Groce's Zips Will (Again) Look Very Different Next Season

In late March of 2017, longtime Zips head coach Keith Dambrot announced he was leaving Akron for Duquesne.  Soon-after, Tavian Dunn-Martin, Michael Hughes, Antino Jackson, Aaron Jackson, and Noah Robotham would transfer from the Zips.  Josh Williams had also previously announced his transfer, and both Kwan Cheatham and Isaiah Johnson had graduated.  This left Akron with only four returning players (Ivey, Utomi, Olojakpoke, and Eubanks). 

Newly-hired Zips coach John Groce did his best to fill in the gaps left, but finding players who could make an immediate impact that late in the game was tough.  He did, however, add several transfers - Eric Hester, Loren Jackson, and Deng Riak - that had promise to elevate the program back to its previous championship level - and maybe beyond.  After a year's wait, we'll finally see if they can deliver on that potential.

Joining them as new Zips are LePear Toles, Channel Banks, Jeremy Roscoe, and Tyler Cheese.  Xeyrius Williams (Dayton) and Khadim Gueye (South Carolina) announced they were transferring in as well, although both will have to wait until 2019-2020 to suit up for Akron. 

Let's take a look at the 2018-2019 roster as a whole:

Centers

6'11", 250 lbs - Mark Kostelac

Forwards

6'10", 225 lbs - Deng Riak
6'8", 190 lbs - Emmanuel Olojakpoke
6'6", 215 lbs - Daniel Utomi
6'9", 235 lbs - Jayden Sayles

Guards

6'5", 200 lbs - Jimond Ivey
6'3", 170 lbs - Eric Hester
5'8", 160 lbs - Loren Jackson
6'6", 200 lbs - LePear Toles
6'4", 185 lbs - Channel Banks
6'3", 195 lbs - Jeremy Roscoe
6'4", 195 lbs - Tyler Cheese

Transfers (Must Sit Out 2018-2019)

7'0", 245 lbs - Khadim Gueye
6'9", 205 lbs - Xeyrius Williams


It's difficult to project a starting lineup in May, but Ivey and Utomi should be considered safe bets.  I would expect Hester, an electric guard from Florida, to start as well.  Olojakpoke - if healthy - would likely be in the lineup, with Sayles possibly filling out the starting five. 

With that said, this roster is filled with talent, especially at guard, so the preseason will have some battles for playing time.  A year removed from starting a non-scholarship player for several games down the stretch, that a "problem" John Groce will be thrilled to have. 

Will it be enough to get back to the top of the MAC?  Only time will tell.  But Groce, who's team almost willed its way to the MAC Semifinals last year, is now armed with the talent necessary to do just that.