clarkwgriswold

Wow. Maybe their last chance at a win this season and...

Zack getting on the floor with a broken nose and fighting for a ball 2 seconds into the game is a perfect snapshot of John Groce basketball. Evan, Amani and Chabi did a good job on Gillespie and on offense the Zips got him in some disadvantageous switches drawing some of his fouls. On to EMU with the knowledge we'll see a different team in Brimfield in 3 weeks.

I saw that they were shorthanded but didn't know the details.

That was one of the Zips better defensive efforts of the season. It was certainly assisted by some awful PCCC shooting, but overall the perimeter defense was solid. The way they got killed on the boards, however, is a little concerning. It was nice to have Chabi back in the mix. I'm very much enjoying watching Eric come into his own. I expect him to give us a few highlights as the season winds down.

I guess the Zips are still the Dodgers or Yankees. Below are links to the Ohio.com/Beacon Journal content in the game. It's like available only to subscribers. https://www.beaconjournal.com/story/sports/college/kent-state/2026/01/31/kent-state-golden-flashes-mens-basketball-team-ncaa-sidebar-from-loss-to-akron-zips/88402021007/ https://www.beaconjournal.com/story/sports/college/zips/2026/01/31/tavari-johnson-bowen-hardman-akron-mens-basketball-kent-state-coach-john-groce/88419830007/ https://www.beaconjournal.com/videos/sports/college/zips/2026/01/31/video-zips-mens-basketball-coach-john-groce-kent-state-jan-30-2026/88446077007/ https://www.beaconjournal.com/videos/sports/college/zips/2026/01/31/video-zips-mens-basketball-players-kent-state-jan-30-2026/88445992007/ https://www.beaconjournal.com/videos/sports/college/kent-state/2026/01/31/video-kent-state-coach-rob-senderoff-missed-3-pointers-akron-zips-jan-30-2026/88445065007/

The Zips head to Ypsilanti Tuesday night for a 6:30 game against Stan Heath’s Eagles. Going into Saturday’s game against UMASS, the Eagles are 9-12. The Zips beat EMU at the JAR on December 19th to open the MAC season. EMU has been wildly inconsistent, beating teams like UMASS and Cincinnati yet losing by 35 to Central Michigan. Last week they lost to PCCC by one in double OT then turned around to lose by 35 to EMU. In that game, CMU scored 62 second-half points while limiting EMU to 29 points in the final 20 minutes! Mohammad Habnab leads EMY in scoring and rebounding at 14.3 ppg and 8.1 rpg. He's second in the MAC in double doubles.

Congratulations to the University for having zero traffic control on hand for the biggest event of the year. I'll be in the deck until midnight.

They just had to hold Dustin back from going after the refs for not calling an and one on Bowen's 3.

Somebody is extra pink tonight.

Need fewer turnovers and more rebounds.

Here comes Chabi.

Really....big.....sweats.

Chabi warming up.

I had the pleasure of speaking with Evan and Eric at the tip-off reception and could not have been more impressed. They are both personable, mature and friendly.

From KenPom- "Luck, which is the deviation in winning percentage between a team’s actual record and their expected record using the correlated gaussian method. The luck factor has nothing to do with the rating calculation, but a team that is very lucky (positive numbers) will tend to be rated lower by my system than their record would suggest."

I suspect Evan will have the primary task of defending Gillespie tonight. He'll be a little outsized but he's up to the task as he's one of the Zips best defenders. If Whatley is out, Amani's free to take some of that on.

I think Nick being here could help Oggie's adjustment to Akron and the American system. It also gives the program an in in Nick's area of the world.

Unpaid grad assistant so that UA still had to pay his full salary,

Obit for Julie Acus- Julie Acus Obituary January 20, 2026 - Hummel Funeral Homes https://share.google/IfZsKiClnbQAf8oGi

He spoke a bit about Mrs. Acus, wife of Dr. Acus. Her calling hours are this week but Doc was at the game tonight. An official he was also close to was discussed along with Larry Williams.

Groce was interesting in the post-game. Said Toledo was more physical and played with more urgency in the first half while the Zips didn't impose their will and played poorly on defense but were fortunate to shoot well enough to stay in the game. Eric has the best hops for the Zips since Tribble. I've been waiting for his breakout game and I hope this was a sign of things to come.

PCCC comes to the JAR Friday night at 6:00 to renew the rivalry. The Flushes are 16-5 coming off a home win against OU. 6’8” senior forward Delrecco Gillespie leads PCCC in scoring and rebounding at 19.4 ppg and 12.3 rpg. He’s 3rd in the MAC in scoring and first in rebounding. Morgan Safford, a 6’4” grad student scores 13.7 ppg along with 6 rpg. Gillespie’s cousin, 6’7” 290 pound Nevada transfer grad student Rob Whaley contributes 12.3 ppg and 4.1 rpg and seems to be taking on a larger role as the season has progressed. Gillespie has made a huge improvement this year after averaging 8.1 ppg and 8.1 rpg last season.

Big brother wasn't going to be outdone.

I'll try to keep it up. I've been waiting!

Before 😁.