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looks like the Zips will play in Pittsburgh against the USL Team on February 18

A paintball incident just sounds like a young kid doing dumb stuff. I wouldn't read too much into it. If he had an illegal fire arm, drug charge, or something of that nature I'd be concerned.

Morris just announced his commitment on twitter. Do we think his recruitment was limited by his off the field incident, is he a developmental project, or a little of both? It looks like his only other D1 (FCS) offer was to Incarnate Word. There doesn't seem to be much out there on him in terms of recruiting profile even.

nice article in ABJ today. From article focused on Castaneda: "Tribble said Castaneda reminds him of former Zip Loren Cristian Jackson, an ice-water-in his-veins type of point guard who had little problem taking his teammates and putting them on his shoulders. That, given Jackson’s accomplishments while at UA, represents high praise. “You see other guys couldn't get it going,” Tribble said of the Broncos game. “Other guys weren't making shots and then he just was making everything. I think it's very important to have a guy like that on our team from previous years. He's very similar to Cristian Jackson and that standard.” ZIPS 'I'll do whatever it takes to win': Xavier Castaneda leads way for Akron men's basketball George M. Thomas Akron Beacon Journal For those who watched the University of Akron men’s basketball team play Western Michigan with an objective eye, there can be no doubt that the Zips struggled against the then 6-12 Broncos. But that’s not a huge surprise for the Zips, who have had to claw their way to a .500 record in road games. They are at home Tuesday against Miami. Saturday’s 63-55 win over the Broncos, though, may have revealed the team has yet another player who can lift the team on his shoulders when necessary. Point guard Xavier Castaneda was the only UA player to score double figures, finishing with 32 points — just one shy of a career best — on 11-of-25 shooting. Xavier Castaneda leads Mid-American Conference in scoring That fact falls in line with what the Chicago, Illinois, native has accomplished this season. Last year he was the Zips' second-leading scorer, just behind Ali Ali, with 13.2 points per game to Ali’s 13.6. This season? He leads the Mid-American Conference with 19.9 points per game, having increased his scoring output by more than 50% over last year. Teammate Enrique Freeman said it’s a matter of Castaneda living in the moment, knowing it’s his senior year. He, however, doesn’t discount the talent. More:University of Akron point guard Xavier Castaneda finding his way in Zips uniform “X is that guy. He can really score at all three levels. I could only imagine what the scouting report would say, but I think we do a good job of feeding him …everyone's willing to just be good passers and give the next guy the open shot,” Freeman said. Zips guard Greg Tribble sees the difference in his teammate and the way he asserts himself on the court. “I feel like he's more comfortable,” Tribble said of Castaneda. “He was confident last year, but you could tell he got that swag, and I just feel like he just more comfortable with the system and what coach wants out of him and he's just doing it at a high level right now.” Coach John Groce said a lot went into the win over the Broncos, including the fact his team held the Broncos to 38% shooting and took care of the ball, only turning it over three times. But he said he also sees the improvement in Castaneda. “I think No. 1 experience, No. 2 familiarity with the system, No. 3 different roster,” Groce said when asked about the boost in Castaneda’s scoring. “So different roster, different role a little bit, some more opportunities for him to score. And he's taken full advantage of those.” Teammates: Xavier Castaneda is just that guy Castaneda doesn’t hesitate when asked how he’s different from last year. “I’m just the same guy as last year,” he said. Perhaps it is comfort level for him. As the new guy last year, he led but more by example. There are subtle differences this year. Much of it is still by example on the court, but when he missed the first two games of the conference schedule, Groce gave him credit for being on the bench encouraging his teammates. For someone who acknowledges his like for author Malcolm Gladwell and the appreciation his favorite basketball player, Los Angeles Lakers legend Kobe Bryant, had for Gladwell it’s not surprising Castaneda doesn’t see a difference or pay attention to the numbers. “Just doing what's needed to win,” he said when asked about the difference. “I'm not chasing any awards, any points, anything like that. I'm just trying to go out there and win every single game. Every single game.” He does acknowledge the roles others have played in his increased production. “I just think more opportunities,” he said, “a combination of that and my teammates. I give them a lot of credit.” Akron Zips point guard appreciates 'Mamba mentality' Castaneda's teammates give him a lot of credit, too. Tribble said Castaneda reminds him of former Zip Loren Cristian Jackson, an ice-water-in his-veins type of point guard who had little problem taking his teammates and putting them on his shoulders. That, given Jackson’s accomplishments while at UA, represents high praise. “You see other guys couldn't get it going,” Tribble said of the Broncos game. “Other guys weren't making shots and then he just was making everything. I think it's very important to have a guy like that on our team from previous years. He's very similar to Cristian Jackson and that standard.” Groce can see the comparison to Jackson, but he also understands what makes Castaneda tick — having a bit of Bryant’s Mamba mentality — “working to be better today than you were yesterday.” Groce calls him one of the highest-level competitors he’s ever coached. “I mean, he's the type of dude, if he's on the bus playing euchre or Spades or chess or checkers, he's trying to win every time. And if he's not, he's pissed.” That is the attitude that could serve the Zips and Castaneda well as they trudge through the MAC schedule, which, as usual, won’t be an easy trek. Who wins the conference and eventually the season-ending tournament is rarely predictable. In the early going, Toledo (4-2) is right there. The most surprising team might be Ball State (4-2), which beat the Zips while Castaneda was out with a wrist injury. And, of course, there is UA archrival Kent State. The Golden Flashes, riding a 10-game winning streak, are undefeated in conference play and look like the team to beat. In short, much like last season, the Zips are going to need to peak at the right moment, and it doesn’t hurt to have a player who doesn’t shrink from the moment. For Castaneda, the calculus is simple. “I'll do whatever it takes to win,” he said.

Nevada is really damn good. Just beat #25 New Mexico in 2OT. They’re rated a spot ahead of Kent in KenPom. If there were a signature nonconference win the Zips could’ve had, that would’ve been it. Damn.

Charles Guthrie today had a tweet.....where he had a picture of the soccer team practicing. Spring semester started on January 9th. Today is January 24. If any coaches or the soccer SID is reading this blog, when are the zips going to update the web site to show the 2023 soccer spring roster? I know that myself and many other zips soccer tans would love to know if the zips added any transfers in January. I would also love to know if any of the zips fall 2023 recruits started college a semester early.

That is the game where Tavari scored 21 points in 27 minutes on 9 of 10 shooting. Compare that to how he is playing now. If I am Groce I tell Tavari to shoot the ball more and find his shot. He is the missing piece for this team to step up their game.

A lot to digest here, but thanks a lot @catdaddyp! Kent State and WMU lost a lot of talent, with 7 and 6 guys going up to P5 respectively. Though Kent has also hit the portal hard.

Based on the article you posted, Morris may not be a strait shooter.

Analytics has its place in sports. The numbers don't lie. The mistake is made when programs place too much emphasis on analytics. Exhibit A- the Cleveland Browns. I've spent countless hours studying shots from every distance on the court. My conclusions: 1) shots that go in produce points; 2) points are good; and 3) the team that scores the most points wins.

After failing to get it going in the air, Caldwell called upon 6′4″ 290 lb. guard and defensive tackle Delvin Morris, who took the snap in the wildcat and carried three defenders with him into the endzone. The Hornets went back to Morris on the two point conversion, and again it was successful as the Hornets cut the lead to six. The Fridge

He left an enviable situation with a championship team where he was comfortable and familiar with the university, with his teammates, with the coaching staff, with the coach's system, and with his role within that system... a role in which he knew he had a green light and incredibly long leash from Coach Groce. *sigh*

We could use a player or two now with Cody's enthusiasm. He was one talented player and In my opinion the best player ever at Akron with one half of his head shaved.