UAZip0510 Posted January 23, 2011 Report Share Posted January 23, 2011 I'm still confident the Zips can win the MAC this year, but I don't see them as being good enough to win an NCAA Tournament game or beat a big program. There's a lot of talent on next year's roster, which leads to two questions: 1) What will Akron's rotation look like? 2) Will next year be the year? Cvetinovic (unsure) Marshall Treadwell McLanahan Abreu Diggs Egner Euton Gilliam Green Harney Ibitayo Justice Treadwell Walsh Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quickzips Posted January 23, 2011 Report Share Posted January 23, 2011 I don't know about next year. Potentially a TON of new bodies in the rotation again for next season when you get right down to it. I think Zeke's senior year is going to be the best shot the Zips will have at making a deep run. It could happen next year, but we are going to need some big contributions from guys that we haven't yet seen, and that isn't something you can really count on. As far as the rotation, I think you can pencil in Abreu, McClanahan, Diggs, Cvetinovic (if he returns) and Zeke for significant minutes. I suspect you will also see quite a few minutes from the two transfers, Walsh and Gilliam. Assuming a 9 man rotation that leaves 2-3 spots in the rotation. The real question (particularly if Nikola is "busy" in Serbia) is going to be what happens with the PF minutes. We could potentially have nobody returning who has seen significant minutes, but four bodies ready to step in there with Egner, Euton and then Treadwell and Harney if they are qualified. I'm also hoping that we will see some of Deji Ibitayo next season as a 6'3" athletic SG who has a defensive mindset is high on the list of the Zips priorities. If I had to take my best guess today, I would look for a lineup like this (presuming no Nikola): Starters: PG-Abreu-Clearly the incumbent at PG. SG-McClanahan-With the addition of Gilliam, Walsh, Harney and others who can play SF I think Brett will move back to the 2 guard spot. SF-Gilliam-Bigger, more athletic and more of a natural SF than McClanahan. PF-Treadwell-Big-time scorer and a top athlete who should match up better with the new breed of PF's in the MAC. C-Marshall-Duh. Rotation Players: Walsh (PG/SG)-Rumor has it that Walsh is going to see the backup PG minutes next year Ibitayo (SG)-See above, Zips need some athletic ability and defensive toughness in the backcourt Diggs (SF/PF)-Should fit better with a team like this that will be built more to run. Euton (PF/C)-KD loves his big guys who can step out and hit the 3. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yazan07 Posted January 24, 2011 Report Share Posted January 24, 2011 I'm still confident the Zips can win the MAC this year, but I don't see them as being good enough to win an NCAA Tournament game or beat a big program. There's a lot of talent on next year's roster, which leads to two questions: 1) What will Akron's rotation look like? 2) Will next year be the year? Cvetinovic (unsure) Marshall Treadwell McLanahan Abreu Diggs Egner Euton Gilliam Green Harney Ibitayo Justice Walsh Are we going to have too many players next year? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quickzips Posted January 24, 2011 Report Share Posted January 24, 2011 I'm still confident the Zips can win the MAC this year, but I don't see them as being good enough to win an NCAA Tournament game or beat a big program. There's a lot of talent on next year's roster, which leads to two questions: 1) What will Akron's rotation look like? 2) Will next year be the year? Cvetinovic (unsure) Marshall Treadwell McLanahan Abreu Diggs Egner Euton Gilliam Green Harney Ibitayo Justice Walsh Are we going to have too many players next year? If Nik stays with the program and the two non-qualifiers both are eligible we will have one too many players to give scholarships to (barring any unforeseen transfers). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ZachTheZip Posted January 24, 2011 Report Share Posted January 24, 2011 I'm still confident the Zips can win the MAC this year, but I don't see them as being good enough to win an NCAA Tournament game or beat a big program. There's a lot of talent on next year's roster, which leads to two questions: 1) What will Akron's rotation look like? 2) Will next year be the year? Cvetinovic (unsure) Marshall Treadwell McLanahan Abreu Diggs Egner Euton Gilliam Green Harney Ibitayo Justice Walsh Are we going to have too many players next year? If Nik stays with the program and the two non-qualifiers both are eligible we will have one too many players to give scholarships to (barring any unforeseen transfers). I just don't think Nik stays. He really doesn't have any reason to come back for his senior year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Captain Kangaroo Posted January 24, 2011 Report Share Posted January 24, 2011 I just don't think Nik stays. He really doesn't have any reason to come back for his senior year. He's only 72 away from overtaking Jawanza Moore on UA's all-time "Missed Lay Ups" list. If he stays in school, he's got the record all to himself by early December 2011. I can't see him walking away from that opportunity. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave in Green Posted January 24, 2011 Report Share Posted January 24, 2011 Walsh and Gilliam already have DI experience, and should be the backcourt replacements for McNees and Roberts. Add them to the returning Rico, Nitro and Q, and you have a pretty full guard rotation, with several of them also capable of minutes at small forward. Unless one or more of these five stumble, I could see possible redshirts for Ibitayo and Justice. The frontcourt replacement situation for McKnight, Bardo and possibly the Serb is a little more complex, with five forwards in the mix to take their PT. Egner and Euton will have at least a little more experience than Green, Harney and Treadwell. But Harney and Treadwell may well be stronger, more athletic players with more upside in scoring and rebounding. It seems unlikely that either of those two would redshirt if they are really as talented as advertised. Will be interesting to see how the less settled frontcourt situation works out, and if there are any surprises in the apparently more predictable backcourt. It's always possible that at least one of the young forwards may decide they don't have a viable playing future with the Zips and end up transferring. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Captain Kangaroo Posted January 24, 2011 Report Share Posted January 24, 2011 I'm as intrigued as anyone about Harney and Treadwell...but both have 1 yr of HS basketball under their belts. And both will be coming off a 1yr layoff. I don't foresee 2011-12 being "The Year." At least without Egner and Euton having monster summers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ZachTheZip Posted January 24, 2011 Report Share Posted January 24, 2011 I'm hesitant to count either Treadwell or Harney as immediate contributors. They may have talent that belongs on a top-10 team but when they come in they will have spent a year without participating in an organized practice and won't know the system like the transfers would, who have actually been on the team. They also appear to be getting some egos from the "savior"-like talk surrounding them. A greyshirt is a risky proposition by nature and relying on one, let alone two, to come in and immediately take your team to the next level is not something I would recommend. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Captain Kangaroo Posted January 24, 2011 Report Share Posted January 24, 2011 I'm hesitant to count either Treadwell or Harney as immediate contributors. They may have talent that belongs on a top-10 team but when they come in they will have spent a year without participating in an organized practice and won't know the system like the transfers would, who have actually been on the team. They also appear to be getting some egos from the "savior"-like talk surrounding them. A greyshirt is a risky proposition by nature and relying on one, let alone two, to come in and immediately take your team to the next level is not something I would recommend. For the last time, they are not Greyshirts. They are non-qualifiers (old Prop 48). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ZachTheZip Posted January 24, 2011 Report Share Posted January 24, 2011 I'm hesitant to count either Treadwell or Harney as immediate contributors. They may have talent that belongs on a top-10 team but when they come in they will have spent a year without participating in an organized practice and won't know the system like the transfers would, who have actually been on the team. They also appear to be getting some egos from the "savior"-like talk surrounding them. A greyshirt is a risky proposition by nature and relying on one, let alone two, to come in and immediately take your team to the next level is not something I would recommend. For the last time, they are not Greyshirts. They are non-qualifiers (old Prop 48). Sorry. I've been stuck in the habit of using "greyhirt" as a catch-all term for players who sit out a year and aren't on scholarship. Anybody else hoping that this upcoming run through the MAC West has a lot of blowout wins where we can finally get the new guys the kind of playing time they need? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UAZip0510 Posted January 25, 2011 Author Report Share Posted January 25, 2011 I'm hesitant to count either Treadwell or Harney as immediate contributors. They may have talent that belongs on a top-10 team but when they come in they will have spent a year without participating in an organized practice and won't know the system like the transfers would, who have actually been on the team. They also appear to be getting some egos from the "savior"-like talk surrounding them. A greyshirt is a risky proposition by nature and relying on one, let alone two, to come in and immediately take your team to the next level is not something I would recommend. Where'd this come from? I haven't heard anything like that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ZachTheZip Posted January 25, 2011 Report Share Posted January 25, 2011 I'm hesitant to count either Treadwell or Harney as immediate contributors. They may have talent that belongs on a top-10 team but when they come in they will have spent a year without participating in an organized practice and won't know the system like the transfers would, who have actually been on the team. They also appear to be getting some egos from the "savior"-like talk surrounding them. A greyshirt is a risky proposition by nature and relying on one, let alone two, to come in and immediately take your team to the next level is not something I would recommend. Where'd this come from? I haven't heard anything like that. Their interactions with myself and others. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnnyzip84 Posted January 25, 2011 Report Share Posted January 25, 2011 I'm hesitant to count either Treadwell or Harney as immediate contributors. They may have talent that belongs on a top-10 team but when they come in they will have spent a year without participating in an organized practice and won't know the system like the transfers would, who have actually been on the team. They also appear to be getting some egos from the "savior"-like talk surrounding them. A greyshirt is a risky proposition by nature and relying on one, let alone two, to come in and immediately take your team to the next level is not something I would recommend. Where'd this come from? I haven't heard anything like that. Their interactions with myself and others. If you think it’s bad now, just IMAGINE how rough it would be if you were still uakronkid Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zipmeister Posted January 25, 2011 Report Share Posted January 25, 2011 I'm hesitant to count either Treadwell or Harney as immediate contributors. They may have talent that belongs on a top-10 team but when they come in they will have spent a year without participating in an organized practice and won't know the system like the transfers would, who have actually been on the team. They also appear to be getting some egos from the "savior"-like talk surrounding them. A greyshirt is a risky proposition by nature and relying on one, let alone two, to come in and immediately take your team to the next level is not something I would recommend. Where'd this come from? I haven't heard anything like that. Their interactions with myself and others. If you think it’s bad now, just IMAGINE how rough it would be if you were still uakronkid You can make a big difference in this regard Zach. When you are hangin with them, stop calling them "My Lord." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave in Green Posted January 25, 2011 Report Share Posted January 25, 2011 @NickHarney and @Tall_ass_tree are best bros on Twitter. Reading through their many tweets, it appears that they work out together and scrimmage together every day. They obviously take their basketball very seriously, which should be good news to Zips basketball fans. The closest thing I saw to ego about being "saviors" for the basketball program was a tweet from Tree to Harney saying "we about to rewrite the history books at Akron." It wasn't really clear if that was a reference to what they think they can do to the Zips basketball record books. But if it was, I have no problem with it. I like the idea of Zips basketball players having lots of self-confidence. If they deliver, they would deserve credit for backing up their words. If they stumble out of the gate and get humbled a little in the early going, hopefully their egos are strong enough not to be crushed but to bounce back with even more intensity and enthusiasm. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zipmeister Posted January 26, 2011 Report Share Posted January 26, 2011 @NickHarney and @Tall_ass_tree are best bros on Twitter. Reading through their many tweets, it appears that they work out together and scrimmage together every day. They obviously take their basketball very seriously, which should be good news to Zips basketball fans. The closest thing I saw to ego about being "saviors" for the basketball program was a tweet from Tree to Harney saying "we about to rewrite the history books at Akron." It wasn't really clear if that was a reference to what they think they can do to the Zips basketball record books. But if it was, I have no problem with it. I like the idea of Zips basketball players having lots of self-confidence. If they deliver, they would deserve credit for backing up their words. If they stumble out of the gate and get humbled a little in the early going, hopefully their egos are strong enough not to be crushed but to bounce back with even more intensity and enthusiasm. Actually, because of their obvious computer skills they were hired by the Athletic Department to see what the record book would look like in different fonts. As this project is scheduled for completion before the end of the Spring term, they will be rewriting the record book this year. Next year, who knows? We about to see. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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