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Did I say that? Or did I say that they've disappeared completely amid the success? Those two are not the same thing, as you are someone who is active on this board. There are plenty of posters, some of whom even showed up this summer when there was mild speculation that Groce may leave, to say "I TOLD YOU SO" as if it's a bad thing for a coach to be good enough to leave Akron. These people who "cheer" for Akron by only showing up to criticize coaching and poor play are not Akron fans, they would rather be proven right by Akron failing. Their ego is more important than their "team" winning. F them. There are plenty examples over in the football thread too.

In defense of the Zips Hoops Fan’s acumen, the poll shows 58 in favor of the Groce hire and 3 against. I see it is up to 60 in favor now? Voter fraud runs rampant even at ZipsNation!??

Thankfully his wife and the other members of the coaching staff's families love living here. I don't know if that is enough for JG to give UA a hometown discount when it comes to contract time, but it can't hurt.

Welcome Perry! Caleb and Tim Bezbechenko has assembled one of the deepest rosters in MLS. If I was Artur I would be worried about playing time. Perry will look great alongside Nagbe as a holding mid. He will be the strong, physical presence that will allow Darlington to push up when he wants to.

It’s earlier in this thread (I’m certain it must be this thread), but do you guys remember the heat Groce took from some former posters on this site when he was hired and especially as he struggled through his first season? A couple former posters seemed to have downright disdain for Groce. Seems like ancient history now.

I think Groce has been a better coach at Akron than Dambrot. Would Groce be able to pull off those streaks that KD did? I don't think so, but I also don't care. They play to win it all right now, and I'm sure over a 13 year sample that kind of basketball will give you some duds, and that's okay. I think it's the kind of ball that wins you the biggest games. Look at Buffalo prior to their 2018 run. Were they the 1 seed every year? No. But they were tough, and you never wanted to play them. They're still like that. And I think Groce has built Akron into a program like that. If only that team last year had a chance, that could've been legendary. If this group had a full offseason, it's pretty easy to say they would be just as incredible. Bandaogo would be a factor, guys like Wynn, Clarke, and Marshall would be able to contribute more, etc. But considering the slow start, damn you have to be impressed with what Groce has done once again. No excuses with this group, I love that so much. This really has been the perfect scenario for the transition of the program, Groce is using the foundation of success KD built to make it even better and great in his own way. I think that when the day comes for Groce to move on, that makes the position even more attractive to quality candidates. Good coaches win here. That's huge.

I hope all games home and away!

https://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2021/01/28/columbus-crew-sc-sign-veteran-midfielder-perry-kitchen Bezbatchenko's quote from MLS article “Perry is a seasoned player whose addition to our roster will help bolster our midfield,” Crew president & GM Tim Bezbatchenko said in a club statement. “Along with bringing a decade of professional experience and leadership in MLS and abroad, Perry will provide another important veteran voice to our locker room. We believe that his qualities as a player on and off the field will allow him to fit right in at our club.”

Just my opinion but we need to try and grab a season QB even if for 2 yrs while the youngins learn.There are plenty in the transfer portal and also maybe we get some DBs as well. I see Mr Dominique Long is in the portal. Nice DB and the brother of ex zip ,Daryl.

Decent chance Groce has as many MAC tournament championships as KD in 7 less years if COVID didn't happen

I agree!!!

Groce is best coach ever in the MAC. Period.

Perry Kitchen returns to Ohio. Yes!!!

I don't see the appeal in moving our best rebounder further away from the basket.

Not to take anything away from KD, but he also had 13 years to do it. I wish KD luck. We were fortunate to have him, his commitment and the blotch in his past that allowed him to stay here for so long. I'm afraid we won't have that with Groce as his success might well draw him elsewhere. Hopefully, his lack of success at Illinois will dissuade bigger programs from trying to snatch him up.

That, and when he melted the microphone with fire after the EMU game in Cleveland that year. And the tone in regards to attitude and effort for those first years, we knew it was only a matter of time before the program took off. And sure enough, we all have MAC Champion T-Shirts to prove it and we're on the right track for more.

I don't think anyone here has anything against people who were hesitant at first of the hire. It was more so the people who posted Groce first year that were posting in a way that made it seem they were getting enjoyment out of Akron having a bad year because Dambrot wasn't the coach that irked this board. You see those same type of fans posting on the football board currently.

I was one of the ones critical of the hire, but I'm not sure if I posted it here. For me (I think), it was more that I hated we hired a former coach of one of our rivals. A few may have disliked the hire, but certainly no one was rooting for the program to fail under him. Silly to say people aren't Akron fans if they disagree with AD's moves. Anyway, I was in no way insinuating that they should NOT extend him, I was more wondering what the university is capable of, considering the current situation. Coach has a way to get the best out of his guys, same as Dambrot always did. The additional plus that I see with Groce is that he does a great job building that team chemistry with HS kids and transfers. These guys love each other and it makes me love the team even more. I jumped out of my seat when Maishe hit that 3 in OT vs. Toledo.

I certainly remember. The ones that are still around have admitted it was a good hire given what he accomplished last season. The others must have moved over to the Duquesne message board as I haven't seen them around lately. Perhaps they're just lurking waiting for their chance to say I told you so. If that's the case they will have a long wait as we're positioned to win long-term.

I don't even know what that is

Post up player? In the MAC?

Glad to see Dailey have a great game. Highlight for me was watching him smile when he hit his first 3 ball. I know that he also scored inside. Ali was beast in the paint. Maybe he should be our post up player instead of Freeman. He had some nice moves inside with some great fadeaway baskets. I agree that the subs really brought the energy on defense and on the offensive boards. We killed them on the boards. When is the last time anyone said that about an Akron team. It looks like these guys will be tough to beat at home. We have to keep bringing it on the road.

Not good at math, but I think we are in control of our own destiny once again. If we win out, we would be tied with Toledo but have two wins over them, therefore MAC CHAMPS AGAIN.

If this works out and becomes the new norm, the playoffs could be played in nice weather, and the College Cup could be played anywhere there was a reasonable bid.

No MAC Tourney. Regular season champ gets conference auto bid to NCAA Tourney per previous announcements, 2020 Men's College Cup Info (May 2021, Cary, NC)