Around the MAC

[Sergeant Zip]

He looks dead inside. 

[Let'sGoZips94]

4 hours ago, Sergeant Zip said:

He looks dead inside. 

 

Kent State saw this photo and said, "Yup, that's the one. We're tweeting that."

[Let'sGoZips94]

 

I know this a basketball thread, but it's too funny that Sendy threw out the 1st pitch and Kent lost. The dude only knows how to lose to Akron. 

[Let'sGoZips94]

Kent adds an injury prone high school big man to their class. Former Iowa commit whose recruiting really cooled off post-decommit. This seems like a total waste of a roster space by Kent and I'm here for it. The likelihood of him being at Kent more than one year is not great, and the likelihood of a true freshman big man producing meaningful minutes is slim as well. 

 

They might as well start using their Elite Eight banner for players to hold in photos. Holding a trophy your arch rival owns the two most recent copies of is simply embarrassing. 

Edited April 28 by Let'sGoZips94

[RoyalBlu]

26 minutes ago, Let'sGoZips94 said:

Kent adds an injury prone high school big man to their class. Former Iowa commit whose recruiting really cooled off post-decommit. This seems like a total waste of a roster space by Kent and I'm here for it. The likelihood of him being at Kent more than one year is not great, and the likelihood of a true freshman big man producing meaningful minutes is slim as well. 

 

They might as well start using their Elite Eight banner for players to hold in photos. Holding a trophy your arch rival owns the two most recent copies of is simply embarrassing. 

 

No doubt he's had some injuries, from what I've read. But he also led his team to a state championship game and was twice named POY in Indianapolis as a soph and junior. That said, it does not look like he has grown much or improved much. How that translates to the MAC, who knows. I understand the reservations, but 3-5 years ago getting a player with his credentials as a freshman in April signing period would be considered a plus. No matter what MAC school got him.

 

 

Edited April 28 by RoyalBlu

[Let'sGoZips94]

1 hour ago, RoyalBlu said:

 

No doubt he's had some injuries, from what I've read. But he also led his team to a state championship game and was twice named POY in Indianapolis as a soph and junior. That said, it does not look like he has grown much or improved much. How that translates to the MAC, who knows. I understand the reservations, but 3-5 years ago getting a player with his credentials as a freshman in April signing period would be considered a plus. No matter what MAC school got him.

 

 

 

That's the point - the recruiting game has evolved and 18 year old projects aren't going to do well very often vs what are now 23-24 year old (sometimes even older) "seniors". It'd be one thing if Kent had the type of NIL and culture that schools like Akron and other top mid majors have, but without that guys like this are almost certain to be portaling after a year. 

Edited April 29 by Let'sGoZips94

[NWAkron]

Late to the game here, but Kent will be loaded, legit, and lethal.  Definitely, looking to see them at top of pre-season polls.

[kreed5120]

56 minutes ago, NWAkron said:

Late to the game here, but Kent will be loaded, legit, and lethal.  Definitely, looking to see them at top of pre-season polls.

 

They could potentially one of the best MAC frontcourts with Gillepsie, Briscoe, and Rayvon. It's to be seen how Briscoe and Rayvon perform, but both have potential.

 

They lost their best guard (Sullinger) on a team that had pretty weak guard play overall. I don't recall them adding anyone of note to that position group so unless they do, that can be an area of struggle for them.

 

Edit: To clarify I know Rayvon is listed as a guard, but I think Kent will play him at SF and at times PF when they want to run a small ball lineup.

Edited April 29 by kreed5120

[RoyalBlu]

Expecting Briscoe and Ravon to start is a real stretch IMO ... doubt if either are more than 12-15-min players before January; Ravon behind Safford, Briscoe behind Gillespie.

 

And when is the last time a solid MAC contender (if Kent is one) started a freshman post player?

 

That said, ... if one or both prove equal to their projections ... come February that could be a formidable MAC baseline, at least athletically, defensively and rebounding. There is no evidence any of those guys, including Gillespie, can be much more than 10-12 ppg scorers at this point.

 

[Let'sGoZips94]

Started his career at Milwaukee. Transferred to UTSA where he never played, then played at Florida State last year. 

 

[RoyalBlu]

2 hours ago, Let'sGoZips94 said:

Started his career at Milwaukee. Transferred to UTSA where he never played, then played at Florida State last year. 

 

 

BG will be his sixth (6th) school ....

 

Gotta luv the Portal

 

 

[blueandgold]

30 minutes ago, RoyalBlu said:

 

BG will be his sixth (6th) school ....

 

Gotta luv the Portal

 

 

Just like football, it's all about the education. 😄

[mrelegazna]

On 4/14/2025 at 5:13 PM, Let'sGoZips94 said:

 

They're going the Drake/Ben McCollum route. Interesting. 

 

(First, sorry to dredge up something 4 weeks old and 3-4 topics ago)

You know who else did this last year?  IU Indy.  Brought in the successful coach of the University of Indianapolis.  Had ten new guys, 5 of which were from his last UIndy squad, 4 others from DII/Jucos, and a lone D1 transfer.

The result?  An improvement in league play from 2-18 to 6-14.  I find this fascinating, and telling.   With the right coaching, you can even do decently in D1 with quote-unquote D2 guys.  It's made me pull for them.