clarkwgriswold

Whoever Groce brings in, I will be confident that they are good kids. As pointed out in the Pluto article today (which has since been paywalled, grrrrrrrr), a player at Akron has to be unselfish and not have their own agenda. That's what made this team so special, they were not only talented but seemed to just be good kids. We all like to look at kids who can score or jump out of the gym but I want no piece of them if they're going to come in here and not put the team first. PCCC can have the Reggie Basses of the portal who change teams like underwear and are more concerned with their stats than the team. For the Zips, I'll take the Greg Tribbles of the basketball world that will put their body on the line for their teammates.

Scott Van Pelt had KD on SportsCenter last night.

Lots of MAC talent in the portal, but if I was Groce I'd be contacting the Swedish Embassy and imploring them to help bring Konan Niederhauser from Northern Illinois to Akron!

I'm exhausted, but some quick points: I'd be surprised if Lyles is back. I think Tavari is 50/50. Groce will bring in some help. They're already probing the portal. Also, that help will be in the form of unselfish kids who can be good teammates and play Groce ball, not merely kids with nice stats. At Akron, it's about fit, not strictly numbers. Shammah was very good in the last 3 weeks. I don't at all consider him a waste and Groce clearly doesn't either with the way he used him in the last month.

Tom Izzo too, and the horse he rode in on.

Proud of our Zips. Thanks for the ride.

Davis can't be far behind. I figured with guys like Sullinger and Davis they were off to a good start for next year but the exodus has started.

Sullinger, Bass and Hayes. Bass went to 4 high schools and is now on his way to his 3rd college in 3 years. That's the kind of guy you want on a team. I thought PCCC had a lock on Sullinger with his uncle on the staff.

Zack Halligan's day played for Creighton!- https://www.beaconjournal.com/story/sports/college/zips/2024/03/19/ncaa-tournament-akron-zips-mens-basketball-ali-ali-enrique-freeman-greg-tribble-creighton-pittsburgh/73016334007/

The Clarkie collective will rent the U-haul and drive him to Akron!

Ohio.com article on Ali- https://www.beaconjournal.com/story/sports/college/zips/2024/03/19/ncaa-tournament-akron-zips-mens-basketball-ali-ali-enrique-freeman-greg-tribble-creighton-pittsburgh/73016334007/

I've really been pleased with Shammah Scott's play over the last couple of weeks and you can see he is gaining Groce's confidence. He's playing great defense, has been making good decisions and has made some shots. I'm encouraged with his role for next year.

Me too, but it would have been by horse and buggy I'm so old.

It was Brett! I was too busy hustling for tickets!

I suspect that the US allotment being exhausted will increase demand and prices so I would buy quickly.

Good for KD. Well deserved. I'm curious to see where Duquesne goes in hiring his replacement.

SeatGeek has tickets as low as $49 in the rafters. No freebies from the Macedonia Verizon. LOL.

No MAC teams in the NIT or CBI. Cleveland State is headed to the CBI. Do you old timers remember when Creighton came to the JAR in 2011? A big Zips win, 76-67 led by Brett McKnight and Nikola Cvetinovic over the Blue Jays led by Doug McDermott who went on to the NBA.

Amen. Anxiously awaiting the email.

Khadim Gueye would have had a puncher's chance in the poll.

Game is at 1:30, on TNT!

Garvin Clarke is the best 6 foot center in the history of Akron basketball, He clearly had the best handle and outside shot.

I hope the game is later as 12:10 is probably undoable for old Clarkie.

Rumor, and it is only a rumor, is 12:10.

The Zips drew the 14 seed to face Creighton in Pittsburgh, the closest possible site. Creighton finished the season at 23-9 and tied for second in the Big East. As the number 2 seed in the Big East tournament, they lost in the quarterfinals to Providence, the number 7 seed. The Blue Jays have three guys that score 17 plus points a game. 6'7' senior guard Baylor Scheierman, a big lefty averages 18.4 ppg while also leading the team in rebounding at 9 rpg. 6'4" junior guard Trey Alexander averages 17.6 ppg. 7'1' center Ryan Kalkbrenner averages 17.1 ppg and 7.4 rpg. The hot rumor is that the game will be at 12:10 on Thursday.