Zippy87

1:30 PM

If anyone finds out any information on tickets, please share!

Didn't know where to post this, but love to see it

Love hearing about Freeman, Tribble, and Ali being involved in recruiting last summer and how much they've helped build a winning culture. It feels like our younger guys really look up to them.

Anyone going to the watch party?

I was so thrown off by the foul I didn't even see who was/wasn't open.

This is what March is all about IMO. So cool.

Dukes pull it off! Happy for KD, Rick, Dru, and Terry!

For those who missed it

Never seen anything like that 😂

ESPN and CBS both have us as a 14 in Pittsburgh right now. If we do play in Pittsburgh, it'd be Thursday-Saturday according to the TV schedule.

Updated the original post. Is next season too early to hang Enrique's name up in the JAR?

I always choose to remember that team for the way they responded to the MAC Tournament. Lost their starting PG, didn't have anyone ready to step in - I remember Betancourt cramping against Kent in the regular season finale because the minutes were just too much of a jump - lost that game to Kent. Had one week to figure it out. Beat Kent in the semis and then pounded Ohio in the final while mostly running the offense with players than hadn't done it all season. KD's best coaching job IMO and incredible resilience from the players.

We'll have plenty of time to discuss next year but my only thought right now is winning last night and 2 out if the last 3 is going to be a helluva recruiting help for our coaches.

Did anyone go the last time they had this at the JAR? Worth going?

Does UA get an allotment of tickets to sell?

Latest Bracketology released by Lunardi have Akron as a 14 seed playing Auburn in Pittsburgh.

Rivalry aside, I think Sendy is a very good coach. If you would've told me back in December that Payton would get hurt and they'd still make the MAC Championship (and almost win), I would've called you crazy. If they can keep their core and add a little bit of talent to it, they'll be a contender again next season.

Went down to the lower area to near the tunnel to watch the celebration. I couldn't be more impressed by our guys. A few took pictures with my son, who was on cloud nine. If there was any doubt he's going to grow up a die-hard Zips fan, that's gone. He's a lifer like his dad. 🙂 Some stories while we were down there: There was a little girl who asked Mikal to sign her Zips poster she made - he took it, said "I'll be back", and went and had all of the team sign it. Was chasing down each player so this young fan would have them all. Just won a championship and thinking of others. Sammy asked a young boy near my son if he was going to grow up and win a MAC Championship for the Zips. He also took a ton of pictures with kids and fans nearby. Enrique actually went into the stands to take pictures with the students who came. Took his shoes off and gave them to someone. Probably spent a good 10-15 minutes signing and taking pictures with fans. He also went over to the band and celebrated/took pictures. We saw one band member ask him for his gamertag (basically his screen name on Playstation to play online with). I think he may have had some sort of disability, but I don't want to assume. Anyhow, Enrique took the student's phone, typed his gamertag in, and took a picture with him. Literally minutes after winning a championship. This group is one we can be very proud of for more than just being a fantastic basketball team

Watch Party 5:30 tomorrow at the JAR

You've made your mind up already, and that's fine. It's undeniable that he lifted this program to a higher level and built the foundation of what we have now. I wish him the best and hope they win every game as long as they aren't playing us. Go Zips!

After the game I had this feeling that we maybe got lucky because of Kent fouling. After seeing the replay of the Ali "foul", I no longer feel that way. They almost robbed us.

"Bail" is such a funny word to use here. He was here 13 seasons. Some of you act like he left at the first opportunity he could. How many mid-major coaches can you name who consistently won and stayed that long? It's also pretty well-documented that he has a personal connection to Duquesne. He turned down several offers over the years before he took that job. It is what it is. I wish that man nothing but the best - we wouldn't be where we're at as a program without him.

Here's our end result every year since joining the MAC in 1992. Coleman Crawford 1993 - Did not qualify 1994 - Did not qualify 1995 - Did not qualify Dan Hipsher 1996 - Did not qualify 1997 - Did not qualify 1998 - Lost in quarterfinals 1999 - Lost in quarterfinals 2000 - Lost in first round 2001 - Lost in first round 2002 - Lost in quarterfinals 2003 - Lost in first round 2004 - Lost in first round Keith Dambrot 2005 - Lost in quarterfinals 2006 - Lost in semifinal 2007 - Lost in championship 2008 - Lost in championship 2009 - Won championship 2010 - Lost in championship 2011 - Won championship 2012 - Lost in championship 2013 - Won championship 2014 - Lost in semifinal 2015 - Lost in semifinal 2016 - Lost in championship 2017 - Lost in championship John Groce 2018 - Lost in quarterfinal 2019 - Lost in quarterfinals 2020 - No tournament 2021 - Lost in semifinal 2022 - Won championship 2023 - Lost in semifinal