kreed5120 Posted October 31, 2018 Report Share Posted October 31, 2018 (edited) 36 minutes ago, 1981 grad said: I find it hard to know what to expect from this team. We have 2 players, Utomi and Ivey that were consistant contributors. Both Sales and Poke showed promise but had their seasons cut short last year. (really glad to see Poke playing!!) Kostalac and Smith were bench players. I have real doubts whether Kostalac will ever be a great contributor as he often seemed a step slow and committed way to many fouls. Everyone else is gone. Can someone on this board tell me why they expect great things from this team. i know very little about the other players coming in such as the transfers and frosh. Sell me that this is a winning team. I agree, I find it hard to gauge this team. Utomi IMO has 1st team All-MAC potential. Ivey is good enough to make honorable mention All-MAC. I see a lot of athleticism elsewhere, but it's hard to gauge if that translates to on the court talent as frankly I haven't seen these guys play in a competitive basketball game. With a lot of new guys playing together I expect things to start off rough and for them to improve as the season progresses. How good they can by February or March? I have no idea. Edited October 31, 2018 by kreed5120 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clarkwgriswold Posted October 31, 2018 Report Share Posted October 31, 2018 Tough call. At this juncture, we aren't even sure who's on the team or starting. Tough to gauge these kids from brief film clips in a dark high school and juco gyms. I certainly think this team will be more athletic and deep than last year's, but last year's team was pretty bad and thin. I don't think we'll see much Kostelac or Smith this year as they'll slide down the depth chart with the new additions. I think Sayles is poised to be a good big man and the best of the low post players. Poke will bring energy and effort while Riak's main contribution will be on defense and on the boards. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NWAkron Posted October 31, 2018 Report Share Posted October 31, 2018 2 hours ago, 1981 grad said: I find it hard to know what to expect from this team. We have 2 players, Utomi and Ivey that were consistant contributors. Both Sales and Poke showed promise but had their seasons cut short last year. (really glad to see Poke playing!!) Kostalac and Smith were bench players. I have real doubts whether Kostalac will ever be a great contributor as he often seemed a step slow and committed way to many fouls. Everyone else is gone. Can someone on this board tell me why they expect great things from this team. i know very little about the other players coming in such as the transfers and frosh. Sell me that this is a winning team. Groce went to the Quarters his first season at OU just like he did with the Zips last year. Coincidentally, the Bobcats beat Western Michigan that year just like we did last year. The next year Ohio won the tournament beating the much-favored Zips. History will repeat itself. Dambrot's last team with Big Dog and Noah and Antino and Kwan didn't gel as was seen in the final game against Kent at the Q. Groce is searching for a unit that moves and plays together. I noticed that about Buffalo last year; their offense moved as one. When that happens and the Zips are dropping 3s at a high percentage, the Zips win it all. (unless some other MAC teams do the same thing). 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
akronzips71 Posted November 1, 2018 Report Share Posted November 1, 2018 How can anyone make any predictions? This is an entirely new team that has never played a minute together. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NWAkron Posted November 1, 2018 Report Share Posted November 1, 2018 21 minutes ago, akronzips71 said: How can anyone make any predictions? This is an entirely new team that has never played a minute together. Isnt that the fun of a blog? Prognostication on zero evidence? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zipmeister Posted November 1, 2018 Report Share Posted November 1, 2018 14 hours ago, NWAkron said: Groce went to the Quarters his first season at OU just like he did with the Zips last year. Coincidentally, the Bobcats beat Western Michigan that year just like we did last year. The next year Ohio won the tournament beating the much-favored Zips. History will repeat itself. Dambrot's last team with Big Dog and Noah and Antino and Kwan didn't gel as was seen in the final game against Kent at the Q. Groce is searching for a unit that moves and plays together. I noticed that about Buffalo last year; their offense moved as one. When that happens and the Zips are dropping 3s at a high percentage, the Zips win it all. (unless some other MAC teams do the same thing). I see this as the year the Zips finally make it to the sweet 16. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kreed5120 Posted November 1, 2018 Report Share Posted November 1, 2018 14 minutes ago, Zipmeister said: I see this as the year the Zips finally make it to the sweet 16. Final 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1981 grad Posted November 1, 2018 Report Share Posted November 1, 2018 Everybody on this board is to honest. Nobody can really sell this team as being really good because there are way to many unknows. This is the 2nd year in a row where the team will start out as a complete enigma. The one thing I miss about the KD years is that players rarely transferred out of the program unless they never developed into a division one player. We could watch players like Zeke, Big Dog, and Antino develop. I hope this is the last year we have so many players transferring out of the program. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clarkwgriswold Posted November 1, 2018 Report Share Posted November 1, 2018 Tickets came today. Nice book like last year. Parking pass in there too, all for $60 a set. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clarkwgriswold Posted November 1, 2018 Report Share Posted November 1, 2018 34 minutes ago, 1981 grad said: Everybody on this board is to honest. Nobody can really sell this team as being really good because there are way to many unknows. This is the 2nd year in a row where the team will start out as a complete enigma. The one thing I miss about the KD years is that players rarely transferred out of the program unless they never developed into a division one player. We could watch players like Zeke, Big Dog, and Antino develop. I hope this is the last year we have so many players transferring out of the program. I think those days are gone to some extent. Last year and this year are volatile due to the coaching change, and it won't always be like this. That being said, I think we'll see a little more of player movement due to the fact Groce recruits jucos and transfers while KD's focus was on freshmen/4 year player types. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zipmeister Posted November 1, 2018 Report Share Posted November 1, 2018 4 hours ago, kreed5120 said: Final 4 That seems a little optimistic to me; I'll stick with my conservative prediction. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clarkwgriswold Posted November 1, 2018 Report Share Posted November 1, 2018 18 minutes ago, Zipmeister said: That seems a little optimistic to me; I'll stick with my conservative prediction. I think he meant final 4 in the MAC. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clarkwgriswold Posted November 1, 2018 Report Share Posted November 1, 2018 It's here... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clarkwgriswold Posted November 1, 2018 Report Share Posted November 1, 2018 The seating chart in the ticket book says a GA season ticket is $75. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NWAkron Posted November 1, 2018 Report Share Posted November 1, 2018 6 minutes ago, clarkwgriswold said: It's here... Received mine minus parking passes (printer error). Soggy but they are here. Northern Illinois at home on 1/26 will be the pivotal game of the season! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ewbrooman1 Posted November 1, 2018 Report Share Posted November 1, 2018 4 hours ago, 1981 grad said: Everybody on this board is to honest. Nobody can really sell this team as being really good because there are way to many unknows. This is the 2nd year in a row where the team will start out as a complete enigma. The one thing I miss about the KD years is that players rarely transferred out of the program unless they never developed into a division one player. We could watch players like Zeke, Big Dog, and Antino develop. I hope this is the last year we have so many players transferring out of the program. Or transfer in for that matter. Recruit some quality freshmen to build on. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Captain Kangaroo Posted November 2, 2018 Report Share Posted November 2, 2018 On 11/1/2018 at 1:54 PM, clarkwgriswold said: I think we'll see a little more of player movement due to the fact Groce recruits jucos and transfers while KD's focus was on freshmen/4 year player types. Do you think Groce's preference is to recruit JUCO's. Or is it simply the short term, best route to quickly become competitive? Losing so many players, I think he had no choice but to go with JUCO guys if he wanted to be competitive before 2020. And coaches don't get that long a leash to become competitive now-a-days. I remember Hipsher's first team...it was Senior Jarvis Katron, Soph. Tron Jenkins, and 11 Freshman. I think they started the season 3-0, and finished it 3-25. Glad we didn't go that route again. Maybe I'm wrong, but I'd guess Groce will get out of the transfer/JUCO business soon. 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ZipsVoice Posted November 2, 2018 Report Share Posted November 2, 2018 25 minutes ago, Captain Kangaroo said: I remember Hipsher's first team...it was Senior Jarvis Katron, Soph. Tron Jenkins, and 11 Freshman. I think they started the season 3-0, and finished it 3-25. Glad we didn't go that route again. Cap'n - my first season with lower level season tickets. I had bought my first set when Crawford came, as they were cheap once Huggy left and I didn't need to make a donation for upper level seat-backs. Decided when they got rid of Coleman I would remove the paper bag I used to wear on my head at games and "man up" to the better seats....what a season! Tron...the Magic Barbertonian! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Illini Zip Posted November 2, 2018 Report Share Posted November 2, 2018 (edited) 1 hour ago, Captain Kangaroo said: Do you think Groce's preference is to recruit JUCO's. Or is it simply the short term, best route to quickly become competitive? Losing so many players, I think he had no choice but to go with JUCO guys if he wanted to be competitive before 2020. And coaches don't get that long a leash to become competitive now-a-days. I remember Hipsher's first team...it was Senior Jarvis Katron, Soph. Tron Jenkins, and 11 Freshman. I think they started the season 3-0, and finished it 3-25. Glad we didn't go that route again. Maybe I'm wrong, but I'd guess Groce will get out of the transfer/JUCO business soon. I agree with these statements. Groce will keep all options on the table because situations arise creating roster holes to fill, but he will likely transition to mostly high school recruits as these transfers/Jucos move on. Edited November 2, 2018 by Illini Zip Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clarkwgriswold Posted November 3, 2018 Report Share Posted November 3, 2018 4 hours ago, Captain Kangaroo said: Do you think Groce's preference is to recruit JUCO's. Or is it simply the short term, best route to quickly become competitive? Losing so many players, I think he had no choice but to go with JUCO guys if he wanted to be competitive before 2020. And coaches don't get that long a leash to become competitive now-a-days. I remember Hipsher's first team...it was Senior Jarvis Katron, Soph. Tron Jenkins, and 11 Freshman. I think they started the season 3-0, and finished it 3-25. Glad we didn't go that route again. Maybe I'm wrong, but I'd guess Groce will get out of the transfer/JUCO business soon. I think part of it was to get the program back up to speed as quickly as possible and I think it will drop off some, but I don't think he has the aversion to jucos and transfers KD did and will be willing to bring in whatever helps the team. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NWAkron Posted November 3, 2018 Report Share Posted November 3, 2018 28 minutes ago, clarkwgriswold said: I think part of it was to get the program back up to speed as quickly as possible and I think it will drop off some, but I don't think he has the aversion to jucos and transfers KD did and will be willing to bring in whatever helps the team. Clark, I can tell that Tuesday night can't come fast enough for you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clarkwgriswold Posted November 3, 2018 Report Share Posted November 3, 2018 1 minute ago, NWAkron said: Clark, I can tell that Tuesday night can't come fast enough for you. Amen NW. Tic, tic, tic... 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hilltopper Posted November 3, 2018 Report Share Posted November 3, 2018 The landscape of mid-major basketball is changing. With the new rules on transfers mid-majors are going to be more reluctant to solely recruit HS seniors to fill their rosters. Why spend a couple of years as a training ground for those players so the good ones can just transfer up to a P-5 school to finish their career. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NWAkron Posted November 4, 2018 Report Share Posted November 4, 2018 https://www.ohio.com/sports/20181103/university-of-akron-mens-basketball-zips-add-athleticism-depth-as-new-season-nears. Possibly 3 big guys in rotation to free up Utomi and Ivey. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blue & Gold Posted November 4, 2018 Report Share Posted November 4, 2018 10 hours ago, NWAkron said: Possibly 3 big guys in rotation to free up Utomi and Ivey. In reading the article, I think what GT meant by the above is that the Zips now have 3 serviceable bigs (Riak, Sales, and E-man), so it will free up Utomi from having to play center. I don't think GT meant Groce might have all 3 on the court at the same time to "free up" Utomi & Ivey for shots. I would have liked more information on our other newbies. Toles, Cheese, Roscoe, Jackson, and Banks. I've got so many questions about this team. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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