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The Spartans are coming. Michigan State at Akron on September 5 https://msuspartans.com/news/2022/6/2/spartan-mens-soccer-announces-2022-schedule.aspx

https://www.audacy.com/wqam/podcasts/south-florida-high-school-sports-radio-141/coach-joe-moorehead-with-larry-blustein-06-01-22-1444046924

I know this topic isn't really a BB topic, but I don't know any other way to contact the folks in charge of ZipsNation to congratulate them for avoiding the use of the new hidden Z logo. I like the old Z that appears in front of all the Subforums on ZipsNation and hope they stay around for a long time.

3+ Decades of consistent winning. Must be nice.

Five MAC teams went to NCAA last year. BGSU, NIU, WMU all have tasted the exposure this brings. And they want it again. Year in year out, at least one of those three will challenge Zips for MAC. Let’s return to always beating these teams every time before we complain about the quality of the MAC.

The MAC at one time was a very highly regarded soccer conference with numerous teams getting bids. That has gone away and now it is sh*t show with Akron and three other teams who do not want to grow their programs. Add to this mess Chicago State and Akron loses valuable strength of schedule points. Guthrie has got to get us out of the MAC. Jared would rather be an independent and build his own schedule than play in this MAC. Our program is at a critical crossroad. The school's decisions have got to reflect that we will keep soccer at the elite level no matter what.

It’s early, but assuming we line up in a 4-3 I’m guessing the defense will look something like what’s listed below. What I like about the 2022 version is the versatility we have - especially on the defensive line. If we go into a 4-2-5, like was mostly shown in the 2nd half of the spring game (I missed the first half), we’d drop the SAM LB and add a Nickel. In that case, I’d guess Boateng would be shifted to WILL and one of defensive backs would be slotted at Nickel. For pass rush, we shifted down the OLBs to the edge and slid one or both DEs inside. WDE: Ryan Johnson Zach Morton NT: Curtis Harper Bryce Wilson DT: Devon Robinson Ravontae Holt SDE: Victor Jones Curtis Fann WILL: Corey Thomas Jr. Julian Richardson MIKE: Bubba Arslanian Andrew Behm SAM: Jeslord Boateng Ryan McClain CB: Cam Threatt Tyson Durant FS: KJ Martin Nate Thompson SS: Jaylen Kelly-Powell Jaden Woods CB: Jaylen Hooks Devonte Golden-Nelson There are a number of different combinations that could be fielded. We definitely have more talent on the defensive side of the ball than in 2021, so it’ll be interesting to see how it all plays out. What are the board’s thoughts?

I don't know if any have brought in someone better than what they have lost but Toledo has always been able to reload and find another staff to continue winning. Toledo Tom Amstutz is the only coach they have had since Lord Saban left that didn't get hired away excluding current coach Candle Candle's updated numbers 45-27 .625% CMU went from Brian Kelley to Butch Jones.

As last they start early to mid July there is plenty of time.

Now that we have a full roster, I am incredibly intrigued by which players get redshirted. We're too full. This is the deepest Zips roster that I can ever remember. A Snapshot - 4 incoming freshman - 2 guards: one is an all state player in Illinois (Johnson); the other is 6'5" and received offers from Wichita State, Rhode Island, etc (Prather Jr). - 2 stretch 4s: one was 1st team all state in Ohio for DII (arguably the best basketball division in Ohio), averaged 20+ ppg, and played for one of the most prominent AAU programs in Ohio (Lyles); the other has outstanding tape and looks like he could be Ali Ali or better (Prince). - 2 transfers - 1 guard with double digit scoring potential, plays D, and has quite a bit of experience (Hankerson) - 1 forward, who looks more like a PF and comes from a P5 program (Hunter) - 2 redshirt freshman guards will make their true collegiate debuts this year. Both were prolific scorers in high school, and seem to possess solid size (Mitchell & Johnson). - For returning guards, we have X and Clarke at the Point, with Tribble and Dawson playing the 2 Guard/3&D roles. - Returning fowards is the one and only Enrique Freeman, who will have his jersey in the rafters at some point. This is the shortest team we will have seen Akron put on the court since Groce's first year, and then maybe prior to Dambrot? But it will undoubtedly be the most athletic we have seen. I am fascinated to see who gets redshirted. I am fascinated to see the rotations. I am fascinated to see the offense.