Illini Zip

Amen. I would also add that was the best era for parity in college basketball. The power conferences didn’t like it and every change since has made it more difficult for mid-majors. God bless Wentz for giving us a fighting chance.

This is absolutely a thing. I am not this way, but I have friends who are. Especially at the high school level.

My point about focusing on event management earlier this week might not draw that many more people on a given night, but you want them to leave thinking that they want to come back again. Growing your fan base can be done incrementally.

Good rant @NWAkron I do think most criticisms are coming from a place of sincerely wanting to see this program continue to flourish (Some just want to see Akron win an NCAA game before they die), but it’s right to be reminded that we should be thankful for what we have. And the Zips absolutely deserve to be supported by the Akron community and play in front of a packed house.

Yes.

Groce mentioned that he played a limited number of guys for extra minutes at Eastern. Not sure if it’s the change of rotation, playing fewer guys double-digit minutes or the emphasis on defense that has resulted in lesser point totals. Hopefully a couple of days off help our guys regroup. A guy like Barre should be able to erase some mistakes on defense and with a rim protector behind them our guards shouldn’t have to back down so deep in the paint allowing them to guard the perimeter more quickly and effectively. I agree, still plenty of time for Groce to make adjustments.

It would be nice to have Barre or another rim protector as part of the regular rotation, but if we shot better it’s a different game.

How did Eric get that to go in?

I think this might be the biggest issue. Sure, the JAR looks like it could use some modernizing (inside and out) but Akron has a quality product. The team (winning program with likable guys and a style of play that is enjoyable to watch), nice jerseys, nice court, the best mascot in D1, but from what I hear on this forum the game experience could be better. The last time it was a traffic jam leaving the game. The basics need to be addressed first like comfortable and convenient seating, plentiful and clean bathrooms, quality and fairly priced concessions that are well run, a fan gear shop that is open, it’s cold in NE Ohio so parking should be built into the stadium complex if you are ever able to build new. Do you have a coat check at least? There have been mentions about the sound system and music choices/volume. Team introductions. These are some of the things you guys have mentioned in the past. I could make plenty of Marketing suggestions if I dove into it, but that usually costs money. This seems more like an event management challenge to me.

And it started out so good. Ugh!!

Or water finds it’s level?

Here’s something I haven’t heard discussed. I see that Akron has a zoo. It’s not the largest zoo, but looks to be a very nice zoo. Please, please, please tell me they have a few kangaroos bouncing around over there!! That would be a great cross-promotion opportunity for the University and the community zoo. To promote the Akron Zoo they could bring in one of Zippy’s friends for a game each year for show and tell. And at the Akron Zoo the enclosure should call them Zips. Every kid growing up in Akron should see a kangaroo and refer to them as Zips.

A game that was tied at 64 at the regulation took 3 overtimes to get the final score to respectability.

Modelo vs Corona? I like them both and not sure which I like better. The Corona palm tree Christmas ad is Classic that much I know.

I see Toledo...but I read Todelo. And I really hate Todelo.

I keep mentioning this idea because it makes too much sense to me and it would give you some of what you’re looking for. And that is to require every team to play a game against an opponent from each quad home and away. Some could be scheduled early based on pre-season expectations and then some games late during conference play based on live results. I realize it won’t happen because of money and the fact that the NCAA is just a tool of the big conferences. I still think it would make the NET more fair.

I hate Toledo!! Tod might be one of those coaches (Dabos, Clemson football coach) that excelled before the NIL era because their program could fill the roster with talent at the price of a new car. Now new cars are peanuts and they are struggling to adapt.

Ugly, ugly, out of body experience. Even with the terrible effort, execution and decision making you could still see them dig deep to muster one last run starting about 7-9 minutes out. It’s all they had in them. Kent State almost got their win a game late. And this was a true road game. We were getting hacked and bumped plenty which also makes running your offense more difficult. They survived thank goodness and hopefully they find their legs, minds and shot before Troy on Saturday.

It was actually a let down road kill, which is even easier to accept.

Akron, Miami and Kent all escape close ones tonight. Wild!!

Looks like they have a hangover also. Will they be able to pull it out in the end?

What’s the over/under Groce uses the word “putrid” in the post-game? Edit: Nope.

Is the top of the backboard in play?

I think that’s all it was.

Sorry, all kidding aside I agree with @clarkwgriswold Go Zips!!