Interesting video I found on YouTube from a few mid major guys who run a YouTube channel called Hoop Scoop Media.

https://youtu.be/5WKrqt9bjQU?si=Xn1KIGDBitBNLeyy

Few interesting takeaways

- Northern Illinois apparently is a dark horse?

Don't see very much other than Keshawn Williams and David Coit on their roster.

-Todd Simon is an extremely underrated hire.

Also noticed he brought along his former forward in Jason Spurgin who I think could be in the running for All-MAC. BG shouldn't be underestimated this year. Would love to hand our friend Sammy Towns a season sweep this year.

-Both guys really like our depth especially with AJ Brown, Elmore James, Ike Cornish and Shareef Mitchell. They think we will be running a few four guard lineups this year. They did praise Jeff Boals a lot with his coaching and development of players.

- Chris Payton is primed for a breakout campaign with Bass not too far behind him.

- Akron is the clear #1 team

- Buffalo will decline this year. Also that Halcovage is an extremely weak hire.

- Weak transfer conference?

I think there are a few solid transfers in conference.

Didn’t watch; but interesting take to call Halcovage an extremely weak hire. I’d love to know these guys benchmark for a strong hire if a Jay Wright assistant isn’t that.

All said, he has quite a rebuilding project to take on. Looks like he went the HS recruiting route and didn’t bother with the portal; so it might be a few years before we see Buffalo competitive again. I will say, he had one of the more interesting additions to the conference in Anquan Boldin Jr.

I'm not saying he's Nate Oates, but Oates was probably less 'proven'.

I thought it was a good hire then, and still do.

MAC is generally a step-stone conference. Our step-stones are older more established coaches. Buffalo tends to go for the unproven, young fella on the block.

Reggie Witherspoon: 38. Erie Community College.
Nates Oates: 38. Romulus High School.
Jim Whitesell was the lone guy with experience, and they fired him for only winning 70 games in 4 years. (Boals has won 78)
Now Halcovage, 37, been with Jay Wright for his whole career. Knows the North East.

Nice find! These kids really know their stuff.

It's obvious they should've hired his replacement from Remus High School.

Some news out of Kron - Ali Ali could not be approved by the NCAA to play this year due to transferring twice, he's currently pursuing a hardship case but I don't think it's going to be successful.

Oh wow. That would be a game changer. Where is the source for this? Wonder what the timeline for that is with the season a week away.

I’m with you, I liked the hire at the time and still do. I also tend to lean more towards the young and hungry assistants these days. Will probably take 2-3 years to see if the fruits of his labor.

ZipsNation board is talking intensely about it in their 23-24 season preview thread - He would have to sit out the year which would greatly affect their forward lineup. He could likely be out for first few OOC games for the Zips due to his eligibility hearing.

Link here: https://zipsnation.org/forums/topic/48903-2023-24-season/...

Yeah, one wag even wants to fire Groce over wasting a roster spot for him. The Zipper Factory is not happy.