clarkwgriswold

I much preferred Walton over El Amin. He'll step right in an contribute. Here's a nice article about him- https://www.ballstatedailynews.com/article/2020/12/ball-state-mens-basketball-cardinals-kj-walton-feature

Damn, Walton is solid. Liking the MAC changing it's inter-conference transfer rule!

Kid had nice high school and AAU numbers, recruited by Big 10 schools, huge Juco numbers... He was well worth the risk.

Wow, talk about a precipitous plummet.

I'm going to put my donation (a big one!) on NWAkron's tab.

Email to ZipsNation from Coach Groce- Zips Nation, I am writing to you as we push toward the end of our academic year and look forward to a proper offseason of training for the 2021 – 2022 season. We are excited at the prospect of being able to play in the JAR arena in front of you, our most loyal fans and season ticket holders. We are equally excited to share an opportunity to invest in Akron Men’s Basketball through the Akron Athletics Day of Giving ’21 on April 21st. This year, we are aiming to raise at least $10,000 to invest in the academics, off-season training, and leadership development for our young roster this summer. This programming will set the tone for our team as we learn, grow, and work together. The grit and tenacity the team showed last season was truly remarkable. They rose to every occasion through clouds of uncertainty and played with pride for our university. I am asking you to rise with us by visiting this link and contributing to our day of giving goal. Thank you for your consideration and continuous support as we represent the Blue and Gold. Go Zips! John Groce Head Men’s Basketball Coach

It does kind of create the impression of "if those involved in it aren't excited why should I be?"

Why can't we get another Big Dog or Zeke?

You're never going to get around his Twitter block at this rate!

They're a little overwhelmed right now so be patient.

That was my point. He's had 3 high win seasons to even get to .500. Also, if I am an AD in a conference like the MAC, I am looking for a younger up and comer. Not a 56 year old. Maybe they got an alumni discount and he may be solid, it's just not the direction I would look to go.

So they ditched a 49 year old with a .517 winning percentage for a 56 year old with a .502 winning percentage? Other than 4 nice seasons, one of which he had handed to him at PCCC, Stan Heath has not been very good. On the other hand, it will be a nice homecoming and the alums will like it.

Well, we do have the Beacon. 💣

The MAC has rescinded its intra-conference transfer policy. Athletes can now transfer within the MAC without having to sit a year. https://www.espn.com/college-sports/story/_/id/31216380/mid-american-conference-eliminates-intraconference-transfer-policy

Being a bench player for Bobby Hurley is apparently more appealing than I thought.

Hawkins had a nice run in the early 2000's and from 2010 to 2015. After that, his teams looked short on talent. He stopped getting top talent and some of the talent he got bailed. I think teams on the MAC level will be more interested in finding a young up and comer rather than a 58 year old retread. He certainly knows the conference and might do a passable job buy no one s going to get in line for a guy of that age and so far under .500 in his last 5 seasons.

The kid looks like a player. NIce shot, good handle, good vision and distributes the ball well. Also an All-Conference Academic Team as a freshman. Definitely looks like a rotation player. It's also a move that puts Tribble more at the 2.

They could do worse.

I hear they are going to make a splash by hiring Steve Hawkins or Mark Montgomery.

I confused it with the first scrimmage.

A conspiratorial soul might think it's all done as part of a bigger plan by the administration to downgrade football to FCS or D2.

It was last weekend.

I'll get you some grab bag specials- a Matthew Wilson bobblehead, a Bowden Football Camp t-shirt and a pair of pink sunglasses- to pull you through to next year.

Oh my, where will you get your 3 day old news now?

GT article on LCJ Moving on. Not exactly a surprise- https://www.beaconjournal.com/story/sports/college/zips/2021/04/02/university-akrons-loren-cristian-jackson-pass-another-season/7065290002/