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If you follow coach Jackson's Twitter feed, and follow youth/HS girls' bb little you can see that she is VERY busy in the recruiting field, even during days off during the season. She has a couple of junior and sophomore verbal commitments and travels to watch her future recruits whenever possible. And, as I think I mentioned somewhere earlier, two of next year's freshmen originally committed to BGSU before their coaching change last year.

They are inexperienced playing with each other and a MAC schedule. KD did not bring in transfers and most players learned from playing with each other going through the MAC schedule their entire collegiant career. Although it is not Groce's fault, we now have a team of transfers who do not have MAC game experience. KD indicated that you need mental toughness to win close games on the road. (Ironically, Duqeusne is also losing close games on the road) In the replay of the last 4 minutes of the Ball State game, I saw Jackson, Cheese, and Utomi miss close shots, Jackson commit an unforced turnover, and his man take him to the hoop and draw fouls when Jackson tried to draw an offensive foul. (Not going to get that call away in the last minute!) Further, Riak lost his man on the boxout and gave up the winning tip. These are inexperienced players not closing out a game. Further, alhough Jackson and Riak played 150 college games, they were not in the game in the last 3 minutes of those games. If they had gotten those minutes, they would not have transferred. The last 2 seasons road games have been frustrating to watch but it is not unexpected.

I've had this discussion with @fknbuflobo a number of times. Kentucky would be an awesome addition to the MAC if they could be convinced to return. If I remember Gaucho Dan's RPI conference ratings in the Fall, I think the MAC may have finished 3rd as a conference in 2018 Men's Soccer RPI. Now is the time for the MAC to look to lure some of these teams you mention. Kentucky had a great 2018 season and would be a nice geographical fit as well.

Just watched the replay of the last 7 minutes of the Ball State game and not very optimistic about this game. I was upset that Groce put in Jackson in the last 4 minutes because I think that Cheese is a better defender and was having a great game compared to Jackson. However, the loss was a team effort since nobody could hit a shot the last 4 minutes. Jackson also had a great steal that gave us a chance to win. For the Zips to win they will have to do things that they have not done all season, play well on the road and finish off a close game on the road. Young and inexperienced teams do not win on the road. The last 2 years Groce has had young and inexperienced teams. As a result we have sucked on the road the last 2 years. We have only 2 guys with experience, Daniel and Ivey. I am hoping that their defense can keep them in the game. Would not be surprised to see a letdown after the tough loss at Ball State. If the Zips could win it would certainly help them with their confidence the rest of the season.

Right now Akron's path to the final based on the standings of today would be we'd host WMU the first round then play Toledo in the quarterfinals. In the semi-finals we'd play 1 of EMU, Ball State, or BGSU. I'd prefer to see Toledo surpass Kent as the 3rd seed, which I think they will, that way we would play them in the 2nd round and give Buffalo a tougher opponent on their side of the bracket. Playing WMU - Kent - BGSU is probably the most manageable path to the finals we can get, assuming no upsets on our side of the bracket. The hope would be that someone on the other end of the bracket would knock off Buffalo.

Tonight and the game at Buffalo will certainly be huge challenges. We will probably be favored against Miami and Ohio. I see those last two games as ones that can go either way.

That's the most detail anyone has mentioned as far as to what took place. Glad Gueye is gone. Not buying the unprovoked part, but the striking multiple times is alarming. I hope the Tampa basketball coach has some common sense to not let him play ball there. And please tell me Gueye didn't wear some sort of long winter Nike jacket to the courtroom instead of a suit...

Seriously, you don't think Liberty is able to recruit African-American athletes? Check out their rosters. You may be letting your anti-Liberty sentiments get a little out of hand. http://www.liberty.edu/flames/index.cfm?PID=36959&teamID=6 http://www.liberty.edu/flames/index.cfm?PID=36959&teamID=9 http://www.liberty.edu/flames/index.cfm?PID=36959&teamID=7&CFID=618874407&CFTOKEN=45823418

MY KINGDOM FOR A CENTER

Seems like Ball State has some really good, unbiased, commentators.

Banks is terrific in the passing lanes. Has been all year.

pretty bad late call on Ivey there.

Great effort in the first half. Defense is clicking. Utomi is playing strong and getting inside some. Jackson needs to focus on facilitating and let his offense come to him. He is forcing it. We need to drive and get closer shots in the second half, Utomi can dominate inside 15 feet, keep up the defensive effort, and leave with a win. Jackson needs to play smart.

Utomi bringing it today! Liked Poke's energy in the 1st half. Not pleased with Jackson's play on either end today. Nice to see Riak go for a dunk (even though he missed) and nice to see Banks get a few buckets. He's been COOOOLDD.

Would someone please teach MAC refs what continuation is? Cheese has been hosed two games in a row now.

We know one game next Fall (https://gozips.com/news/2019/2/15/mens-soccer-akron-extends-embicks-contract.aspx) 8/30/2019 @ Xavier ... The Zips will open their 2019 campaign traveling to Xavier for a season-opening contest on Aug. 30 in Cincinnati, Ohio....

Coach Jackson is teaching this team how to win. They are a work in progress with a high ceiling. I was not in favor of her hiring but she is proving that I don't know what I'm talking about. Best of luck to the ladies. Keep bringing it in every game.

Kind of what I was thinking. I just didn't want to hear myself say it!

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I first noticed that Leo was gone at the MAC Tourney last year when another fan noted during the Zips v WVU match that he was not there. During the NCAA Tourney match v Stanford, which I watched at the JAR, this same fan mentioned running into Leo somewhere on Exchange St. Also, Leo was not listed in the College Cup Program among the Zips staff. Apparently, the Zips runs through the 2018 MAC and NCAA Tourneys were done without Leo.