke to a guy who saw my hat and he indicated that he was friends with Groce and helped with the recruiting of Oggie. I now wish I had gotten that guys number. He was very nice and we talked Zips basketball and he had the highest admiration for Groce.