Men's basketball
In a conference that has seen first-round NBA draft picks, Zeke Marshall might be the most highly anticipated player ever.
The Plain Dealer's Elton Alexander heaved that high praise on the future center of the Zips, saying Marshall could be the most celebrated recruit in MAC history.
The MAC has produced top-10 picks such as Antonio Daniels, Wally Szczerbiak and Chris Kaman — all of whom have enjoyed productive NBA careers. That begs the question: Does Marshall have potential to be the Zips' NBA draftee?
If I had to compare Marshall to a current professional (from what I have heard about him), it would be Samuel Dalembert or Roy Hibbert – a center with defensive prowess and a skosh of offense.
Football
- Speaking of recruiting, here are some observations…
The Zips are in the running for six different four-star players, according to Scout.com. This is the highest number of blue-chip targets since I started following recruiting in 2005.
Four are junior college athletes who play receiver or cornerback. The fact that Akron has pursued so many juco players at those positions tells me that coach J.D. Brookhart either 1) doesn't trust his young players at WR/CB or 2) believes it is more efficient to bring in a more polished player than train a high schooler with more upside.
There are a few skilled players who have interest in playing at Akron, but to whom the Zips have not offered a scholarship (at least according to the recruiting sites). One is Jeff Walker, a wide receiver from Coventry High School in Akron and a top-100 receiver.
- A new scholarship offer…
Anderico Bailey, wide receiver, Covington, Ga.
Offers: Akron
Height: 6-foot-0
Weight: 175
Speed: 4.5
Notes: Bailey has interest in Kentucky and Vanderbilt. One of these days, I will count the Georgia scholarships offerees. I'm guessing it's at least five.
{ 10 comments… read them below or add one }
mike, according to the scout article russell is looking to enroll in the fall if he were to sign with akron……could you please do some research on this?????
I don't have access to the coaching staff for another few weeks. I will ask then if Akron has any scholarships free. If so, it would make a lot of sense to have Russell have an extra year of eligibility, rather than dabbling another season at juco.
Mike, what's up with the PD doing a more thorough job of covering Zeke than the BJ?
The ABJ hates everything to do with UA. No positive stories on anything that might make Dr P look good.
While Marshall is clearly a blue-chip recruit, Elton would have been well served to do a little research about previous MAC recruits before calling him the most celebrated in the league's history. George Gervin comes to mind (EMU), as well as Ohio's Walter Luckett, who was such a big prize that he was featured alone on the cover of Sports Illustrated in 1970.
Mike, any chance of getting to LeBron's camp and giving us an update on Big Z?
Nike,
I would love to get out there and watch Zeke. I have a job and classes this summer, though. Also, I'm not certain about the media availability.
Joe,
Good points.
Hilltopper and Rob,
I think the ABJ has improved a great deal in its UA coverage. I know the editors determine levels of coverage by the online readership, so tell your Zips-loving friends to bookmark my blog. (Also, the ABJ axed most of its OSU coverage for next season.)
Rasor,
Even with the cutback on the OSU coverage, it still doesn't mean the ABJ will give UA more love. If the editors would get over their obession with Brennan and Arshinkoff and try to get some positive vibes going in this community we would all be better off. UA is the biggest asset that the city has and it deserves better coverage than we get.
I was chillin' at the rec and watch CP3 and Lebron get run over by a bunch of scrub college players. Its written in CBS
http://www.sportsline.com/collegebasketball/story/10890685
Also, when is that stadium goin up. Man this stuff takin to damn long. they gonna be playin' football in the rubber hole in 2009 still?
Mickey D's got a good as hell fish sandwich. I also like the country biscuit.
Zeke's a geek (computer) hope he stays at least 2yrs I think high school players that will see him in a zip\ Lebron James uniform will want to come to U of A he will be a spring board for AKRON basketball watch!