clarkwgriswold

I think the following is a very important quote from Groce in the St. B article- “Obviously, getting Ali after eight games has been helpful at both ends of the floor. Trying to figure out our combinations and all that is maybe a little bit more delayed than normal just because he didn't play the first eight. But I think we're headed in the right direction.” Translation- they are a work in progress. I have every confidence they'll get there. Quote two that I liked from Groce- "“I've got to do a better job putting Ali in a little bit better position there. I put him in a tough spot. We didn't execute the down screen great. They pushed the catch out. The ball got deflected. Now it's in the back court. The timing of the action's off a little bit, but that's not on Ali. I've got to help Ali a little bit more there.” I can't imagine there's a better way to teach accountability to a group of young men than by taking accountability yourself. This guy has a future in motivational speaking and team building if he ever gives up coaching.

Here's a better link to the Beacon article on the game. Thanks to the Beacon for assigning decent reporters. There are even quotes from the opposing team! https://www.beaconjournal.com/story/sports/college/zips/2023/12/31/akron-zips-mens-basketball-st-bonaventure-enrique-freeman-ali-ali-john-groce-mac-northern-illinois/72061406007/

Post deleted for better link to article farther down in thread.

St. B may be one of the only older teams than the Zips in the NCAA.

The Zips open the 2024 MAC season on Tuesday by heading off to DeKalb, Illinois to face NIU. NIU has dropped 5 of their last 6 coming into the game with their only win against Calumet College. NIU comes in at 6-6, fresh off of a 103-74 loss at Iowa. Preseason All-MAC second teamer junior guard David Coit leads scoring at 17.9 ppg while also leading the team in assists. 6’7” junior guard Zarique Nutter scores 15.3 ppg while contributing 5.1 rpg. 6’8” sophomore forward Xavier Amos scores 11.2 ppg while leading the team in rebounding at 5.9 rpg.

Good prep game going into conference play. I'd have loved to win that one but in reality, as we all know, it would really have no consequence as to where we end up at tournament time.

You do realize Ali is one of Akron's starting guards, right? The inbounder was their most dependable guard passing the ball into Ali. Unfortunately, the pass got deflected.

The deflection on that inbounds pass completely threw off that final play and turned it into 1 on 5 basketball. They need to work to transitioning into an effective on the fly play sometimes rather than go to the timeout, especially against a good defensive team.

Amen.

Awful finish. Damn. Great game. Two solid mid-majors. The Zips will not play a better team the rest of the year.

Okay. Here's our chance.

I really wish Nate would get some confidence.

2 points and 5 boards for Enrique. Their focus is obviously on him.

I think St. B is as good as any team they've seen all year. For the second half, get more damn movement when the ball goes into the post and cut off the St. B offensive rebounds. They've committed 10 fouls to the Zips 5 and outrebounded the Zips 19-13. Need to be more aggressive.

Make up call there. What a bunch of ****.

Groce is better than me. That deserved him getting a technical defending his player.

Have to stop giving up offensive rebounds.

The Bonnies are solid and aggressive. Zips need to "punch back" a little.

They're doubling every time on a pass to the post. Need to have some outside shooting on kick outs today.

Anyone have a feeling as to when this will tip off?

Preview from the Bonnies' site- https://gobonnies.com/news/2023/12/28/mens-basketball-bonnies-wrap-non-conference-play-vs-akron-at-legends-showcase.aspx

Did you check with the Verizon store in Macedonia?

I want players who are better than the ones we've had for the last 5 years. I don't care where they come from. If they're not derelicts, can academically qualify and can play, I don't care whether they are a JUCO, D3 transfer, D1 P5 transfer or a walk on. The Zips are in no position to be picky.

On a positive note, they came up with the idea to get the students in the lower bowl and ummm, well.... No game night experience; music so loud you can't have a discussion during a timeout; they now charge for parking; the northeast entrance is closed; the courtside lounge is a colossal failure.... Thank goodness Groce is putting a good product on the court to keep the diehards coming.

I fixed it for you!