Hilltopper Posted June 24, 2019 Report Share Posted June 24, 2019 Sayles and McIntyre are still with the team. McIntyre is a walk on. Walters is also back as a walk on. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blue & Gold Posted June 27, 2019 Report Share Posted June 27, 2019 As you can see in this link, VerbalCommits dot com just blew up with Akron offers. Frank Jakubicek, 6-8, 220, PF, Cary-Grove HS, Cary, IL Jeremiah Williams, 6-3, 165, PG, Saint Laurence HS, Burbank, IL Isaiah Rivera, 6-5, 185, SF, Geneseo HS, Geneseo, IL Cameron Young, 6-6, SF, Saints John Neumann and Maria Goretti HS, Woolwich, NJ Darius Burford, 6-0, PG, Bolingbrook HS, Bolingbrook, IL 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blue & Gold Posted June 27, 2019 Report Share Posted June 27, 2019 Ray'Sean Taylor, 6-1, 165, PG, Collinsville HS, Collinsville, IL 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kreed5120 Posted June 27, 2019 Report Share Posted June 27, 2019 (edited) According to verbal commits Riak, Reece, and Sayles will all be juniors this year. We absolutely need at least 1, preferably 2, bigs this class. I don't want to have to start 2 true freshmen in the post. Edited June 27, 2019 by kreed5120 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Illini Zip Posted June 27, 2019 Report Share Posted June 27, 2019 2 hours ago, kreed5120 said: According to verbal commits Riak, Reece, and Sayles will all be juniors this year. We absolutely need at least 1, preferably 2, bigs this class. I don't want to have to start 2 true freshmen in the post. I couldn't agree more. I'm still disappointed on missing out on Jonathan dos Anjos. But the basketball gods could make it up to us with Luka Eller in 2020. I love this kid, a true Stretch 4. And according to the Akron website Riak is a Senior this year, so just more to your point that we have an urgent need. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
akronzips71 Posted June 27, 2019 Report Share Posted June 27, 2019 Good to see they are working on the future. BUT Still not one offer to a big. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Illini Zip Posted June 27, 2019 Report Share Posted June 27, 2019 8 minutes ago, akronzips71 said: Good to see they are working on the future. BUT Still not one offer to a big. I think we all try to block the ugly Khadin Gueye event out of our mind (at least I do), but the fact is we should have had the services of a high energy 7 foot, 245 lb rim protector for the next 2 years. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
akronzips71 Posted June 27, 2019 Report Share Posted June 27, 2019 25 minutes ago, Illini Zip said: I think we all try to block the ugly Khadin Gueye event out of our mind (at least I do), but the fact is we should have had the services of a high energy 7 foot, 245 lb rim protector for the next 2 years. But we don't Reality bites. He took out TWO bigs, not just himself. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Illini Zip Posted June 27, 2019 Report Share Posted June 27, 2019 3 minutes ago, akronzips71 said: But we don't Reality bites. He took out TWO bigs, not just himself. According to Verbal Commits Akron did extend an initial offer to a 2019 Center, Abba Lawal (6-11) a couple of years ago. There must be something very wrong going on there. A kid that size doesn't go unsigned unless there are issues. Both Groce and Fulford are very resourceful recruiters. If they are coming up empty right now then there must not be much out there. They are not even going the transfer route with a big right now. Keep the faith. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bigzip1 Posted June 27, 2019 Report Share Posted June 27, 2019 It’s the MAC. Going into the year 2020. You no longer need to play two 7 footers to win basketball games it’s not 1989. Size is still important but why not go after 6’6 - 6’9 athletic forwards who can rebound, space the floor, run and not clog up the lane. No team in the MAC is going to have 2 dominant bigs. We have guard play. If we can defend and protect the rim we’ll be fine. 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Illini Zip Posted June 27, 2019 Report Share Posted June 27, 2019 59 minutes ago, Bigzip1 said: It’s the MAC. Going into the year 2020. You no longer need to play two 7 footers to win basketball games it’s not 1989. Size is still important but why not go after 6’6 - 6’9 athletic forwards who can rebound, space the floor, run and not clog up the lane. No team in the MAC is going to have 2 dominant bigs. We have guard play. If we can defend and protect the rim we’ll be fine. I agree with your premise, very much. That is exactly how Groce and company like to play, running and spacing. However, there will be times when you need to have someone on your roster who weighs over 200 lbs. Teams like Eastern Michigan and Purdue (once in the Tourney) can eat your lunch if you don't have some balance to your roster. We should be fine for this year, but all some of us are saying is we need to address the Forward position with the 2020 class so we don't have a glaring problem down the line. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kreed5120 Posted June 27, 2019 Report Share Posted June 27, 2019 (edited) 2 hours ago, Bigzip1 said: It’s the MAC. Going into the year 2020. You no longer need to play two 7 footers to win basketball games it’s not 1989. Size is still important but why not go after 6’6 - 6’9 athletic forwards who can rebound, space the floor, run and not clog up the lane. No team in the MAC is going to have 2 dominant bigs. We have guard play. If we can defend and protect the rim we’ll be fine. I have no problem with an athletic 6'8 or 6'9 big. This issue is by 2021 we'll have no player 6'7 or taller under scholarship and so far it doesn't seem like we've made an effort to recruit any. Maybe Groce is planning on using a grad transfer to fill the void when the time comes, idk. If that's the case that would be a pretty optimistic view considering it would require both a MAC caliber big wanting to transfer and said player wanting to come to Akron when there might be better options elsewhere. Edited June 27, 2019 by kreed5120 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
akronzips71 Posted June 27, 2019 Report Share Posted June 27, 2019 2 hours ago, kreed5120 said: I have no problem with an athletic 6'8 or 6'9 big. This issue is by 2021 we'll have no player 6'7 or taller under scholarship and so far it doesn't seem like we've made an effort to recruit any. Maybe Groce is planning on using a grad transfer to fill the void when the time comes, idk. If that's the case that would be a pretty optimistic view considering it would require both a MAC caliber big wanting to transfer and said player wanting to come to Akron when there might be better options elsewhere. You beat me to it. Still looking for all the 6'8 and 6'9 guys Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Let'sGoZips94 Posted June 28, 2019 Report Share Posted June 28, 2019 (edited) 14 hours ago, kreed5120 said: I have no problem with an athletic 6'8 or 6'9 big. This issue is by 2021 we'll have no player 6'7 or taller under scholarship and so far it doesn't seem like we've made an effort to recruit any. Maybe Groce is planning on using a grad transfer to fill the void when the time comes, idk. If that's the case that would be a pretty optimistic view considering it would require both a MAC caliber big wanting to transfer and said player wanting to come to Akron when there might be better options elsewhere. "Bigs" do tend to take more time to develop typically, so maybe grabbing a player with 2-4 years of experience already is the better move? Here's what I do know. We were in nearly every single game last year with only one guy above 6'9" (Sayles was hurt most of the season). Our losses came from not being able to score/make jump shots at a consistent rate. If there's a concerted effort to fix that, I'll be very happy and will worry about the "bigs" later on. Edited June 28, 2019 by Let'sGoZips94 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kreed5120 Posted June 28, 2019 Report Share Posted June 28, 2019 (edited) 37 minutes ago, Let'sGoZips94 said: "Bigs" do tend to take more time to develop typically, so maybe grabbing a player with 2-4 years of experience already is the better move? Here's what I do know. We were in nearly every single game last year with only one guy above 6'9" (Sayles was hurt most of the season). Our losses came from not being able to score/make jump shots at a consistent rate. If there's a concerted effort to fix that, I'll be very happy and will worry about the "bigs" later on. We were in those games in large part because Riak was the leader and anchor of a top 25 defense. He's also as I understand it set to be a senior with Reece and Sayles both being juniors. You're right that bigs take some time to develop that's why we need at least one this class that way they have a year to develop behind Reece and Sayles. Edited June 28, 2019 by kreed5120 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Illini Zip Posted June 28, 2019 Report Share Posted June 28, 2019 (edited) I think we all agree here more than not. The challenge is landing these bigs. And even though I don't believe Groce will ever stop searching for bigs that fit the system, the truth of the matter is there are at least twice as many quality guards and wings out there than there are bigs. So even though the importance of Riak's presence is undeniable and there is an urgency to find our next Riak, we also need to get this collection of quality guards and wings playing at an extremely high level, ASAP. I believe this is a huge off-season for the growth of the program and you will see a much improved and expansive offense next season. Also we have all the pieces in the locker room now to win the MAC. It just comes down to how fast they mature and gel. And of course, staying healthy. And if Akron hits this level of success, landing quality bigs that fit our system will become much, much easier. Edited June 28, 2019 by Illini Zip 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blue & Gold Posted June 29, 2019 Report Share Posted June 29, 2019 Zips offer 6' 4" CG Ryan Rollins of Dakota HS in Macomb, MI. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zipmeister Posted June 29, 2019 Report Share Posted June 29, 2019 On 6/27/2019 at 5:23 PM, kreed5120 said: I have no problem with an athletic 6'8 or 6'9 big. This issue is by 2021 we'll have no player 6'7 or taller under scholarship and so far it doesn't seem like we've made an effort to recruit any. Maybe Groce is planning on using a grad transfer to fill the void when the time comes, idk. If that's the case that would be a pretty optimistic view considering it would require both a MAC caliber big wanting to transfer and said player wanting to come to Akron when there might be better options elsewhere. The transfer portal is full of them. Europe too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blue & Gold Posted June 30, 2019 Report Share Posted June 30, 2019 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
akronzips71 Posted June 30, 2019 Report Share Posted June 30, 2019 ME LIKE HIM! That's what I'm talking about Probably have no chance to get him, he has a lot of interest. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blue & Gold Posted June 30, 2019 Report Share Posted June 30, 2019 Here's a bit more on J.J. Traynor. VerbalCommits dot com hudl dot com a little thread on 24/7 Sports dot com where Louiville fans are pretty excited about Traynor, though Louisville hasn't yet offered. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blue & Gold Posted July 3, 2019 Report Share Posted July 3, 2019 Frank Jakubicek committed to Belmont. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
akronzips71 Posted July 3, 2019 Report Share Posted July 3, 2019 He has nice size. Too bad. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blue & Gold Posted July 6, 2019 Report Share Posted July 6, 2019 (edited) We've offered another big Andre Screen, 6-11, 240, C, St. Stephen's & St. Agnes School, Alexandria, VA. (Did I mention him already? I'm too rushed to look.) Also has offers from St. Bonaventure, Mount St. Mary's, Howard, Bucknell, Lehigh, George Mason, LaSalle, Rhode Island, St. Joe's, Fairfield, Boston U., James Madison, Towson, and Columbia. Edited July 6, 2019 by Blue & Gold 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blue & Gold Posted July 6, 2019 Report Share Posted July 6, 2019 (edited) Verbal Commits dot com says we've offered another big. Michael Graham, 6-8, PF from Canterbury School in Brooklyn, NY. Offers from us, Elon, Robert Morris, Bradley, St. Francis, Marist, Bryant, and Niagara. Edited July 6, 2019 by Blue & Gold 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.