NWAkron

From the Ravenna paper "bothsiderism" "To put this entire Kent State-Akron feud in context, it’s basically fan-driven. The coaching staffs are actually close. The players, for the most part, get along as well as Flashes can get along with Zips. The issues are mostly caused by inappropriate fan behavior on both sides. Kent State’s players, especially Carry and Jacobs, were sworn at, taunted and degraded by members of the Zips student section for the entire 40 minutes of the Feb. 11 game at Akron. After the Flashes won, Carry and Jacobs led a charge to that courtside student section, and both parties exchanged taunts and gestures. That started the series of events that led to the video. No one is ever totally innocent in these situations. But pinning all the blame on one side or the other, or on one individual from either side, is never fitting or accurate when it all shakes out. "

USA Today Freeman insisted the Zips weren't motivated by the video, but it would be hard to imagine it not inspiring them. “We didn’t focus on any of that,” Freeman said. "I think we were off social media for the last 24 hours.” Akron coach John Groce laughed at the comment and then chimed in. “Their coach is a stickler," he said. The Kent State and Akron campuses are separated by just 10 miles, and the animosity between the school's respective fan bases has no limits. They each booed the other's dance team during timeouts while alternating chants of “Let's Go Kent,” with “Let's Go Zips.” Trailing by nine at halftime, Kent State got Jacobs back to begin the second half and immediately went on an 8-0 run. But the Zips recovered with three 3-pointers, two by Garvin Clarke, to get back up by 10. Akron later went on an 11-0 spurt, triggered by Ali's 3-pointer to take a 56-39 lead with 7:53 remaining. The closing minutes were an Akron party inside Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse as the Zips extended their lead. https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/ncaab/2022/03/12/akron-rocks-rival-kent-state-75-55-for-mac-title-ncaa-berth/49928965/

i say a lot of things. hope for the best but expect the worst. I kept remembering how Brian Walsh's missed jumper changed the course of Groce's career and ironically led him to Akron. So when for once Akron didn't get shafted by a last second shot, i thought the tide just might have turned in favor of the Zips.

Joe Moorhead would warn Groce...don't coach in the SEC

I kept this to myself but when Segu's 3 missed as the clock ran out I knew the Zips had this

Groce to Georgia?

What does that mean?

When Tyler bumped the ref at BG, Williams etc al got proactive and suspended him for the Buffalo game. Then the MAC is like...ok...good enough. Same happened here...they got on it and did the minimal possible. But espn is correct, "one of the nation's most bitter rivalries."

He smirked and 100% encouraged the dust up at the JAR. Now, everyone knows what we've been saying for years about that program.

Every person in the arena tonight will have seen or heard it. The video sets a horrible tone for tonight. This will be the first thing mentioned by the commentators and will be repeated throughout the game because it adds DRAMA. Whoever loses tonight will be even more bitter. But this rests with Senderoff.

Some thoughts from random people: One loyal Zips fan: "This all started when Senderoff condoned and encouraged going after the Akron fans." Another mid-level Zips fan: "they deserve it." A Kent grad but not the biggest Basketball fan: "Sendy should be fired."

credit to the Cardinals. I was hoping they would win. Two coaches hugged at mid court. Don't think that will happen tonight.

Apart from Jacobs, these guys are nobodies. As much as I hate Kent, that group shouldn't ruin the season for the other players. Moving on.

AMEN.

Some were in the back and weren't participating. Apart from Jacobs these were nobodies. Has nothing to to with Zips. Stay focused guys. As for the song, different tastes.

The video and their antics at the JAR are background noise. They think that intimidates and will break Akrons poise. Won't happen.

no expectations from the beginning of this. one of the articles said the Zips showed "poise" last night. that's what they need tonight. Some of Ravenna's losses came without Santiago. When he came back, it's making all the difference. So they added by addition. Zips added by subtraction.

I'm waiting for tickets outside the Verizon in Macedonia. I think they open at 10. No line as of 6.37am (and Ravenna Barber College still sucks).

Yikes. Big turn of events. Ohio doesn't have enough in them

https://www.wkyc.com/article/sports/ncaa/ncaab/live-blog-akron-toledo-mac-mens-basketball-semifinals/95-2613c6e0-c8ff-4e20-81b0-66272d4f6774 Scroll down and some really cool highlights from tonight.

If you use the ARIZZO code Hilltopper so kindly gave us you can get seats in 108

What a treacherous drive home! Incredible toughness. They DO NOT panic. Will be an epic battle tomorrow night for the soul of our Nation. Good v Evil.

Time for Josh Egner.

All of Freemans fouls were nothing touches.

Awful. This went south fast