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I'm a long-time season ticket holder to FB and MBB but had never gone to WBB games in the past. My daughter is now playing travel ball, so we went to 4 or 5 WBB games. I was amazed that Camp as a Sr. point guard could be so out of control and so sloppy with the ball. Not only the TO's but the pull up jumpers with no rebounders in place, lazy defense in transition and the inability to make good crisp passes drove me crazy. The poor, poor point guard play with no consistent scoring from the 2 guard really killed any chance to have what could have been a really good season. It wasted the talent of the 4 quality bigs on the roster. I do not have enough knowledge or insight to say if it was a good or bad move to let the coach go, but with a slightly over .500 career record, losing 4 starters and having an AD that did not hire her, the writing was on the wall. Getting housed by 40 plus at Can't did not help. Hopefully they can get hot at the right time and make some noise in the MACC. Go Zips!

This is exceptional. Props to whoever put it together!

It's gonna be a mad house in there tonight. Their student section may even stand for the game, can you believe it?! While I know this game does have stakes in regards to seedings and matchups, it goes a lot deeper than that now. Even more than it has in the past. Sending out their seniors with a home loss to Akron would be so, so sweet. And then getting the chance for a three-sweep next week--even better. These guys responded well to playing in the environment in the JAR, and while more of those folks in the stands will be against them tonight, it's good to know that they are capable of rising above the moment. There's a nice 1 hour 20 minute cut of the first game available on YouTube. I gave it a watch yesterday throughout the day. A big factor for Akron was shot making early, of course. But they also got Kent's bigs in some foul trouble and kept them from having an impact on either side. That's a well-executed game plan. Their guards are good enough to beat anyone on their own, so eliminating any other threat was crucial. Forcing Jacobs and Carry into jump shooting spurts like the first game would be good too, but more of theirs will fall at home. They always do. I'll be making the short drive over. Remember, their ticketing software has taken a crap so it may be a bit of a wait to get into the arena. Plan accordingly. And for God's sakes, BE NICE!!!! Go ZIPS!!!!!

Yesterday, I re-upped my season tickets for this fall, 2023. Now, as I see the schedule, I am greatly disappointed. However, I would have still paid for 2023 football tickets regardless of the schedule. I will always love my Zips, and I started my season tickets in the late 80s. I dealt with Matt at 330-972-6982 and he was very polite and a professional. I am hoping that this post can track the Football season ticket renewals and that we get a 1000 ticket renewals documented soon as we look forward to a great season. In Coach JoeMo we trust!!!!

So far surviving their runs. X saving it for the second half.

Your Akron Zips just beat the Purdue Boilmakers 2-1! Now .500 with 3 games left in this series this weekend!

Offer out to DE Richie Hagarty. Former Miami (OH) commit. He then transferred to SIU and will have two years of eligibility remaining. Offer out to CB Courtney Eubanks of North Dakota State. He also has two years of eligibility remaining.

Zeke got a BS tech on that too

Updated recent Rivals ratings for all the teams. A handful of prospects still need a rating. As far as Akron is concerned: Lingard = 3 star and 448 Portal Ranking Jones = 3 star and 519 Portal Ranking Rabah = 3 star and 667 Portal Ranking Hunter = 2 star and 867 Portal Ranking Tallandier = 2 star and 1003 Portal Ranking D. Thomas = 2 star and 1004 Portal Ranking Terence Thomas probably will not receive a portal ranking due to the way the system is setup. He really should be considered a freshman as part of the 2023 class, but since he technically enrolled and was briefly on the team at Purdue he is considered a transfer. Frank currently does not have a profile to link as he was not considered a D1 prospect out of high school, so he will also not receive a rating.

Everybody has different financial situations and has a right to spend their money however they want, but I'll just share my approach for consideration. I know I can only usually make it to a few games a year. Considering that and the games not being a "hot ticket in town", I only purchase GA tickets. Happy to up that to reserved seating whenever I feel its personally appropriate, but to me, the $120 for two GA tickets is more a show of support than anything. Obviously, the few games I'm able to make it to and the tickets already being paid for is nice too. Additionally, you can transfer them if you know of somebody else attending and you can't go. Unsure if they still do it, but a few years ago they'd let you transfer tickets from say a weeknight CMU game to a weekend Ohio game, so if you host a tailgate and have people attending who otherwise might not be, having tickets for them/maximizing your season ticket purchase is also nice.

The question I have is whether Sammy Hunter will play tonight with the same intensity he played with on Tuesday. Sammy went to the foul line 7 times on Tuesday. He has only attempted 25 all year!! That is because he was hustling on offense, hitting the boards, and taking the ball inside. He was also hitting his 3 ball and playing great D. I have not been a big fan of Hunter because he tends to stand on the wing, shoot three balls and primarily misses until we are up or down by 20. Not a recipe for success. However, on Tuesday I saw a completely different player. The third scorer we have been looking for all season. What was the difference Tuesday night, his parents were visiting from the Bahamas and he obviously wanted to impress them. He certainly impressed me and all other Zips fans. Unfortunately, on the post game he indicated his parents were leaving the following day. I hope Groce must have a heart to heart with Sammy to explain that if you have the talent to be successful, you should not waste that talent. Or in the alternative, the Zips forum needs to take up a collection and fly Sammy's parents up to Cleveland for the tourney. He needs to bring the intensity every game and should be at the foul line at least 4 times a game. This team needs Sammy Tuesday to show up on Friday.

Over the next few months I’ll update our opponents. GAME 1 (AWAY) - 9/2/2023 - 2pm (ESPN+) TEMPLE = American Athletic Conference (AAC) Head Coach = Sean Drayton (2nd year, 3-9 Overall) - 3-9 Overall and 1-7 in Conference in 2022 Scoring Offense = 21.9 PPG Scoring Defense = 29.3 PPG Offense YPG = 350.5 Defense YPG = 391.2 Rushing Offense = 82.4 YPG Rushing Defense = 192.6 YPG Passing Offense = 268.1 YPG Passing Defense = 198.6 YPG Top Returners: QB - EJ Warner - Son of Hall of Famer Kurt Warner. AAC Rookie of the Year. 3,028 yards passing with a 60.5% completion rate. 18 touchdowns to 12 interceptions. RB - Edward Saydee - 639 rushing yards for 4.3 YPC and 6 touchdowns. 36 receptions for 262 yards. WR - Amad Anderson - 38 receptions for 479 yards and 4 touchdowns. TE - Jordan Smith - 25 receptions for 346 yards and 4 touchdowns. LB - Layton Jordan - All AAC 2nd Team. 53 total tackles, 9 sacks, and 2 interceptions. - Jordan Magee - 86 total tackles and 4.5 sacks. - Yvandy Rigbe - 82 total tackles and 2 sacks. CB - Jalen McMurray - 49 total tackles. 7 passes defended and 1 interception. S - Alex Odom - 75 total tackles. 2 passes defended and 2 interceptions. Key Additions: - RB EJ Wilson = Transfer from FIU - WR Dante Wright = Transfer from Colorado State - TE Landon Morris = Transfer from Utah - DT Allan Haye = Transfer from Miami - LB Diwun Black = Transfer from Florida - S Kamar Wilcoxson = Transfer from Florida Synopsis: Temple struggled to run the ball in 2022. Quarterback EJ Warner put up impressive numbers as a freshman, however, he was often throwing off-platform and made a suspect offensive line look much better than they actually were. Defensively, the Owls run an aggressive 3-4 and were able to create pressure on opponents (led the AAC in sacks). They were solid against the pass, but were tied for last in interceptions (despite the high amount of pressure created) and frequently had issues stopping the run. Outlook: The Owls should be improved in 2023 and have added plenty of athleticism to the roster, especially on defense. Temple’s offensive line should also be improved, although it’s questionable by how much. Prediction: Akron wins a close one. GAME 2 (HOME) - 9/9/2023 - 6pm (ESPN+) MORGAN STATE = Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Head Coach = Damon Wilson (13 Year, 93-52 Overall) (2nd Year at Morgan State, 4-7 Overall) - 4-7 Overall and 2-3 in Conference in 2022. Scoring Offense = 20.5 PPG Scoring Defense = 20.9 PPG Offense YPG = 270.2 Defense YPG = 336.3 Rushing Offense = 147.2 YPG Rushing Defense = 129.8 YPG Passing Offense = 123.0 YPG Passing Defense = 206.5 YPG GAME 3 (AWAY) - 9/16/2023 - 7pm (ESPNU) KENTUCKY = SEC GAME 4 (AWAY) - 9/23/2023 - TBA INDIANA = BIG 10 GAME 5 (HOME) - 9/30/2023 - TBA BUFFALO = MAC Head Coach = Maurice Linguist (3rd Year, 11-14 Overall) - 7-6 Overall and 5-3 in Conference in 2022 (Conference Only) Scoring Offense = 30.9 PPG Scoring Defense = 26.6 PPG Offense YPG = 370.9 Defense YPG = 383.9 Rushing Offense = 149.1 YPG Rushing Defense = 175.4 YPG Passing Offense = 221.8 YPG Passing Defense = 208.5 YPG Top Returners: QB - Cole Snyder = 3,030 yards passing with a 58% completion rate. 18 touchdowns to 8 interceptions. RB - Ron Cook = 600 yards for 4.3 YPC and 4 touchdowns. 16 receptions for 207 yards. - Mike Washington = 625 yards for 4.2 YPC and 7 touchdowns. 23 receptions for 135 yards and a touchdown. OL - Gabe Wallace = All-MAC 3rd Team. Started all 13 games at left guard in 2022. DT - Daymond Williams = 43 total tackles, 4.5 sacks, and an interception. LB - Shaun Dolac = All-MAC 1st Team. 147 total tackles and 4.5 sacks. CB - Caleb Offord = 30 total tackles. 8 passes defended and an interception. S - Marcus Fuqua = All-MAC 1st Team. 65 total tackles. 5 passes defended and 7 interceptions. K - Alex McNulty = MAC Special Teams POTY and All-MAC 1st Team. Additions and Departures can be viewed here. Synopsis: Buffalo finished 7-6 overall, including a bowl victory. Still, an argument could be made they underperformed in relation to the talent on the roster. Outlook: The Bulls could finish with a similar record to 2022. They lost their two best wide receivers who may have made Snyder look like a better quarterback than he actually is. The defense lost some key players as well. That being said, Buffalo returns a solid core on both sides of the ball and brought in a strong recruiting class that could quickly fill some holes. The Bulls also have the luxury of collecting points anytime they are in the red zone due to kicker Alex McNulty. Prediction: Akron win. The Zips probably should have walked out of Buffalo with a win in 2022. Akron will field a stronger team in 2023 and be at home for this matchup. GAME 6 (HOME) - 10/7/2023 - 3:30pm (TBA) NORTHERN ILLINOIS = MAC Head Coach = Thomas Hammock (5th Year, 17-27 Overall) - 3-9 Overall and 2-6 in Conference in 2022 (Conference Only) Scoring Offense = 25.9 PPG Scoring Defense = 32.4 PPG Offense YPG = 379 Defense YPG = 380.5 Rushing Offense = 211.6 YPG Rushing Defense = 145.8 YPG Passing Offense = 167.4 YPG Passing Defense = 234.8 YPG Top Returners: QB - Rocky Lombardi = Lombardi’s season was cut short due to injury. He was All-MAC 4th Team in 2021. RB - Antario Brown = 689 rushing yards for 6.3 YPC and 7 touchdowns. WR - Trayvon Rudolph = Rudolph missed all of w022, but was an All-MAC selection in 2021. OL - Nolan Potter = All-MAC 1st Team. Started 10 out of 11 games in 2022. - Logan Zschernitz = All-MAC 3rd Team. Started 10 games in 2022. - John Champe = Started 11 out of 12 games in 2022. DT - Devonte O’Malley = All-MAC 2nd Team. 35 total tackles and 5 sacks. - James Ester = All-MAC 3rd Team. 27 total tackles, 2 sacks, and an interception. S - CJ Brown = All-MAC 2nd Team. 78 total tackles. 5 passes defended and an interception. Additions and Departures can be viewed here. Synopsis: Northern Illinois finished 3-9, but were competitive in most of their games. Losing Lombardi early was a blow to their season and hampered what the Huskies could do offensively. NIU struggled to push the ball vertically without Lombardi and relied heavily on the run game. Defensively, they struggled to create pressure, but did force some turnovers. Outlook: Unfortunately for NIU, their leading rusher transferred out. On the flip side, it may not matter much who is in the backfield as offensive line coach Daryl Agpalsa has done a fantastic job developing offensive linemen and coaching the run game. Also, running back Antario Brown is dynamic when healthy. Wide receiver and the secondary were glaring needs going into the offseason and it remains to be seen if those positions have been addressed adequately. NIU should have an improved record in 2023 if the injury bug doesn’t bite. However, talented depth is an issue every where except running back and the offensive line. Prediction: Akron win. NIU will be looking for revenge, but their lack of overall team speed (especially in the secondary) will still be a sore spot. GAME 7 (AWAY) - 10/14/2023 (TBA) CENTRAL MICHIGAN = MAC Head Coach = Jim McElwain (11th Year, 68-48 Overall) (5th Year at CMU, 24-21 Overall) - 4-8 Overall and 3-5 in Conference in 2022 (Conference Only) Scoring Offense = 21.8 PPG Scoring Defense = 26.1 PPG Offense YPG = 327.6 Defense YPG = 360.5 Rushing Offense = 166.5 YPG Rushing Defense = 169.3 YPG Passing Offense = 161.1 YPG Passing Defense = 191.3 YPG Top Returners: OL - Deiyantei Powell-Woods = All-MAC 3rd Team. DT - Jacques Bristol = 34 total tackles and a sack. - Robi Stuart = 31 total tackles and 2 sacks. - John Wesley Whiteside = 36 total tackles and half a sack. LB - Kyle Moretti = 92 total tackles and 3 sacks. - Justin Whiteside = 65 total tackles. Half a sack and an interception. CB - Donte Kent = All-MAC 1st Team. 51 total tackles and a sack. 15 passes defended. S - Trey Jones = 85 total tackles. 3 passes defended and 2 interceptions. - De’Javion Stepney = 40 total tackles and a sack. 8 passes defended. Additions and Departures can be viewed here. Synopsis: Central Michigan’s offense was underwhelming and downright anemic when it came to passing the ball. Defensively, the Chippewas were excellent at rushing the passer, while the run defense was average. Outlook: The defense should be stout again with a number of impact players returning. However, the offense will be inexperienced and any number of new comers could see significant playing time. Central Michigan’s defense will keep them in most games. Even so, expecting many wins with a questionable offense is a tough ask. McElwain received a multi-year contract extension so he likely isn’t going anywhere regardless of how Central Michigan performs in 2023. Prediction: CMU win. Akron will probably be the more talented team, but playing away and with a roster full of players not used to consistently winning may sneak up and bite the Zips. GAME 8 (AWAY) - 10/21/2023 - (TBA) BOWLING GREEN Head Coach = Scott Loeffler (5th Year, 13-29 Overall) - 6-7 Overall and 5-3 in Conference in 2022. (Conference Only) Scoring Offense = 20.5 PPG Scoring Defense = 27.4 PPG Offense YPG = 354.6 Defense YPG = 371 Rushing Offense = 111.4 YPG Rushing Defense = 166.6 YPG Passing Offense = 243.3 YPG Passing Defense = 204.4 YPG Top Returners: RB - Jaison Patterson = 535 rushing yards for 4.3 YPC and a touchdown. - Ta’Ron Keith = 195 rushing yards for 4.1 YPC and a touchdown. 35 receptions for 348 yards and 4 touchdowns. WR - Odieu Hiliare = All-MAC 2nd Team. 58 receptions for 747 yards and 6 touchdowns. TE - Harold Fannin = 19 receptions for 218 yards and a touchdown. DT - Anthony Hawkins = 35 total tackles and a sack. LB - Darren Anders = 77 total tackles and 1.5 sacks. 4 passes defended. - Demetrius Hardamon - 25 total tackles and 6 sacks. CB - Deshawn Jones = 42 total tackles. 4 passes defended and an interception. S - Trent Sims = 61 total tackles. 2 passes defended and 2 interceptions. Additions and Departures can be viewed here. Synopsis: Bowling Green probably outplayed their talent level in 2022 and managed to land in a bowl game. The defense was unusually opportunistic in creating turnovers and were near the top of the league in sacks. Outlook: The Falcons had a high turnover rate this offseason through graduation and the transfer portal. They will be fine at the skill positions, but are hurting on the offensive and defensive lines. Replacing lost production along the line of scrimmage is a challenge that the 2023 Falcons will struggle to overcome. Prediction: Akron win. The Zips will field a better team while the Falcons are seemingly headed in the opposite direction. GAME 9 (HOME) - 11/1/2023 - 7pm or 7:30pm (ESPN2 or ESPNU) KENT STATE Head Coach = Kenni Burns (1st Year, 0-0 Overall) - 5-7 Overall and 4-4 in Conference in 2022. (Conference Only) Scoring Offense = 29.1 PPG Scoring Defense = 27.6 PPG Offense YPG = 442.9 Defense YPG = 425.9 Rushing Offense = 209.5 YPG Rushing Defense = 160.8 YPG Passing Offense = 233.4 YPG Passing Defense = 265.1 YPG Top Returners: RB - Bryan Bradford = 302 rushing yards for 4.7 YPC and 2 touchdowns. OL - Jack Bailey = Started all 12 games in 2022. DT - CJ West = 26 total tackles and a sack. LB - Khali Saunders = 55 total tackles and 1.5 sacks. 2 passes defended and an interception. - CJ Harris = 35 total tackles. 5 passes defended and 2 interceptions. CB - DJ Miller = 63 total tackles and 4 passes defended. S - Alex Branch = 34 total tackles and 3 passes defended. Additions and Departures can be viewed here. Synopsis: Kent State should have been much better than their 4-4 conference record. Instead, they fielded one of the top offenses and one of the worst defenses in MAC play. Outlook: The Golden Flashes roster was ravaged by graduation and transfers. The 2023 offense will look nothing like last season and Kent State will be hard pressed in producing similar offensive numbers. While it’s hard to fathom the defense being any worse, that is a distinct possibility. Kent State will probably field one of the worst (if not the worst) teams in the MAC this year. Prediction: Akron win. Zips fans could choose to empathize with Kent State, but nah. GAME 10 (AWAY) - 11/8/2023 - 7pm or 7:30pm (ESPN2 or ESPNU or CBSSN) MIAMI (OH) Head Coach = Chuck Martin (16th Year, 119-66 Overall) (10th Year at Miami, 45-59 Overall) - 6-7 Overall and 4-4 in Conference in 2022. (Conference Only) Scoring Offense = 20.6 PPG Scoring Defense = 20.9 PPG Offense YPG = 317.8 Defense YPG = 380.8 Rushing Offense = 137.6 YPG Rushing Defense = 161.9 YPG Passing Offense = 180.1 YPG Passing Defense = 218.9 YPG Top Returners: QB - Aveon Smith = 1299 yards with a 49% completion rate. 11 touchdowns to 5 interceptions. 533 rushing yards and 6 touchdowns. - Brett Gabbert = Only played in 4 games due to injury, but was All-MAC 3rd team in 2021. RB - Keyon Mozee = 471 rushing yards for 4.3 YPC and 2 touchdowns. OL - Reid Holskey = Started all 13 games in 2022. DE - Brian Ugwu = 43 total tackles and 5 sacks. 1 interception. - Corey Suttle = 31 total tackles and 6 sacks. 1 interception. - Caiden Woullard = 29 total tackles and 4 sacks. DT - Austin Ertl = 35 total tackles and a sack. LB - Matthew Salopek = All-MAC 3rd Team. 124 total tackles and 3.5 sacks. NB - Michael Dowell = 97 total tackles and 2 sacks. 6 passes defended. CB - Yahsyn McKee = 35 total tackles. 6 passes defended and 2 interceptions. S - Jacquez Warren = 63 total tackles and 2 interceptions. P - Dom Dzioban = All-MAC 2nd Team. 42.38 yards per punt. 27 downed inside the 20. Additions and Departures can be viewed here. Synopsis: Miami had the top scoring defense in the MAC, but still allowed their fair share of yards and failed to create many turnovers. The offense struggled to find their footing after Brett Gabbert went down. Aveon Smith was an adequate replacement as a dual-threat quarterback and provided another dimension in the run game. However, Smith struggled with accuracy when throwing the ball. Outlook: Coach Chuck Martin claims the Red Hawks have only lost one or two players to the portal they actually wanted to keep over the years. A load of defenders return, albeit minus All-MAC cornerback John Saunders. On offense, the wide receiver corps will basically need to be rebuilt. Same for the offensive line. There is no reason to think Miami will not be competing for bowl eligibility again. Coach Martin almost always fields competitive teams. Prediction: Akron win. The last three games will be tough and could go either way. GAME 11 (AWAY) - 11/14/2023 - 7pm (ESPN2 or ESPNU or CBSSN) EASTERN MICHIGAN Head Coach = Chris Creighton (27th Year, 185-107 Overall) (10th Year at EMU, 46-61 Overall) - 9-4 Overall and 5-3 in Conference in 2022. (Conference Only) Scoring Offense = 29.1 PPG Scoring Defense = 28.3 PPG Offense YPG = 346.5 Defense YPG = 355.6 Rushing Offense = 128.1 YPG Rushing Defense = 158.6 YPG Passing Offense = 218.4 YPG Passing Defense = 197 YPG Top Returners: QB - Austin Smith = 774 yards with a 57% completion rate. 6 touchdowns to 4 interceptions. 255 rushing yards and 2 touchdowns. RB - Samson Evans = All-MAC 2nd Team. 1,166 yards for 4.7 YPC and 15 touchdowns. - Jaylon Jackson = All-MAC 1st Team Returner. 398 yards for 4.4 YPC and 2 touchdowns. WR - Tanner Knue = All-MAC 3rd Team. 45 receptions for 632 yards and 9 touchdowns. OL - Brian Dooley = Started all 13 games in 2022. DT - Peyton Price = 33 total tackles and 1.5 sacks. LB - Chase Klein = 91 total tackles and a sack. 3 passes defended. - Joe Sparacio = 89 total tackles and a sack. 1 interception. S - Quentavious Scandrett = 44 total tackles. 2 passes defended and an interception. - TJ Peavy = 46 total tackles and a sack. 3 passes defended. Synopsis: The Eastern Michigan defense was stingy when it came to yards in conference play, yet they were near last in giving up points. The offense on the other hand would not have been considered a force when moving the ball, although they were near the top of the conference in scoring. Outlook: The Eagles had their best record during coach Creighton’s tenure and will be hard pressed to replicate that success. EMU has some talented skill players returning, but will have to rebuild their offensive line. MAC Defensive Player of the Year Jose Ramirez is gone and his production will be difficult to replace. The eagles do have the middle of their defense returning in tack, which will help when integrating new faces. Prediction: EMU win. This should be a fairly even matchup, but it’s the second of back to back road game for the Zips and that situation traditionally does not end well for the traveling team. GAME 12 (HOME) - 11/24/2023 - 12pm (ESPNU or CBSSN) OHIO Head Coach = Chris Creighton (6th Year, 38-21 Overall) (3rd Year at Ohio, 13-13 Overall) - 10-4 Overall and 7-1 in Conference in 2022. (Conference Only) Scoring Offense = 32.8 PPG Scoring Defense = 21.1 PPG Offense YPG = 427.9 Defense YPG = 392.6 Rushing Offense = 155.2 YPG Rushing Defense = 135.6 YPG Passing Offense = 272.7 YPG Passing Defense = 257 YPG Top Returners: QB - Kurtis Rourke = MAC Offensive Player of the Year and All-MAC 1st Team. 3,256 with a 69% completion rate. 25 touchdowns to 4 interceptions. 249 yards rushing and 4 touchdowns. RB - Sieh Bangura = MAC Freshman of the Year and All-MAC 3rd Team. 1,078 yards for 4.9 YPC and 13 touchdowns. WR - Sam Wiglusz = All-MAC 1st Team. 73 receptions for 877 yards and 11 touchdowns. - Keegan Wilburn = All-MAC 1st Team Returner. 734 return yards for 23.6 yards per return. - Jacoby Jones = 45 receptions for 776 yards and 6 touchdowns. - Miles Cross = 47 receptions for 560 yards and 3 touchdowns. TE - Tyler Foster = 13 receptions for 185 yards and 4 touchdowns. OL - Jay Amburgey = Started 10 games in 2022. DE - Vonnie Watkins = 46 total tackles and 4.5 sacks. DT - Rodney Matthews = 26 total tackles and 1.5 sacks. LB - Keye Thompson = All-MAC 3rd Team. 96 total tackles and 1.5 sacks. 3 passes defended and an interception. - Bryce Houston = 76 total tackles and 5.5 sacks. CB - Torrie Cox = 52 total tackles. 6 passes defended and 3 interceptions. - Justin Birchette = 36 total tackles and 8 passes defended. - Roman Parodie = 29 total tackles and 8 passes defended. Synopsis: The Bobcats were strong on both sides of the ball in 2022. They led the conference in scoring on offense and were second in giving up points on defense. The Bobcats’ biggest weakness was giving up yards through the air. Outlook: Ohio returns the majority of their playmakers and have what’s seems to be the easiest path to winning the East. Ohio’s biggest task will be replacing the interior of their offensive line. That being said, Ohio again looks to be one of the premier team in the MAC. Prediction: Akron win. This game should be a good measuring stick for the program and might be the big win that pushes this program into elite MAC status.

Hope so. We’re gonna need it.

Fixed it for you. 😁

I will fire up a Zips 2023 MAC Tournament thread after the game ends tonight.

Zips 71 Kent 70

I was at the Ohio / Kent game Tuesday. They had students at the gate with laptops looking everyone up by name in what looked to be a spreadsheet. Then they wrote our seat location on a piece of paper that looked like a church raffle ticket. I went early and got in fine, but the crowd wasn't close to what it will be tonight. Good luck to everyone going to get in quickly.

I agree it's asking a lot to expect Sammy to repeat Tuesday night's performance night-in-night-out. But he seemed to play with an entirely different sense of urgency on both sides of the floor. It almost seemed like a little light went on in the previous game where he threw down that nasty two-handed dunk.

Mostly thinking in terms of next year - I think Sammy is a solid piece to our team in that he can obviously be hot from the 3 on any given night. He can also get some buckets down low and hit some jumpers. I don't think he's the type of player who should be expected to take over games regularly as he's not really a creator. He's taken a lot of criticism this season, but I think it was mostly deserved in OOC play and less so in MAC play. He's been more selective and efficient in MAC play based on my observation and stats seem to back that up as he's 20th in conference in FG% and 14th in 3pt%, which is the best on our team (just ahead of X). If you can get 10-12 out of him on average, that's meeting expectations in my mind. He's currently at 8.3ppg in MAC play.

I remember a game from years ago where Zeke Marshall stole the ball, dribbled the length of the court and threw down an awesome two-handed dunk. Dambrot said in the post game presser - "That was the dumbest thing Zeke could have ever done...he showed me that he's got that in him." Sammy showed Groce that he's got "that" in him. Expectations are now a couple notches higher. To-date I'd only heard rumors of that Sammy from people watching practices. 😁

LOL bigjim gave me the nice thumbs down for my post. Sorry my reasoning wasn't good enough for you. This site is tough, I'll say that. Goodness.

Article on Bates, I found on Kittens Attack. I think it bypasses the pay wall. https://www.nytimes.com/2023/03/02/sports/ncaabasketball/emoni-bates-nba-basketball.html?unlocked_article_code=FoXUwGW1mj3KRvKLqbiM7XKnch5ivVOkaZUMby82a50AlAUFNpx2unE2D_kztUVlhGHFxpI4fnYKDFDP1VNoo_R-kAXynRDBae-dD02gg8YVgRaLu_69B4fOhxGnKNJDoxnEu-2nnI05YUk3uILLflBJRYUBFfrnRGpwzwVfwWpdg0ICwrymGIGPxGDFcoYmwIdVlYUl1BVvSBKwkHp-_Z_IYGMztzqQsPvQmU8rFE90vO271N8o4Xi6RBJlay9d-hqBr51NKm0nSGjA7y6VdA6WK-hQNuTn38P7pyLR0Gl9ZejvYJHrBA71eym63rdrjaP05j1-cTZvm5imxI2Yjzfzlh6blSmwKUZ991ksUMywdQ&smid=url-share

I got 2 GA tickets last year, may up it to 4. I go to every game but rarely have my party filled. It's better for the department's metrics to buy the season tickets as opposed to just donating, which I do some of as well. GA tickets for Akron football and men's basketball may be the best deals in college athletics. You get to see a great team play in a barn for $4 a night and get to hang out for an evening or afternoon at one of the nicest football venues in the country for a few hours every fall. Sign me up! If you ever get the chance, Club Level is also incredible. The suites, even more beautiful. That stadium is coming up on 15 years old and I still don't think I will ever be able to fully appreciate how nice it is. Especially considering how little the MAC cares for its own fans. I was imagining a much improved Zip squad building momentum up to playing Kent at home in early-mid October on a beautiful Saturday afternoon at 3:30 in front of a real college football crowd and experience. What a silly thing for me to do.

Remember to be nice and not hurt any Kent fans’ feelings!

I can't figure out what was going on between these two guys. why was the first guy up in his face like that?

My two buddies and I have re-upped! Sect. 212 row 1

They are more interested in their careers than their employers.

I will re-up even though I can't make all games. I feel this program has great hope for the future and I want to be part of the folks that help make it happen, even in a small way.

Agreed. Re-upped my two tickets as well a few days ago. Regardless of schedule and the amount of games I will be able to attend, its worth it to me to show support for our staff, players, and University. Go Zips.

That's crazy. Whoever was playing in Nashville must have had some wild fans.

Agreed! Even if it were mainly UK fans, would be cool to see the place packed and loud (loud when they score a lot at least lol). Plus, a good SEC team in town?? I'm for it!

This is my philosophy as well. Coach K is a great regular season coach, but in his 21 years as a head coach, he has never taken his team to the NCAA tournament. He's the Frank Solich of MAC basketball. Consistently good in the regular season, but fails to get the job done when it matters.

Evan Wilson is primed and ready to drop a 20 bomb on the Flashes

You're just making it weird

I love the Zips...but I'm not renewing this year. I've had season tickets the past few seasons and loved it, but felt a sense of personal guilt for missing one home per season due to the money I dropped on good seats and stuff. Now looking at the schedule this season, I'm glad I'm passing. Personally, no sense in spending the money to guarantee not be able to make it to at least 2 home games this season. With that, I'll certainly watch. Frankly speaking, a 75 inch TV isnt exactly a bad way to watch a Zips game. I'll certainly also make it to at least one home game this year and do a good tailgate while I'm at it. But as a season ticket holder, the juice just isnt worth the squeeze for me. Maybe in the future again, we shall see.