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I like the overall talent of this team other than big man depth, but one thing they seriously lack is a second "go to" guy. They really need a guy other than Enrique that can be relied upon in the clutch to get an important basket. You need that end of the game guy that can get his shot and a big man is not usually that guy. Outside of Enrique right now everyone else is a complimentary player.

I understand we were just coming off a 3 game losing streak, but I do think the crowd was less than it should have been The box score has it at 3100, that isn’t true. I think the free toy tickets might have been counted in that. On the football page people always say “once the team wins, people will show up”. And yes that is a good point, that isn’t everything. This is one of the best Zips teams on paper in recent memory. They are playing Bradley, a highly regarded opponent nationally. The crowd wasn’t anything crazy, probably below-average to be honest. I only saw one tweet this morning mentioning cram the cruiser and bring a toy get a free ticket. The in game experience is lack luster, we haven’t had a DJ since covid. I always say it, but lack of promotions, while it may be silly, it does mean something to the experience. Willy Kollman isn’t the emcee anymore, he was always one of my favorite parts of games pre covid. Yes basketball does a better job than football at basically everything. But we need to do more if we actually want to see big crowds for a great product

Other guys being from Utah Tech, Savannah State... I'm gonna need to see some more offers to guys from P5s and competitive G5s. Otherwise, this is Arth-level attraction.

The funny thing about them acting shocked when he makes a foul shot is he is our best foul shooter on the team so far if you put into factor in how many he has shot and made compared to everyone else.

Aside from that…. Great win for the zips last night. It sucks bradley was on a skid heading in or it’d be one of the biggest wins in a long time at the JAR outside of the MAC. Heard a stat on the radio that we haven’t lost a home non conference game since 2018! I love that we have a significant home field advantage. Especially being in the crowd for nearly every game makes you feel like you’re apart of it

Good luck to him. It was fun to watch his development, but I won’t miss the penalties. The good news is we still have a load of potential in the WR room and WR is also the easiest position to recruit in the portal. I believe that leaves only 15 Arth recruits. I bet that number is under 10 by the time 2024 kicks off.

The Zips head to Highland Heights, Kentucky Saturday to face the Norse Men of Northern Kentucky. NKU has represented the Horizon League in the NCAA tournament in 3 of the last 5 years. They are 5-3 heading into a Wednesday night game against Illinois State. NKU was picked to finish atop the Horizon League standings for the second year in a row and Marques Warrick (1st team) and Sam Vinson (2nd team) were All-League selections. Warrick is a 6'2" senior gaurd and is averaging 18.2 ppg. Vinson is a 6'5" junior guard and is averaging 15.9 ppg and 4.9 rpg. The team averages 72.3 ppg. They have won 5 of their last 6 games.

Matt is at it again, up for another award. https://www.beaconjournal.com/story/entertainment/television/2023/12/06/matthew-cherry-young-love-tv-critics-choice-nomination-best-animated-series/71824428007/

I think you answered this with your second point. Groce going down to a 7 man rotation without Lyles and Tavari means this was a must win - not an experimental game - and he stuck with the guys he trusts the most. A redshirt freshman coming off an injury didn't really have a spot in that game last night. I expect to see Prather get ramped up maybe at Northern Kentucky, but definitionally with Miami Hamilton.

It isn’t ever going to be audible. But yes students are going to complain when we are going through struggles. Hankerson always got people in the student section saying “stop shooting” or “This guy sucks” same with Sammy, Ali, Trimble, etc. They aren’t ever going to be chants against our own players, but I think some students who aren’t huge fans do make quick judgements.

Not surprising, good player but total head case. Would rather he stays but not crushed that he’s leaving.

No T-shirt toss. Times are tough.

Obviously two of the NCAA’s leaders in free throw defense matching up tonight.

another well deserved honor for Jason Shokalook First team All East Region tomorrow, they will announce the 15 semifinalists for the Hermann Trophy

Zips guards are just nowhere near the level they need to be right now. There is no threat on offense whatsoever.

He's 100% correct. One half of all players in the TP will end up with nothing. I think kids aren't thinking through things clearly. At some point, playing careers end. The options discussed are to stay and try your best or take the risk of the portal. The one rarely discussed is not playing football and just staying and graduating, then getting a job. I'm sure for many guys, the burden of not playing would be a relief. I actually think if a school runs a player off of a team because they want to open up a scholarship for someone who they think is better, the kid run off should still get a full scholarship to that school. If coaches are living up to their word in a family's living room during recruiting, the promise of a chance at graduating should be honored. Maybe acting honorably is too much to ask, but I don't think it is.

...and misspell your head coach's name in your thank you post. LOL. Hopefully, his new team will equip his helmet with a muzzle.

Here is how we’ve fared in the portal and with JUCO so far. Some of the backups started, but I listed them in the roll that they fulfilled the most. I guess this list can be a little misleading as I’m sure some of the players listed as backups will be starters next year. P5 RB Lingard = Starter RB Wiley = Starter WR SJL = Starter (All-Conference) WR Adams = Starter (All-Conference) WR George = Starter (All-Conference) TE Banks = Starter OL Whigan = Starter (All-Conference) DL Harper = Starter LB S. Cooper = Starter CB Tallandier = Starter S KJ Martin = Starter (All-Conference) S Thompson = Starter QB Bullock = Backup RB CJ Price = Backup RB D. Anderson = Backup TE Newell = Backup TE Clark = Backup OL Kindred = Backup CB Hunter = Backup CB T. Thomas = Backup OL A. George = N/A G5 OL Banes = Starter OL Blanchard = Starter DL V. Jones = Starter DL Holt = Starter DL Lavea = Starter LB Terry = Starter DL D. Robinson = Backup CB Golden-Nelson = Backup WR D. Thomas = N/A FCS DL T. Jones = Starter QB Undercuffler = Backup WR P. Wilson = Backup S J Woods = Backup D2 or Below OL Frank = Starter DL Rabah = N/A JUCO DL Nunnally = Starter (All-Conference) LB Fish = Starter P Jackson = Starter WR C. Anderson = Backup DL K. Thomas = Backup DL A. Smith = Backup DL L. Jackson = Backup DL Richardson = Backup DL T. Carter = Backup LB Summers = Backup CB Threatt = Backup CB Proby = N/A

Try to pick an organ you have of, like a kidney. They do not want your liver!

I would sell most of my internal organs for an average quarterback.

Run far away from any Iowa QB

I hope it wasn't "the plan." The plan should not have been dependent upon a guy you weren't certain would be eligible. A hope maybe but the plan should have been to be without him and if he played then it's an added bonus.

Again the rowdies leadership has been lacking the last couple years, the fact that they don't know he is our best FT shooter just shows they don't know ball

Makes sense. I'm hoping to see more of him soon. I have no idea what he can do but if he is truly an elite shooter, well, we really need that!

The plan was for Ali to be that guy. Barring a change in his status, we need to move to plan B. It may be a matter of seeing who, if anyone, steps up to fill that role as we move through the season.

Quick thoughts from attending the game: - Enrique is an absolute beast. Going to go down as an all-timer for this program. 8 turnovers but still, we don't win without him. - Groce basically trimmed down to a 7 man rotation. Lyles got 2 minutes and Tavari got 3. Every other minute went to 7 players. - We have six scholarship players not contributing to the team right now - Lyles and Tavari (both seeing decreased minutes), Prather (not sure why he isn't playing), Baker and MMK (redshirt), and Ali (transfer waiver denied). - Prather Jr. dressed but didn't see any action (again). Groce called him an "elite shooter that can create opportunities for himself and his teammates with his playmaking skills" when he signed. Why can't he see the floor at all? - I hope we aren't giving up on Ali. Haven't heard anything on it and am hoping they haven't stopped fighting it in any way possible. - The Team Shop was closed today. Maybe there's a good reason I don't know about, but not having a team shop open while people are actively Christmas shopping is beyond embarrasing for the department.

This one hurts. He may have been the cause of multiple penalties, but his teammates said he might be the hardest worker on the team. Big big loss. We don't even sniff competitive games the second half of this year without him.

I never hear a negative comment from the student section about any Zips player.

Yeah Gathings leaving is the biggest talent leaving so far, but WR is probably the position I’m least concerned with on this team.

Definitely a small crowd unfortunately. Bradley is not a sexy name despite there good records. Even I never heard of them til last year. Winter break will be tough for attendance im hoping the Columbus fans root for us on the 30th. Then we the rowdies can turn up momentum post MLK day when the semester starts (reminder we start later this year on the Tuesday after MLK day for the spring)

You wanted to hear that gas expulsion just to feel something again, didn't you?

dammit

Hopefully this doesn't cost us the game 😂

Good things happen when you play defense.

Great 8-0 run. Got to the game at halftime cause of a class. Let’s finish this!

They must have thought the ball went out of play. I could use some of that $70 tequila right about now.

I really thought we would be getting more out of Tavari by now.

If he could make a free throw

... 20 boards.

Stat line isn’t much different than when he’s played. Freeman should go for 30 tonight.

The MLS release is incorrect....as it lists Jason Shokalook as a senior. Shooky was not honored on senior night this past year. The UA news release is correct as Shooky is correctly listed as a junior. However, it definitely appears that Shooky is focused next on professional soccer. last weekend, a well respected Junior and college soccer expert reported that Shooky was in Sweden last weekend trying out (on trial) with a professional soccer team near Goteborg, Sweden Good Wishes to Joel and Shooky at the MLS College Showcase over the next 4 days. It is always good when zips are doing well in MLS. Thank you to both Joel and Shooky for your excellent play and effort during your time as zips.

How do you make a 6'7" man disappear? Put him at TE for Akron. Ba dum tst! I'm here all day folks. Try the veal!