Checking in on Some Former Zips

[csims0917]

Darrion Baker is doing well at SIUE. 4-4 with 10 pts 30 minutes into the game against UTSA

[1981 grad]

Nate Johnson played 35 minutes for K state in their 1 point victory over Tulsa.  He only scored 5 points but had 4 assists and 9 rebounds.  Glad to see he is doing well playing at the next level.

[Zippy87]

Josiah Harris averaging 12/9 while shooting 41% from 3 as a starter for CSU.

[Illini Zip]

7 hours ago, Zippy87 said:

Josiah Harris averaging 12/9 while shooting 41% from 3 as a starter for CSU.

One has to wonder how a 6-7 Harris and a 6-6 Eric Mahaffey might have helped us last year vs. Arizona in particular. But it just wasn’t meant to be. 

[Zips1991]

I was curious to see how Nate Johnson is doing this year and I must say it's better than I would've expected. Obviously we'll see how things go when they get into conference play, but so far he's started all 7 games and is averaging 13.6 points, 6 rebounds, and 4.1 assists per game.

 

https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/nate-johnson/12756

Edited November 26, 2025 by Zips1991

[kreed5120]

57 minutes ago, Zips1991 said:

I was curious to see how Nate Johnson is doing this year and I must say it's better than I would've expected. Obviously we'll see how things go when they get into conference play, but so far he's started all 7 games and is averaging 13.6 points, 6 rebounds, and 4.1 assists per game.

 

https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/nate-johnson/12756

I'm not surprised because he has the size, athleticism, and skill set to play at that level. He just wasn't good enough against that level of competition to carry an offense on his back. He's surrounded by more talent so can just settle into his role.

[ewbrooman1]

On 11/18/2025 at 12:41 PM, 1981 grad said:

Nate Johnson played 35 minutes for K state in their 1 point victory over Tulsa.  He only scored 5 points but had 4 assists and 9 rebounds.  Glad to see he is doing well playing at the next level.

I was at the game last night at Assembly Hall. Nate was the best player on the court in the first half for KSU.  Things went downhill a bit in the second half as the Hoosiers surged back. I have family in Bloomington who have IU ties and season tickets, so I had on a red B-Town shirt and a gold Zips "Z" hat. I passed a couple in the hall who yelled Go Zips, so we spoke briefly and agreed we were showing some support for Nate. Too bad he had to play in those lavender uniforms.

[ewbrooman1]

On 11/19/2025 at 6:21 AM, Illini Zip said:

One has to wonder how a 6-7 Harris and a 6-6 Eric Mahaffey might have helped us last year vs. Arizona in particular. But it just wasn’t meant to be. 

I think our problem against Arizona was we didn't have enough 6-9 and 6-10 guys. They had athletic bigs.

[Illini Zip]

1 hour ago, ewbrooman1 said:

I think our problem against Arizona was we didn't have enough 6-9 and 6-10 guys. They had athletic bigs.

I think Arizona was bigger and more athletic at all positions including their bigs. I had to look them up, but here’s a few that Eric and Harris might have helped guard against. 6-4 pg Caleb Love, 6-6 F Trey Townsend and 6-8 F Carter Bryant. Maybe it wouldn’t have mattered much, but I remember these 3 guys for a reason. 

[Reslife4Life]

On ESPN+ Bowling Green is leading Kansas State 31-24 at the under 8. I never saw until now but playing with Nate at KSU is “the fat man” Marcus Johnson 

[csims0917]

WTH is going on this season 

[NWAkron]

Now Nate knows what it feels like to lose to Bowling Green.  4 big points for ole Nate.

Edited December 2, 2025 by NWAkron

[roopride]

Watched game.  Didn’t really see where Nate tried to do much

[csims0917]

Watched the whole second half. Only thing Nate did of note was get rejected by a BG big. He was a ghost 

[Zippy87]

Johnson - 12 PPG/5 RPG/4 APG/2 SPG

 

Okonkwo - 3 PPG/6 RPG

 

Prather Jr. - 13 PPG/4 RPG/3 APG/1 SPG

 

 

[Illini Zip]

Kansas State is currently playing BYU on CBS for anyone who might want to watch some Nate Johnson.

 

 

Edited January 3 by Illini Zip

[MDZip]

2 hours ago, Illini Zip said:

Kansas State is currently playing BYU on CBS for anyone who might want to watch some Nate Johnson.

 

 

Nate played 31 minutes and had zero points and four turnovers? 😳 

[Illini Zip]

Just now, MDZip said:

Nate played 31 minutes and had zero points and four turnovers? 😳 

At least he’s getting paid. 

[Captain Kangaroo]

2 hours ago, Illini Zip said:

At least he’s getting paid. 

Obviously by BYU.

[Zippy87]

5 hours ago, MDZip said:

Nate played 31 minutes and had zero points and four turnovers? 😳 

 

https://x.com/i/status/2007527930637807730

[Zippy87]

 

I have no ill feelings toward Nate going after life-changing money at K State, but I couldn't help but think of him when I read this quote today. 

[kreed5120]

9 minutes ago, Zippy87 said:

 

I have no ill feelings toward Nate going after life-changing money at K State, but I couldn't help but think of him when I read this quote today. 

 

The big difference here is that Simpson is going to get life changing money. If he's picked around the middle of the first round he'll come away with $20 million guaranteed. If he slides into the top 10 that number could climb closer to $30 million. For that reason I don't find the situation all that comparable.

[Zippy87]

15 hours ago, kreed5120 said:

 

The big difference here is that Simpson is going to get life changing money. If he's picked around the middle of the first round he'll come away with $20 million guaranteed. If he slides into the top 10 that number could climb closer to $30 million. For that reason I don't find the situation all that comparable.

 

The comparison is that players in these situations can transfer and get a lot of money somewhere else, but then they lose out on their legacy at their previous school. Nate is getting life-changing money at Kansas State, but loses out on a legacy at Akron that may have ended with a jersey retirement one day and a chance to lead his team to a 3rd straight MAC Championship. 

[kreed5120]

1 hour ago, Zippy87 said:

 

The comparison is that players in these situations can transfer and get a lot of money somewhere else, but then they lose out on their legacy at their previous school. Nate is getting life-changing money at Kansas State, but loses out on a legacy at Akron that may have ended with a jersey retirement one day and a chance to lead his team to a 3rd straight MAC Championship. 

 

I mean Simpson just left school 1 year early to go pro and will likely make $20+ million because of it. Nate didn't have that option. The reality is both left for money. One for the pros and another to a different school.