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Hey, the arena wasn’t totally dead. My eardrums are still ringing from the DJ blasting crappy music instead of letting our band full of talented musicians have some play time.

Dumbest bet I ever made

As of right now, this is probably Groce's worst coaching effort during his Akron tenure. There was obviously some top end talent missing at the pg position, but on paper coming into this season this looked to be his deepest team. Also, it was spearheaded by 2 players that were projected to be 1st team All-MAC. Given how bad the MAC is this season, this team should have went 16-2 or 17-1 and ran away with the conference title. Instead, players have regressed and disappeared. This post isn't really me trying to criticize anyone in particular. It's just me voicing my disappointment and coming to the realization that we had a player of Freeman's caliber and couldn't turn it into an NCAA tournament win.

I've been loathe to criticize Groce because, god knows, I could never do what he does. Geez, that was one of the worst losses at the JAR, by a decent Akron team, that I can remember. Losing to that awful coach and that awful team in that way with everything else going on is rock bottom for Groce. Down to the last game of the regular season, and he can't decide whom he trusts on the court? Thornton and Scott were down and out on the bench. I don't care so much about an NCAA tournament win. But this team should have been the favorite going into next week. They've certainly lowered expectations.

Neither do I. I'm just aggravated & needed to let off some steam. 😂

It's worrying that everyone has had the answer for us lately and we haven't figured out how to adjust and win in other ways

Honestly, this was a fitting end to a game the Zips didn't deserve to win.

Any of us could say Zips need a PG or another big. That's easy. We aren't tasked with recruiting them. I'm certain the coaching staff has a wish list but good luck finding what you want each year, especially now. Constant complaining about what the Zips "don't have" isn't constructive discussion for an anonymous mid major athletics message board. 😴

The issue is quality bigs that can give good minutes are in short supply. I'm sure nearly every team in America wishes they had another 1-2 bigs.

This was our best post-pandemic year for home attendance. 2023-24 - 2,650 (4th) 2022-23 - 1,921 (8th) 2021-22 - 1,927 (7th) 2019-20 - 2,703 (5th) 2018-19 - 2,609 (6th) 2017-18 - 2,824 (5th) 2016-17 - 3,391 (4th) 2015-16 - 3,352 (3rd) 2014-15 - 3,214 (4th) 2013-14 - 3,609 (3rd) 2012-13 - 3,782 (3rd)

I think we are safe that Groce will be staying at Akron.

I never thought Akron would lose this game, but I was positive they would not cover. I took Eastern Michigan and the 21 points as well as the under for a 2 leg parlay that was a winner. I assumed the Zips would look at the point spread and figure they could just show up and win. The Zips are backing into the MAC tournament unfortunately.

Nothing I've seen makes me believe this team will make it past Thursday. A couple players need to get hot from 3 otherwise, as we all know, Freeman's teammates are essentially feeding him to the wolves. That has to be draining on him physically and mentally. As a fan, the later game is easier for me. If they win next week, all is forgiven but you have to wonder why this team can't coalesce. The answer is not having LCJ or Castaneda. As we've seen since Groce arrived at Akron, he can scrounge together a team to keep the Zips competitive. However, Hankerson, Thornton, and Scott couldn't and can't get it done.

Games that won't impact seeding: Northern Illinois at Buffalo Eastern Michigan at Central Michigan The #1 Seed This one is simple. To get the tip seed, Akron needs a win over Western Michigan and Toledo losing to Kent State. They would play #8 Western Michigan. The #2 Seed We can't fall lower than #2. Possible opponents are Kent, Miami, and Bowling Green.

That rip away was huge

Akron is not exactly hitting its stride as the season winds down. Yikes.

The Zips head off to Kalamazoo Friday night to face the Broncos and wrap up the regular season. The Broncos come into the game at 11-19/8-9. The Zips beat the Broncos 77-66 earlier in the season, outscoring them by 13 in the second half. 6’4” sophomore guard Seth Hubbard is the only Broncos plater than averages in the double digits in scoring at 14.3 ppg. The Broncos are first in the MAC in offensive rebounds with a rotation of some decent big men, which is likely to pose a challenge to the Zips after getting pounded on the boards by EMU Tuesday night.

I called the Gateway Parking Deck today and the women who answered said cost would be $10 on Thursday. I repeated it back to her to confirm it a bit. Looks like I'll buy it at the deck instead of SeatGeek.

I thought we'd get a solid starter and he could average 7-8 points per game.

I don't agree at all. It's a fan/alumni forum, we are all here to discuss the team, good, bad, and ugly. We all love the Zips. We all hope they have nothing but success. But we can also constructively criticize when necessary. I don't see anyone constantly being negative. Also, is it constructive to say "Freeman's teammates are essentially feeding him to the wolves"? I guess just coaches are off limits?

Or maybe bring the softball players out to throw the t-shirts and balls to the crowd. Maybe they could get them past the 4th or 5th row. Lol

Kent has clinched a spot (Confirmed on the MAC Twitter.) The scenario generator is treating Ohio and Central as being the same seed because they would be tied. In this scenario, Kent and Ball State split. Going to top down, neither beat #1 Toledo, #2 Akron or #3 Ohio. Both then split with #4 Central Michigan. Neither beat #5 Miami. Kent would be 1-0 vs BG, Ball State 1-1 vs BG, so Kent would win the tiebreaker.

They could have also used another big. Too much of the post defense and rebounding was put on Enrique's shoulders.

If this season doesn't end with a MAC Championship, it'll be because we missed on adding an impact guard in the portal. I don't think anyone was expecting to find another X or LCJ, but Thornton and Scott have been pretty disappointing. Add in our lack of depth in the frontcourt and we're a pretty flawed team. All of our good wins have come when someone other than Freeman/Ali have had a good game. Dawson scored 14 against Toledo at the JAR. Scott scored 10 off the bench at home against OU. Tavari chipped in 10 at Kent. Hunter had 16 and Dawson had 19 vs SDSU.

I still think Akron can win the tournament, mainly because every single team has major flaws this year in a down league year. Akron is tied for 4th best offense in league play, with the #1 defense and best point differential margin. Who actually has a shot to win? Miami, Kent, Western Michigan, and Ball State are an easy "no". After starting 5-1 in conference play, BG has gone 4-7. I think they can pull an upset, but don't see them winning three straight. Central Michigan is solid but have lost 3 of their last 4. For me it comes down to 3 teams: Akron, Toledo (who I never bet on in Cleveland), and Ohio.

A win might put us in a 2/7 game vs. Can't. A loss and we likely avoid them according to the scenarios presented in another thread. On one hand, a game vs them might be the elixir to get the Zips fired up. On the other hand, games against your rival take a lot of energy. Last night was a real kick in the butt.

By and large this team has lacked attention to detail since they headed out to James Madison and overall their play has been pretty mediocre. While they look good on paper they've repeatedly had issues with the "little stuff" like boxing out, losing guys on defense, lazy passes... They've also all too often not been physical enough. Here's hoping last night was the wakeup call they need.

I'm in my room in Las Vegas listening to Mike Wilbon say college football is on the verge of ruination. Does he realize his paycheck is the #1 contributor to the ruination?

He just has to chip him/bump him. They had 7 more offensive rebounds than the Zips. That's an across the board failure to block out when on defense, when you should have the advantage.

You can't get abused on the boards and consistently turn the ball over and expect to win, even against a bad team

Them missed free throws gave me Cedrick Middleton flashbacks May have cost us the Regular Season Chip and bumped us back to a 14 or 15 Seed line if we found a way to win the MAC Tourney.

I blame this epic choke on the Staff and their scheduling. Have a true Senior Day and stop being fancy. We set our own trap having Senior Day against NIU. Played up for that game and then thought we could Half Ass it against a team we were favored by -21.5 to beat. Team was dead, Arena was dead Good Job Staff

That loss to JMU seems to be the turning point of the season. Everything since has been abysmal.

All the potential in the world, but some nights, this team is simply a joke.

Pathetic.

Awful way for those kids to go out. Worst Zips performance of the year.

Lol. Haven't boxed out all night and it bites us in the ass in the end.

Wow tough no call on freeman

Good time for someone other than Sammy to make a three.

Time for the seniors to take this game over.

Tavari and Prather keeping the Zips in it.

I think it's time to get legitimately concerned about our chances in the MAC tournament. Just a long stretch of bad basketball.

Tavari hit the floor. That's something. Let's go!!

Tavari gets on the floor for a loose ball. That'll get him more minutes.

That's what happens when you give up 5 shot attempts in one possession.

Would it kill us to make a 3 in the first 10 minutes of the game

I'm hearing Ben can spin it at QB and AD could be the best WR in the group!

Paul Lewis III will be playing Safety not corner, ya know i really could give ya'll some great insight but I'd rather see this list play out lol!

2024 Football Schedule has officially been announced.