72 Roo

That is information that is privileged due to the donors requesting anonymity. I will honor my commitment to the source and not go into specifics. Regardless, there is a concerted effort to do something, anything about the JAR.

I agree that the JAR needs upgraded, but I don't think that is needed to keep Groce. He knows Camden Stockton is working to line up donors. Regardless there is no money to get the job done now. To do the job right the estimates range from 30-40 M. A new arena starts at 60 M so why do the upgrade at that level? Instead there are some donors who are being lined up who will give 5-10 M to make basic improvements to the present JAR.

There is genuine optimism when you look at this schedule. But the MAC has got to have its head examined to have put one of the best rivalries in the conference on November 11, a Tuesday night. You would think that they could learn from the basketball rivalry and put this game in mid-October so it could be allowed to grow. Before you get all excited and jump on me for UA and Kent being two dismal programs I get your skepticism. Yet despite two poor teams the game is well attended, the rivalry is intense, these are two big alumni bases and the Wagon Wheel trophy is the best in the MAC. What I'm saying is that this game has greater upside than most traditional rivalries in the MAC. Give it a chance with a better date. That's not too much to ask.

I realize when you play with all gas, no brakes you risk turnovers, but tonight was ridiculous. That cannot be allowed. Nate and Tavari seemed to be sleep-walking like they didn't care which led to unforced TO's. 18 total in the game. 13 in the second half. Even my hero Shammah made a bonehead unforced TO. Just score on half of the second half TO's and we continue the rout of the first half. Please John, coach this crap out of the team.

I have been critical of the state of our track program, but winning an indoor championship proves me wrong. Congratulations to coach Kendra Reimer-Gonzales for capping a good season with a championship trophy. Well done.

Do you think Joe would take him back considering our crying need for DT's? I don't know how I feel about it. On one hand I want to say you have already told us you don't want to be here, but ......

Sad to say, but my wife did not even recognize who Enrique Freeman is. The family had to do an immediate intervention. She can accept cards and limited visits, but no phone calls, at the Zippy Home for Tranquility and Serenity. If you see her say hi and be kind. She has a lot of inner Zipness to awaken. As for me and the family, we are too busy to visit tonight. We'll be at the JAR.

Clark I know you are speaking of his potential this year, but i can't help but think he is a great candidate for NIL money in the portal. He is an emerging post player who we may not see in the MAC next year.

Got to agree with this. No doubt Nate is a super talent. He should be 1st team All MAC. But that doesn't excuse him from the outright carelessness he has with the ball. He has far too many unforced TO's. He has to work on this area of the game if we are to play beyond the MAC championship game. Better teams will take advantage of his TO's and turn them into points. That could be the difference in a big dance game.

Arth's greatest claim to fame was that at John Carroll they beat Mount Union. True he had a good record at JCU with one year being outstanding. That's not a pedigree of winning. When he got to UTC he was out of his depth already.

While I feel George is a fine person who no doubts loves UA I have a huge concern regarding an ability to hire coaches. George and Williams made the hire of Arth. That should tell us a lot. When they were a few weeks from announcing their hire I asked him what are you looking for? He said they wanted someone who would energize the community and someone who would bring excitement to the program. I asked how about someone who had a track record of success and experience. He said their choice would have all that. We all know what we got.

It's already there.

I watched the entire game to see exactly what state of condition this team was in. I get that they are dealing with unprecedented injuries and player issues, but they don't play good basketball. I don't equate winning basketball with good basketball. I was focused on how they played and what they were coached to do. Neither were impressive. Maybe they can turn it around next season, I hope so. But I saw nothing in this game that indicated the program has a solid footing.

This is hilarious. Perhaps if you stated it 20 more times it would sink in. The MAC is stupid, but not that stupid. They have no incentive, and every negative outcome, if they let NIU minor sports back in. And, oh by the way, there is the small matter of being legally bound by their own contract with members to be barred from even considering this. Ain't gonna happen.

The cupboard is no longer bare when it comes to the women's team. Now coach Jen has to show that her coaching can make a difference. If that happens we will be competitive in the MAC, which is our next step, of many, up. I hope it happens.

Tonight's attendance was a disgrace. This team is so entertaining. Basketball fans are missing something special. I applaud the students who did turnout. They were loud, exciting and made it fun to be there. There just were too few of them. I don't know what the issues are, but I do know this team and coach deserve better.

Respectfully, no team equals the dislike and disgust I have for Kent. No one is close. That being said OU and Toledo are in the next tier, for me, and they are easy to get fired up over. The rest in the MAC are Meh!

Pul-leaze! However correct you are you run the grave risk of having this go to the Capt's head. Very risky!

Having enjoyed watching his outstanding skills I would have thought he would receive P4 offers higher up the food chain. Memphis is the only offer that is respectable and they aren't P4.

ou usually have more insight than the rest of the board. Can you discuss who may be the next departures?

Addition by subtraction.

After watching this interview I would give serious consideration to having Bud as our next AD. I have no doubt he could run an excellent dept. My only worry would be could he hire great coaches. Character counts. He has it in spades.

Now I'm back to being sad. To their credit Boise had a solid vision and made successive excellent hires as head coaches and AD's. IIRC Boise began as a junior college. Leadership and talented people are the two most important components of achieving and sustaining excellence. We need to remember that in making future hires.

Is this an addition that we can get excited about? Please let it be. My nether world is sore from all the hits taken to it. Some good news to close the year would be very welcome. Regardless, Happy New Year Zips Nation!

There is something going on within the program. Simmons departure makes no sense. Was he suggested to leave so a complete rebuild could occur? I don't think so, but nothing makes sense. Most of our players who have left will not find NIL money. Do they want to play for a winner? Maybe, but at UA they had their spots won and the program was heading upward. If they had really bought in as Joe has said repeatedly not this many would be leaving. They could have been comfortable, but they chose to leave for the chaos of the TP. Why? There has to be more here than we are aware.