The Hip Zip

I agree but what we deserve and what the budget allows for at the ABJ are miles apart. I like GT, it's not all on him.

Back to BG... I really do not know what to expect today. I have seen both play many times, BG maybe 5 games or so. Like many teams, I've seen BG look really tough and I've seen them look awful. Sounds a bit like us no? We played with really good energy the first time and shot it very well. The defense did a real nice job of closing down on Holmes to make the other Falcons try to beat them. It was no contest. On offense I'd go down on the block to Forsythe early and often as Holmes often picks up fouls quick. The faster we can land his butt on the bench (for some considerable stretches) the more I like our chances. Big time revenge scenario in play here as it's only been a couple weeks since we rubbed them out here. You know Jans has challenged his team to be men and turn the tables today. Tough game to predict for me......

His wording was misleading because "away from the JAR includes neutral floors. It's certainly no big deal to me but yes, somewhat misleading. As little as we manage to beat a couple of high major programs, in one season no less, it would be nice for GT to acknowledge those two " away from the JAR" wins. I get your point

I agree with both of your statements... All of the contenders have their weaknesses. I'm obviously a bit more critical of our Zips because I see every minute of every game. Just some off those weak points off the top of my head Toledo : Plays down to their opponents level far to often and get lazy on D. most talent anywhere in conference ... Contender Can't State : shoots poorly from the FT line. Lack of quality depth, Coaching... Pretender BG: no reliable source of offense outside of Holmes. FG and FT shooting. Jans has done a great job but they are a year or two away. Pretender EMU : can't shoot it, Zone sometimes lacks intensity. Still, I can't understand how they got off to such an awful start, I think they can still be a ... Contender Akron: No go-to-guy, poor 3pt defense. 3 happy on offensive end, FT% shooting. Youthful back court.... probably a year away but not without a chance... Contender Western : weak on the glass, poor perimeter D, inconsistent... Pretender Central : Also 3 happy but very improved. I think that they are legit in this conference despite how poorly they played here.... Contender Everybody has their own issues but I've seen Buffalo maybe 4 times this season and they just seem to have the right mix of inside/ outside talent with a nice mix of both speed and strength, I can't find one real weakness that says that they can't win it all...... My mid season favorite,

and it's clear to me then when the bulls come to play they are the best in the east and probably the entire MAC. I've felt they were pretty good from the start but man o man, they look great tonight. Somebody feel free to debate this, I just might be dead wrong

At age 18 I was leaning in another direction but yes, the beer was good and 2nd on my list

A new star is born, Iggy Boner. I like it. I would guess that you are one of the few here that could identify Iggy although word has it that Dave has a life sized poster of him and the stooges in his living room. Bonus points for you !

LOTS and Lots of stuff at Can't never made the news. The Fords in general are a great family but Geno seemed to miss the bus when it came to character. Just my opine of course. With the current litigation and given the results of Geno's stay in the MVC, you know that you can bet your tail that the admin at Bradley is none too happy. Maybe Muskingum will have a job open up for him. He may have burned the bridges that would lead him to another D1 job.

Hard to believe but the coach that brought you the memorable Nate Linhart nut shot now has a new cast of guys with some apparent character flaws. Word on the punishment is that Geno will withhold the milk and cookies from this week's bible study Bradley coach apologizes, says discipline for 3 men's basketball players forthcoming Three Bradley men’s basketball players face disciplinary action for their roles in an early Thursday morning disturbance at Big Al’s strip club that saw leading scorer Warren Jones arrested for using an older teammate’s identification card. He was also cited for underage drinking. Teammates Ka’Darryl Bell and Omari Grier were also involved in the incident, to lesser degrees. Bell, 20, was also ticketed for underage drinking, but was not arrested. Bell did not have an ID other than his own. Jones was using the ID of the 23-year-old Grier, who was not present during the incident, which occurred following Bradley’s 69-57 loss to Drake at Carver Arena. Jones, 20, was reportedly intoxicated when police cited him at 2:50 a.m. outside the bar for obstruction of identification and criminal trespassing (for being underage in an over-21 establishment). The BU guard was with a group of 10 that was asked to leave the downtown bar after they became unruly, a source told the Journal Star. “Police were called and (the group) was taken outside,” said Big Al’s owner Al Zuccarini. “The arrest took place outside the building.” Jones was booked into Peoria County Jail at 5:07 a.m. He posted bond and was released at 6:33 a.m. “Obviously, I’m aware of what went on last night,” said BU coach Geno Ford. “I’m extremely disappointed this is something we’re dealing with during the season. We will move swiftly with corrective actions and measures. I apologize to the administration and the fans for having this occur during our season.” Ford said a full team meeting was held prior to Thursday afternoon’s practice to discuss the incident and its effect on the 7-15 squad, which dropped into a tie for last place with Drake in the Missouri Valley Conference at 2-7 with Wednesday’s loss. While the coach did not immediately reveal his intentions, the trio are likely facing suspensions from playing in future games, the number yet to be determined. All three are not expected to be in uniform for the Braves’ next game Saturday at Indiana State. If that’s the case, Bradley would be left with a backcourt of point guard Tramique Sutherland, his backup, Anthony Fields, freshman swingman Donte Thomas and walk-on Jackson Kane. Thomas is coming off a one-game suspension for violation of team rules. “We’ll have to find a way,” Ford said. Jones, who scored 18 points against Drake, is averaging 13.9 points per game. Bell has started all 22 BU games and is considered the Braves’ top backcourt defender. Bell leads the team in total assists and steals, while averaging 7.5 points. Grier’s playing time has slipped in recent games since Jones returned from injury. But Grier remains fourth on the team in scoring at 8.2 points per game. Ford also issued a statement through the university’s sports information office. It read: “First and foremost, I would like to apologize to the Bradley community for last night’s incident involving members of our basketball team. These student-athletes have not represented Bradley University and our community appropriately and their actions, especially immediately after a poor performance on the court, are unacceptable. We continue to gather all of the pertinent information and we will follow all of our disciplinary procedures. Simultaneously, I will closely examine all of the circumstances that would allow for such poor decision-making by the young men under my supervision.”

Put this to good use already... Now I just have to remember to keep myself logged in. Thanks for the post, its just what the Dr. ordered.

Pretty sure that I had that one figured out on my own but thanks for taking the time to break it down for me.

Another stretch 4 ?? No thanks, Pat proved his worth right where he belongs tonight.

I'd love to have 5 centers out there at the same time. Or maybe just 4 and a point guard when we want to go small. We sure as hell couldn't keep up with the opposing team but by Gods will we could lead the nation in goaltending. Just think, we could revolutionize the game right here in good old Akron.. Sorry Roo, just having some fun.....

He has great talent on the way, should get there. Nobody more relevant to that subject right now than Virginia's Tony Bennett. Best defensive mind in the game, period. His old man, Dick, was no slouch either.

http://www.timeswv.com/sports/harney-heating-up-at-right-time-for-fsu/article_ebb386b2-a50a-11e4-815d-731e8dcbb937.html

Jake says he's ready to go. Great news !!

Bingo, Not just a shortage of experienced refs but a shortage of refs period. On Saturday, when damn near everybody plays, there are simply not enough decent refs for all the games. You would be surprised at some of the guys they are trying to recruit into the ranks of new officials. My buddy is a high school baseball coach and he has been approached despite the fact that he knows very little about hoops.

That was quite a gutty performance. Great job Zips

+160 thank you very much

From an injury report I use: "Darrell Bowie is downgraded to expected to miss Wednesday vs. Akron ( Shoulder )" Yes, the Zips seem to be catching a break with Bowie being doubtful. Still though, NIU is an improved team that can rise up and bite anybody that's not playing at their best, Traditionalists won't like it much but IMO their home floor is one of the best looking in college hoops. Check it out tonight, We should have an ESPN 3 feed so we may actually be able to see it.

I suppose we should all be thankful that BG let Coach Louis Orr hang around as long as they did. He spent 7 seasons there and I can't recall him ever beating Akron at all, certainly not in the last 5 years . Now, with new coach Chris Jans at the helm this is a much improved BG team that comes to the JAR tonight at 10-3. Jans was an assistant coach under Greg Marshall at Wichita State and it appears that he has brought the Shockers winning mentality to BG. The Falcons feature 6'8" Richaun Holmes and he's a load with no real weaknesses in his game. He's a potential match up nightmare. In a wide open MAC East ,where I would suppose that only Miami could be considered in way over their heads, this is a very important game for Akron. This year, more than ever, the key to a top or high seed could consist of a recipe of taking care of business at home and going .500 on the road. Vegas has opened the line at Akron minus one and a half. A line that IMO is giving the Zips and our home floor very little respect. We need to get this one.

To me, the Miami game was truly a shocker, even though they were at home. W Mich was actually favored to beat Buffalo so that one didn't surprise me much.