2024-25 Post Mortem and Looking Ahead to 2025-26

[kreed5120]

54 minutes ago, ClevelandZip said:

Looking forward to three-peat next year! With that being said, I have transferred to the City of Pittsburgh. Don’t think it’s possible to change my username on here so I may just end up making a new account. Plea$e re$pect my decision.

 

NIL impacting everyone

[Zippy87]

Evan Wilson will be a GA at Arkansas State next year. 

[clarkwgriswold]

Interesting interview of Nate here-

 

https://youtu.be/RSrqpRvU28I?si=Dz2Y985waOtdQIOb

[kreed5120]

1 hour ago, clarkwgriswold said:

Interesting interview of Nate here-

 

https://youtu.be/RSrqpRvU28I?si=Dz2Y985waOtdQIOb

Interview starts at 7 minutes for those interested 

[Illini Zip]

Well, I admit I was wrong about much of how things played out. The timing of events led me to believe Groce was in control of roster changes, but obviously he wasn’t. I don’t fault anyone for taking a big payday, but he needed to be more timely with his decision. I fault the parents for that. Once your kid commits, teach them that their word matters. And I’m not sure if I believe that Nate put his name in the portal without being contacted first. 

[clarkwgriswold]

It's a confusing interview given the nature of questions and Nate's occasional odd answer.  It was nice to hear him regret making such a late decision.

[Let'sGoZips94]

17 minutes ago, Illini Zip said:

Well, I admit I was wrong about much of how things played out. The timing of events led me to believe Groce was in control of roster changes, but obviously he wasn’t. I don’t fault anyone for taking a big payday, but he needed to be more timely with his decision. I fault the parents for that. Once your kid commits, teach them that their word matters. And I’m not sure if I believe that Nate put his name in the portal without being contacted first. 

 

Hard to make a timely decision when the desperation money naturally doesn't flow in until later in the process. Without a doubt he was contacted prior to entering the Portal, and I would imagine any body language expert would confirm that from the interview.

 

6 minutes ago, clarkwgriswold said:

It's a confusing interview given the nature of questions and Nate's occasional odd answer.  It was nice to hear him regret making such a late decision.

 

The person doing the interview conducted himself in an odd manner. I don't think Nate came off particularly stellar in the interview because of the position some of the questions put him in and his apparent lack of preparedness for said questions. I do also, though, appreciate the unprompted comment about his decision coming late in the process and putting Akron in a difficult spot. Showed some self-awareness and understanding of the situation at least.

 

 

I thought his comments regarding his conversation with Groce were interesting. Doesn't sound like it was the cleanest breakup, although I expect nothing but professionalism from Groce which it sounds like occurred.  

[Let'sGoZips94]

Finalized my season ticket purchase this morning. While on the phone with the ticket sales rep, I asked if there were any home opponents he could divulge. He said he doesn't know the specifics, but they are closing in on securing a solid name that fans will be excited about for the home opener. He said the program is aware their last few home openers have been less than stellar draws, and they're looking to change that.

 

It's not much in terms of breaking news, but as we approach the dead days of summer, it's something to look out for. 

[clarkwgriswold]

1 hour ago, Let'sGoZips94 said:

 

Hard to make a timely decision when the desperation money naturally doesn't flow in until later in the process. Without a doubt he was contacted prior to entering the Portal, and I would imagine any body language expert would confirm that from the interview.

 

 

The person doing the interview conducted himself in an odd manner. I don't think Nate came off particularly stellar in the interview because of the position some of the questions put him in and his apparent lack of preparedness for said questions. I do also, though, appreciate the unprompted comment about his decision coming late in the process and putting Akron in a difficult spot. Showed some self-awareness and understanding of the situation at least.

 

 

I thought his comments regarding his conversation with Groce were interesting. Doesn't sound like it was the cleanest breakup, although I expect nothing but professionalism from Groce which it sounds like occurred.  

 

Amen, like I said "confusing."  I'm not sure Nate understood all of the questions and some of his responses were as "fuzzy" as the questions asked.

[kreed5120]

Yes, I believe much of what he stated was true, but likely some things he bent the truth as he didn't want to paint himself or Kansas State in a negative light. Like he did sound genuine that he enjoyed his time here and that he initially did plan to return. It was also nice that he acknowledged he put Groce and the team in a bind by waiting until the last minute.

 

Regarding everything else, like if he had family, agents, or other teams pressuring him, I'm not going to further speculate. What's done is done. Looking forward to next season.

[RoyalBlu]

3 hours ago, Let'sGoZips94 said:

Finalized my season ticket purchase this morning. While on the phone with the ticket sales rep, I asked if there were any home opponents he could divulge. He said he doesn't know the specifics, but they are closing in on securing a solid name that fans will be excited about for the home opener. He said the program is aware their last few home openers have been less than stellar draws, and they're looking to change that.

 

It's not much in terms of breaking news, but as we approach the dead days of summer, it's something to look out for. 

My guess would be Cleveland State or Youngstown

[OSUFALCON]

Kent State

Lands UNLV forward Rob Whaley JR.

[Let'sGoZips94]

1 minute ago, OSUFALCON said:

Kent State

Lands UNLV forward Rob Whaley JR.

 

6'7" 260 lbs. Had a good JR year for UNLV but had a "nagging back injury" that kept him out of all but 2 games last year. If he's healthy, he's Kent's version of Javan Simmons. 

[RoyalBlu]

2 hours ago, Let'sGoZips94 said:

 

6'7" 260 lbs. Had a good JR year for UNLV but had a "nagging back injury" that kept him out of all but 2 games last year. If he's healthy, he's Kent's version of Javan Simmons. 

 

'Nagging back injury' at 260lbs ... does not sound promising???

[clarkwgriswold]

Their new slogan is "Kent State works"...

 

....at McDonald's...Wendy's....Arby's...Taco Bell....

[Let'sGoZips94]

32 minutes ago, RoyalBlu said:

 

'Nagging back injury' at 260lbs ... does not sound promising???

 

They may turn out to be great, but on paper it looks like Kent lost their two best players and are throwing 💩 at the wall to see what sticks. A freshman big with severely diminished offers post Iowa decommit, an underperforming high school accolades guard, and a 260 lbs 6'7" "big man" senior with back problems. Yikes. 

Edited Monday at 01:58 AM by Let'sGoZips94

[Z.I.P.]

So, social media says the Zips are going to the Virgin Islands in November for the Paradise Jam.  Other teams are Charleston, Evansville, Green Bay, Yale, UMass, Oregon St and Iona.  TV coverage.

 

https://www.basketballtravelers.com/mensparadisejam

Edited Monday at 06:18 PM by Z.I.P.
Addition

[Let'sGoZips94]

 

 

[Captain Kangaroo]

30 minutes ago, Let'sGoZips94 said:

 

 

I expect to be adding Baha Mar to this list in November.

[kreed5120]

20 minutes ago, Captain Kangaroo said:

I expect to be adding Baha Mar to this list in November.

 

That to me looks like the name of the tournament they will be playing in. It's a 2 day event.

[Captain Kangaroo]

12 minutes ago, kreed5120 said:

That to me looks like the name of the tournament they will be playing in. It's a 2 day event.

Rats. If the Zips played the Baha Mar Rumrunning Jerk Chickens it would have been so cool.😢 

[Let'sGoZips94]

Purdue is projected to be a top 5 team in the country. This helps explain why. 

 

 

 

[tpsjugglerdude]

We knew about the Purdue game way back on page 14. Akron is getting $90k for it.

[clarkwgriswold]

Purdue may have more wins in the MAC than Buffalo next season.

[kreed5120]

6 minutes ago, clarkwgriswold said:

Purdue may have more wins in the MAC than Buffalo next season.

 

When Buffalo plays NIU someone will have to win.