Captain Kangaroo

Maybe 20 years ago I travelled to see the Zips-Wisconsin in Madison on Saturday, and the Vikings-Packers in Lambeau on Sunday (I've been a Vikings fans since I was a little kid). It was one of my all time favorite weekends! But - it was in sunny September and not a blizzard November. 😁

After three games, it seems like we're about where we typically are under Groce. With the portal, you just aren't going to have the continuity from year-to-year...the beginning is always going to be erratic until everyone settles in. I remember Xerius Willams struggling from behind the arc early-on, and guys like Banks, Cheese and LCJ all became much more consistent as time rolled on. Hankerson plays good defense and has a smoothness about him on offense...he reminds me a little of Rashon Brown. Hopefully those two 3's that dropped late in the game yesterday boost his confidence. He's no Maishe Dailey. He just needs to settle in his role. Lyles is intriguing. He seems to have a good touch around the rim. But he's too raw to get major minutes anytime soon. Hunter hasn't shown much. Seems like he's overthinking on the offensive side. Groce says he's tearing it up in practice? He hasn't been close to tearing anything up in games thus far. Nate Johnson has the body to replace Dawson this year. He's got great handles for a thick guy, and a nice touch from deep. If he develops quickly, it will really help free-up Casteneda and Freeman. Those two are our only offensive threats right now. '81's point regarding Clarke is valid...I was expecting Garvin to pick up where he left off at the end of last season. He's not close to that level yet. Tribble will be more effective once Hankerson and Johnson become consistent offensive threats. His offensive limitations stick out because there are two other offense-addled Zips just like him every time we possess the ball. He'll have easier opportunities to score once defenders need to respect the shots of the other four Zips on the court. Tavari looks like he's a player. But he's only 18. If he makes the most of his limited minutes and proves he can score a little at this level, there will plenty more minutes to be had as the season progresses. It's tough to be a HS star, and then sit 9th on the bench in college. But if he can accept it, and grinds, he'll be a contributor this year. Freeman and Casteneda are great. Our defense is pretty good so far. We just need some offensive firepower to emerge and we'll be in the mix for a championship once again.

BG has won 6 games this season. Toledo has won seven. Akron has won eight...eight games over the past 5 years combined. Tough to get fans and students to turn out when that level of football has been played. There are 4-year graduating seniors who have seen their alma mater win a combined 4 games in their UA tenure. Holy hell...

Dawson

Definitely looks that way.

Not if there’s a threat to kick it out to a guard for a three. He got double teamed all night and had no guard help whatsoever. Long ways to go until March. Groce teams always improve as the season progresses. We’ll see who steps up on the wing. Hope they show up sooner than later.

Freeman and Casteneda need help. Someone else needs to be a consistent threat or good teams will be able to shut us down.

Casteneda and Freeman need to produce. They’re being guarded hard and not getting any help, but they gotta find a way.

Portnoy looks like an oompah loompah.

Bad shooting is due to the ugly gold unis with the stick figure “A”. Bring back script Akron. 🤢

Memo to coach Groce - press Toledo.

Better than Reghi…

Unless he's better than a couple of them. Smoke 'em if you got 'em. If he can help us this season, play him. We are in "win mode" in 2022-23.

Sorta like the Zips and buckeyes last year.

From the Hard Rock Cafe in beautiful downtown Atlanta - Congrats Zips!

When Netflix creates their "Akron - The Larry Williams Years" mini series, I want Bud to get the lead role.

From the guy that broke the news that Holt would play in Game #5, I can say - if he wants to play for the Zips in 2023, he can.

I think we miss out on a ton of revenue because the JAR isn't a place for local businesses to entertain. Even for a date night...how many couples want to see a game smooshed together against Frank from Barberton on a wooden bleacher? Even Kent has a nice enclosed area where bigger-donor fans can enjoy the game. I went to the Tommy Evans Lounge once. Maybe 15 years ago. I won tickets at a golf outing. For the pregame (noon tip-off) there was a breakfast station with pancakes, eggs, etc. At 1 pm (halftime) we returned, and the same breakfast stuff was still sitting out. The blue hairs were scooping up their dried-out pancakes and trying to rehydrate them with butter and syrup. My young son wanted a soda. I poured one from the fountain dispenser and handed it to him. He gagged. There was no syrup in the dispenser. Along the front glassed-in wall were some cups of ice cream. They must have been placed on the table at noon, because they were all completely melted. The place was absolutely packed. Looked like 1984 Bulger Hall floor party, but without the kegs. I couldn't imagine an exec from Goodyear walking in there for the first time and saying "Gee...I gotta entertain our out-of-town rubber supplier VP's HERE!" I like watching games at the JAR. It is a nice home court advantage for big games. It's nice that the simpletons who banned beer at the JAR for 35 years are either dead or fired. But as far as D1 arenas go, it is completely bush league. I'd pay a lot more for a cushioned seat and a better view of the game. Hope it happens before I retire to Arizona, or croak.

Only new seats…no reconfiguration?

No. 🦘🍪👎🏼 I concur with @Loyal Zip - a fun, feel good event. Great food. Hoops will be fun in the AK again this winter!

Bump reminder.

You mean like Teon Dollard, but without the police blotter appearances.

“Jock Strap Full of Kryptonite” – Spin Doctors “Fall: Some InfoCision Blues” – Johnny Cash “I’m One-winning” – Santana “Redzone Paranoid” – Black Sabbath “You’re 4th and 1” – Orleans “Kickers Just Keep Getting’ Harder to Find” – Paul Revere and The Raiders “99 Problems (and the Zips ain’t solved one)” – Jay-Z “Negative Yardage Carry” – Til Tuesday “Smells Like Crushed Spirit” - Nirvana

Tough to get a yard with a mediocre RB, a bad OL and a run up the middle.

Worst effort by the Zips in several weeks. Offensive and defensive.