clarkwgriswold

If I was a coach, I don't know that I'd leave the door open for a kid to return after he entered the portal. I'd recruit a kid once, with the rare exception of a kid like Ali who found the grass wasn't greener and wanted to return. Craft is likely seeing what the market is for his services. I don't think it is at a higher level than where he is at Miami but we'll see.

Beacon article on Amani- https://www.beaconjournal.com/story/sports/college/zips/2025/03/18/amani-lyles-akron-zips-ncaa-tournament-arizona-wildcats-march-madness-mens-college-basketball/82498385007/

Gray seems to be the primary option used by the Zips on a second big.

Simmons and Johnson can get buckets. I'm not a fan of Simmons as he just plain whines and b!tches too damn much on the court. I don't see Johnson playing on an up tempo Zips team.

PCCC getting an NIT bid while Miami didn't is a travesty.

Exactly. West Virginia apparently has no bigger issues than the middle of road UWV basketball team going to tournament.

We're going to pay it over 25 years, like Bobby Bonilla!

PCCC gets St. Bonaventure in the NIT.

Arizona will be long and athletic. The Zips, however, won't be out-efforted or outcoached.

Seattle. Shocker.

Taking all of the analysis and science out of it, as a Zips and NEO sports fan, I can't see it being anywhere other than Seattle, especially after beating the odds with Pittsburgh last year.

How much did Amani grow this year? His game went through the roof. His on court maturity blossomed. His body went through an impressive transformation. He found his shot. I couldn't be more proud of that kid. One thing overlooked in that amazing ending is Nate's state of mind after the basket to jump into defense mode and pick up Ipsaro and actually force him to regather to get off his heave. My question is how is the ball in Ipsaro's hands as the clock winds down and not Suder's?

My gut tells me Seattle as it's one of most inconvenient. Takes me back to Portland.

I just got home. I am: 1) hoarse from screaming; 2) exhaausted; and 3) damn proud to be a Zips fan. We had an obnoxious Kent State fan in front of us rooting for Miami who about 8 minutes on said it was over. As the clock expired I leaned in, grabbed him by the shoulder, and said "I thought you said it was over about an hour and a half ago." It very mush enjoyed that.

ZipsNation, we are off the NCAA Tournament. I don't want to post an individual game thread because this is the year we go beyond one game! Here's hoping for a regional site that's easily travelable. I'll be out of town the next couple of days so I wanted to get this thread up so you guys could get rolling. Go Zips!

I just ran into her at halftime and read her your post. She could not have been more tickled.

It's not like the Zips are getting bad shots.

Penetrate and dish for a three.... penetrate and dish for a three.... penetrate and dish for a three....

I also look forward to the Zips strength coach working with him. With any luck he can do for him what he did for Amani.

I don't get Toledo. They had much better talent than their record would suggest. That would point to.......Tod.

Interesting quote from Sullinger after the PCCC loss- "Like Von said, we played hard. We just didn't win," Sullinger said. "We all expected to win. We thought we were going to win. We just didn't." I'm not sure if that's optimism, arrogance or overconfidence.

I didn't think so the second time through later in the game. I like it when they unexpectedly go a different look.

I liked how the Zips mixed things up las night with a (non 1-3-1) zone at a couple of critical points.

I think Travis has PTSD from the Zips start against them earlier in the season and will focus the defense on the three pointer, so I wouldn't at all be surprised with your scenario.

I can't sanction Tavari getting that technical, but I have to admit that I enjoyed the fire he showed in wanting to go at the Toledo guys