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Likely agree. UConn cleary has basketball as main priority. Colorado State at least has a pathway to the CFP whereas UConn really doesn't.

Let's take a look at the numbers leading into this matchup using ChatGPT's deep research function. Scoring Offense: Akron averages about 94.9 points per game, a huge number, whereas Milwaukee averages 74.8 points (in Division I games). The Zips’ fast-paced, efficient offense (50.6% team FG) has routinely topped 90 points, while the Panthers have been held under 75 in four of their seven games. Scoring Defense: Akron allows 74.1 points per game, compared to 83.3 allowed by Milwaukee. The Zips have generally played better team defense, holding opponents to 42.8% shooting and 33% from three. Milwaukee, by contrast, has struggled defensively, especially on the perimeter – opponents have hit nearly 39% of threes against them, contributing to the Panthers’ high points-against. Rebounding: Akron holds a slight edge, averaging 35.4 rebounds per game to Milwaukee’s 31.5. Akron’s rebounding effort is balanced (four players grab ~4–6 boards per game), and they have a +5.5 rebounding margin on average. Milwaukee is roughly even with opponents on the boards (about 37 per game each), with Jovanovich and Fields leading the way. Securing defensive rebounds will be critical for Milwaukee to prevent Akron’s second-chance points. Playmaking: The Zips exhibit great ball movement, averaging 20.1 assists per game – a reflection of Coach John Groce’s emphasis on sharing the ball. Milwaukee averages 12.2 assists, indicating a more one-on-one oriented offense. Akron’s offense is more fluid and balanced, evidenced by multiple games where four or more players scored in double figures (a regular occurrence last season as well). Turnovers: Both teams take care of the ball reasonably well. Akron commits 9.7 turnovers per game, slightly better than Milwaukee’s 10.7. Notably, Akron’s defense has been adept at forcing turnovers (opponents commit ~15.6 per game against them), which fuels their transition offense. Milwaukee will need to handle Akron’s ball pressure – in last year’s meeting, Akron actually forced 22 Milwaukee turnovers, but the Zips couldn’t capitalize enough. Keeping turnover numbers low will be a focal point for the Panthers.

Good question. UConn is always in a weird spot: no conference, poor attendance, basketball school, etc. When there is a question it usually comes back to money - wether it’s money in the program or money in his pocket…or likely both!

Weird.. one would think UConn to Colorado State is a step backwards? Maybe the PAC12 $ but even still idk

Looks like UConn coach Jim Mora is leaving to take the Colorado State job. This is one of the possible landing spots for Joe mentioned last week.

The UA Board's logic would be to build a bigger stadium to fix this.

I thought the team played pretty good last night. Xavier had a huge size advantage but they held their own on the boards. We had far fewer turnovers.

Ohio loses another one, this time 70-58 to LMU. Darn.

Congratulations to these excellent student athletes

I'm hoping that Barre's ability to gain Groce's trust was adversely impacted by his injury in the pre-season and that the confidence and minutes will grow as the season progresses. He played 11.5 minutes a game at Duquesne last year. Here's hoping there's some of that in store here.

I don't disagree with you that the team would be better is Barre was able to contribute quality minutes. I'm more saying it will be better to ramp him up to that during games we have well in hand to build up that level of trust.

I'll miss his 3.5 GPA.

I said it was a borderline call, not the incorrect call. Absolutely, and Coach Groce is one of the best there is. MMK at 5 will work against 95% of the teams we play this year, because he is a smart player with a high motor, and that can overcome some of his lack of size at that spot. But not against teams like Yale, Purdue, and anyone we would likely see in the NCAA Tournament. If he doesn't trust Barre yet, I trust he isn't showing something in practice that he wants to see. But I'm holding out hope that whatever it is will get worked through over the next few months so that Barre is at least a 8-10 minutes contributor off the bench by March, because we will need him to pull off out ultimate goal of winning a tournament game IMO.

With all due respect to Milwaukee, if we can't beat them at home, our team isn't what we're hoping.

I think he could still develop into a solid linebacker wherever he lands, but he was leapfrogged by both Boswell and Hocker this year.

You said persnickety. 😀

Not that it really matters, and it was very easy to miss in real time, but there really was a hook and hold. It was only visible from one specific replay angle. It was a very savvy veteran move against a less experienced guy. Anyway, it wouldn't have made any difference, as it had nothing to do with the review or outcome of the game lol. My apologies for being persnickety.

I try finding all of these on X but so many slip through - and I’m sure there will be many more coming

And video evidence showed no hook and hold and that he did fall back into him. It validated the call on the floor. If anything that weakens you argument as you can't even say it was a call the refs missed. Besides the call would have needed to be reviewed regardless because they had to know if the foul occurred before the buzzer and if so how much time to leave on the clock. Groce said in the post game interview after game 1 that MMK earned his minutes in practice when asked if we will see Barre or Briscoe this year. He said both those guys will need to work for their minutes. Once again when you're the 11th man in the rotation you're going to have a short leash in a tightly contested game. If this was Evansville and we were up 20+ he may have let him play through mistakes. We literally trailed for all but maybe 1-2 minutes that game. If anything he should have been given more run time against Iona or Evansville to shake off the rust so he's more prepared when we might need him. Edit: Groce really wanted that game. He pretty much treated it like a MAC tournament game. He shorted his rotation to really 8 man (Ognjen only got 7 minutes) and Tavari, Evan, and Scott all played 32+ minutes. He played the players he had the most trust in what he treated as a must win game. That's what coaches do.

I have had this thought as well. Should the Zips make it to selection Sunday, I think they are going to need Oggie and Barre to continue to progress throughout the season in order to possibly/hopefully make it to the second weekend of the tournament. I do remember thinking Oggie did well defending Townsend the few times they matched up. If, by tournament time, those dudes progress in the system like some of the upperclassmen, the Zippies could have a decent shot at really being a cinderella this season. I think the Bulldogs and Boilermakers gave Akron a good idea of where they are at currently.

It was close enough that they took a look at the monitor to make sure Townsend didn't hook him, because Yale was absolutely doing that last night. We have no idea what he looks like in practice. It was literally one play.