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Holy shit what an ending! We crapped down our leg, then Ball State did...then Big Dog comes through in the clutch!!

How in the hell was that called on Big Dog...

Hate to continue harping on a guy, but Aa. Jackson once again plays negative basketball. TDM's 3 was the first of the half. Need to shoot at a better clip. Josh is still slumping and Kwan has not recovered yet either.

I'm assuming these offers/commitments mentioned today are for walk ons?

I know they aren't all on here as I believe we have at least 3 offers out to East kids that I didn't see, but here it 247's list of reported offers so far. http://akron.247sports.com/Season/2018-Football/Offers

Sure! Lets not pretend to know what recruits think then!

There is also no evidence of him ever being used as a recruiting tool, which is what I initially brought up. It can't ever work if it is never used. Enjoy continuing to be a pessimist though. Go Zips.

I checked the website as well and it shows up on there. Would warn to be aware of potential blackouts though, as it is being broadcasted locally.

Nobody said him being affiliated with the program would be the sole reason a kid in S.Fla decides to sign with the Zips. But you're arguing to argue if you think it has no affect whatsoever. JT retired at the end of the 2011 season. I bet many of those kids down there grew up wearing his jersey. If a S.Fla kid is being recruited by northern school A who he has never heard of and northern school B who he has never heard of, then some familiar link to relate to can be the difference maker. I am from Ohio and didn't really know jack about Akron until I considered going there. Shit...we have documented proof with our basketball program that a player who has never even played for the Zips has an affect on recruiting!

It's all semantics. TO will be in the HoF eventually. Does it really matter that it wasn't this year? And this is coming from a guy who was a huge fan of him.

I don't have a personal opinion on either, however I would call it a miss when we offer him a scholarship and they go to another similar caliber school. Time might go on and we may have gotten the better QB, but I don't think there is any denying we lost the recruiting battle there.

Urban and OSU were promoting Nate Ebner last night. A player that Meyer did not coach and a career special teamer at that. Frankly, not trying to use anything and everything you can as leverage is negligence in my book. Its odd to me that those most critical of Bowden on here are downplaying using something to try to gain an advantage.

I took a look back last season and I could not find the Zips football account promoting Jatavis at all until he was actually drafted FWIW. Implying Coach Bowden doesn't care about his players seems pretty disingenuous when I look back and read tweets like this:

I have to disagree with the notion that putting players, especially good players in the NFL has no effect on recruiting. Urban Meyer loves promoting it. Even though most will never make it, players want to go somewhere that they think can get them to the NFL.

There are always exceptions to the rule

You are including Cleveland and Youngstown as our own back yard? I'd suggest starting with Akron/Canton (in which we certainly missed some guys...Taylor, Taylor, Vantrease, and King off of the top of my head) and go from there. I also am not sure how fair it is to count players that we didn't offer against us. Same with those players who went P5. Those classes were ranked 29, 35, and 55 respectively. Not exactly slouch programs. I think its fair to compare how we are doing vs MAC or G5 programs with Akron or Canton recruits with where the program is now. I also find it quite hilarious that Jabari Taylor was a NR prospect all through the recruiting process until he signed with Cinci.

Another tweet that sort of sours me towards Lane. Scouts evaluate everything. Can't imagine immaturity is an attractive trait.

I believe Canton's paper's whole front page was dedicated to the class. I did not know Taylor played at UA until I myself began attending there. Maybe it will help get their attention, and thats a good thing since it is so close. I don't see much effect though. But I guess any publicity is good publicity, especially when its just 15 minutes South and a pretty big deal.

To add...I wonder what (if any) relationship the program has with him and how said relationship is leveraged. I would imagine walking into a South FL recruit's home with an NFL Hall of Famer from Akron and Miami Dolphin legend is a quick way to get their attention. Then again...kids graduating high school now probably don't remember seeing him play.

Playing UAPB's, Hiram's, and Coppin State's of the world certainly helps too. All they need to really get up for is ~3 games a year. OU, Kent, and whatever Marshall-esque type they bring in in OOC.

Do we think the refs are somehow out to get the Zips or the refs are just equally bad, both ways, all across college basketball? Honestly there seem to be very few games where he isn't in foul trouble. Also need to consider that it is a high probability that teams specifically game plan to try to get him into foul trouble and out of the game. They see the same things we do.

Oh well. I'm more bummed about loss of the streak/AP votes than anything. On to Ball State. Good teams learn and improve from these types of losses.

Its hard for me to give my opinion on the refs as I am only listening, but I can tell why people who listen to 1350 think the refs give us screw jobs.

Big Dog battling back spasms per KD on 1350.

This is indeed the fact, unfortunately.