Blue & Gold

Ouch. Maybe there shouldn't even be an "athletics" budget. It should be lumped in with advertising. That's what these sports teams are for any university.

A bit off topic, but the UD Arena was easily the worst arena to watch a basketball game I've ever been in. We were a loooong distance from the court and the seats don't have a steep enough grade to them - one's view is constantly obstructed by the heads in front of you. I would have honestly rather watched a game at K.e.n.t's MAC Center. But at least they have seats and not bleachers. After 2 games on the bleachers of the JAR my back would have been killing me.

This is why the program is gonna miss Jake & Reggie next year. Jake posted this message on Facebook last night: "My passion and love for this game is indescribable. I gave my body, my heart, and my soul to The University of Akron everyday for the last 4 years. Words cannot describe how thankful I am to have been given the opportunity to play basketball to this point of my life. This game has given me so many memories of happiness, sadness, anger, and hurt but I wouldn't have wanted it any other way. To the people that God has placed in my life, I cannot thank you enough for your love, your support, and encouragement throughout my entire career. You all have helped me in some way or another get me to where I am today. The words of kindness that you've shown me over the last 4 years means more then you will ever know. I want to thank The University of Akron's faculty, athletic program, and fans for everything they have provided for me over the last four years of athletics and academics. People may view this last season as a fail because we didn't make it to the "big dance" or win the tournament but this season was far from a failure. This season was my favorite of the 4 because of how God worked in this team. He created a new culture within this team to love one another, to play with a team first mindset, and to serve others. I have been extremely blessed to have played with amazing teammates throughout the last 4 years and play for caring coaches. Akron Basketball is a family and once you're in you'll always be a part of that family. You never really think the game will come to an end but it will just as your life ends at some point in time. Do not take moments in time for granted because when it's over, it's over. There's no going back to fix or change things. Love God and love others that's the greatest commandment. "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. The second is this: Love your neighbor as yourself. There is no commandment greater than these." (Mark 12:30-31) As for me and my future, I don't know what's in store next. I know that God will show me his path for my life and I will follow it. “For I know the plans I have for you,’ declared the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, p plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." (Jeremiah 29:11)" Jake & Reggie were exceptional leaders. I hope fresh leadership steps up next season. Big leadership shoes to fill.

I went with a friend to Dayton to watch two of the First Four games: Holy Cross vs. Southern U and Michigan vs. Tulsa. There were a ton of Michigan fans there & my friend, who is a big Michigan fan, said he suspected the only reason Michigan was invited to the First Four in Dayton was because they knew they could fill the arena w/ Wolverine fans.

Anyone with name recognition. We still suffer from a lack of respect. Our scheduling of name schools has to be considered part of our marketing efforts. It's shocking... unbelievable really... that a lot of area people still don't understand that we play at the same level as Ohio State.

http://www.ohio.com/sports/zips/ua-football-after-a-strong-finish-to-sophomore-season-quarterback-thomas-woodson-taking-more-of-a-leadership-role-for-zips-1.669886?cache=18961415304345%2Fnews%2Fohio%2Fcss%2Fresults.css%2Frk%3D0%3Fprint%3D1 Warren Ball won't be here till the fall. So... I'm betting he doesn't start until the 3rd game.

Henry Baddley, Jayvon Graves Guide Irish to Division II State Semifinal Win http://www.ohio.com/sports/boys-basketball-st-v-m-85-cincinnati-aiken-68-henry-baddley-jayvon-graves-guide-irish-to-division-ii-state-semifinal-win-1.669957?cache=18961415304345%2Fnews%2Fohio%2Fcss%2Fresults.css%2Frk%3D0%3Fprint%3D1 "St. Vincent-St. Mary senior Henry Baddley and junior Jayvon Graves turned Thursday’s Division II state semifinal boys basketball game into a slam-dunk contest." Hmm. Think we could use a guard like that on our roster? I think I may be a basketball genius! Maybe I should call KD & suggest he offer a scholarship

http://www.ohio.com/news/local/student-wristbands-and-bumper-stickers-are-protest-against-ua-president-1.669711# Wristbands & bumper stickers demanding Scarborough's ouster.

http://www.ohio.com/sports/high-school/other/high-school-basketball-st-v-m-two-wins-shy-of-cutting-down-championship-nets-in-columbus-1.669789 Graves, who is 6-2½... agrees with Joyce’s thoughts that depth has played a huge role in St. V-M’s playoff wins... “We rely on our defense because we know that our offense can score the ball, so defense, pressuring the ball and rebounding have been keys,” Graves said. “I want to bring a championship back to Akron.” Sounds like a loyal Akronite! Get on him, KD!!!

Exactly. KD's not going anywhere. Thank God.

Or on Ohio.com?

Sounds like he got into some off-the-court trouble.

Sounds like a good idea to me. I think last night's game clearly demonstrated that KD needs to toughen this team up a bit in the OOC. We lost to an extremely youthful (only 1 Senior and 1 Junior on their roster )... ...and depleted (their top 2 leading scorers were both in street clothes )... ...7th place B1G team We're not as good as we think we are.

Awesome job, one again, Dr. Z!

Brilliant post, Keener. I'm out of "Likes."

Ummm... anyone? Jayvon's really the kind of athlete we need in our backcourt.

I think Zach was referring to the BOT moving to can Dr. Scarborough.

Jake and Reggie have been great. Since they both played starters' minutes even as true freshmen, it feels like they've been here forever. They're consummate student-athletes & have been simply excellent ambassadors for UA & great leaders in the locker room. Their character, maturity, hustle & basketball IQ, not to mention outside shooting, will be missed.

Can't wait to see this WR corps doing work: Jerome Lane Mykel Traylor-Bennett Austin Wolf Kevin Gladney JoJo Natson Anthony Young Michael Means Richie Cooper A.J. Coney Tyrell Goodman That is called being stacked!

Nice Spring Ball article by GT. http://www.ohio.com/sports/zips/university-of-akron-football-zips-face-five-key-question-as-spring-practice-begins-1.669021

There was a 3-game (ish?) stretch there where Kwan was focused on banging down low & playing defense. Our team was a buzzsaw when Kwan was playing that way. Then Kwan, again, had some success from behind the arc & seemed to naturally drift back behind the 3-point line & we've been struggling since. None of our wins over K.en.t, EMU or BUGS were things of beauty, and it finally bit us in the butt against a good team like Buffalo. If we want to beat OSU tonight we need Kwan to man up & own the paint.

Right. KD was saying he enjoys having the luxury of a player like Big Dog who, when double-teamed is a good passer & does a good job of finding the open man.

Right. It's just a way of saying since Pat's injured he doesn't wear the uniform for the game. He's in regular clothes on the bench. No player dreams of finishing out their career that way.

We're definitely going to be more athletic next season. Better? Ehhhh... that remains to be seen. But undoubtedly more athletic. Losing: Jake, Reggie, Pat Gaining: Daniel Utomi, Isaiah Williams, Craig Eubanks, Tavian Dunn-Martin, Emmanuel Olojakpoke. I'm also excited to see what The Warrior Peter Agba and Big Mike Hughes can do. (Though I'm expecting Dunn-Martin [along with Jordan Davis] to be redshirted.)

+1. I still miss Tree.