Leaderboard

There were some objectively terrible Akron teams prior to Dambrot coming to Akron. That was before my time though. I would imagine the defense was worse on some of those single digit win teams. I do think it's lazy to just look at points allowed as the sole measure of a defense. Like your mentioned pace can inflate the numbers. I still think outside of Groce's 1st season this is probably his worst defensive team. Like you, I don't necessarily think it's all effort. They just often try to trap and then are slow in rotating. Not having a rim protector certainly plays a part, but I feel that would be something we could overcome if we boxed out better and defended the 3-point line better.

Great way to keep the ball on that pass, and nice cross to a nice header. Malik will always be one of my favorite zips

Could just be a walk on, but giving up scholarship + exposure at Akron vs likely being buried on depth chart aand paying your own way at Texas feels like a head scratching move.

I would agree the defense has improved since after the Murray State game. There were some breakdowns defensively against Ball State, but for the most part they were hitting contested shots. Many of those being mid-rangers or 3s with a hand in their face.

I wouldn't put too much stock in yesterday's game. The Zips have had much worse defensive games this season. Much, not all of yesterday's success yesterday was the result of guys making tough shots over well- positioned defenders. Sometimes teams just get hot. Some of Dambrot's teams were sketchy on defense. However, during the 4 years with Zeke it all got cleaned up on the back end. Groce's first team here was 8th in the MAC in average points surrendered and 9th in opponent field goal percentage. They were regularly just "out-athleted." This year's squad is 7th in average points surrendered and 2nd in opponent FG%. The current team is not the worst. The fast pace of the offense gives both teams more possessions. They've had lapses which have hurt and can be cleaned up but they're never going to be at the top of the MAC on defense. Barre can help a little if he returns but he'll at best play 12-15 minutes a game and the biggest problem has been on perimeter traps and switches and recovering on help defense when the ball swings, and that's not him on the perimeter.

Markus Boswell committed to University of Texas. Dad graduated from there is an olympic high jumper. wish him luck. Didn't see that one coming ...

Correct

Lebron paid homage to UA and the city with his new shoes which included the UA logo- https://www.beaconjournal.com/story/sports/nba/2026/01/18/lebron-james-nike-23-shoes-pay-tribute-to-akron-zips/88243766007/