Most improved player from last year's Zips Team

[1981 grad]

Since we are near the end of the season, like to hear your opinion of which Zip has improved the most from last year.  In this remarkable season, I think you can make an argument for every returning Zip so no right or wrong answer.  I am going with Nate just because when I look at the stats he has led the team in different games in assists, rebounding and scoring.  He also plays the most minutes and plays the best defense.  I also think that in several games when we have needed a basket, he scores with that short jumper.  Last year he suffered an injury and had a good season but this year he has been outstanding.  

Edited yesterday at 02:57 AM by 1981 grad

[zippy5]

Tavari and I don't think it's all that close 

[Captain Kangaroo]

Shammah Scott should get more than a handful of votes.

[Let'sGoZips94]

Shammah and Lyles would have my vote. 

[csims0917]

Amani is my vote. He was just a body last year used to get some size when freeman needed to rest. His layup ability has dramatically improved and his ability to hit 3s was a shocking but so needed development and it really sold me on his potential 

[Illini Zip]

Something to keep in mind with Amani is that ideally this should be his Sophomore year. Either he chose not to redshirt or we needed him early on because we lacked depth at the position. I believe it was the latter due to the loss of Aziz Bandaogo and Ali Ali (for a season). It’s unfortunate. 

[Blue & Gold]

Amani gets my vote as well.

[LZIp]

Could make an argument for Amani, Nate, Tavari, and Scott. Great problem to have.

[zippy5]

5 minutes ago, LZIp said:

Could make an argument for Amani, Nate, Tavari, and Scott. Great problem to have.

3 of the 4 being traditional HS recruits is a good recruiting tool imo

[Reslife4Life]

My vote goes to Amani. With tavari, Nate, and somewhat from shammah, we have seen glimpses of greatness from each of them before. With Amani I can’t really think of any time besides a non D1 game where he made an impact either of the last 2 seasons. Amani comes in now as an offensive threat and our leading shot blocker

[clarkwgriswold]

This is a tough one but I am going with Amani.  I never expected Amani to be any more than an 8 to 10 minute a game backup.  I half expected him to take advantage of the portal.  I was very surprised at the Tip-off reception at how his upper body had transformed in the off season and I have been even more surprised in the improvement in his game.

 

Shammah has been great, but I expected it as you could see how much Groce trusted him as the season wound down last year.  

[GP1]

I have an entry, but not a player. I don't even know the answer because I don't see enough games. Is the most improved person on the team Groce? He was.a high level coach to begin with and now maybe better YOY. He lost a lot after last year and the team seems to be better. 

[HoopsFan03]

Lyles gets my vote. Tavari has always been good, he just wasn't able to take minutes from Tribble. 

[Let'sGoZips94]

47 minutes ago, GP1 said:

I have an entry, but not a player. I don't even know the answer because I don't see enough games. Is the most improved person on the team Groce? He was.a high level coach to begin with and now maybe better YOY. He lost a lot after last year and the team seems to be better. 

 

Groce made the MAC tournament last year with legitimately 1.5 shooters on the entire team and a 6'7" center, in an era when you typically need shooters or trees down low to win. He has always been a high tier coach. 

[GP1]

24 minutes ago, Let'sGoZips94 said:

 

Groce made the MAC tournament last year with legitimately 1.5 shooters on the entire team and a 6'7" center, in an era when you typically need shooters or trees down low to win. He has always been a high tier coach. 

Agreed. Has his performance been even better this year?

[Illini Zip]

If Okonkwo returns I can see him playing a lot with Amani. Perhaps they both start, Amani at the 4 and Okonkwo at the 5 with Marvin and Brisco backing up. Amani just needs to keep improving his production from deep. 

[Let'sGoZips94]

13 minutes ago, GP1 said:

Agreed. Has his performance been even better this year?

 

Only way it improves is if he wins a game in the Big Dance. 

[ZipsBBjunkie]

2 hours ago, Let'sGoZips94 said:

 

Only way it improves is if he wins a game in the Big Dance. 

Agree. Particularly considering it’s considered a down year (more than the usual) for the MAC. Also if they secure a 13 seed this point becomes even stronger. 

[kreed5120]

I honestly don't think this year is that much worse than last year. The MAC has progressively just gotten worse year over year the last 4 seasons. Unless the trend bucks, being the 20-25 best conference is just the new normal.

[clarkwgriswold]

Ok, if we're giving Groce kudos we have to show some love to Dustin Ford.  Dustin is in charge of the defense and despite playing at such a fast pace this year, which results in giving up more points, the Zips have been at or near the top of the conference defense standings (currently 4th in average points surrendered).   I could see Dustin getting a head coaching job in the near future if he wants one.

[Let'sGoZips94]

10 minutes ago, kreed5120 said:

I honestly don't think this year is that much worse than last year. The MAC has progressively just gotten worse year over year the last 4 seasons. Unless the trend bucks, being the 20-25 best conference is just the new normal.

 

Trading NIU for UMass will certainly help this going forward. I'd also be surprised if, going forward, Buffalo remains this bad. Improve Buffalo, dump NIU with UMass as the replacement, and the MAC automatically climbs into the high teens range again, and could trend upward. 

[AkronAlumnus]

Tavari

[kreed5120]

1 hour ago, Let'sGoZips94 said:

 

Trading NIU for UMass will certainly help this going forward. I'd also be surprised if, going forward, Buffalo remains this bad. Improve Buffalo, dump NIU with UMass as the replacement, and the MAC automatically climbs into the high teens range again, and could trend upward. 

 

Buffalo is not in great shape. Options this offseason are either give Halcovage a 3rd year or start over with a new coach in a year 0 situation. Even if they right the ship it's likely going to take a few years.

[roopride]

Armani

[1981 grad]

Did not expect to have coach Groce and Ford in this conversation but if we are going in that direction, I will give an honorable mention to Evan Wilson for being the quickest off the bench to congratulate the team and the only player to pick up a T when averaging less than a minute a game.