Akron Zips 2011-2012 Season

[UAZip0510]

Returning From This Year's Team

C-Zeke Marshall

F/G-Quincy Diggs

F-Josh Egner

F-Dakotah Euton

G-Brett McClanahan

G-Alex Abreu

F-Michael Green

Return Uncertain

F-Nik Cvetinovic

Newcomers

F/G-Chauncey Gilliam

F-Demetrius Treadwell

F-Nick Harney

G-Brian Walsh

G-Blake Justice

G-Deji Ibatayo

Let's look to next year...what will this team look like? Who will be the starting five? How good will this team be?

[zippy5]

I just said in another thread, and yes I will really miss the seniors that are gone, but if Nik stays, we can win near 30 games. Pessimists flame away, but I think Zeke is going to dominate. Give him a reliable senior 4 man down there with him, and we can hang with the big boys.

[xu9697]

Listening to Dambrot on 1100 this morning, you could just tell how high he is on Zeke/Diggs/Abreu. While we don't have the pure 3's/depth coming back..when you have a pure PG, pure C, pure shooter and pure slasher coming back..you just feel good.

I said it at least a month ago= next year might be the year where Dambrot only goes 7-8 deep..but those 7-8 could be special. Obviously, Nik coming back is a huge factor, but either way there is great potential next year with Zeke/Abreu/Nitro/Quincy.

[Valpo Zip]

As a motivational strategy, It may be useful to remind this team that Can't state is returning everyone but Rodriguez Sherman.

Porrini, Guyton (aka grand theft auto), Manns, Henninger were all in their first year in Geno's system. They will come back next year with Justin green and Randall Holt and chances are they will be really good!

Zeke, Quincy, Alex, Nitro, and everyone else must understand that nothing will come easy.

[ZippyforPresident]

As a motivational strategy, It may be useful to remind this team that Can't state is returning everyone but Rodriguez Sherman.

Porrini, Guyton (aka grand theft auto), Manns, Henninger were all in their first year in Geno's system. They will come back next year with Justin green and Randall Holt and chances are they will be really good!

Zeke, Quincy, Alex, Nitro, and everyone else must understand that nothing will come easy.

It's the MAC, we KNOW life ain't easy, just like much of our student body. We're a working class kind of school, with a coach that embodies that toughness. Akron is tough as hell, both our team and our city. To be honest I think Ken t has better athletes than notre dame has anyway. We've got some really good ballers on this team and one hell of a coaching staff. If the new guys have half the potential that they're allegedly supposed to have, we could really have some fun next year as long as they absorb the knowledge the coaching staff has for them. Youth, talent, and experience.... This is the conundrum of college basketball..

We all know Ken t is going to be good next year and I'm looking forward to this league being as competitive as it has been in a long time. The MAC is going to get its two bids back in the near future and we all know which teams are responsible for that, although Ohio is going to have a lot of talent next year too. 3 teams have a great shot: Ohio, Ken t, and Akron. And not necessarily in that order. Hell, here's to getting 3 bids.

I wish we could keep playing because I'm already looking forward to next year.

[ZachTheZip]

We may lose a lot of experience, but I think that this year has provided a huge amount of experience for a lot of the guys who are returning.

McClanahan and possibly Nik will return as two-time MAC champions and having played in two NCAA tournament games. Everyone on the team has been to every MAC tournament final since the year they joined. Gilliam and Walsh were on the team all year, they practiced and went through the mid-season struggles and played a part in overcoming them.

And there's this to look forward to.

[UAZip0510]

Has anyone actually seen Walsh, Treadwell, Harney, or Gilliam play?

[ZachTheZip]

Has anyone actually seen Walsh, Treadwell, Harney, or Gilliam play?

The only one with significant collegiate playing time is Gilliam. He averaged thirty minutes a game as a true freshman and sophomore. As a freshman, he averaged 11 points and 4 rebounds a game and as a sophomore he improved to 13 and 4. Good FT shooter at around 80%. Shoots the three very well. To relate his game to something familiar, think Brett McClanahan, and add 50 lbs of muscle, attitude, and athleticism.

[LZIp]

any word on the OOC schedule? It'd be nice to see us have an OOC comparative to Miami's for next year. Even if we dont win, it will prepare us for conference play and could benefit us in the tournament.

[breezy123]

Does anyone know from the newcomers who could make the quickest impact? Anymore info on the Treadwell kid from Euclid and will they redshirt Blake Justice?

[Dr Z]

Has anyone actually seen Walsh, Treadwell, Harney, or Gilliam play?

From a trusted ZN member that has seen some practices this year: "Walsh is going to be a player"

[dboze]

Has anyone actually seen Walsh, Treadwell, Harney, or Gilliam play?

From a trusted ZN member that has seen some practices this year: "Walsh is going to be a player"

Brian Walsh was the 2007-08 Pennsylvania Gatorade Player of the Year. Played against Zeke in High School and on the PA Storm AAU team that practiced with Zeke. He's been playing point guard with the Zips scout team and will backup Alex at point guard. Walsh is another Quincy Diggs with a better shooting touch.

[Dave in Green]

Does anyone know from the newcomers who could make the quickest impact? Anymore info on the Treadwell kid from Euclid and will they redshirt Blake Justice?

Some obvious points to consider about the new players for next season:

* Walsh (Xavier) and Gilliam (Maryland Eastern Shore) already have college experience and have been out of HS for multiple years.

* Harney and Treadwell will have had a full season off after HS graduation to physically develop and to develop their games.

* Justice and Ibitayo will be fresh out of HS.

So I think it's fair to assume that:

* The two players with previous college experience are most likely to be the most immediate contributors, similar to what Q contributed to this season's team.

* The two players who will already have a full year of schooling at UA and who most observers credit with having superior athletic skills are less likely to be considered for redshirts and potentially able to have impact with the team.

* The two players who will be fresh out of HS are likely to be the least developed and most likely to be considered for redshirts.

What will actually happen is dependent on many variables beyond the above.

[ZachTheZip]

any word on the OOC schedule?

We play VCU, Dayton, and Temple at home, for certain. We play on the road at YSU and CSU. Should also have another pre-season tournament (hopefully the pre-NIT).

I think Creighton has deferred their bracketbuster return game (in Omaha) for a year, so no Bluejays next year.

Also expect three or four paycheck games and some bought home games. That should fill out the entire schedule.

[Quickzips]

Does anyone know from the newcomers who could make the quickest impact? Anymore info on the Treadwell kid from Euclid and will they redshirt Blake Justice?

Some obvious points to consider about the new players for next season:

* Walsh (Xavier) and Gilliam (Maryland Eastern Shore) already have college experience and have been out of HS for multiple years.

* Harney and Treadwell will have had a full season off after HS graduation to physically develop and to develop their games.

* Justice and Ibitayo will be fresh out of HS.

So I think it's fair to assume that:

* The two players with previous college experience are most likely to be the most immediate contributors, similar to what Q contributed to this season's team.

* The two players who will already have a full year of schooling at UA and who most observers credit with having superior athletic skills are less likely to be considered for redshirts and potentially able to have impact with the team.

* The two players who will be fresh out of HS are likely to be the least developed and most likely to be considered for redshirts.

What will actually happen is dependent on many variables beyond the above.

It is going to be interesting to see what happens with the rotation next year. You know Zeke, Quincy, Alex, Nitro and Nik (if he returns) will see significant minutes. You have to expect that the two transfers will also get their fair share of run. That puts you at 6 or 7 guys already "set" into your rotation. If you base things off of an 8-9 man rotation, which is what KD has traditionally gone with, that leaves 2 or 3 spots left. KD has sounded very high on Josh Egner lately, and I have to expect you will see him get more minutes. Particularly when you look at the fact that we have to replace McKnight, Bardo and possibly Nik. Now you are down to only one or two spots left in your rotation and you've got Ibitayo, Justice, Harney?, Treadwell?, Green and Euton to fill those spots. I can make a compelling argument for any one of those guys getting time.

Ibitayo sounds like he can be that longer, more athletic 2 guard who can defend similar types of players that we have been looking for over the last few seasons, but will there be enough playing time on the wings for him with Q, Walsh, Diggs and Gilliam?

Justice is, by all accounts, a knock down shooter who can really score the basketball. With the loss of McNees and Roberts, our backcourt may need a boost in terms of outside scoring punch. Do Walsh and Gilliam fill that need sufficiently, or could we see Blake play as a true freshman (I could see either or both of these guys redshirting btw).

Harney and Treadwell in my mind are basically the same player right now. Allegedly immensly skilled offensive players who are huge question marks due to their lack of time in organized ball and their academic situations. If one or both of them make it in here and just light it up in practice KD may have to completely reconsider his rotations at the 3 and 4 spots.

Green is the guy who I can least see in the rotation. He's primarily a 3 man from what I've been able to see in warmups and whatnot, and you already have McClanahan, Diggs and Gilliam who can and will see time at that position.

Euton could be a bit of a wildcard. KD traditionally seems to like his pick and pop, outside shooting big guys, and Dakotah really fits that bill. I just don't know if there is enough talent there to stand out given all the other frontcourt options we should have.

I don't know about you guys, but I am already pumped for October.

[Blue & Gold]

I don't know about you guys, but I am already pumped for October.

Absolutely! Between now and then it's going to be fun speculating on a starting 5, a 10-deep roster, player positions (we've got some versatile athletes on next year's squad) player rotations, redshirt options, eligibility & transfer rumors, etc.

I could see a starting five of:

PG - Rico

2G - McClanahan

3F - Quincy

4F - Nik (keeping my fingers crossed!)

5C - GameChanger

With a second five consisting of:

PG - Walsh

W - Gilliam

W - Harney

F - Treadwell

F - Egner

Battling for PT:

Euton.

*BUT, if Nik takes his talents to Serbia, then Euton will be an extremely important piece to the puzzle, as he'll be our only true big besides GameChanger.

[edit] Oh, and it's also going to be fun watching next year's regular season as KD & the staff tinker to find good player combinations & the players also learn to play as a unit. It might be another rocky regular season next year, but the upside to this group of athletes is literally unlike any that I can ever remember the Zips having.

[xu9697]

If Nik leaves, whoever we bring in better be at least 6'7, but ideally 6'9+.

I think my biggest CONCERN next year with this team will be rebounding (if we lose Nik). Zeke will get better and Egner will be a factor, but without Nik the team gets very small in a hurry.

Again..VERY positive and optimistic for next year. Just a couple of concerns to iron out.

[Quickzips]

If Nik leaves, whoever we bring in better be at least 6'7, but ideally 6'9+.

I think my biggest CONCERN next year with this team will be rebounding (if we lose Nik). Zeke will get better and Egner will be a factor, but without Nik the team gets very small in a hurry.

Again..VERY positive and optimistic for next year. Just a couple of concerns to iron out.

Dakotah Euton: 6'8"

Josh Egner: 6'7" (seems bigger than that)

Nick Harney: 6'7"

Demetrius Treadwell: 6'7"

If Nick leaves those are the guys who will be fighting for his minutes. I think we will be alright in terms of size in the frontcourt, and the fact that we will be getting bigger in the backcourt and on the wing will help as well.

[Dave in Green]

Height is not the only physical factor in considering who is best equipped to spell Zeke at center next season. Weight is also an issue in not getting pushed around in the paint. Bardo was able to use his 240 lbs. to good effect against some of the heavyweight players the Zips have faced over the last couple of years. How do the four players mentioned above stack up based on their most recently published weights?

Dakotah Euton: 6-8, 230

Josh Egner: 6-7, 200

Demetrius Treadwell: 6-7, 200

Nick Harney: 6-7, 190

Then there's the matter of body strength. Some of these players may need to hit the weights a little harder than others. Leaping ability to block opposing centers' shots is also a factor. We know Egner has big hops and Euton not so much. We don't really know how the other two compare.

Finally, there are various skills that set a true center apart from a forward. At this point I don't think there's enough known about all of these players' sklls to know which might best relieve Zeke at center.

There are other factors, as well. For example, Euton was a 40%+ 3-point shooter in HS. If he plays center on the offensive perimeter and knocks down 3s, he draws the opposing center away from the basket. That opens it up for the Zips forwards to focus on rebounding against the other teams' forwards.

Lots of things to be considered.

[infofan]

I have to ask this question............ Dont read too much into it. But an observation at the end of the Notre dame game made me curious. I saw CJ Oldham and Josh Egner get in game at the end ( and I salute the staff for giving them a brief taste of the experience). The official boxscore also says that Kyle Peterson got in the game, though I didnt see him in. No offense to those guys but why didnt Dakotah get in the game before any walk ons did? We know that we have six guys coming in and only 5 leaving so far so either Nick or someone else has to do a "Swiech" and transfer out. It just seemed curious that Euton didnt see the floor...........

[Zipmeister]

I have to ask this question............ Dont read too much into it. But an observation at the end of the Notre dame game made me curious. I saw CJ Oldham and Josh Egner get in game at the end ( and I salute the staff for giving them a brief taste of the experience). The official boxscore also says that Kyle Peterson got in the game, though I didnt see him in. No offense to those guys but why didnt Dakotah get in the game before any walk ons did? We know that we have six guys coming in and only 5 leaving so far so either Nick or someone else has to do a "Swiech" and transfer out. It just seemed curious that Euton didnt see the floor...........

Curious or prophetic? While having a 6'8" long-range gunner can be interesting we need someone who can board.

[hafner4430]

I heard from a semi-reliable source that Euton will be forced to transfer out if Nik doesn't leave.

[Valpo Zip]

I'm affraid that this "forcing" people out will come back to bite KD in the butt when he goes to recruit new kids. You know that HS coaches remember this kind of stuff.

[Blue & Gold]

I heard from a semi-reliable source that Euton will be forced to transfer out if Nik doesn't leave.

Euton, and not Green?

[Blue & Gold]

I'm affraid that this "forcing" people out will come back to bite KD in the butt when he goes to recruit new kids. You know that HS coaches remember this kind of stuff.

I'm hoping that the "forcing" people out talk is hyperbole. I'd hope KD would rather just have a frank discussion w/ the player and let them know that if they choose to stick around they won't be getting any playing time. That's just being up front & honest with a player who could work hard and never see the floor. If I was in that situation I'd rather be told straight up & have the chance to transfer down & be a Big-Man-On-Campus somewhere.