Illini Zip

I wasn’t crazy about the idea at first either. Going back to Illinois. Watching your point guard dribbling down the clock to make sure there is only time for his last shot and maybe a quick tip-in is nerve wrecking. I have seen his point guards pass out of double teams and not take that last shot themselves, but it’s often not a drawn up play coming out of a time out. Other than maybe spreading everyone out, etc.

Groce is a former math teacher, so yes. There will be times at the very end of a close game where he will simply run a motion to get the ball into his best scorers hands. Then live or die by what he can create on his own. Because even though it’s not clever, it has the highest probability of success. Right now that would be Tavari.

Yale’s Celiscar hits free throws with .5 seconds in OT to win at Harvard. Nick Townsend left the game with an injury at some point. Didn’t see it or him in the second half.

I thought that was a pretty good fight until the basketball game broke out. 🙄

I love the very last frame of this video. The look of incredulity on Groce's face when talking to Frank Martin in classic. I sure wish I knew what they were discussing.

UMass is a good team that can shoot very well. But if the MAC doesn't get their fouling in check I could see a bench clearing brawl in the future. My prediction is it happens when UMass plays Kent.

We won it for Evan!!

Traveling?!!

This is taking too long.

Physical game.

Nice to see Marvin get some playing time.

Some crazy ball movement there.

Go Zips!!

“They don’t love this place.” Sounds to me like culture still matters.

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?