Akron Zips men's basketball team heading to Cayman Islands for beach, bonding

After Tuesday night’s win over Morgan State, University of Akron forward Enrique Freeman was blunt in his assessment of what was coming next.

When asked if he was going to get a chance to enjoy some beach time with the Zips heading to the Cayman Islands for the Cayman Islands Classic, which begins Monday, he offered a simple reply.

“It's a business trip. There's no vacation,” he said. “That's what I'm going there for.”

Yes, it’s a business trip, but it’s also an opportunity for the team to bond, to strengthen that elusive thing known as team chemistry. During last year’s Gulf Coast Showcase, the Zips often didn’t seem in sync as Groce and his coaching staff were still trying to sort out the team.

Transfer K.J. Walton, who was supposed to be a significant part of the team and provide veteran leadership, was persona non-grata after and the Zips didn’t truly peak until the latter stages of the regular season.

Akron guard Greg Tribble remembers last season

Guard Greg Tribble just shakes his head when he hears the words “last year.”

When it’s suggested the team lacked cohesion, he didn’t hesitate with reply, nor did he disagree with the assessment.

“No,” he said. "Not at all.”

The Zips played like it, too.

“It was just a lack of chemistry. That's it. That's all,” Tribble said after Friday morning’s practice. “That’s really what it was — a lack of chemistry and people not buying into their roles. That's it.”

That lack of cohesion showed in two blowout losses and Walton’s eventual departure.

Are there similarities to this season? Grad transfer Trendon Hankerson arrived at UA this season in a similar role.

Apparently, that’s where the similarity ends. Although he arrived on campus after the summer session ended, he’s found a place in coach John Groce’s rotation and a home in the program.

Trendon Hankerson recognizes the importance of chemistry

Hankerson, who transferred from Northern Illinois, has nothing but praise for the way he’s been welcomed despite missing the summer practice session, but he recognizes the personal value of going to the Caymans.

“I think this trip will definitely help grow my bond,” he said. “Maybe because I wasn't here for the summer session, like I said earlier, it'll definitely help, just getting to spend time outside of hoops when we're not on the court, being able to enjoy the weather together in the nice area. So, it'll definitely be huge as far as bonding.”

Tribble agreed.

“You get to learn, like, what guys like to do, like how they act and that ties into the court a lot,” he said. "So I feel like this trip is a big step in the right direction for us.”

John Groce thinks Zips' chemistry is already there

Groce would agree. Prior to the start of the season, he said the team’s chemistry was significantly ahead of where it was last season or with his previous teams for that matter. He reiterated that point Friday.

“You know to bring us together, to get to do something where we all experience it together is huge,” he said. “It's no different than like a foreign trip or being gone six days like we were last year and now this year.”

Shared experiences and liking one another should not be left out of the mix when considering what it takes to be successful on the court. Tribble said having a bond is a lot different than being just a teammate.

“[It] makes the game way easier because you going to put your body on the line for your brother. You're not going to want to do certain stuff for somebody you don't like,” he said. “So, I feel like it's very important to like them as a person rather than just a teammate.”

Groce said that mindset is significant.

“You know, there's nothing more foundational than that,” he said. “You add that to the fact that they're so coachable. That's why I think we'll improve and we need to improve. You know, we need to be better in a lot of areas.”

It is a business trip for the Zips

That’s the other attitude with which the Zips head to this tournament. They have a 2-1 record and have looked uneven in getting there.

The Classic, which Groce likens to the Mid-American Tournament in Cleveland with its three-games-in-three-days format, gives UA the chance to compete against teams such as Nevada, Kansas State and Louisiana State. It gives the Zips the opportunity to learn more about themselves and a chance for Groce to tinker with the team’s rotation.

“We’ve had a seven-man primarily rotation. We need to get it deeper,” he said.

He hopes to work guard Tavari Johnson and forward Amai Lyles into the rotation in expanded roles, he said.

He’s also looking for better offensive efficiency and blocking out, but the primary hope is for his players to make a connection.

“I think when you play three games in three days and you're together for six days, I'm hoping that'll give us some even better chemistry on the court in terms of connection,” Groce said. “Knowing where guys are going to be, play more games together against quality opponents, that that will bring us together even more on the court.”

Reach George M. Thomas at gthomas@thebeaconjournal.com.

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Akron Zips men's basketball team to strengthen ties in tournament