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

[Let'sGoZips94]

 

 

[Illini Zip]

2 minutes ago, Let'sGoZips94 said:

 

 

Maybe we are not done and we have a different big coming in? 

[clarkwgriswold]

Nate has declared for the NBA draft but retaining his eligibility to come back.  It gives him a nice opportunity to get in front of teams in workouts and get his game assessed.

[clarkwgriswold]

6 minutes ago, Let'sGoZips94 said:

 

 

 

That would be a loss but not the end of the world, especially if it gives them the chance to bring in another big.

 

Not quite sure how a Memphis basketball guy would have this inside info.

Edited Friday at 10:25 PM by clarkwgriswold

[clarkwgriswold]

Okonkwo has officially entered the portal.  Just saw it.

[Zippy87]

That seems to come out of nowhere.

[clarkwgriswold]

3 minutes ago, Zippy87 said:

That seems to come out of nowhere.

 

Maybe he saw the writing on the wall with Amani's progress.  Maybe it was shown to him by the staff.  Maybe he wants to go back to a P4 program and playing 3 minutes a game in blowouts. 

Edited Friday at 10:33 PM by clarkwgriswold

[Illini Zip]

I think it might be a good sign as to Brisco’s potential. Even as the possible backup.

 

Edit: Also, from the little I have seen of Brisco it is possible he and Okonkwo have very similar games. Thus, keep the guy who is part of the long term plan. 

 

 

Edited Saturday at 12:17 AM by Illini Zip

[kreed5120]

20 minutes ago, clarkwgriswold said:

 

Not quite sure how a Memphis basketball guy would have this inside info.

Perhaps his agent reached out to Memphis staff to see if there was interest.

[zvillezip]

He is gonna get more money. Good luck to him.  Groce and staff will get another good one.

[RoyalBlu]

Guessing another big is coming in ... No other reason to leave.

 

Sadly, $$$ and minutes talk.

[Let'sGoZips94]

 

[LZIp]

Do not mind Okonkwo entering the portal at all. Think we can find another big to match or exceed his production. Is Austin Parks still available!?

Edited Friday at 11:54 PM by LZIp

[NWAkron]

1 hour ago, clarkwgriswold said:

 

Maybe he saw the writing on the wall with Amani's progress.  Maybe it was shown to him by the staff.  Maybe he wants to go back to a P4 program and playing 3 minutes a game in blowouts. 

Who was in the game at the crunchiest of crunch times in Cleveland?  Wasn't Jimmy.

[Illini Zip]

28 minutes ago, LZIp said:

Do not mind Okonkwo entering the portal at all. Think we can find another big to match or exceed his production. Is Austin Parks still available!?

Do we go from the Akron Mountaineers to the Akron Buckeyes?

 

 

Edited Saturday at 12:22 AM by Illini Zip

[1981 grad]

If this is his decision to chase the money, it is a bad decision.  Look how much Freeman improved from year to year under Groce's tutelage.  I thought Okonkwo's game improved a great deal as the year progressed.  Early in the season his offense was weak and he did improve as season progressed.  He also became tougher under the boards.  I was really looking forward to seeing how much better he was going to be during his senior season.  This will be his 3rd team in 3 years.

[Captain Kangaroo]

It doesn’t make the smallest team in the 2025 ncaa tournament better when its 6’ 8” 5th year senior departs. But that’s the way it goes nowadays. The Briscoe era is now upon us…off we go…

[Let'sGoZips94]

1 minute ago, Captain Kangaroo said:

It doesn’t make the smallest team in the 2025 ncaa tournament better when its 6’ 8” 5th year senior departs. But that’s the way it goes nowadays. The Briscoe era is now upon us…off we go…

 

It possibly does if the replacement is bigger than 6'8" and has an offensive game.

[kreed5120]

Bigs that are 6'10+, can run the floor, and score are hottest commodities in the portal. You're probably talking $1 million as every team wants them, but very few exist.

 

Edit: I think we hit on just about every transfer last year, excluding Harris who got injured. We'll likely go a similar route and find someone under the radar and within our budget.

Edited Saturday at 06:10 PM by kreed5120

[Illini Zip]

It has always been that bigs want to play with elite guards who can feed them the ball. It makes sense that bigs are at a premium, but who wouldn’t want to be the beneficiary of this team’s guard play. Add the style of play with the staff’s ability to develop talent and you have an attractive pitch. But if it comes down to the highest bidder we probably lose. 

[Let'sGoZips94]

44 minutes ago, kreed5120 said:

Bigs that are 6'10+, can run the floor, and score are hottest commodities in the portal. You're probably talking $1 million as every team wants them, but very few exist.

 

Edit: I think we hit on just about every transfer last year, excluding Harris who got injured. We'll likely go a similar route and find someone under the radar and within our budget.

 

Available PF

 

Available C

 

Tons out there that probably give you 2/3 of the criteria you mentioned. All about culture fit because the one "miss" you mentioned from last year ended up not being a culture fit. 

[clarkwgriswold]

2 hours ago, 1981 grad said:

If this is his decision to chase the money, it is a bad decision.  Look how much Freeman improved from year to year under Groce's tutelage.  I thought Okonkwo's game improved a great deal as the year progressed.  Early in the season his offense was weak and he did improve as season progressed.  He also became tougher under the boards.  I was really looking forward to seeing how much better he was going to be during his senior season.  This will be his 3rd team in 3 years.

Maybe he thinks he belongs where his began in P4 schools despite it being obvious that he reached his level of competency in the MAC.  In any event, whether he plays at UA or elsewhere, he's a player in some lesser Euro league at best.

[ZipsFan31]

It’s sad to see him go as he was a solid big that you knew was going to be a top MAC center.  But I think we can get as good or better in the portal. Obviously we can’t afford a big that checks all the box’s but I would love a 6’10+ lane clogger that we put a zone on when he is in. 
 

like 6’10 275 is my ideal add. We will see what we get! 

[1981 grad]

Does anyone on this board have a clue on what happened in the last few weeks.  Here is Okonkwo's quote in the Beacon at the end of March:

 

“This season has been so much fun,” “I am so thankful to the coaching staff for giving me this opportunity to go out and be myself and bring the energy that is unique and bring hustle plays. I love doing that. I can’t thank Coach [John Groce] enough for the role he has given me. I will forever be in debt to him for that.”

 

“I plan on staying here for as long as I possibly can,” “I love it here. I have no reason to leave. The coaching staff here, the atmosphere, it is everything you could want in a place. I am so thankful I came to Akron.”

 

 

[kreed5120]

2 minutes ago, 1981 grad said:

Does anyone on this board have a clue on what happened in the last few weeks.  Here is Okonkwo's quote in the Beacon at the end of March:

 

“This season has been so much fun,” “I am so thankful to the coaching staff for giving me this opportunity to go out and be myself and bring the energy that is unique and bring hustle plays. I love doing that. I can’t thank Coach [John Groce] enough for the role he has given me. I will forever be in debt to him for that.”

 

“I plan on staying here for as long as I possibly can,” “I love it here. I have no reason to leave. The coaching staff here, the atmosphere, it is everything you could want in a place. I am so thankful I came to Akron.”

 

 

I don't know, but all these kids have agents these days. It wouldn't surprise me if he had people in his ear telling him he could make double, triple elsewhere.