Let'sGoZips94

Even prior to the UCLA game they were silly comments. Akron beat every top team in the MAC going back to their last OU game during the regular season (then the 3 big dogs in the tournament). A 20 pt drubbing of KSUcks was the final nail in the coffin for any argument against Akron being the best in the MAC. I'm glad to hear some common sense clicked finally.

I never attended The University of Akron. Some of us were born with Blue & Gold blood.

Between the Z logo and potentially using Russian oil imports to fuel the travel for athletics, we're practically part of the war! There's going to be an ESPN 30for30 someday about the nationwide March Madness bracket boycott of the Akron Zips over their Z logo. Millions picked UCLA because they were appalled by the Z. Rumor has it that's why the refs fouled Freeman out of the game - couldn't let Akron win.

To echo some of the posts/sentiments I saw on the KSUcks and other MAC boards... ThE mAc DiDn'T sEnD tHeIr BeSt To ThE nCaA tOuRnAmEnT

He deserves it but damn... These types of articles might shorten his stint at Akron.

It's a shame the quote was cut off. "I will always be a Zip at heart... Just not on defense." Kidding. Is this trying to save face a bit with the next program? Or is this sincere? His Twitter pic is a Getty Images pic of him from his St. John's days. Trying to show coaches he was good enough for a Big East school at one point? Odd.

He had 2 acceptable fouls. That one was probably the worst of the other 3.

* Googles directions to Stow Meijer *

Interesting that a major national conversation right now is how bad the officiating is this tournament. We were getting screwed before it was cool.

Quincy is where he cut his teeth as a coach. Not "life coming at him hard" just him going back to his roots. Good for him.

Is it safe to assume Trimble was no longer going to be part of this program after this year anyways, considering we pre-filled his scholarship?

OU narrowly escaped #14 seed Rice yesterday - 65-64. They take on Abilene Christian tomorrow. Riveting stuff.

Wait, are we full, even with Trimble's departure?

Can never have enough athletic/talented 6'5"-6'8" guys. So many mismatches are created in that height range. There was the inevitable 1. Scholarship is now open. I actually forgot that he was still on the team and we would have 1 scholarship available.

What are the advantages/disadvantages? I like the idea of better weather for the College Cup, but do you risk losing momentum with the 3 month hiatus?

It surprised me, too. It could be argued this team actually underachieved with how they were playing at the end. Now, the team at the end wasn't the team we had for 75% of the season, but still. 2019-20 is still the best, most complete team we've ever had in my opinion. 2022-23 & 2023-24 have a huge chance to supplant them, though (although '19-'20 will always hold that special place in my heart). If, IF, these guards are as advertised and can hit the ground running, we may have our solution(s).

Can't State still sucks! Couple more thoughts pertinent to the thread... I've narrowed my wish list down to the 3 & D guy as previously mentioned by someone in this thread. We need a Banks type of player to complete this roster, assuming Kalle and the redshirt/incoming guards are able to contribute on both ends of the floor. Banks shot 41% from 3 and played some of the best defense we've ever seen. I've seen some comments on this board that this team overachieved. I don't know if that's exactly the case. The 2019-20 team and the 2021-22 team are VERY similar when looking at depth/talent/statistics, and until a team achieves what that 2019-20 team did (tied school record 24 regular season wins), they will be the benchmark for comparisons. Castaneda had become very similar to Cheese by season's end, providing a deep/mid-range/dribble-drive scoring threat. Riak was more developed than Aziz, but similar game style. Freeman & X almost cancel each other out; similar scoring/rebound numbers, but X provided a deep shooting threat (although Freeman is borderline unstoppable down low). We had Ali & Tribble back then although they're much improved now. Dawson is similar to Banks - maybe slight edge to Banks on D, Dawson on O? Nobody on this team was LCJ, as LCJ was truly that special; his quickness, scoring ability from anywhere on the floor (one of the best at-the-the-rim finishing guards we've ever had), and leadership are unrivaled. That 2019-20 team wasn't deep, but they had a slight edge in scoring ability. PTS REB AST STL BLK TO FG% FT% 3P% 76.0 38.3 13.1 5.2 3.0 12.9 44.0 77.0 35.7 71.2 35.0 11.9 5.8 3.3 11.5 46.2 68.7 35.7 Statistically, these teams borderline mirror each other. The biggest differences are PPG and FT%. The difference in PPG is essentially LCJ who averaged 19 ppg. The FT% was LCJ (87%), Cheese (82%), and X (91%). I think our conglomerate of guards next year should be able to somewhat replicate what LCJ was able to do. Freeman/Aziz/Kalle take care of the front court like X and Riak did (especially if Freeman develops a mid range jump shot). Dawson is similar to Banks, but the issue is what's behind Dawson as that 3 & D guy. Tribble and Wynn can't shoot. I wonder if this is why Trimble was held onto for so long. He never committed to the defensive side of the ball, but was supposed to be a better scoring threat than he was. At the detriment of our regular season record, Groce gave him every opportunity to be a positive on at least one side of the floor; never materialized, and that's what led to our close losses. That was our hole on this team. I thought this team needed this stretch 4 or that take-over-the-game guard. After looking at these numbers, comparing rosters with the 19-20 team, and thinking about our system, I'll be writing Santa for a 3 & D guy. 6'5"-6'6" or so that can shoot and play lockdown defense. I think a stretch 4 would lack the quickness that a 3 & D guy typically possesses, but that is my second choice. Is Prather this guy? Does someone transfer out for us to bring in this guy? Not sure. But this is my final analysis until actual moves are made (if any). If no moves are made, I hope the incoming freshman and redshirt guys saw the secret ingredient to our success is 100% commitment on the defensive side of the ball. This team is poised to be the most decorated & accomplished in program history; everyone needs to be on board. Go Zips!

So this would be year round soccer essentially with a spring championship?

I would like to echo all of the positive sentiments regarding @Illini Zip and add the following. I know Groce is what brought you to the board, and that speaks wonders to Groce's character and system. But you've really embraced Akron as a whole, and it's incredible to see. There's another P5 fan on the board that participates in Akron football discussions, but that P5 school is still his #1 and his participation isn't consistent. You're involved in nearly every single basketball thread, the construction of the program, scholarship chart, etc. I don't think you've made a negative contribution to the board. It's a pleasure to have you as part of ZipsNation - both the board and as a fan. By the way, after last night, I feel reaffirmed that next year's team will be something special.

What did they say?

We'd be in the Sweet 16 with 2 more made shots on Thursday.

I think I might pass on watching the rest of this game. It's a bit of salt in the ole wound...

So far I'm not impressed. I believe the announcers just gave a shout-out to our defense on Thursday, basically stating that our level of defense hasn't been replicated yet in this game. Make 2 more shots and this is us... Damnit.

In a sense, but St. Mary's blowing the doors off UCLA would make me feel better knowing we had no shot at a Sweet 16 trip.

Let's Go Gaels!