Zippy87

1. Toledo (13 - 4) 2. Akron (13 - 4) 3. Ohio (12 - 5) 4. Central MI (11 - 6) 5. BGSU (9 - 8.) 6. Miami (9 - 8.) 7. Kent State (8 - 9) 8. Western MI (8 - 9) 9. Ball State (7 - 10)

One thing I didn't mention - we again struggle to even get a shot off in a late game situation.

Well, that sucked. A few thoughts: - This team has 9 days to figure out how to beat a zone, and that might mean more of the personnel we saw tonight. Thornton and Scott don't have the skill sets to beat one, which is why I think we saw more of Tavari and Prather tonight. They're going to have to grow up fast. We also need Nate to get back to plating how he was pre-injury. - This group has played down to competition all year long. Aside from EMU the first time, almost every game has been a grind. When you play that way, you risk getting burned by bad teams like they did tonight. - The road to Cleveland just got harder. Right now the path would likely be Kent, Ohio, and Toledo. - Still very much believe we can cut the nets down in Cleveland. We have a good team in a bad league. I think that's their ceiling but I still want it for the seniors. Regroup and rebound next game.

Seriously though, job well done by Iowa.

They didn't even cut the music completely when Groce spoke. He's speaking from the heart and getting emotional and there was some track still playing quietly.

Same. Iowa did a great job with the ceremony. I also enjoyed letting the players speak directly to the fans. Agree on Davis...hate to see that for her on senior night.

Interesting watching Iowa vs Ohio State women's game and them noting that Iowa does their senior night ceremony after the game. Maybe something to consider in the future? I get the risk of losing but I felt for the players last night getting honored in front of a 1/4 full JAR because it was so early and so many hadn't arrived yet.

Coit would be a welcome addition here. Go get him, Groce!

For sure, I'm just saying I think we are at least co-regular season champs with a win Tuesday no matter what Toledo does if they wanted to cut nets.

If we win we clinch at least a share of the regular season championship regardless of if we're the #1 or #2 seed, correct?

Will be interesting to see how the rotation continues to evolve. Minutes over the last two games: vs Ohio 25 - N. Johnson 17 - Scott 13 - Thornton 3 - T. Johnson DNP - Prather Jr. vs NIU 24 - Thornton 14 - N. Johnson 6 - Scott 6 - Prather Jr. 4 - T. Johnson I don't think Tavari gets many minutes in Cleveland, although I think his scoring off the bench is worth giving up a little defense. Scott and Thornton are both way too passive on offense, but I suspect Thornton will play because of his defense. I suspect Scott may lose minutes alongside Tavari. The two wild cards are Nate Johnson - who struggled tonight and may still be getting his game conditioning back - and Prather Jr, who is looking more comfortable out there and could add an outside threat.

The crowd size is...not great.

Hankerson was a solid, but Thornton was a swing and miss. We've thankfully had a lot more hits than misses, though. Groce would never say it but I'd bet he expected a lot more from Thornton as a senior guard.

I've heard of the Barnes & Noble contract before and have heard some chatter that it really holds back Athletics from selling certain gear. Wonder when it expires and if they'd look for something different. Our gear has always been lacking compared to other schools. Honestly, Rally House has better stuff than anything you'd find on campus.

I also believe everyone above LCJ played 4 years here while he played 3.

Absolutely agree. The reason I pointed this out is because it means UA still hasn't released anything Freeman-related, which is definitely an absolute failure. I am sure UA gets a royalty or the business paid a licensing fee.

Updated the OP with Enrique's climb

I don't believe this business is affiliated with UA.

I definitely agree on Tavari, I just don't see him starting next year. Is Young good enough to start right away?

It appears Nate Johnson returning has pushed Prather Jr out of the rotation, while Tavari only played 3 minutes. I know a lot can change, but I'd bet Groce will go hard after a starting PG in the portal this summer. If Tavari isn't trusted to be in the rotation now, it's hard to see him being the starting PG eight months from now. Malcolm Duvivier, Loren Cristian Jackson, Xavier Castaneda...he has a history of finding good one's in the portal.

Enrique Freeman and Greg Tribble are two of my all-time favorite Zips. Looking forward to honoring them and the other seniors Saturday.

1. Akron (12 - 3) 2. Toledo (11 - 4) 3. Ohio (10 - 5) Above Central MI based on head-to-head record (1-0). 4. Central MI (10 - 5) Below Ohio based on head-to-head record (0-1). 5. Miami (8 - 7) Above BGSU based on winning percentage against #1 teams [Akron] (1-0). 6. BGSU (8 - 7) Below Miami based on winning percentage against #1 teams [Akron] (0-1). 7. Kent State (7 - 8 ) Above Western MI based on head-to-head record (1-0). 8. Western MI (7-8 ) Below Kent State based on head-to-head record (0-1). 9. Ball State (6 - 9) 10. Eastern MI (5 - 10) 11. Northern IL (4 - 11) 12. Buffalo (2 - 13)

MAC officiating classic. Onto the next one.

Brutal officiating down the stretch.