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There is a plan to make major improvements to the JAR. New seating, new bathrooms, new ticket area and concessions. Hopefully some club seating in the upper level endzone behind the Tommy Evans lounge.

Some insights into kicking in general

A production student working the graphics was probably told to make a graphic of the “starting 5” for Akron. To them, that meant jersey numbers 1-5. The lack of sports knowledge of some people who produce these games would stun you.

Feed keeps cutting out.

I am shocked no one has brought up the bizarre strategy Groce employed at tip-off, electing to start 4 guards and Baker?! I guess it worked, but man was I shocked.

I just saw Tavari make a nice drive to the basket and then a great pass down low for an easy 2 to Dawson. I still think he has the most upside of any guard if he can get it going.

The announcers said it’s a white out right at tip off, as I stare at literal sections in center court with 2 people in it.

Based on past experience and limiting the possibilities to those you listed, it is my considered opinion that the selection committee would select Spokane for the Zips.

They were probably distracted by EMUs "White Out" 😂

This is going to be a heck of a game. I'm hoping a big crowd comes out despite the late start. Unless a significant injury happens to one of the teams, I do think this will be a MAC Championship preview. Also, with Kent hovering around the 7-8 spot I'll say this - I have no interest in drawing them in Cleveland. Anything can happen in a rivalry game, even when one roster is clearly better than the other.

None of this will be possible unless Groce finds a "serviceable Big" before March.

The way I see it is Toledo is Akron's only real competition in the MAC this season. Earlier in the year Kent looked like they had a solid team, but their wheels have since fallen off. That's not to say other teams aren't capable of beating us come March. Wacky things can happen in single elimination games.

Color commentator said this kind of performance might make you have second thoughts about coming again. Ouch.

Did Guthrie suggest tarps for the empty seats in the JAR or having neutral site basketball games in Florida?

EMU's Yusuf Jihad is the brother of Ball State's Basheer Jihad.

Agreed, but the counter to that is what Canal Park brought to downtown. In any event, it had very little support from anyone even before the Main Street construction mess.

The top two teams in the MAC face off Friday night at 9:00 p.m. in the JAR as the Toledo Rockets come in to face the Zips. The Rockets come in at 8-1 in the MAC with their only loss at Mount Pleasant on January 19th. Ra’Heim Moss, a 6’4” junior guard, leads Rockets scoring at 16.3 ppg while also pulling down 5.5 rpg. 6’2” junior guard Dante Maddox Jr. scores 15.6 ppg. 6’2” junior guard Tyler Cochran leads rebounding at 6.6 rpg and is the team’s leading scorer at 13.3 ppg. The team has two freshman, 6’7” freshman forward Javan Simmons and 6’1” guard Sonny Wilson that are the team’s 4th and 5th leading scorers.

BOOM goes the dynamite!

Hope the Rowdies chant that in a few weeks at the JAR.

as someone with tickets to all sessions in PGH, hell yeah brother

I saw Baker listed and I had to look at the box score.

I anxiously await seeing our Zips Mens Soccer team in action this Spring, and think they have the players to do well v the competition. The Zips play at BUGS on Friday, March 22nd ... https://bgfalconmedia.com/154074/sports/bgsu-mens-soccer-reveals-2024-college-spring-league-schedule/ As in the past, all of the teams will play their final game in Historic Crew Stadium.

I don't want players from losing MAC programs. Thornton is an upgrade over Hankerson, but we need to look elsewhere in the TP, please.

@MarkWiley That was a good interview. Thanks for sharing.

He is looking stronger each game he plays. Getting close to 100%

Tavari & Sammy came to life with 12 each 💪💪 That's just what we need from each of them. Surprisingly Ali only had 5. Would you guys agree Tribble isn't quite back to where he was prior to catching the flu, or is it just me?

It'd be fantastic. One of Ball State, EMU, Buffalo, or NIU would have to pass them. I'd guess Ball State the best possibility of the four.

Wouldn't that be something? The Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse would be the cleanest it's been in a long time for the MAC tourney if that were to happen. Fans wouldn't have that distinct PCCC stench to deal with.

When you're below the bubble line, it's silly to look at bracketology this early. So much of where Akron would be seeded, assuming they even win in Cleveland, would depend on how other conference tournaments play out. There is no way of accurately predicting things in February, let alone January.

I'd love to see KSUcks left out of the MACT altogether

Barring Groce working some serious magic in the TP, I feel we're looking at a being a pretty average team next year, but really excited about the future..Young, Brisco, and Baker. Definitely would throw N Johnson in there as he's still an underclassman and probably even T Johnson. Think T Johnson seems to have stepped up a notch and his "floor" is more consistent. If he can hit the weight room and add some explosiveness...watch out.

I heard that it's possible that to show the world our international panache, the improvements may include Chinese toilets.

John Groce failed to win a close game tonight. Very disappointing.

Is the band cheering for Evan Wilson? They are going crazy when he touches the ball 😂

It’s cool how EMU does their own half time report.

Braun was their coach in the late 80s into the 90s when they were really good. Not sure what went into building that place, but to my knowledge they do use it for quite a bit more than sports. It’s the nicest arena in the MAC when it comes to versatility, and is obviously up there as a basketball venue too. But the atmosphere…I think the Zips had more fans than they did for the game there in KDs last season. Not a joke.

Nice to see Sammy be assertive.

Stan Heath is a good coach (when he's handed a good team that he hasn't recruited).

Nice shot from Scott with the shot clock winding down.

I think the EMU in arena technology runs through DSL.

God bless every eastern fan that still supports this farcical program.

Emoni Bates lives on!

https://www.ballstatedailynews.com/article/2021/12/sports-ball-state-mens-basketball-cardinals-basheer-jihad-feature?fbclid=IwAR1g2mhW28WTlZ8vNsFvH6b9MmJpQUgW0kTaKvgkOynn70pHqenigurrzg8

An early double digit lead! It’s over! “We want Wil-son!!”

Nice start. Scares me after the Miami game. LOL.

Tells me the success of the program is more important than the arena. Both knew what they were getting in to when they took the job. If the arena was as big of a problem as some seem to think, both would have failed at their jobs in lieu of being very successful.

who is NIU's PG this year? that should fill in your first opening