Let'sGoZips94

Indiana lost to Wisconsin.

GOOOOAAAAALLLLLLLLL! GREAT cross/touch onto goal.

Whoa whoa whoa. Can someone who is more educated about soccer rules please explain to me why there wasn't a foul on WMU running over our goalie on their goal? Thornton (the guy who scored that) is from Copley. Talk about being a thorn in our side...

Overall Gameplay Observations The first half, as I was hoping, seemed to be simply nerves. It's incredibly nice to see adjustments coming out of halftime, especially adjustments that lead to wins. The 2nd half was more what I expected from a Groce-coached team. Higher energy, solid defense, ball movement, and crash-the-boards rebounding. Speaking of rebounding, I don't think I've seen more than 1-2 guys go for offensive rebounds in 4+ years; what a novel idea. As previously mentioned, it's nice to be on the good side of the fence regarding free throws winning/losing games; I hope this remains to be a common theme. Too many 3s in the first half, but again, I attribute the number of attempts to the nerves. I think physically we will be able to match up with just about anyone. Mentally and experience wise, we'll see. But if we can keep games close against tougher opponents, I think we'll be able to steal one or two with our speed, hustle, and tenacity. Player Observations Sayles is already my favorite freshman from a potential aspect. At 6'9", 235 lbs (again, AS A FRESHMAN), he's going to be a force for years to come as he hopefully develops. Parrish had a very solid game for any level of player, especially a freshman. He led the charge in the 2nd half when it came to crashing the boards, and jumped the passing lane nicely for a breakaway steal that helped set the tone defensively. He also put together a technically-sound offensive game. Duvivier has boulders for shoulders, and is gonna be a force as the team chemistry grows. He does need to quit playing around so much with the ball; too much senseless dribbling. Utomi is going to be very, very key this year. He really spreads the floor and creates match-up problems with his size. I said last year that Dambrot's biggest mistake was not finding a way to get him into the game more. Ivey looked like he thought he had to carry the team. I think as time goes on he'll learn he just needs to be a leader in anyway he can. He does bring a lot of energy to the court, though. Poke is still developing, but it seemed like he found his role in the 2nd half: stand near the paint and block shots from the weak side help position. It looks like he also might be the hack-a-poke-o-stick at the end of games. Didn't really notice as much from Patton. Not sure if that's a good thing or a bad thing. I liked Cotton's game. I know he had some rookie mistakes, but he makes nice, crisp passes and seems to play with a good head on his shoulders. Looks like he could continue to develop into a nice floor general. Kostelac was disappointing. It looked like the game was too fast for him. I hope that changes, because we could use his size. Does anybody know if Gdadebo is going to see much playing time this year, or is he more of a walk-on type? I'm really excited for this season. Go Zips!

Where can I get a Sayles jersey? And Duvivier with the HAMMER! Edit: Should've queued up Zombie Nation and highlights of the block instead of the dot race and smile cam.

And a refreshing change so far is the 8-9 shooting from the line.

And I thought the days of being favorites left with Dambrot... (All in good fun )

How about on 4th & 2, they decide to throw the ball (out route to boot?) instead of running an option with a shifty QB? That alone should answer your question on whether or not the coaching staff knows what Kato's skill set is.

Fixed it for you.

Well now there definitely isn't a need for fans to bring their own halogen bulbs... When is that wall getting torn down and floor-to-rafters seating being added?

Nor is there a need for fans to bring halogen bulbs with them to plug into the end zone boards.

Are fabric canopies common with these boards? I don't think I've seen this done before, presumably due to the possibility for interference with a long pass/desperation heave. It looks good, though.

I posted this in another thread, and I'll copy it over here. 34 minutes ago, Captain Kangaroo said: "Nope. 10 wins is a horrible by pretty much anyone but Dan Hipsher's post-Crawford standards. I'll expect .500 basketball, and hope for better." I think this is about right. For comparison, John Groce went 15-17 (7-9 in the MAC) in his first year at OU. He had 11 players ON THE ROSTER that year, and I think only 9 could play (2 redshirts/transfers). The MAC that year was deeper than it is now, with all of the East Division - minus OU - finishing at 10-6 or better in the MAC. The following year Groce lost 6 players from the previous season, with the class of Baltic/Cooper/Horne/Keely/Kinney replacing them. They proceeded to go 22-15 (7-9 in the MAC), oh yeah, and they advanced to the Second Round of the NCAA Tournament after knocking off Georgetown. Akron has 12 players on the roster that can play, 15 total. Now, it's a very young team, but that doesn't change who the coach is. I'm expecting around 15-17 wins, and am optimistic we could possibly sneak into the 20s. I don't consider the MAC to be as deep or as strong as it was back then.

I think this is about right. For comparison, John Groce went 15-17 (7-9 in the MAC) in his first year at OU. He had 11 players ON THE ROSTER that year, and I think only 9 could play (2 redshirts/transfers). The MAC that year was deeper than it is now, with all of the East Division - minus OU - finishing at 10-6 or better in the MAC. The following year Groce lost 6 players from the previous season, with the class of Baltic/Cooper/Horne/Keely/Kinney replacing them. They proceeded to go 22-15 (7-9 in the MAC), oh yeah, and they advanced to the Second Round of the NCAA Tournament after knocking off Georgetown. Akron has 12 players on the roster that can play, 15 total. Now, it's a very young team, but that doesn't change who the coach is. I'm expecting around 15-17 wins, and am optimistic we could possibly sneak into the 20s. I don't consider the MAC to be as deep or as strong as it was back then.

This is where I stand as well.

Nothing like breaking in a new video board by flying Old Glory on the beautiful new screens.

Responses to the bold in order... 1) "Overflow crowds" 2) I like that idea, but only if Akron is in the game. You could also expand this to include March Madness watch parties. 3) I like it. 4) I had originally thought this as well, but then a choke job in the ALDS ended the dreams this year. 5) A lot of World Cup excitement went out the window when the USMNT failed to qualify. 6) That would have a huge draw I think.

When you're up late in a game on a team, and you need a few yards for a 1st down to pretty much seal the deal and you can't get it, and you ultimately lose, that's disappointing. When you're up late in a game, have a disappointing end to a game-sealing drive, but still pin them inside their own 5 and you still ultimately lose, that's disappointing. When you pin them inside their own 5 with a couple minutes left, they move the ball a little bit but still have a 4th down situation, and you still ultimately lose, you suck. When the all the above happens, and the following week the team you ultimately lost to beats a top 25 SEC program, well that's just salt in a wound... and you still suck.

Scumbag #1 = Gone.

Anybody notice the entire Sun Belt Conference is waiting in the tunnel as well? The only team with a winning record in that conference is Troy. That was a bad loss last week...

Clemson is ACC.

To me, this game put the final nail in the coffin for this coaching staff. The nail isn't pounded all the way in, but I feel like the program has regressed in the last couple of years. The discipline on the team is nonexistent, and the talent/player development just isn't there. We consistently look smaller and slower at positions we need to be bigger and faster at. Additionally, I want nothing to do with Milwee. He makes the offensive side of football look harder than it is. Bubble screens do not work when you're blocking with WRs that are sub-6'.

This explains it even more.

Common sense has been proven to be absent when scheduling Zips athletic events, evident by making the time of yesterday's game against Arkansas Pine Bluff the same time as Oklahoma/OSUcks. Holy crap! If that's true, that's insane because he could already jump out of the gym last year.