This is a huge spot in the midst of a brutal stretch in this MAC schedule. When playing at Kent, I've always been frustrated by how much tougher Kent plays than Akron, Groce has mentioned this a few times as well on post game shows after these games. No crowd will certainly even that playing field.
Perimeter defense and rebounding are crucial today. I'm hoping whoever is on Pippen (hopefully Ali) gets in his shorts similarly to how Ali did to Vander Plas when Akron played OU. They're dangerous in certain spots and only need a small window to make an impact. If he gets frustrated, he's still a technical foul machine even in his 5th year. That's where emotional maturity and toughness can really benefit the Zips.
Kent's been scoring a lot of points lately, and their guards have been stellar, even without Nuga. Santiago is nearly a 50% 3pt shooter but went 1-6 at the JAR. Running those guys off the line and forcing them to finish with Enrique and Reece down low is a great recipe for success.
Also in the game at the JAR, Marshall put in some very strong minutes in the first half with the game getting on the brink of being out of control, and Dawson buried a couple of big shots when the Zips started to take control. Wynn seems to have taken a lot of Marshall's minutes, but the thing I love about this team is their ability to put guys into their own roles so as not to ask too much of any one of those bench guys in particular. I can't say it enough, when those guys (Clarke included, hell I might be forgetting some there are so many!) play like NBA All-Stars in their roles, Akron is right up there with Toledo.
There are few better feelings than winning in this building. I'm crushed we can't be there, but I'm just as excited as always. GO ZIPS!!!!! BEAT KENT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!