NWAkron

Buffalo wasn't all that or maybe they weren't putting out much effort. Kittens had their chances but choked each time. Time for Zips to separate themselves from the bottom feeders tomorrow.

IDK...I really dislike Canada this year. Refs aren't as awed by the Bulls tonight. Calling them out for the cheap fouls and traveling.

As we await tip off tomorrow, I'm going to watch Buffalo at Ohio tonight. I'm so conflicted. Hate them both. Do I want the Kittens to lose so I can have a glass of wine and read their message board? Or do I want the Kittens to give the Bulls a "bad" loss? Thoughts?

Attrition.

The Rowdies were the best. "Bobby's going to cry!" and the poster of the crying Ravenna State cheerleader were my favorites.

My support of Coach Groce may soon fade if he keeps saying things like "winning isn't a deodorant. It doesn't cover up the stink." Or "row the boat. Don't shoot holes in it" Ugh.

Meanwhile in Athens:. I think they are in what's called the "bargaining stage" as they watch (according to them) the slow death of a once vaunted program. http://www.bobcatattack.com/messageboard/topic.asp?FromPage=1&ForumPID=1&PID=253603

Well, that, too! There were a few if those passes right into the middle of the lane that led to a scrum a pick and a turnover.

Back to last night's game, watching replay I noticed probably the fatal mistake the Kittens made at the end. We had the ball and we are up 1. They had to foul. Parrish, a freshman and dubious free throw shooter, has it and passes to Ivey, one of the top FT shooters in the league. They foul Ivey.

You know what I'm a typical fan. Shoot me. I'm bipolar at times. My love/hate of a player can swing in 3 minutes. But that's what makes it fun and this team fun for me. We were only up one with 90 seconds left last night. The sky was falling. I couldn't imagine walking out of the JAR with a loss. But Groce and the guys pulled it off. Realistically, it was a 3 point win at home over one of MACs worst teams this year. And that might not be saying much. But I have no complaints about the coaching. EMU was the big disappointment so far. They just need to get that same fire on road.

Probably, but I think the officiating crew had a big influence on last night's game. They let them play and would step in and talk the players down when they sensed a problem.

The Ohio players were very respectful at the end especially their big guy Taylor not to be mistaken with their former guard Stevie Taylor. With Kostelac (who most of us didn't get to see in practice ), I'm seeing him make shots that former centers didn't make. I'm so impressed by how both he and Sayles stepped up. And also happy with the solid minutes from Patton. He's not scoring, but he's doing his job and made a great rebound off a missed.free throw. As for life in the Hocking Hills, schadenfreude comes to mind.

A few are speaking their minds now and mostly they are sick, basically despondent, that we have John Groce and, well, they don't. Frenchy and Dunn mentioned how bold it was for Groce at 9minutes to put both Malcolm and Jimond back in the game together when they both had 4 fouls. I watched the replay on espn3, and Jackie said that was incredible coaching to be aggressive in that situation. Making back to back one and ones to end a game...when did that last happen? Ravenna State beat the Werthen Originals for the 15th straight time.

http://www.cleveland.com/sports/college/index.ssf/2018/01/akron_zips_ohio_university.html Some love for KLac...the Cleveland kid.

On the emotional side, I would have been heartbroken with a loss tonight. Like the BG game, you could feel the crowd willing the team across the finish line. Those clutch free throws by Ivey and Cotton were pure class. Also, thought the refs let them play tonight which made for a more enjoyable game for everyone. Meanwhile NIU beat BG by 31??

True Akron fan when you learn to detest any Kitten. Remember Setty?

Malcolm picked up his second and zapped the momentum a bit. Some lapses when they had Smith and Patton in the game. Parrish is amazing and maddening at same time. Ivey needs to make a few. One totally crazy possession which found all the Zips standing around looking at each other. Nice, quick half.

That's about it BUT no one understands the arcane tiebreakers. Last year there was website that let u play out all the scenarios.

I would think every poster on here is acutely aware of the Zips record and their placement in the standings. Unlike Buffalo (who has some games to give like we did last year), the Zips' backs are against the wall in each game until the bottom 2/3 of the conference settles out. I'm sure the team's goals are higher, but my wish for them is that they can get us a home game in the first round. Tonight's season ticket has a pic of Coach Groce on it. Doubt that was a coincidence.

That flying rebound or was it a put back in the BG certainly made an impression.

Kostelac showed some athleticism in the last two games that we never saw from Zeke Marshall or Pat Forsythe. The funny thing about having a thin bench is that it makes the rotations a lot easier for the coach. Live or die with what we have. There's no mysterious combination of players that is going to miraculously save the day.

Yes. And directional Michigan schools were usually no problem. Now for the Kittens...

This year we may HAVE to rely on the 3 with our lack of inside presence and problems with the zone. Over the years we've had a long string of 3 point marksmen (McNees, Roberts, Kretzer, McAdams, Noah, Antino...and occasionally Kwan.) They were all pretty much given the green light to shoot, but they would go from hot to cold in the course of a week. Buffalo beat us handily this year and had a really low percentage from 3.

http://www.bobcatattack.com/messageboard/topic.asp?FromPage=1&ForumPID=1&PID=253444 Decent read. John Groce and the eyeglasses. He took them to the promised land. Really excited for this game.

I like the positive thinking there!! My goal for the team is a first round home game. Big game Tuesday to push the Kittens to the bottom of the pile.