NWAkron

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. 😴

If they do something like that, they need to be transparent with the season ticket holders and donors who pay a premium for those. Each of those seats comes with an "Athletic Club" donation of $500 per seat. Maybe make those seats open for some games and not others but only for season ticket holders outside the lower bowl. But they have professionals in place to handle these decisions, no?

So Thornton is the MAN against NIU (apart from missed FTs), but against another directional school he's basically benched? Prather gets these great minutes and then doesn't play in crunch time. this is some high level dysfunction. There's two teams: Freeman, Tribble, Ali and then the rest.

That was obvious from the beginning. And I get a sense that everyone but Freeman has lost the fire in his belly. Freeman's turnovers etc (my dime store psychology) may be out of frustration from getting NO help from his teammates. "John's Next Endeavor"

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.

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.

100% agree. These seniors have to be losing the fire in their bellies when the bricklayer union is firing on all cylinders. They all lose their confidence. Benefit for fans and later game on Thursday and no expectations. A win wouldn't cover up the stink. its been this way all season. These teams that play with nothing to lose take it to the Zips.

awkward event. KD trying to convince himself that the 2017 team would win the MAC. Since CMU is tanking, Zips need to win out to get #1 seed or need a loss by Toledo. Getting the #2 seed likely puts Zips with Kent, Miami, and Ohio in the "Tulsa Region."

Tribble would have missed that! 🤨

Came home and watched some of the Toledo/NIU game. Very similar. NIU without 3 of their top scorers for both games. Akron defense had to stop Coit. Give him some 2s but stop the 3s. Ali did a good job on him 2nd half. NIU had a freaky couple games going on adrenaline. Groce kept his guys fresh and that bit of an edge paid off.

Some can say the "MAC Blows," but the MAC has been a stable Mid Major Conference for a long time. A few schools have come and gone, but the vast majority stayed put. Having the basketball tournament in Cleveland is a huge bonus for Akron and Kent State. You want Akron to leave the MAC, then don't plan on attending the early tournament games. With the addition of another team, this will set up a strong mid major situation of schools on equal-footing, especially important now that the likes of OSU. MI, TN, etc can directly pay athletes to come on board. Well done.

@clarkwgriswold always gets his for free at the Verizon store in Macedonia.

FYI. "Draftmatic" youtube channel has replay.

POY: Freeman COY: depends on these last few games. If CMU loses them all, Groce moves back into that spot. Simon at BG has improved the team but not rock star this year. First Team: Freeman, Marcus Hill, Maddox, Agee, Hunter?

Made clutch FTs. He needs conditioning.

Tavari has that "thousand yard" stare. never sure what is going on with him.

more double standards.

OMG. Love it.

Please explain. What's "take plays off?" not getting back on defense?

It's a puzzle, and all we can do is watch and hope some of these 3 balls eventually make it through the net in Cleveland.

Woof. It's like Dawson is deliberately missing these 3s. No way they make it to Saturday in Cleveland.

And who wants it more. 😏

Zips haven't won in Toledo since...long time ago. Rockets to cover.

Noah 2.0

But Zips didn't get the help they needed elsewhere in the MAC