clarkwgriswold

The Sprockets can score the basketball. They're first in the MAC by a whopping 6 points a game. On the flip side, they're 11th in team defense. This game may well come down to which team controls the pace.

I think that should be a popular comment. It is a rivalry and I sure like poking fun at them, however, Groce telling us more than once that he and Mr. Pinky are good friends goes a long way in helping to promote that sportsmanship.

Mr. Pinky is just good enough to keep his job but not good enough to have someone come calling with another job, He's the Crash Davis of college basketball coaches. I'll give him some credit. He made some very nice and gracious comments in an article yesterday about last year's MAC championship game and made similar comments following last night's game.

The FIRST PLACE Zips welcome in the Toledo Rockets this Tuesday night. The Rockets are 16-6/7-2 heading into tonight's game against CMU. Their two MAC losses were in the home opener to Ball State and at PCCC. Rockets' scoring is led by RayJ Dennis at 19 ppg, who also leads the team in assists. Dennis is a 6'2" junior guard transfer from Boise State. JT Shumate, a 6'7" senior forward, was on the All-MAC Preseason first team and is averaging 18 ppg and 5.1 rpg. Second team Preseason All-MAC Setric Milliner, a 6'7" senior forward, contributes 14.9 ppg while leading rebounding at 6.1 rpg. They were predicted to finish second in the MAC. Here's hoping there's not a letdown after the PCCC game!

Great night to be a Zips fan!

I heard that the t-shirt cannon is coming out for this one. In part to rally the fans, in part to keep @NWAkron's attention on the floor at all times rather than burying his head in his hands.

The Zips are going to need Sammy to show up and play well in this one. Enrique will be dedicated to Payton, so the Zips will need someone with length to guard 6'8' Ball State transfer Myrine Thomas who can take the ball out on the floor and shoot threes.

FRUSTRATING.

Bauer at Toledo and Salopek at Miami are two Hoban/MAC players I'd be happy to have.

Somebody at PCCC is obviously a fan of the Chargers.

The 18-4 PCCC Golden Flushes make their annual trip from Brimfield to the JAR Friday night to renew the rivalry and determine first place in the MAC. Insincere Carry leads Mr. Pinky’s squad at 17.3 ppg per game. Malique Jacobs averages 12.3 ppg while kicking in 4.9 rpg. The game is at 9:00 p.m. Bring your long johns as the temperature could be in single digits by game time. I will not be able to attend as I will be out of town. If anyone can use my GA ticket, shoot me a PM.

Zips at like they've never seen a press or traps. Dribbling into traps, getting the ball in corners and on the baseline....

This team has a propensity to allow teams back into games. It makes me nuts.

For a program that had a nice stretch of success they've given Whitesell an awful long leash.

Jim Whitesell wants to get booted just so that he doesn't have to watch this. He's Stan Heathing it.

Sammy nearly invisible tonight.

Nate looked like he got caught between dunking it and laying it in.

They're running the finest of AAU offenses.

Looks like Garvin has transitioned into a small knee brace. Good to see.

Here's an article about Triston McKenzie's appearance in Akron-https://www.cleveland.com/entertainment/2023/01/guardians-triston-mckenzie-on-ego-heaters-franconas-managing-style-more-at-hot-stove-banquet.html

I'm old fashioned. I don't get why you would pay the cost of a lower bowl seat and not attend the games.

This group of kids is sure easy to like. There doesn't seem to be a poor character kid in the group. I realize now that this is the second or third year I've essentially said "they're young, they're going to get better,"

I think they are above the middle of the conference and will only get better as the season goes on as they are quite young with 6 freshmen on the roster.

The Zips head to the land of perpetual snow Tuesday night to face Buffalo. Buffalo comes into the game at 10-11/4-4 fresh off of a six-point loss in Garrettsville. In the MAC, the Bulls have beaten Ball State, BG, NIU and Ohio while losing to PCCC, Miami, CMU and Toledo. 6’5” sophomore guard Curtis Jones leads Buffalo scoring at 15.3 ppg while also contributing 5.1 rpg. 5’4” junior guard Zid Powell is second in scoring at 13.7 ppg. 6’8” senior forward LaQuill Hardnett leads rebounding at 7.5 rpg. Buffalo is second in MAC offense and 9th in defense.

He was in Akron for the Rubber Ducks kickoff event. Not sure how he ended up at the JAR, but that's what had him in Akron.