Let'sGoZips94

1-0 at the half. Embick just said Mitch is probably done for the day.

IU keeper staying in. I think he took a friendly-fire hip/groin shot. Probably worried about his family creation abilities more than anything.

Budler coming off holding his arm at a 90 to keep the pull off his shoulder. Oh man. Worst part is, the IU player seemed to attempt a flop that caused all this. Turd.

Oh no. IU player dove at the ground as Budler dove for the ball. Mitch is still down. Hard collision to Mitch's shoulder.

Pressure still being applied by Akron. Malik with a GREAT run and a few nifty moves to get another shot that would've been wide but close enough to warrant a dive by the goalie.

GOOOOAAAALLLLL!!!!!! CLAPIER!

Nice shot by Akron - IU goalie with a nice save as well. Under 18 minutes to go in the first half (probably less than that for you statcast watchers as the stream is a bit behind).

Possession is swinging towards IU. Yellow Card on Akron (not sure who - announcers kind of sucks). Edit: YC on Clapier. Second or third time he has kicked the ball with gusto after the whistle has blown. Ref warned him after the first.

Mitch with a terrific read and punch out on a set piece. IU player taking the free kick played a great ball towards the far post that would've found an IU player who got loose.

Akron dominating possession so far. Starting to get some opportunities, too. Side note: apparently you can have noisemakers if it's your official pep band. The NCAA is dumb.

Helluva schedule. It's unfortunate we shot ourselves in the foot so many times.

1pm Zips soccer straight into 3pm Zips basketball. No Browns to disappoint as they already won the Snow Globe game on Thursday. Could be a great way to end a beautiful week! Go Zips! Beat IU!

I'm not talking about the results. I'm talking about the effort.

Groce wanted 50 3P attempts.

Good news is the rebounding effort has been 10x better since the SMC game.

With today's game against Omaha in the books, the Zips currently rank 23rd in the country in possessions per game. Every single one of their games has hit the over. The offense is on a torrid pace, and will only get more efficient as the chemistry & confidence builds. Groce maintained the barn that housed our Thoroughbred these last few years, but seems to have found a more full stable of horses this year.

If Tavari is gonna set the record for blocked layups, Nate is in a similar track for missed dunks.

It's going to take people a bit to realize this is a new DePaul under Holtmann. Nobody should forget it's the same old NIU.

I know it's Omaha and Joe Akron won't think much of that win, but that was a good win.

Some observations as we wind down this game. - Hardman in during crunch time. - No MMK this game? - Very little Young compared to recent games

What a finish by Nate and then a terrific acting job by Tavari. WHAT A BLOCK BY AMANI!

These refs are a joke. 20-6 FT advantage.

* Sips coffee *

Selection Sunday... "The Zips, boasting the #4 pace of play in the country, look to get their first tournament win in school history." - Greg Gumbel (probably)

Harris heating up. Wow.