Bubba4three

It's just 3 claps between each letter. We're clearly in your head.

Rourke had some ups and downs earlier in the season, but the last few weeks he has played undeniably better than we've seen from our QBs in a long time which is the biggest difference. He can run and pass. Rest of our team is pretty classic "Frank Solich." We whooped Toledo on the lines.

Are there specific concession stands where $1 beer will be available or is that stadium-wide?

Finances aside, my point is "Groce doesn't do that much" isn't the correct approach to looking at this. "Groce's schedules" at Ohio were actually "Jim Schaus' schedules." Schaus has slowly transitioned away from being paid to play in away games to Ohio buying more home games. Groce was the first coach in Schaus' time at Ohio. If you look at the Wichita State model from Schaus' time there, it follows the same script. We could discuss scheduling theory for hours, my point is that most of the games and connections on Ohio's schedule from that timeframe were Schaus' connection and Schaus' theory on how to build a basketball program rather than Groce's, so while looking at Ohio's schedule when Groce was here is worthwhile, I don't think it's nearly as telling for your schedule moving forward as you believe it is. Point taken on Nova and Arkansas, I missed tournament factor for Ohio's game at GT quickly looking at schedule until I thought about it. Were @Creighton and @Gonzaga pay games?

Our budgets were nearly identical this year but looking at spending at the high level doesn't factor in how that spending was funded. You played @Gonzaga and @Creighton this year. Last year you played @Villanova and @Arkansas. You probably made some solid $ to play in those games. The homes games you did buy (if any weren't 1-1 deals?) were likely funded off those away trips. Ohio bought A LOT of home games the last two years against low-majors while only playing probably 1 away game we were paid for (GT) this year. Our additional ticket revenue and funding has been pushed towards scheduling. I would anticipate your scheduling to be similar to what it looked like the past two years. Playing a couple big name road games for $ to help fund your current spending. edit: I forgot, GT wasn't a pay game for us. Part of a tournament...

It's worthwhile to look at our schedule, but keep in mind that while the coach often has a big say in scheduling, the AD and the school's willingness to pay for buy games (and flipside of that how many times they want you to be the "buy" for extra $) plays a huge role in scheduling. For Ohio, I think our AD (Jim Schaus, Wichita State AD from 99-08 prior to Ohio) is probably a bigger factor than our individual coaches for scheduling.

Debating if Groce is a good coach is a legitimate discussion. Debating if the regular season or NCAA tournament is more important is not a legitimate discussion. NCAA Tournament wins>

Agreed.

From an atmosphere standpoint, the close proximity of Akron and Kent paired up with Ohio's conference-leading fan base is best-case scenario for the MAC. People who skip on the MAC Tournament are seriously missing out, especially with how awesome Downtown Cleveland has gotten. The atmosphere has been great for awhile now, and it just keeps getting better...

MAC Tournament? lol Dambrot's shadow isn't tall enough to see the big dance.

Dambrot just isn't a March kind of guy. I realize it is still only February. He must've seen his shadow yesterday.

e We lost the best player to the league in injury and we still have the best player in the league. Riddle me that

Early preview of the MAC tournament.

Fallen off? After Antonio Campbell drops 30 & 10 on you tonight Ohio and Akron will be tied atop the MAC standings.

I would imagine the 8 PM tip hurts the travelling numbers from OUr end but I'd still expect the strongest visiting crowd tonight for this season outside of your upcoming game with Kent.

Seems to me Bobcat fans would know better than anyone here what a Sweet 16 team looks like.

That was some of the worst tailgating weather I have ever seen.......... Your parking situation is good for tailgating. It reminds me of Marshall and that IS a compliment. If Bowden gets rolling, look out.

My first post didn't have any smack. I have a pretty basic rivalry jab in my signature line. That isn't flaming smack talk, it is an acknowledgement of a rivalry. As I stated, I feel opposing fans visiting a school to tailgate and participate in a rivalry is a positive for the home team. Rivalries games help build atmosphere. That is a good thing, and it is something Akron BADLY needs. And that IS a knock and some (very accurate) smack talk. See you tomorrow!

The same could probably be said about my username being "Bubba4three" with a profile picture showing Stevie Taylor trash talking the Zips' bench. But then I would be living a lie. I've always felt visiting fans tailgating greatly enhances the gameday atmosphere. I think we all know Akron needs all the help they can get in enhancing gameday atmosphere.

What do you suggest for away fans looking to tailgate? From looking at the map on the Zips' site, it looks like all the lots around the stadium require a "Z-Pass" except for lot 74. Will that fill up quick? Any other suggestions? Is the beer situation like it is elsewhere... Against the rules but no one says anything if it is in a cup and you aren't being an idiot? Or are they strict?

Lulz

It isn't like going from campus to downtown is all that unreasonable of a distance. Nothing like the Rubber Bowl... I am usually not a big fan of cities putting up big cash for stadium projects, but in this case I think there would clear/huge benefits for all parties involved. I agree with Bowden's comments. At this point, for the program to grow much more a new arena is needed. Many people don't go to games specifically because of the JAR. I would build it bigger than many have talked about. I think that with a modern arena, the city would really get behind the team and drawing well would not be an issue at all. 10k

That is strange. Lets see how it works out for them.

Highland's QB is nice but heard he is heading Ivy League or some other super smart route.