NWAkron

At the risk of sounding like a horrible rationalizer, if the Zips were going to have a basketball "recession" 2017-2019 was the time to do it. There wasn't a MAC team that could legitimately compete with Canada. I think KD knew that when he called it a day, and Groce (Remember Groce's first year meltdown and ejection from Canada's arena?)knew it as well and used that time wisely to install his will on the program. With string and glue, he got the Zips to Cleveland both years and got a first round home game last year albeit with the worst seeding possible. As I've said on here before, I learned a lot more about basketball watching the Zips struggle and rebuild the last few years than I did watching the same program and the same method makes its way to Saturday night in March. I'm realistic that as this grind moves on that there are going to be some ugly nights on the road and probably a shock at the JAR before this is over.

Zips need to be 3-0 leaving this first week. They got a break on the front end of the schedule but in February the schedule is unforgiving.

I would be there at 2am but I know a few who have issue with time and won't be there.

Looks like a punch to me. Did Nate earn an Oscar that day...maybe? I do know that on video especially when it's slowed down punches don't look as bad as they might feel to person on receiving end.

Taking a punch. All you ever need to know about PCCC basketball. They will show you who they are

Oh. So big game tomorrow night!

OK, I have to jump in. Not even close. X has much better attitude and can actually make a 3 pointer on more than an occasion.

Around cyber space (not having much to do) I found the following: On the PCCC blog a member wrote this brilliant post: "Post: #4RE: Toledo @ Kent State 0-1 MAC teams always concern me." From Canada's Bull Run AKA Stages of Grief: Since the championship years UB started getting the best game against every team. Well UB is a big target and can’t handle the best game even from bad teams. Going to be a tough year unless they ever put it together. AND I get a feeling that our guys have bought into the hype from the past couple years and just don’t think they need to be on every game. This is just pathetic play and other teams are shooting the lights out on us every game From Kitten Attack where hope always springs eternal: Serious note: This team is going to continue to get better and better. Only question I have for them is when the size issue begin to show through after enough games in-league. Otherwise, guard play wins tournaments, and I think we got the legs in Cleveland to raise some havoc In Sweaterville the focus is naturally on football with some waxing nostalgically for Coles: Just checked and found that Charlie Coles had 11 straight seasons at .500 or better in conference play (2000-2011). Since then, we've had 8 straight losing seasons in conference play (1- Coles, 5- Cooper, 2- Owens), and we are well on our way towards our 9th. Ouch.

Cards, Chips, Flashes, and Zips undefeated in MAC play. From the MAC Conference website, Four big stats popped out to me: Zips are #1 in: (even after the Michael Flowers second half show last night) Free Throw %, 3 point FG % 3 point FG % defense. FG % defense. Ball State is in the top 5 in most categories other than Free Throw % for which they are 9th.

I think we all know how this goes and are having fun. First opportunity in a few years. It all ears through Cleveland. Even the best MAC team ever from Canada got a suckers deal in the NCAA last year and are now back on earth with the rest of us. USA Today and CBS This Morning like a Loyola and a Nun story but the NCAA does not.

And then the humiliation to VCU. Nothing was right after that.

That's easy and one I'm 100% certain about for 2020. The point guard isn't a drug dealer who gets arrested before the sold out final home game v. PCCC.

Asking for a friend: if Zips and Ravenna State each have only one loss is MAC play and those losses are to each other, would they be named co-#1 seeds?

2 of those losses were to the Zips current coach. Zips got two of the worst MAC teams to start the campaign. PCCC had more of a challenge. Friday and Saturday should give the MAC a better idea. Cautionary tale: must be quite an ugly, puking hangover for our friends in Canada.

At large bid? Too soon?

Collision course.

Not sure why anyone would voluntarily go to the MAC Center when the Zips are playing at home?? My heart doesn't desire an epic PCCC/Zips battle. It would much prefer a 3-12 PCCC squad v a 12-3 Zips squad. Akron was able to ease into the MAC with games against the two worst directional schools. Toledo had a rough draw. PCCC had what were supposed to be "tough" opponents but BG struggled mightily at home against Miami tonight and Toledo is slumping. The best of the East and the best of West clash this weekend with both CMU and BSU coming to NE Ohio. If Zips and Flushes come out of this weekend both 13-3 and 3-0, fasten your seatbelts.

The intensity of the defense was amazing the first 5 or 6 minutes. Zips were going after every pass, trapping, hands in face, and going after any guy who touched the ball. My thought at the time was that they weren't going to be able to keep that pace and intensity the entire game, especially when the fouls start racking up. https://www.beaconjournal.com/sports/20200107/solid-first-half-carries-zips-to-84-69-win-over-western-michigan-ninth-consecutive-victory-at-rhodes-arena Good point from Groce: When the Zips built up a lead in the first half, the defense started slacking off. I think it had to those quick whistles from the refs.

Since Friday night's game is on TV, there might be more pressure on the refs to keep the game moving and not call a foul every possession. The crowd just couldn't get into it. Flowers is a junior and looked really angry at his teammates at the end. Now that's a guy who could enter the transfer portal especially if Hawkins is canned. Tyler Cheese reminds me of Canada's Jeremy Harris, including the hairstyle.

Yeah, there's some grumbling about that around me. Flowers has 20

And another foul called. Zips in bonus W/ 12 mins left

This is just an ugly MAC game. As I said in my prediction, Flowers would get hot and some 3s would get us all nervous.

This is predictability going south quickly. But Cheese to the rescue. WMU in big foul trouble.

That 17 point lead would have been better but the Zips hustled a bit too much on that last WMU score.

EMU 6-6 from line. That's keeping them in. Refs slowing game down. Touch fouls. Zips seem winded.