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Beating an average Texas team who played absolutely horribly is the win that we've been seeking for years and that would bring this mythical "Joe Akron" person into the JAR? Oh ok.

In 2010 we slept on Larry Nance Jr. (and Darius Carter ) and offered Cleveland-area products Tree & Nick Harney. Tree turned out to be one of my all-time favorite Zips, but whiffing on both Nance Jr. & Carter still makes me break out in a cold sweat. Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me. Let's not make the same mistake twice. Sound good? Great! Then I'm starting a thread for 2018 SF/PF Pete Nance. We can't let Pete climb the fence & get out of our backyard. If Pete is anything like his brother, he'd be proud to wear Akron on his chest, as Larry Jr. used to post pics to twitter of him wearing Zips gear even while he played for Wyoming. It's amazing to me how articulate Pete is. He interviews like he's a 35-year old man! Obviously highly intelligent. Lends credibility to the fact people say he's got the proverbial "high basketball I.Q."

We've beaten big name mediocre P5 teams in the recent past. Can confirm Joe Akron didn't care.

To Joe Akron, it looks like Can't beat Texas. That's a quality win. If you play them, wins may come...

I've had several people ask me about the pickem site so I wanted to get this post up for anyone wondering. Long story short, my webhost stopped supporting the database program I use to run the pickem site. I keep thinking I will get around to educating myself enough to re-do it and get it up and running, but I've finally accepted that it just isn't going to happen. With 3 young kids, a demanding job and coaching & administering youth sports...I just can't find the time. As some of you know, the site started as a college project 15 years ago. I was a dual MIS/Accounting major, and my career went the accounting route. Because of that, my programming skills are severely outdated and limited but as long as my archaic crotchety old website worked I kept running it. The timing was not ideal, the migration hit just a few weeks ago leaving a short window. I'm hopeful I can get to it over the coming year and come back in 2018 with a revamped site, and we can view Pick Em 2017 like we do MLB 1994. I apologize for not having it up and running and thank those of you who have played over the years.

I'm pretty sure he is on our radar. We potentially have four scholarships available after next year (Noah, Antino, Aaron, Craig).

http://www.topdrawersoccer.com/the91stminute/2016/12/the-tortured-demise-of-the-darlington-nagbe-celtic-transfer/#more-42866

I said it a few weeks ago and I'm sticking to it, I'll be shocked if this team loses more than 3 games in MAC play.

I am going with 13-5 and I think all the losses are on the road. This team seems to play well at home at we always seem to shoot the ball well at home. However, not sure this team has the mental and physical toughness to win on the road. We really have not been tested in close games and we still lack the "go to" guy when we need points in a close game. I think that this team has the potential to be really good but a lot of things have to happen for this team to win out in the MAC. First, Big Dog has to have a great year. He is one of the most talented big men we have had. It is rare that you get a guy that is big, quick for his size, coordinated and is a great passer. He could dominate the MAC this year. However, it bothers me when KD indicated that he is still playing himself into shape. In non conference play he is averaging over 14 points and shooting 68%. If he continues that type of play we could be very tough this year. Will Kwan have a great senior year? He is shooting over 40% from the 3 line. His defense and rebounding have been great in non conference play. He has hit 14 of 15 from the line but he should have more foul shots as an interior player. I was real impressed with his game in Creighton and if he can play that well on the road we will be tough. Also, can he not get down on himself when things do not go his way. If Kwan plays well with a little inside offense we could go far. Jimond Ivey. I like his game because he gives us an athletic guy who can score on the fast break and close to the basket. When Big Dog has the ball and all eyes are on him Jimond can move without the ball and get easy baskets. He is now on KD's list of players that can make a mistake and not get pulled out which means he is playing with a lot more confidence. Like to see him average in double digits without shooting the 3 ball. If he has a breakout year we will be tough to beat. Antino I think Antino could be our best one on one player with his step back jump shot. I like him at the point, especially when Big Dog is not in the game because he probably the best point guard at getting to the basket and finishing at the basket. Unfortunately, all of our guards are small and not particularly strong and need to play tough on the road because it will get physical. He turns the ball over more than Noah but that will happen when you are aggressive driving to the basket. He shot over 40% in non conference play both from the field and from 3 point. Noah, would love to see Noah play like he did his frosh year before the knee injury. He had a great game at Marshall. Can he bring that every night. He has to shoot the ball well for this team to be successful. Because of the double team on Big Dog he will get the open looks. Josh Williams. He could be our best shooter. No doubt he is the streakiest shooter we have. When he is on it is like he cannot miss. I like to see him move without the ball and come off picks for open threes. He needs to improve on attacking the basket and his defense. Has only taken 8 foul shots the entire non conference schedule. I think we have good backups with Jackson, Hughs and Dunn Martin. We played a pretty weak non conference schedule at home so hopefully the good shooting is not a result of weak competition. Looking forward to MAC play and winning the MAC.

Good for them and good for the MAC. Congrats, Kant.

He was an Orangeman, even though he played for Stow.

I expect us to be favored in all eighteen games.

Balsy.... are you plunking the magic twanger in anticipation of the upcoming schedule? In other words.... can we expect to see a projection this year? One of my favorite posts of the year by the way!