clarkwgriswold

https://www.beaconjournal.com/story/sports/college/zips/2021/01/30/university-akron-mens-basketball-zips-shake-off-slow-start-win/4313144001/

Toledo killed BG by 18. Toledo got off to a 9-0 start, BG came back to get it close in the middle of the first half then Toledo went on a run and pulled away for the rest of the game.

The 10-3 Zips head off to Toledo Tuesday to play the 15-4/10-1 Rockets in a battle of MAC favorites. Toledo comes off of an 18 point thumping of arch-rival neighbor BG and is on a 4 game win streak with their last loss having come to the Zips. The Zips are on a 6 win streak. This one will test the Zips mettle as they were just able to squeak by the Rockets in overtime at the JAR on the 16th. The Rockets go as their All-MAC guard Marreon Jackson goes. Jackson is averaging 17 ppg, 5.5 apg and 4.2 rpg. Heading into the BG game, Toledo is 3rd in offense and second in defense in the MAC. The Zips are 6th in offense and 1st in defense. At the JAR two weeks ago, LCJ scored 34 points and had seven assists while Trimble scored 19. Jackson led Toledo with 24 points while senior guard Spencer Littleson chipped in with 21. Jackson is going to get his. I’d prefer him to try to do it from outside rather than penetrate. The Zips need to do a better job preventing Littleson from getting good looks on threes than they did at the JAR. Toledo starts a tough 4 game road stretch for the Zips with Toledo, Shalersville Tech, OU and the quickly improving Miami.

I was on the 74 for the Zips but had no idea Ball Stare would be that bad. Wynn continues to improve and contribute more and more. Maishe sure didn't build off of the EMU game.

"Build it and they will come..."

Toledo at BG at 5 on ESPN+.

Scott Walter in the game.

GT is the Michael Reghi of beat writers. Lots of words, not a lot of relevant info.

Wow, Edwards in.

I'm a little surprised by Marshall's slide. He was the first guy off of the bench in the 1st 4 or 5 games and even started a couple of games. He just got in. Wynn having another solid game off of the bench. He's going to be more important if Trimble is out and is a nice luxury with Dailey struggling.

I thought of that a couple of weeks ago. Must be a part of making things as normal as possible. I wonder if they're doing a hype video and announcing the lineups before they come on. Good to see Trimble back in.

El-Amin with 2 points in the first half. When you are supposed to be all-league you need to step up when your team in short-handed. B & G, you are right, no Currie. Also, no minutes for Jermaine Marshall. "Cox, bringing us closer." Yikes. .

Dunk that damn ball Maishe.

Sloppy game thus far. LCJ forcing it a little too much.

Ball Stare roster depleted today.

Any predictions for today? I'm feeling another nice outing for Michael Wynn. He played more minutes against EMU (17) than he'd played in the 4 prior games combined. I sense he's finally shaking off the rust and th staff is seeing what he can do. Hopefully, Maishe's solid game is a sign of things to come. Zips-- 74, Ball Stare- 64.

After a couple years of waiting, KD gets to finally play a real home game Tuesday night as Cooper Center (the Coop) will finally open. The AD is pitching the new facility as a new generation in Duquesne sports believing that the upgraded facilities will bring a higher level of athlete. That sounds a lot like believing that a new school will improve the level of education in a school district.

The only ranking that means anything is MAC tournament champion (assuming there's a tournament).

I'm a little concerned I inadvertently called them Ball Stare.

He's no Saul Phillips.

Recap of the last week and preview of Ball State-

Technically, I think Huggins would be the greatest OVC coach of all time!

Not to take anything away from KD, but he also had 13 years to do it. I wish KD luck. We were fortunate to have him, his commitment and the blotch in his past that allowed him to stay here for so long. I'm afraid we won't have that with Groce as his success might well draw him elsewhere. Hopefully, his lack of success at Illinois will dissuade bigger programs from trying to snatch him up.

I don't see Freeman out of the post. I've never seen him take a shot more than 5 feet from the basket. One of the benefits of having him is that you don't have to make an effort to get him the ball for him to contribute. As for Ali, he was certainly good in the post against EMU but the primary reason he was in that position was that it was his job (and Wynn's) to get into the middle against the zone. Get the ball there against the 3-2 and things start to break down. I don't think we'll see him there much going forward but it is certainly encouraging he can be an offensive post presence.

Could see it determined by win percentage.