johnnyzip84

I thought I was the only subscriber to Faustian logic 😁

I completely agree. Would I want to have a chance to see Freeman with this team? Sure, but now that we're not dumping it in to the low post so often, the spacing for guys like Nate, Tavari, Shammah and others has opened up and I think this is a big factor for how much we've improved "finishing" at the rim this year. Having said that, we will remain vulnerable to taller teams if (hopefully) the situation presents itself again.

Here's an interesting article about Zay's prior coach from Cornell, who is now trying to turn around William and Mary, one of only 3 schools who have been eligible for every NCAA tournament, but have never qualified. Two things stand out to me. First, Groce is certainly not the only coach who wants to shoot as many 3's as possible while also playing 10. Second, I didn't realize the Ivy League has a rule where players can't play more than 4 years in the league, regardless of circumstances. For that reason, Zay and three of his ex-teammates were forced to transfer to play their final season (I assume they each got an extra covid season). Maybe John and Bud can take advantage of this again in the future?

With Okonkwo's tendency to leave his feet, I hope the Zips follow the food additive genius's advice and have Gray (and Lyles, Marvin and even Seth Wilson) take shifts guarding VonCameron Davis or else this could easily devolve into a matchup nightmare down low if James is forced to sit for most or all of the game. I think it'll also be key for the Zips to key their emotions in check. That's always difficult in this rivalry (Tavari and Ali both had TFs over there last year). Despite their record, I still think Kent has talent - albeit incredibly inconsistent. Sullinger has been a good shooter in the past (although probably benefited from Santiago being another threat), so you have to wonder if that will return this year. Bottom line is I'll take ANY W this Friday - no questions asked.

First MAC victory ever over a top 5 opponent - so I'd say you're spot on.

I was critical of our decision to schedule Colgate as our FCS home game, but it looks like the Red Raiders aren't up to their usual standards with an opening loss at Maine and getting stomped today at home by Nova 28-3. So I fully expect the Zips to win on Saturday.

EMU up early on Washington 3-0 after a nice road win (OK it was UMass and it was expected, but an FBS road win nonetheless). We often point to Toledo as a model program to emulate, and thats understandable given the Rockets consistent success. But I would argue EMU is a better example, given how bad they were for so long before this recent string of respectability. Hell, the better answer is right in the word EMUlate 🤣. Seriously though, EMU has battled the "commuter" school image, lack of consistent winning and extremely low attendance over the years. Sound familiar? So just when we're about as down and out as we can get, consider how EMU somehow has turned it around.

Certainly never meant to imply that (but I thought that would have been obvious). It just struck me as funny and a bit ironic that the program most cited as corrupt back in the day is now doing the very same things, but this time it's on the up and up. Here's a wild idea for additional Info utilization. How about a UFL expansion team?

I'm truly not posting this to further depress our already deflated fan base, but here is a well written article on how the epic landscape changes are helping to resurrect one infamous program back from the dead. This is the flip side if you will - can you even imagine? Pony Up

The previous two posts pretty much summed up my thoughts. There is unmistakable talent on this team (probably best defense in 7 or 8 years?), but 4-8 will be a very reasonable finish given the degree of difficulty. Oh and when scheduling our FCS home game, I would suggest avoiding teams with excellent tradition like Colgate - not smart.

Like so many, I was quite dismayed when Scarborough was brought in, and I was thankful that his stay was brief (who can forget the presidential home and the $556.40 olive jar). But in retrospect, maybe UA would have been better off in the long run had those deeper cuts been made at the time - get the bleeding over with so the healing can begin? Just a thought. It may take some more time, but I believe the U can be "right-sized" eventually.

So back on the game itself, I am in agreement with most here that the Zips will need to shoot it well (think Kent home game) to have a realistic chance in this one. However, I also wonder whether Ali's prior familiarity with most of the Blue Jay roster from his short Butler stint might account for some, small potential advantage coming in this game. You could argue that they're also familiar with him, but he's only one piece for the Zips, whereas Scheierman, Alexander and Kalkbrenner, being three major cogs for the Jays, are a much bigger portion of their puzzle. Yeah it's a stretch, but if the game stays relatively close, who knows what factors might possibly tip the tide? Ali didn't have his best games in their two matchups last year, but if curious the links to the box scores for both are here (game 1) and here (game 2).

Exactly - when you beat a team twice in a season, particularly if neither victory was by a single point or in OT, then that's a strong indicator that you're simply the better team and should win again if the third match up materializes.

Oh yeah, Dawson's bear hug was timely no doubt. But wasn't it just a few minutes later when Groce went into his "marionette" mocking of the refs - that was hilarious!

Hate to have Tribble miss this one (and hope he's back 100% ASAP), but this gave Tavari the opportunity to get quality minutes in a fantastic, tense setting. Like many here, I envision him with the highest ceiling of all of our PGs, so hopefully this is step 1 on a path towards fulfilling the promise he displayed early in his time at UA - something we've all been waiting for. Besides Rique and Ali playing up to the standards we've come to expect, how about Dawson never giving up after an 0 for 8 (or whatever) start, continuing to fire away until they finally started to drop. Shooters have to shoot! Keep it up Zippers. I don't want the ride to end!