Zippy87 Posted March 20, 2023 Report Share Posted March 20, 2023 (edited) Thinking back recently to some of our past teams/players and I'm curious to hear thoughts on this. Who is your all-time Zips starting five? To keep it simple, I'm only looking at Division 1 Era. Here's mine: F-Enrique Freeman Already an all-time leading rebounder and 8th all-time in blocks, he will rise into the top 10 all-time leading scoring list next season as well. He has the highest PER of any Zip over the past 20 years. F-Romeo Travis Total package. Most win shares of any Zip over the past 20 years. Bonus points for being one of a couple players who really helped elevate Akron's program near the beginning of the KD Era. C-Zeke Marshall Didn't develop the offensive game of other great Zips bigs, but the rim protection he provided was something special. #1 all-time in blocks at Akron and #31 among all collegiate players since 1985. I'll never forget his block against Kent in OT in Cleveland. G-Joe Jakubick I never had the pleasure of watching him play, but the stats don't lie here - dude was a walking bucket. Two-time OVC POY. From 1980-2023, only 6 D1 players have averaged more points per game in a season than Joe did in 1983-84 (30.1 ppg). G-Loren Cristian Jackson Ball, Dru, XC, McNees, Dials, Abreu...we've had some really good point guards. I'll go with one of the best scorers in school history (especially knowing the defense I have behind him). Edited March 21, 2023 by Zippy87 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blueandgold Posted March 20, 2023 Report Share Posted March 20, 2023 I would also add Eric "Cricket" McLaughlin as an excellent option at G. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clarkwgriswold Posted March 20, 2023 Report Share Posted March 20, 2023 More will come to me, but just off the top of my head I would add McLaughlin, Derrick Tarver, Marcel Boyce and Jeremiah Wood. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kreed5120 Posted March 20, 2023 Report Share Posted March 20, 2023 Big Dog won MPOY. I'd have to think he'd at least be deserving of an honorable mention. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blue & Gold Posted March 20, 2023 Report Share Posted March 20, 2023 (edited) These are only players I've seen personally (I didn't really start paying attention to Zips b-ball till '95 - Coleman Crawford's last season). PG - LCJIII Honorable Mentions: Dru Joyce II, Jimmal "Spider Man" Ball, Xavier Castenada, Alex Abreu, Noah Robatham, Antino Jackson, Darryl Roberts, Humpty Hitchens 2G/W - Quincy Diggs Honorable Mentions: Derrick Tarver, Jamie Bosley, Tron Jenkins, Tyler Cheese, Nick Dials, Jimmond Ivey, Steve McNees, Scotty Gooden SF/W - *Jimmy Conyers Honorable Mentions: Ali Ali, Darryl Peterson, Brett McKnight, Dan Hipsher, Nate Linhart, Jawanza Moore, Daniel Utomi PF/P - Enrique Freeman Honorable Mentions: Romeo Travis, Demetrius "Tree" Treadwell, Xerius Williams, George Phillips, Kwan Cheatham C/P - Zeke Marshall Honorable Mentions: Jeremiah "Big Daddy" Wood, Isaiah "Big Dog" Johnson *Jimmy Conyers only had one good year... his senior season... but man was it special. Edited March 20, 2023 by Blue & Gold 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blueandgold Posted March 20, 2023 Report Share Posted March 20, 2023 26 minutes ago, Blue & Gold said: These are only players I've seen personally (I didn't really start paying attention to Zips b-ball till '95 - Coleman Crawford's last season). PG - LCJIII Honorable Mentions: Dru Joyce II, Jimmal "Spider Man" Ball, Xavier Castenada, Alex Abreu, Noah Robatham, Antino Jackson, Darryl Roberts, Humpty Hitchens 2G/W - Quincy Diggs Honorable Mentions: Derrick Tarver, Jamie Bosley, Tron Jenkins, Tyler Cheese, Nick Dials, Jimmond Ivey, Steve McNees, Scotty Gooden SF/W - *Jimmy Conyers Honorable Mentions: Ali Ali, Darryl Peterson, Brett McKnight, Dan Hipsher, Nate Linhart, Jawanza Moore, Daniel Utomi PF/P - Enrique Freeman Honorable Mentions: Romeo Travis, Demetrius "Tree" Treadwell, Xerius Williams, George Phillips, Kwan Cheatham C/P - Zeke Marshall Honorable Mentions: Jeremiah "Big Daddy" Wood, Isaiah "Big Dog" Johnson *Jimmy Conyers only had one good year... his senior season... but man was it special. Funny story. I just met Jamie Bosley last week. Had a long conversation. He was fun to speak with and still super pumped about Akron basketball. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blue & Gold Posted March 20, 2023 Report Share Posted March 20, 2023 1 hour ago, blueandgold said: Funny story. I just met Jamie Bosley last week. Had a long conversation. He was fun to speak with and still super pumped about Akron basketball. Awesome! Where'd you run into him? I've seen Jaimie sitting in 1st row seats behind the opponents bench a handful of times. His son, Max, is a very talented player with Wadsworth. I think Max is going to be a senior next year. We are getting OLD! 😭😭 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blueandgold Posted March 20, 2023 Report Share Posted March 20, 2023 1 hour ago, Blue & Gold said: Awesome! Where'd you run into him? I've seen Jaimie sitting in 1st row seats behind the opponents bench a handful of times. His son, Max, is a very talented player with Wadsworth. I think Max is going to be a senior next year. We are getting OLD! 😭😭 We were both exhibitors at a trade show in Columbus. Yes, I can't believe he was on the team in the mid 90's. Doesn't seem that long ago. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Z.I.P. Posted March 20, 2023 Report Share Posted March 20, 2023 13 hours ago, Zippy87 said: Thinking back recently to some of our past teams/players and I'm curious to hear thoughts on this. Who is your all-time Zips starting five? To keep it simple, I'm only looking at Division 1 Era. Here's mine: F-Enrique Freeman Already the all-time leading rebounder and 5th all-time in blocks, he will rise into the top 10 all-time leading scoring list next season as well. He has the highest PER of any Zip over the past 20 years. F-Romeo Travis Total package. Most win shares of any Zip over the past 20 years. Bonus points for being one of a couple players who really helped elevate Akron's program near the beginning of the KD Era. C-Zeke Marshall Didn't develop the offensive game of other great Zips bigs, but the rim protection he provided was something special. #1 all-time in blocks at Akron and #31 among all collegiate players since 1985. I'll never forget his block against Kent in OT in Cleveland. G-Joe Jakubick I never had the pleasure of watching him play, but the stats don't lie here - dude was a walking bucket. Two-time OVC POY. From 1980-2023, only 6 D1 players have averaged more points per game in a season than Joe did in 1983-84 (30.1 ppg). G-Loren Cristian Jackson Ball, Dru, XC, McNees, Dials, Abreu...we've had some really good point guards. I'll go with one of the best scorers in school history (especially knowing the defense I have behind him). Freeman is already the all-time rebounding record holder?? I've been trying to find the numbers. I have doubts that he has broken the record (nearly 1300) in just 3 years. Can someone post an updated list, please? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clarkwgriswold Posted March 20, 2023 Report Share Posted March 20, 2023 There used to be an easily accessible media guide on the Zips website but I can't find it. It had all kids of good info. Now you have to click around that damn Kevon Hart concert ad to get to anything. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GoZips4824 Posted March 20, 2023 Report Share Posted March 20, 2023 Enrique, Romeo, LCJ, are 3 that I am set for sure on. If were talking best 5 overall then Zeke has to be in then. But in terms of creating a solid 1-5 I'd do Steve Mcnees and might be a surprise to some but Daniel Utomi. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GoZips88 Posted March 20, 2023 Report Share Posted March 20, 2023 Alex Abreu. Bubba Walther. I enjoyed watching Jimmal Ball and Mark Alberts play. Agree on finding a place for McLaughlin and Boyce. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zippy87 Posted March 20, 2023 Author Report Share Posted March 20, 2023 1 hour ago, Z.I.P. said: Freeman is already the all-time rebounding record holder?? I've been trying to find the numbers. I have doubts that he has broken the record (nearly 1300) in just 3 years. Can someone post an updated list, please? It only goes back to 1989 though I think https://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/schools/akron/men/leaders-and-records-career.html 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kreed5120 Posted March 20, 2023 Report Share Posted March 20, 2023 45 minutes ago, Zippy87 said: It only goes back to 1989 though I think https://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/schools/akron/men/leaders-and-records-career.html I don't think this website is accurate. Go look at free throw percentage leaders. It lists Big Dog as 9th all-time with a .587 percentage. This year's team alone probably had 9 guys with a higher free throw percentage than that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zippy87 Posted March 20, 2023 Author Report Share Posted March 20, 2023 1 hour ago, kreed5120 said: I don't think this website is accurate. Go look at free throw percentage leaders. It lists Big Dog as 9th all-time with a .587 percentage. This year's team alone probably had 9 guys with a higher free throw percentage than that. Yeah that doesn't look right. Can't find an online media guide either. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zippy87 Posted March 21, 2023 Author Report Share Posted March 21, 2023 Wikipedia has this: 1. Fred Golding - 1,360 2. Don Williams - 1,218 3. Ray Pryear - 1,213 4. Bill Turner - 1,171 5. Len Paul - 1,021 6. Frank Thompson - 996 7. Enrique Freeman - 952 8. Alex Adams - 872 9. Harvey Glover - 801 10. Romeo Travis - 783 So Freeman is not the all-time leader overall but all-time leader in the D1 Era. He had 370 rebounds this past season, so he has a shot at the all-time mark with a big senior year. 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MDZip Posted March 21, 2023 Report Share Posted March 21, 2023 20 hours ago, Zippy87 said: Thinking back recently to some of our past teams/players and I'm curious to hear thoughts on this. Who is your all-time Zips starting five? To keep it simple, I'm only looking at Division 1 Era. Here's mine: F-Enrique Freeman Already an all-time leading rebounder and 8th all-time in blocks, he will rise into the top 10 all-time leading scoring list next season as well. He has the highest PER of any Zip over the past 20 years. F-Romeo Travis Total package. Most win shares of any Zip over the past 20 years. Bonus points for being one of a couple players who really helped elevate Akron's program near the beginning of the KD Era. C-Zeke Marshall Didn't develop the offensive game of other great Zips bigs, but the rim protection he provided was something special. #1 all-time in blocks at Akron and #31 among all collegiate players since 1985. I'll never forget his block against Kent in OT in Cleveland. G-Joe Jakubick I never had the pleasure of watching him play, but the stats don't lie here - dude was a walking bucket. Two-time OVC POY. From 1980-2023, only 6 D1 players have averaged more points per game in a season than Joe did in 1983-84 (30.1 ppg). G-Loren Cristian Jackson Ball, Dru, XC, McNees, Dials, Abreu...we've had some really good point guards. I'll go with one of the best scorers in school history (especially knowing the defense I have behind him). Funny I swear I was going to start a very similar topic but using only players from the Dambrot/Groce era. Jakubick was fantastic I did get to see him play but this is dead on the list I would have selected too. Well done. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zippy87 Posted March 21, 2023 Author Report Share Posted March 21, 2023 2 hours ago, MDZip said: Funny I swear I was going to start a very similar topic but using only players from the Dambrot/Groce era. Jakubick was fantastic I did get to see him play but this is dead on the list I would have selected too. Well done. It's fun to look back. We've had some fantastic players in Blue and Gold over the years. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clarkwgriswold Posted March 21, 2023 Report Share Posted March 21, 2023 I can't believe Mark Kostelac has been left out of the discussion. He got some serious love on ZipsNation back in the day. 1 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NWAkron Posted March 21, 2023 Report Share Posted March 21, 2023 55 minutes ago, clarkwgriswold said: I can't believe Mark Kostelac has been left out of the discussion. He got some serious love on ZipsNation back in the day. Certain types of guys seem to get more love than others. Like that Wisconsin transfer who never saw more than a minute of playing time. All Star Five: Cheese, Banks, Riak, Williams, and Jackson. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kreed5120 Posted March 21, 2023 Report Share Posted March 21, 2023 1 hour ago, clarkwgriswold said: I can't believe Mark Kostelac has been left out of the discussion. He got some serious love on ZipsNation back in the day. I still remember the running joke this board had about height because someone argued Mark should play more because he was tall. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zip Watcher Posted March 21, 2023 Report Share Posted March 21, 2023 Quick reaction to the question: Point Guard: Cricket Shooting Guard: Brown SF: Linhart PF: Wood (Zips D-1 MVP) Center: Johnson 6th Man: Senior year Conyers (guard 4 spots) Halftime Show: Red Panda after the McNees explosion vs. Miami Next Up: Point: McNees, LCJ Shooter: Diggs, Ivey SF: Hipsher (before the back injury), Harney PF: Travis, Cvetinovic, Treadwell Center: Freeman, Marshall Haven't seen a ton of the team in person the past few years, so I'm not able to judge much past LCJ and Freeman, who both are exceptional and appear to really love the game. I struggled with the SG spot, maybe because of clarity of roles. I'm going with both Cricket and Brown as my starting back court, even though I think they were both PG's. McNees was everywhere and had a hand in lots of big moments. Big Dog vs. Marshall vs. Freeman was my toughest decision. I'm just not sure Marshall really wanted it in the end. Freeman probably ends up on top in the end. Championships matter. Other guys who came to mind that occurred to me, but I guess not at this level: The McKnight brothers were great. Middleton changed the program. Utomi and Jackson left. Dials was gritty. I'm sure there are others. It speaks to the high quality of the program over the last 20 years that this isn't easier. Prior to his back injury, Andy Hipsher was the only player we had that I thought had a real shot at an NBA career. He was dynamic, competitive and clutch. Go Zips! 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hilltopper Posted March 21, 2023 Report Share Posted March 21, 2023 19 minutes ago, Zip Watcher said: Quick reaction to the question: Point Guard: Cricket Shooting Guard: Brown SF: Linhart PF: Wood (Zips D-1 MVP) Center: Johnson 6th Man: Senior year Conyers (guard 4 spots) Halftime Show: Red Panda after the McNees explosion vs. Miami Next Up: Point: McNees, LCJ Shooter: Diggs, Ivey SF: Hipsher (before the back injury), Harney PF: Travis, Cvetinovic, Treadwell Center: Freeman, Marshall Haven't seen a ton of the team in person the past few years, so I'm not able to judge much past LCJ and Freeman, who both are exceptional and appear to really love the game. I struggled with the SG spot, maybe because of clarity of roles. I'm going with both Cricket and Brown as my starting back court, even though I think they were both PG's. McNees was everywhere and had a hand in lots of big moments. Big Dog vs. Marshall vs. Freeman was my toughest decision. I'm just not sure Marshall really wanted it in the end. Freeman probably ends up on top in the end. Championships matter. Other guys who came to mind that occurred to me, but I guess not at this level: The McKnight brothers were great. Middleton changed the program. Utomi and Jackson left. Dials was gritty. I'm sure there are others. It speaks to the high quality of the program over the last 20 years that this isn't easier. Prior to his back injury, Andy Hipsher was the only player we had that I thought had a real shot at an NBA career. He was dynamic, competitive and clutch. Go Zips! LCJ over Cricket everyday. Guy was a walking bucket who knew how to keep his teammates involved. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Z.I.P. Posted March 22, 2023 Report Share Posted March 22, 2023 On 3/20/2023 at 2:18 PM, Zippy87 said: Wikipedia has this: 1. Fred Golding - 1,360 2. Don Williams - 1,218 3. Ray Pryear - 1,213 4. Bill Turner - 1,171 5. Len Paul - 1,021 6. Frank Thompson - 996 7. Enrique Freeman - 952 8. Alex Adams - 872 9. Harvey Glover - 801 10. Romeo Travis - 783 So Freeman is not the all-time leader overall but all-time leader in the D1 Era. He had 370 rebounds this past season, so he has a shot at the all-time mark with a big senior year. Yes. I have to think the list is through 2022-23, because last time I looked (earlier this season) Enrique was not listed. 👍 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NWAkron Posted March 22, 2023 Report Share Posted March 22, 2023 3 hours ago, Hilltopper said: LCJ over Cricket everyday. Guy was a walking bucket who knew how to keep his teammates involved. who is Cricket? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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