Let'sGoZips94

It might've been pulled from FanDuel. Thought I saw it earlier, but I wonder if the player availability speculation is too fluid for their liking.

The 3 guys mentioned of being out/questionable are Rashaud Marshall (6'8" F from Ole Miss), Ford (I presume this is Derrian Ford and not Terrance Ford Jr.; 6'3" G from Arkansas), and Izaiyah Nelson (6'10" F). They're all gamers. If it's Derrian Ford, he averaged 10 ppg for Arkansas last year. Marshall is similar to Hunter - 1 year at Ole Miss with limited production. Good size, though, and would be a hole in their front court. Nelson has good size and averaged just under 10 ppg and 8 rpg last year for Ark State. This will be an interesting game.

Arkansas State plays in the First National Bank Arena. Since we're the official University partner of the Browns (or whatever marketing slogan they threw on that deal), can we get a cut of the Huntington naming rights, throw it on the JAR, and get the renovations going at Huntington Bank Arena? In all seriousness (that was only partially serious), Arkansas State's arena looks to be very nice. Interesting to hear that the Red Wolves will be without some of their pack. Was that known information prior to the opening line of Zips +5.5? Regardless, cannot wait for tonight's game. I hope we make a statement to open the season. Go Zips!

What is the BART for UTEP and Jackson State? If you remove the Akron Invitational or whatever it's called, our average BART is 114.83. That doesn't include UTEP/Jackson State and the 2nd Sun Belt Challenge game. Will be interesting to see where our schedule difficulty ends up at the end of the season, but I do love how this schedule was put together with how many new pieces we have. Lots of competitive games to look forward to.

Suck it, Drunken Horses.

What a "buzzkill". We are one half away from losing the bowl eligibility dream thanks to undisciplined, uninspired football.

I would imagine part of the thought process for basketball being more profitable is the guaranteed money from making the NCAA tournament, and better odds of a MAC program advancing vs football. There's a reason why the MW is back-filling with some basketball-only programs that have had proven recent success in March. This is also exactly why the MAC needs to be looking at the Missouri Valley for strong basketball programs with FCS football if they get off their hands and decide to grow.

In the Toledo Blade article, one of the MAC basketball coaches was quoted as saying that basketball is the lone sport where the MAC schools can make money. I'm sure football would be able to make money if we had a better media deal, but I'm with you - MAC commish needs canned for what he has done to the conference. I don't think mid-week MACtion is all that detrimental, as many CFB fans nationwide love it, but the amount of money schools get for sacrificing traditional Saturday environments isn't worth it. In addition, he has failed to grow the conference with schools who actually give a damn about sports. Regarding the Mountain West, they're embarrassing themselves with their rebuild plan.

3 days away from the first game... and I'm getting excited. I remember the feeling in the spring of not knowing what would come of this team post-Freeman. Who would've thought Groce would come back with arguably his deepest team? I have no idea how good the top-end talent will be because they're all new guys, but I do know we are legitimately 10-11 deep. F: Okonkwo, Lyles W: Harris, MKK G: NJohnson, TJohnson, Scott, Young, Gray, Wilson, Hardman Again, true level of production is TBD, but I can't recall a Zips team that is expecting to get legitimate production from their 10th and 11th guys. What leaps will Lyles, NJohnson, TJohnson, and Scott take? How does Young fair as a true freshman? Can Okonkwo establish himself as a force down low? How will the 3 pt shots of Harris, Wilson, and Hardman be? I think Gray will be our most consistent player (Tyler Cheese-esque). Despite this, Akron isn't getting any love in the preseason expectation opinions. Ohio and Toledo are the representatives from the MAC for the mid-major rankings, and even Kent is getting more love. Akron's "dark horse" ride will last as long as it takes the chemistry to come together. If that's sooner rather than later, look for the Zips to quickly climb the mid-major ranks.

Sucks these games are on FloSports. I'm assuming the Big East tourney will also be on Flo?

That doesn't include Yale and Vermont, which are perennial March contenders. I love this schedule. Sure the "big names" aren't on it and there isn't even a flashy early season tourney, but the competition should be some of the best we've seen in recent memory. I laughed at the coach who said they haven't had anyone good enough to be plucked and paid. 😂

Canada is in mid season form. Phew.

The full article.

Don't love that Buffalo is coming off a beat down from Ohio, but I don't believe there is a single team in the MAC that truly outclasses anyone. If we can somehow cut out the errors/mistakes/discipline issues, we should be able to be in every game.

What a "buzz kill" - am I right @NWAkron?

Both. Barring a loss to UCONN and an early exit in the Big East tournament, Akron is in the Tourney if I'm not mistaken.

We arguably should've beaten BUGS. We should've beaten WMU. We were competitive against Ohio. We should be right there in the race for Detroit. Need need NEED to build on the EMU win.

Another goal for Emil. Give him the Herman Trophy.

Goal 61st minute by WKWK. 2-0.

Kent has a fantastic arts & crafts program. I'm sure they can draw you a picture with rainbows and roses. Go Zips!

Because the 5-2 team lost that game more than we won it. I simply witnessed the same issues we've seen all season occur yet again today - lack of discipline, blowing leads, muffed punts, chunk plays on defense, etc. - and for the first time the opponent didn't take full advantage of it which led to a Zips win. I'm happy we won, but the W doesn't excuse the negatives that continue to plague this program under JoeMo. This win doesn't give me confidence we've turned the corner as a program. Edit: Here, I'll appease y'all and say something positive. We got the run game going today. As Pat Shurmur would say, "Progress."

We blew an 18 pt lead that was only possible thanks to a very poor kick catch interference call on EMU. Otherwise, EMU likely recovers the fumble and we don't have the possession that leads to a score. EMU missed 2(?) FGs to boot. JoeMo gets very little credit for this, but a win is a win.

That was pass interference in the end zone on Akron. Glad these refs suck. Go Zips!

We didn't even kill a minute.