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Groce: “I think that we stunk” I love how brutally honest Groce is. He will steer this ship to the right places

I depends on whether we get the under control and composed Ali or the Ali that dribbles the air out of the ball backing down a defender while the rest of the team watches.

In the postgame interview responding to Joe Dunn saying (IIRC), "Coach, I'm so glad you hung those 'Walk-On Tryout' flyers in the Rec Center." Coach Groce said, "Enrique's a unicorn. I could coach for another 50 years and a situation like Enrique's would never happen again."

How can you not love this guy?

The basketball Zips could teach the football program about how to finish.

Don't know the last time I was able to watch Zips basketball, the Cavs, and Sunday Night Football at the same time

With the recruiting period soon to kick into high gear again, here’s a look at the past two recruiting classes and how they’ve performed (scholarship offers only). Keep in mind we have one more game to play so the final 2023 stats will change. The 2022 class brought in a few impact players and a wealth of upgrades throughout the roster. SJL, Anthony Whigan, and Alex Adams were all-conference players, while Victor Jones, Curtis Harper, Ravontae Holt, Tim Terry, Cam Wiley, Max Banes, Daniel George, KJ Martin, Nate Thompson, TJ Banks, and Ka’Marii Landers all became quality starters. STEPPING IT UP: 2023 saw former JUCO Antavious Fish and sophomore Bryan McCoy have breakout years at linebacker. Redshirt freshmen Tyler Williams and Keylen Davis (before injuries) became starters on the offensive line. Sophomore Bobby Golden, sophomore Jaharon Griffin, and senior Devon Robinson saw their roles increase. Sophomore Charles Kellom was a key special teams player. KJ Martin and Daniel George’s stats may not reflect it, but I thought they took a step forward this year as well. An argument could also be made for Jeff Undercuffler, but that probably depends on which game is being discussed. STATUS QUO: Nate Thompson wasn’t bad, but may have taken a step back as he was surpassed by KJ Martin and Corey Thomas on the depth chart and in production. TJ Banks was about on par with his 2022 year. Devontae Golden-Nelson had his moments and saw more playing time, though he was not necessarily that much better than the previous season. Caleb Anderson played about as much as he did in 2022, but he was caught behind George, Gathings, and in competition with a rapidly improving Adrian Norton. Redshirt freshmen Kiawan Murphy was limited in his snaps, while Dijon Jennings did not play. Kyle Thomas shined a few times before deciding to redshirt and transfer out. GOING IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION/MISSES: Jaden Woods seemed significantly less disciplined in his play from the 2022 season and transferred out. Alex Adams and Clyde Price’s production regressed due to injuries. Cam Threatt has been a non-factor. (Marquell Darnell and Anthony Stallworth were misses in recruiting) 2022 Recruiting: Transfers: WR - Shocky Jacques-Louis - 2022 3rd Team All-MAC. Graduated. OL - Anthony Whigan - 2022 3rd Team All-MAC. Graduated. DE - Victor Jones - Started 11 games in 2022. 52 total tackles and 5.5 sacks. Graduated. DT - Curtis Harper - Started 12 games in 2022. 17 total tackles and 2.5 sacks. Graduated. DT - Ravontae Holt - Started 5 games in 2022. 18 total tackles. LB - Tim Terry - Started 7 games in 2022. 46 total tackles and highest graded player on the defense in 2022. Graduated. RB - Cam Wiley - Started 7 games. 486 yards rushing and 5 touchdowns. Transferred out. OL - Max Banes - Started 7 games in 2022. Transferred out. TE - Caden Clark - Retired from football. WR - Daniel George - Started 12 games in 2022. 67 receptions for 793 yards and 2 touchdowns. <-> Started 11 games in 2023. 48 receptions for 508 yards and a touchdown. S - KJ Martin - Started 9 games in 2022. 53 total tackles and 1 interception. <-> Started 8 games in 2023. 41 total tackles, a sack, and 2 interceptions. S - Nate Thompson - Started 11 games in 2022. 72 total tackles. <-> Started 6 games in 2023. 34 total tackles and a sack. QB - Jeff Undercuffler - Started 2 games in 2022. 58.3% completion, 791 yards, 5 TDs vs 5 INTs. <-> Started 4 games in 2023. 61.9% completion, 1275 yards, 4 TDs vs 8 INTs. TE - TJ Banks - Started 11 games in 2022. 21 receptions for 175 yards. <-> Started 10 games in 2023. 19 receptions for 150 yards and a touchdown. CB - Devontae Golden-Nelson - Started 3 games in 2022. 11 total tackles. <-> Played in 11 games in 2023. 22 total tackles and 2 interceptions. WR - Alex Adams - 2022 1st Team All-MAC. <-> Played in only 7 games in 2023 and over 400 less snaps due to an injury. 22 receptions for 188 yards and 2 touchdowns. DT - Devon Robinson - Played in 4 games in 2022. 5 total tackles. <-> Played in 11 games in 2023. 13 total tackles and half a sack. S - Jaden Woods - Started 2 games in 2022. 29 total tackles. <-> Played in 4 games in 2023 and Transferred out. RB - Clyde Price - Started 5 games. 349 yards rushing and 7 touchdowns. Missed 2023 season due to injury. JUCO: LB - Antavious Fish - Played in 10 games in 2022. 16 total tackles and 2 sacks. <-> Started 11 games in 2023. 78 total tackles and a sack. WR - Caleb Anderson - Played in 10 games. 5 receptions for 39 yards. <-> Played in 10 games in 2023. 6 receptions for 40 yards. DT - Kyle Thomas - Started 4 games in 2022. 14 total tackles. <-> Played in 4 games in 2023 and Transferred out. CB - Cam Threatt - Played in 4 games in 2022. 5 total tackles. <-> Played in 5 games in 2023 on Special Teams. Freshmen: OL - Ka’Marii Landers - Started 6 games. Went JUCO. TE - Marquell Darnell - Redshirt. Transferred out. RB - Anthony Stallworth - Redshirt. Transferred out. LB - Bryan McCoy - Started 2 games in 2022. 24 total tackles. <-> Started 4 games in 2023. 94 total tackles and a sack. Led the team in tackles. OL - Tyhler Williams - Redshirt. <-> Started 11 games in 2023. WR - Bobby Golden - Played in 7 games in 2022. <-> Started 2 games in 2023. 16 receptions for 134 yards. Also the starting punt returner. OL - Keylen Davis - Redshirt. <-> Started 6 games in 2023. Injured during the rest. LB - Jaharon Griffin - Played in 8 games in 2022 on Special Teams. <-> Played in 7 games in 2023. 14 total tackles. RB - Charles Kellom - Redshirt. <-> Played in 4 games in 2023. 4 rushes for 5 yards. DT - Kiawan Murphy - Redshirt <-> Played in 5 games in 2023. QB - Dijon Jennings - Redshirt <-> DNP in 2023. 2023 Recruiting: The 2023 class produced a number of starters and a handful of players that have all-conference potential. As far as the transfers go, Lorenzo Lingard panned out to be one of the better running backs in the MAC and may collect over 1,000 yards total (rushing and receiving) by end of season. Those numbers could have been much higher had Lingard received more touches earlier in the year. Terray Jones, Shammond Cooper, Lama Lavea, Ben Frank, Judson Tallandier, Tajh Bullock, Jacob Newell, Joey Hunter, and Josh Blanchard were all starters or started at times throughout the season. Drake Anderson was a key backup. Keon Kindred, Phaizon Wilson, and Terence Thomas all seem talented, but were not regular contributors. JUCO CJ Nunnally will surely be an all-conference selection. Punter Dante Jackson produced at a higher level than last year’s punter. LaJoshua Jackson and Antonio Smith flashed their pass rush ability and were solid backups. The other 4 JUCOs did not contribute much and will redshirt. All the freshmen will redshirt except Adrian Norton and Marcus Moore who became key rotational players this season. 2023: Transfers: RB Lorenzo Lingard - Started 11 games. 137 rushes for 612 yards and 4 touchdowns. 33 receptions for 313 yards and a touchdown. Highest graded player on offense in 2023. DT Terray Jones - Started 11 games in 2023. 40 total tackles and 1.5 sacks. LB Shammond Cooper - Started 7 games in 2023. 37 total tackles and 2 sacks. Highest graded player on defense. DT Lama Lavea - Started 10 games in 2023. 23 total tackles. OL Ben Frank - Started 9 games in 2023. CB Judson Tallandier - Started 11 games in 2023. 33 total tackles. QB Tajh Bullock - Started 2 games in 2023. 49.2% completion, 228 yards, 2 touchdowns vs 3 interceptions. 56 rushes for 134 yards and 3 touchdowns. TE Jacob Newell - Started 2 games in 2023. 13 receptions for 124 yards and a touchdown. RB Drake Anderson - Played in 11 games. 38 rushes for 128 yards and a touchdown. 15 receptions for 75 yards and a touchdown. CB Joey Hunter - Started 2 games in 2023. 8 total tackles. OL Joshua Blanchard - Started 4 games in 2023. Injured, but did come back for 15 snaps vs Miami. OL Keon Kindred - Played in 5 games. OL AJ George - DNP in 2023. WR Phaizon Wilson - Redshirt S Terence Thomas - Redshirt JUCO: DE Clarence “CJ” Nunnally - Started 11 games in 2023. 58 total tackles and 7 sacks. Highest graded defensive lineman. P Dante Jackson - Starting punter and was also 2 of 3 on FGs. DE LaJoshua Jackson - Started 2 games in 2023. 17 total tackles and 2 sacks. DE Antonio Smith - Played in 11 games. 3 total tackles and 2 sacks. DE Kabbash Richards - Redshirt DT Tyler Carter - Redshirt LB Gage Summers - Redshirt CB Silas Proby - Redshirt Freshmen: WR Adrian Norton - Played in 9 games. 9 receptions for 71 yards. DT Marcus Moore - Played in 6 games. 6 total tackles. QB Steele Wasel - Redshirt WR Paul Davis - Redshirt WR Jean Louis - Reshirt TE Conner Cravaack - Redshirt OL Jonas Mann - Redshirt OL Jayvin James - Redshirt OL Delvin Morris - Redshirt DE Kameron Cheatom - Redshirt DE Bruno Dall - Redshirt LB Melvin Spriggs - Redshirt CB Zayden Laing-Taylor - Redshirt CB Catrell White - Redshirt S Darius Owens - Redshirt S David Jester - Redshirt WHAT CAN BE GLEANED FROM THIS? There is no doubt the 2023 season was a disappointment. However, there is also no doubt the talent level has increased since Moorhead’s arrival. The team is much deeper. Unfortunately, this program is not currently deep enough at every position to overcome key losses (in-particular QB and OL). That must be addressed. The OL problem will likely take care of itself through development. QB may do the same, but a proven and steady hand must be added to the room. The staff has done an excellent job developing the freshmen and will need to continue to do so. Overall, portal and JUCO recruiting has been strong as well. We know the 2024 high school class is mostly wrapped up, so now we wait and see what the portal and JUCO ranks have in store. As already alluded to, QB is at the top of the list. Key graduation losses this year are: QB - Irons RB - Lingard WR - George TE - Banks OL - Frank DT - Jones CB - Tallandier S - Nate Thompson (?) I think KJ Martin has another year if he wants it. We will also surely lose a handful of players to the portal that will be a surprise.

I think our loud and angry fan base was a decided adavantage to our guys. Late in the game Sammy looked back and started waving his arms at us to get louder. I admit that I did have a few choice words for the refs during opportune moments of quiet! 😤

Happy to see former Zip Ryan Kingsford getting to the Round of 16 with his team, Loyola Marymount, after upsetting #13 seed UCLA. LMU hosts JMU, who upset #4 seed Georgetown as @TennZip previously mentioned. Also happy to see former Zip Ryan Combe get to the Round of 16 with his team, the Vermont Catamounts, who upset #12 seed UCF. Unfortunately, I don't think Ryan has played any minutes in †his NCAAT. Vermont travels to Morgantown to face #5 seed WVU.

Some thoughts... - Huge shoutout to FIU's effort & tenacity. They've been a well-coached team since Ballard took over in 2018. Would not be surprised to see them win 20+ games this year. - I thought a key moment that will probably go under-appreciated was the timeout Groce took at the 19 minute mark in the first half. We had just turned the ball over twice, and Groce made sure to stop the bleeding and make the adjustments quickly before it got out of hand. Decisions like this are why Groce is such a success basketball coach. - I thought all 3 guards had net positive impacts tonight. Shammah Scott finished well at the rim on the fast-break/transition plays (we've missed so many of those in the past). Thornton brought poise and maturity during times of chaos. Tavari had a big 3 in transition and overall I thought his speed/quickness helped keep FIU off-balance on defense. 19 turnovers is a lot, but a handful of those came early, Freeman had some down low, and FIU was phenomenal at getting their hands in passing lanes quickly. - I will probably repeat this all year, but if we have Dawson last year, we're back to back MAC Champs. His versatility, athleticism, and size is such a mismatch for teams. - Tribble & Hunter were a bit MIA at times, but their effort is always there. - Nate Johnson continues to be the most improved player. He seemed to always make up for his errors, and he's like a Dawson Jr. out there. His confidence this year is what is most encouraging, as we all saw the potential with him last year that was simply lacking the confidence. - Best for last: Freeman. 27 pts including TWO 3 pointers (the last one was insanely clutch), 14 rebounds. He is already on the Mount Rushmore for all-time Akron players, and nights like tonight simply solidify his jersey in the rafters someday. Unbelievable performance and I'd half to imagine the other MAC squads are crapping themselves seeing Freeman add the 3 pointer to his arsenal. This was a game Akron has lost all too often in the past. A beatable team from a decent conference, in a game where seemingly nothing went our way. This was a big win for the program. Beat Utah State! Go Zips!

Who is this Enrique Threeman guy? Ha!! Go Zips!!

Freeman had a monster game. I love that he feels confidant to shoot a 3 ball in the clutch. He also had some nice drives. His only weakness today was that he missed some foul shots. The first game is always the toughest and hopefully we will play better tomorrow.

FIU-Marshall will be fun tomorrow. Zips have their hands full tomorrow. They’re not what they were the last couple years, but Utah State is a very solid program. The press had a lot to do with the struggles today. Zips couldn’t control the pace, and didn’t when they had the chance. They played on edge, and it showed in every facet. Rematch of the Potato Bowl is cool.

really liking what Thornton is bringing at the PG position.

Enrique freeman just got his 1000th rebound! Pretty impressive feat

They look tough so far. I really like their pressure defense.

How has the NCAA not made a call on Ali? The school signed him April 28. How long do you need?

Maybe I missed this along the way. But this MAC-SBC Challenge is something new. Is it possible that if we lead the MAC come February we might get a shot at the current AP #22 James Madison University?

Imagine a second wave that would include Ali, Thornton, Scott and Dawson.

2 for 2

Oakland lost to Walsh in a scrimmage a few weeks ago, but has somehow rallied to make their way into the 5th place game in the Caymans. They are shocking the world!

He had 5 opening night, but only 1 against D1 competition since then. To the eye, he still has a long way to go, but I agree his mean has looked better so far. That outburst against Nevada last year may always hang over his head, for better or for worse. Coach said on the post game we essentially have 4 starting point guards—talent wise. He isn’t wrong. Tavari would be a go-to guy on a lot of MAC teams.

Off night. Missouri State had 19 turnovers to PCCC's 9, but PCCC proceeded to shoot the following... 32.8% FG 13.6% 3PT (3-22; oof) 41.7% FT PCCC should've won this tournament. Weak field. Hilarious they lost their first game. KSUcks!

He's also the kind of player that....LEAVES IT ALL ON THE FLOOR!

you hit the Trifecta: Pick and Roll Wing Big all in one post.

Rabid fan base?

The only player who saw the floor for Akron yesterday to score fewer than 5 points was Greg Tribble, who had 3. Also had 3 assists and 3 turnovers. I found it interesting that he, again, passed up a pretty open look in the paint. Still so valuable despite that performance. As I said last night, it still seems like the game is a little fast for Scott. He has yet to make a three vs. a D1 team, but has shown to be a good finisher in transition, which is important considering he's a pretty good defensive guard. He and Tavari, along with Thornton who is transitioning to winning basketball bit quicken than his NIU teammate Hankerson, will be a handful for opposing guards. Tribble too, obviously. I was somewhat worried Freeman would have too quick a trigger from three at times, but he's taken really smart ones. He's 3-5 on the season, and none bigger than the dagger yesterday. His perimeter work may have also helped his FT shooting too, with only 6 misses through 4 games. Before all games were televised in some way or another, I used to rely on Steve French and Joe Dunn to tell the story for games like these. I have so many memories over the years of these early season away-from-home games against teams we should beat 9/10 times. I could hear them last night in my head, in disbelief at all of the bad passes and steals, jealous of the 3pt. shooting of Krivokapic. But last night, unlike so many of those Akron teams over the last 20 years, they sealed the deal. Not too unlike So. Miss, the flood gates opened late, and it started on DEFENSE. Much like South Dakota State was one of the more impressive nonconference wins (despite the fact they still have not won a D1 game), beating Utah State would be just as impressive. In our third trip to the Caymans in six years, we only made it to the semis last year, which wound up being a sizable loss to LSU, in which the Zips led for a good chunk. There are 362 Division 1 teams, and the Zips and Aggies are separated by only 4 spots in KenPom. Their only loss was in OT at Bradley, a soon to be common opponent, and have a great offense-defense balance. They even play a similar tempo to Akron. Zips are -1.5 at the books.

Yelling at the refs is really fun when you know they can hear you do to being in a small gym with a fairly small crowd. I would estimate the FIU fans numbered about 5. Two distinct voices last night both coming from the same row of the stands. I hear the same voices at the JAR coming from the aisle between sections D & E. Should be another fun evening tonight in Georgetown, Grand Cayman.

Although a good sign when you can play terribly and still win?

!00% agree on Dawson. if not the MAC tourney winners, definitely a 1 or 2 seed. This game was as ugly in person as it was on TV from what you all are saying. At the gym, there are no stat boards, so I had no idea, literally, that Freeman scored 27 points. I remember the 2 threes and his getting mugged and tripled by a hustling and scrappy FIU team along with some missed FTs. Amazing how much he scored in the face of the onslaught. I was super-impressed by FIU. I couldn't believe how they kept up that pressure. They looked like one one of those first round NCAA teams that gives a top 2 seed tons of trouble. Loud and angry Zips contingent with some colorful comments for that one ref who looked right at the FIU player locking arms on Freeman and shook his head "no big deal." He didn't ignore it. He gave permission.

Sounds like we have to raise it! It’s probably due to buy in games and slow starts to some seasons

Thanks for this great post, @catdaddyp. The fact no one's replied to it shows we're kinda demoralized right now. If we get Kamari Landers back next year I'm excited about our OL. Idk when I've been able to last say that. Desperately need that plug-in & play QB transfer.

Would love for these refs to swallow the whistle a bit. That was textbook straight up defense by Tribble.

Congrats to ‘Riq! Fortunate to be up 7. Guards got to chill out.

8 scorers for the first 33 points. I love the balance and the ability of everyone in the rotation to score.

Pass deflected by Freeman, picked up and dribbled down the court by Dawson, who finds an incredible lane to lead Scott for the layup. Teamism at its peak.

Their coach is a VCU Shaka disciple. HAVOC spreads...

Having problem getting the ball to Freeman. When they get it into him he is being double teamed. We have made some outside shots but not a very good offensive flow to the Zip offense.

Dawson FEELING IT!

HEAVY pressure by FIU out of the gate. GREAT timeout by Groce to make the adjustments now instead of letting it get out of hand.

Finishing the warm- up period at the John Gray High School Gymnasium. Nice Akron crowd this year

No, this is just the camera angle for warmups. I think we played in this tourney 2 years ago and it was very professional but was a high school sized facility.

FIU lost to UCF by 23, Tarleton State by 17 (at home it looks like), and Miami FL by 6, then beat Houston Christian by 9. This will be an interesting matchup. Their schedule should lend itself to a decent base RPI with games against Liberty, FAU, NMSU, MTSU, WKU, and La Tech.

Utah State beat the dog poop out of Marshall. Football gods were smiling upon the Browns for what Pissburgh did to Chubb, and with Chubb in the house. Beautiful win. 7-3. Control your own destiny.

I have zero interest in scheduling WMU, BUGS (, or NIU) in men’s soccer. However, given WMU’s recent NCAAT history, I wouldn’t refer to them as a “lesser” opponent.

I admire Matt because he’s genuinely invested in the Zips. The guy could take a private jet anywhere in the world on a fall Saturday but more often than not he can be seen on the Zips home sideline. For everyone’s sake I hope his steadfast support pays off. He’s a special Akron dude.

From the Zips post game notes. Freeman is eight rebounds away from recording 1,000 rebounds in his career. He'd be just the sixth player in program history to record 1,000 points and 1,000 rebounds as a Zip. All from a walk on. Is there a college basketball walk on hall of fame? 🤣 Also according to those same notes if the Zips beat FIU, it will be their best start in their D-1 history.

A UA assistant told me earlier this year Ali admitted it was the wrong decision, especially to go where he did, and Ali took it upon himself to make sure the team would welcome him back. And they did with open arms. Whether he plays or not this year, he’s already added tremendous value in being able to practice with the team and provide guidance to the young guys. Things most people don’t think about. I much prefer this move instead of getting another Maishe Dailey or Trimble.