Illini Zip

Consider me fan shamed. LZip, I route for ISU to be relevant more than anything. They just can't get over that damn hump and the university invests so little to encourage student involvement. As much as I think Coach Dan Muller as a former ISU player is a great fit, his style of basketball hasn't excited me. And just when we do get an awesome player or two, they get poached. Minnesota's Reggie Lynch is the latest example. There are some similarities between the ISU and Akron programs, but I truly believe that Akron with Groce is ready to take a big step forward. But you do have me second guessing myself, good job LZip. Check out the list of schools that were once members of the Missouri Valley Conference. It's amazing to me. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Missouri_Valley_Conference ISU was a damn good party school though. At least we had that going for us.

It's true. I didn't want to complicate matters when I first introduced myself. I am an Illini loyalist, but an Illinois State grad. For years I have spent all of my spare time following Illinois basketball and now as you all know I spend plenty of time on here as well. Add to that the Redbirds of ISU and my friend's son who plays Division 3 ball for St. Ambrose University (Davenport, Iowa) and I have a full plate of college basketball fandom. Who would I route for in a game between Akron and ISU? I would likely just want to see a good game, enjoy the moment and pray nobody got injured. Kind of like when the Mannings would watch Eli and Peyton play each other.

I am more scared of the road game against WMU tonight than any possible match up in Cleveland. Road games and foul trouble go hand in hand. We win tonight, Akron can beat anyone or lose to anyone in the MAC. We are both inconsistent and dangerous. We are quite the wild card. I would say 2 MAC Tourney wins for this Zips roster should be about right. Next year we take the whole thing. Go Zips!!

I appreciate knowing that, I thought my computer monitor was going out.

I have not had the pleasure of eating at a Penn Station Subs, but they sure do look good on their website. The closest one is about an hour away from home so I would have to be already in the area, but I'm seriously giving it some thought. I'm more of a cheesesteak or chicken parmesan guy myself.

I'm going to go out on a limb here and say Coach Senderoff is called Mr. Pinky because his face always looks like he has a mild sunburn. Close?

I suggest to you that this is what the Akron cheerleaders see when K-lac realizes he has to stop. Edit: I removed the puppy photo because it was too big and I couldn't make it any smaller. And I obviously missed my mark with that one which is a shame because I have been laughing so hard to myself I have been crying. Oh well, maybe next time.

How fun was that?

KENT IS NOT A STATE!!

Freshman bigs are like black lab puppies. Real big, black lab puppies. Stay out of their way.

No Gwalk-on yet today, right? Cotton must be earning his tick. Good.

I know what Patton is going to be doing during the off-season. He needs some arch on that shot.

Nice hammer by Ivey.

I thought Groce was going to help play defense on that last shot of the half.

There is a time and place for the no-look pass, but Cotton has fallen in love with it and it's lead to turnovers (all season).

Patton shot the ball and made it!!!!!

Rare mistake by Hustle 1.

Take notes Blue & Gold for future use. There is a good chance a recruit is with them. Groce has a history of making the local "waffle house" a part of his recruiting routine. It's time to get to know somebody on staff at the Akron Family Restaurant.

I'm on year four and counting of watching the basketball gods rain down on Groce. It has to end sometime, right?!

Groce waited until the end as to not effect his teams chances, but he forced that ref to T him up. My opinion is he made damn sure the league witnessed it. I am thinking he might be sending a message higher up, not just to that ref directly. Groce can get worked up, but I have never witnessed that approach ever.

LMAO!!!

Not bad considering our substitution rotations were a mess. When was the last time we had Cotton and the Gwalk-on playing together?

Kudos to Parrish for fouling on that back door alley-oop. That would have lit up the place. Keep the crowd out of it.

I like 17 pts/game and 44/3pt% at any level. I don't see "Wow" athleticism, but it could be hiding in there. He has a well developed game and can produce at all levels. Is he a point guard or a shooting guard in Groce's system? It's hard to say. I wonder what Coach Groce has been up to lately?