2024-25 Season

[clarkwgriswold]

1 hour ago, Blue & Gold said:

Intense practice.

Tavari looked good.

Josiah Smith looks like he'll be our leading scorer.  Skilled & definitely looks like he has a scorer's mentality.

Seth Wilson is built like a bull.

 

Great to hear.  I assume you meant Josiah Harris.

 

I am looking forward to hearing everyone's observations as I was unable to make it.

Edited October 5, 2024 by clarkwgriswold

[ZipsFan31]

Very fun practice to go to. 
 

my biggest take away was although the new players are shinny new and have good resumes. I think the core of Tavari, Scott and Amani will be major players and all have improved a lot. (Nate Johnson did not play) 
 

Isaiah Gray and Seth Wilson look like grown men that will be bigger and stronger then anyone they guard. Like eye popping big. 
 

my biggest surprise was Eric Mahaffey. I think he grew this summer. Hit shots and looked like he will play. Was running with the core of Tavari, Wilson, Harris. Which I thought had starting back court vibes. 
 

my most excited player going into the practice was Sharron young. He was as advertised. Might not start but by March could be our best player. Can shoot, pass, and is a pesky defender. 
 

my prediction for the opening night starting line up is: 

Tavari Johnson

Seth Wilson 

Nate Johnson 

Josiah Harris

James Okonkwo

 

[clarkwgriswold]

3 hours ago, ZipsFan31 said:

Very fun practice to go to. 
 

my biggest take away was although the new players are shinny new and have good resumes. I think the core of Tavari, Scott and Amani will be major players and all have improved a lot. (Nate Johnson did not play) 
 

Isaiah Gray and Seth Wilson look like grown men that will be bigger and stronger then anyone they guard. Like eye popping big. 
 

my biggest surprise was Eric Mahaffey. I think he grew this summer. Hit shots and looked like he will play. Was running with the core of Tavari, Wilson, Harris. Which I thought had starting back court vibes. 
 

my most excited player going into the practice was Sharron young. He was as advertised. Might not start but by March could be our best player. Can shoot, pass, and is a pesky defender. 
 

my prediction for the opening night starting line up is: 

Tavari Johnson

Seth Wilson 

Nate Johnson 

Josiah Harris

James Okonkwo

 

 

That was pretty much my guess, with Tavari and Nate having the benefit of having experience in the system.   It will be just as interesting to see who's finishing games.

[Blue & Gold]

 

[akzipper]

18 hours ago, Blue & Gold said:

 

 

Honestly I think they are a huge downgrade and desperately need some navy trim.

 

They look like those cheap Chinese knockoffs. 

 

[csims0917]

I love the blue font it and yellow trim for me it makes it pop. I have weird taste though.

[ewbrooman1]

On 10/8/2024 at 4:52 PM, csims0917 said:

I love the blue font it and yellow trim for me it makes it pop. I have weird taste though.

That would be Gold trim. 😉

[clarkwgriswold]

I wonder that with all of the guard depth this team seems to have that if we'll see more pressure on defense this year.  Being able to consistently slap on more pressure is much easier when you have fresh bodies you can continue to swap in.

 

 

[clarkwgriswold]

Some Josiah Harris clips-

 

 

[clarkwgriswold]

Isaiah Gray highlights-

 

 

[clarkwgriswold]

Seth Wilson highlights-

 

 

Edited October 14, 2024 by clarkwgriswold

[LZIp]

Noticed Rhode Island is playing UCONN tonight in an exhibition/scrimmage, which got me thinking...anyone know who we're playing being closed doors?

Edited October 14, 2024 by LZIp

[ZipsFan31]

I agree! with all the Guards we should be able to play aggressive and hard if you count Harris as a SF then we have 9 Guards that play on the perimeter. 

I do not see a drop off from the various positions, hopefully it will be who has the hot hand plays as all the guys seem to be about Equal. 

[clarkwgriswold]

Bowen Hardman highlights-

 

 

[clarkwgriswold]

James Okonkwo highlights-

 

 

[zipsrowdy88]

On 10/14/2024 at 7:48 PM, LZIp said:

Noticed Rhode Island is playing UCONN tonight in an exhibition/scrimmage, which got me thinking...anyone know who we're playing being closed doors?

YSU, results soon.

[Let'sGoZips94]

On 10/14/2024 at 7:21 PM, clarkwgriswold said:

I wonder that with all of the guard depth this team seems to have that if we'll see more pressure on defense this year.  Being able to consistently slap on more pressure is much easier when you have fresh bodies you can continue to swap in.

 

 

 

It's not just the depth - it's the size. This team has at least 3 guards built like Tyler Cheese. Not only will we have the depth to keep up with anyone in the back court, we'll have the size & physicality to wear down the opponent. Wilson, Gray, and Nate Johnson should be able to draw quite a few fouls in the paint and hopefully finish through contact. On paper, this is probably Groce's most balanced team, and I can't wait for basketball season. 

Edited October 17, 2024 by Let'sGoZips94

[clarkwgriswold]

9 minutes ago, Let'sGoZips94 said:

 

It's not just the depth - it's the size. This team has at least guards built like Tyler Cheese. Not only will we have the depth to keep up with anyone in the back court, we'll have the size & physicality to wear down the opponent. Wilson, Gray, and Nate Johnson should be able to draw quite a few fouls in the paint and hopefully finish through contact. On paper, this is probably Groce's most balanced team, and I can't wait for basketball season. 

 

So it's the depth and the width!  

[ZipsFan31]

1 hour ago, Let'sGoZips94 said:

 

It's not just the depth - it's the size. This team has at least guards built like Tyler Cheese. Not only will we have the depth to keep up with anyone in the back court, we'll have the size & physicality to wear down the opponent. Wilson, Gray, and Nate Johnson should be able to draw quite a few fouls in the paint and hopefully finish through contact. On paper, this is probably Groce's most balanced team, and I can't wait for basketball season. 

I totally agree. The line up of Gray, Wilson, Nate, Harris and okonkwo is a bunch of Thick Grown Men. coach Groce has a lot of options for line ups. We will see what ends up being the rotation by conference play. As I assume there will be a lot of mix and match in the non con. 

[Akron1]

Register for the 2024 Tipoff Reception - Wednesday, October 30,  6PM to 8 PM at the JAR

https://host.nxt.blackbaud.com/registration-form/?formId=7d5e7192-a310-41a8-be49-8dce2f9bfeeb&envId=p-UMe-qg1RCU-VaHO2Nu8s5A&zone=usa

 

[clarkwgriswold]

5 hours ago, Akron1 said:

Register for the 2024 Tipoff Reception - Wednesday, October 30,  6PM to 8 PM at the JAR

https://host.nxt.blackbaud.com/registration-form/?formId=7d5e7192-a310-41a8-be49-8dce2f9bfeeb&envId=p-UMe-qg1RCU-VaHO2Nu8s5A&zone=usa

 

 

For those interested, something not mentioned in the posting is that it is $25 to attend.

[zipsrowdy88]

 

[csims0917]

 

[Zippy87]

 

[Captain Kangaroo]

31 minutes ago, Zippy87 said:

 

51-48, huh? Was the 2nd half cancelled for some unforeseen circumstance?