Illini Zip

Any word on Clarke?

Yes. And I agree.

Dawson started second half.

It turns out the Zips jump shot was not left back in Akron, but rather misdirected through Dallas. Better late than never. Go Zips!! Their defense has been solid again.

The refs are calling this one tight. The complete opposite as game one vs Fordham.

Ummmm, no. Not anymore.

As you can see I like to use humor as a coping mechanism. On a related note, for the consolation game we are now down to me, Coach Groce and the camera man in attendance.

It turns out I’m a masochist. Who knew?

I guess you could say that I'm tripling down since I'm heading back to the arena again today.

I wouldn't want to be the support staff who forgot to pack the Zip's jump shot and left it back in Akron.

What have been the final scores of the other games? Are other teams struggling to score in here? Or are we playing great defense and lousy offense through 1 1/2 games?

Better body language for the Zips during warm ups. Hoping it translates.

I didn’t think it was possible, but there are fewer people here today.

Tribble.

But I will be back tomorrow at 1:30.

That is what I witnessed. The key word out of all of that is “soft”.

He was left all alone behind the arc. They were daring him to shoot.

Yes, quite empty.

Let’s take this thing. Go Zips!!

Akron Zips come on down!! I'm excited to watch them in person on Monday.

I agree with the notion that Mitchell, Johnson and Kalle are good redshirt candidates. Please let me know if any of them are officially designated.

Zips add Ryan Prather Jr.

I want to see the Zips play the strongest schedule possible as well, but allow me to play devil's advocate. This is not about racking up wins. Not this year. It's actually not about the opponent at all during this non-conference schedule. This is about developing a new core group of guys and getting them ready for conference play. Even the guys who have been on the team now have expanded roles and obligations. It's my opinion that Groce figured this is not the year the Zips win an at-large bid. If we advance to the NCAA Tourney it will be by winning the MAC Tourney. So there were learning experiences gained by facing adversity from the big boys. And I think Groce has to be geeked-up that we took highly ranked Ohio State to the wire. Yes, we are all disappointed with the loss to Ohio State and rightfully so, but I honestly just wanted our guys to hang tough and avoid embarrassment. Maybe the Zips of 2 years ago could challenge Ohio State, but not this squad without LCJ. (Edit: So I thought.) Bottomline, these cupcake games and all of the non-conference are just extended practice time. Focus on the road through Cleveland. Next year we return all but 2 players (according to yesterday's commitment) and I expect a schedule that will be demanding as always in terms of playing different styles, but also one that is worthy of an at-large bid. That is my hope anyway. I too was surprised we didn't go deeper into the bench yesterday, but then again we all know that playing time is earned in practice. Go Zips!!

True. But I already have that factored in.

Where do we put him? Does the staff already know that someone will not be back next year? Hmmmm.