Let'sGoZips94

CMU is in the middle of a gauntlet. They're coming off a win vs Central State and play Minnesota tonight. As if that isn't tough enough, their next two games are against Purdue Calumet and Aquinas. We'll know what they are after this stretch. Toledo has played a decent mid major schedule so far highlighted by their 35 pt loss to UC San Diego two days ago. Kent State has only played four DI games, which is probably smart - more time for their players to focus on their school work to meet their bare-minimum-NCAA-requirement academic standards. Bobcat Attack is talking about firing Boals. Bowling Green's version of DJ Burns has been a nice story and BUGS has been somewhat competitive, although they only have one DI win (Niagara). Miami OH opened the season with a nice win at App State, but haven't been impressive since. Right now, it's Akron, then CMU/Toledo/Kent, then everyone else. There's a chance the gap between Akron and the rest of the conference is even larger than it appears, but we won't know for sure for a few weeks. NKU, Milwaukee, Yale, Jackson St/UTEP, and Princeton will provide the best barometer for where the Zips are heading into MAC play.

Gonna be hard pressed to find a prettier touch & goal.

The last time these teams met...

JoJo will be fine. He had 10 rebounds - Maishe might've had 10 rebounds in his entire Akron career. I think there are so many scoring threats on this team, we should expect quieter stretches at times from our top guys. For example, Hardman had himself a day. Those 3PA eat into JoJo's shot attempts.

Before the broadcast ended, Amani was seen walking out on his own power in the boot to accept his tournament award. Good sign. Noticed this. Scary how well we played with only 9 guys, in this style/system, in the 3rd game in as many days. We just proved in November we have the ability to win in Cleveland in March. That's something we haven't seen since... 2019-20?

Hardman finding confidence in recent games. Akron up 89-67 with 7 minutes to go. The MAC is in trouble.

Very impressed with their talents. That Akron Classic trophy is very desirable.

Ewbroo - I will be the third to say it was dirty. I don't know if the intent was to necessarily make contact with Mitch, but he certainly chose to dive. He had a bad touch that put the ball too far forward, and instead of conceding and jumping over the goalie at the top of the box, he chose to flop, and threw himself towards the ball. Mitch was already on it, and the IU player landed directly into his shoulder. If the refs had cajones, they would've told IU to cut the 💩 early with the flopping. Ended up hurting Akron - literally - and of course altered the game completely. The goal by IU was more of an inexperienced freshman mistake than anything, one that I don't think Mitch would've made. The ball was played over the top, the IU player corraled it pretty well which I think surprised Kaminsky a bit who was already 3/4 of the way to the ball. He became indecisive and tried to retreat but the lob was already played.

We'll be seeing a decent amount of MMK in Amani's absence. Not necessarily the worst thing for him to get more developmental PT. Akron up 59-44.

50-41 at the half. Fantastic stuff on offense from Akron.

Eh, we stayed aggressive until Mitch went down. Whole style of play changed and we were on our heals for the rest of the game.

Alabama State has some players. Every team this weekend has had guys that would easily compete for 1st/2nd Team All MAC. Great competition.

Akron up 11, 44-33, with under 4 to play in the half. Akron can score.

Goal IU on a header. Damn. Akron wins if Mitch doesn't get hurt. That just sucks. Hope IU goes down hard next round - not a lot of respect for how they play.

Quiet here as I'm sure most of the board is watching soccer. For those of us running simul-cast, Akron down by 2, 22-24, with 9 minutes to play in the first half. Have been stuck on 22 for a bit.

Shot off the far post by IU. Phew.

These announcers sleep with their IU plushies and clearly aren't required to do much opponent research for their jobs.

For those who did not see Dyson's goal earlier in the game.

Goal stands after VAR review.

Goal IU. Kaminsky caught in no-man's-land, and the IU player with a nice lob into the goal. Damn.

YC on Emil for interfering with IU GK's kick. Ridiculous. IU is soft. They fall if the wind blows too hard. Sheesh.

Phew. Kaminsky came out towards right edge of box to get in the way of a pass/shot. Ball got through, cleared off near post by Akron straight to Kaminsky.

Yet all the cards are on Akron. 😂 Under 27 minutes to go. Come on Zips!

Holy. Free kick cross into the far post. IU header bounced off the ground, then bounced off the crossbar, and the ensuing attempt was not successful by IU. Phew.

Indiana with some pressure and opportunities early to start the 2nd half. Zips stayed composed on D.