clarkwgriswold

This thread can remain the coronavirus debate thread. To actually discuss the game-

The Zips head into a fanless Rocket Mortgage Field House today to face the Bobcats. The Bobcats placed Preston on the All-MAC second team and Vander Plas on the third team yesterday. Vander Plas was injured in the game a couple of weeks ago against the Zips, but seems to be back at full speed having played 36 minutes, scored 28 points and pulled down 12 rebounds Monday night against CMU. The Zips beat the Snobcats by 7 at the JAR and 2 in Athens.

Good call Let'sGoZips. I was going to just do one thread for the whole tourney, but given how this has come down an individual thread would be in order.

We've also turned into a nation of dimwits, idiots and numbskulls that can't do simple things like wash their damn hands and cover themselves when they sneeze or cough.

The coronavirus is much like American politics. Too many people at the ends of the spectrum, ignorantly disregarding the risk or downright panicking. Until it settles out, I will stick with the advice of the medical professionals, thanks.

I was hoping just for 20 wins and being competitive in the MAC this season. They are way past that. Next year's squad looks promising too.

New York Time article on church closings- https://www.nytimes.com/2020/03/11/us/coronavirus-kentucky-churches-cancel.html

On April 26, 2017, John Groce was hired as coach of the Zips. On the Zips Nation boards, both during the search and after, he had many detractors. People questioned his record and were especially brutal when the team struggled through the first year with just 5 returning players and only one who had played significant minutes the year before. Groce took that crew of leftovers, last minute recruits and walk-ons to a 15-17 record/6-12 in the MAC. Given time to recruit, he started to build "his" team and brought in guys like LCJ, Cheese and Banks, going 17-16/8-10 in the MAC last season. This season, he brought in yet more talent and took a team predicted to be 5th in the East to the best record in MAC. Today he was deservedly named MAC Coach of the Year. After being stripped to the studs, Akron basketball has returned to the top of the MAC last season.

Willie Jackson averages a double double and gets honorable mention.

MAC Press Release- https://getsomemaction.com/news/2020/3/10/2019-20-mens-basketball-postseason-awards-announced.aspx

LCJ and Groce take take POY and COY. Well deserved. https://getsomemaction.com/news/2020/3/10/2019-20-mens-basketball-postseason-awards-announced.aspx

Woohooo, LCJ and Groce. There is some justice in the world.

There seems to be a lack of moderate positions on this.

This article may explain DeWine's actions- https://medium.com/@tomaspueyo/coronavirus-act-today-or-people-will-die-f4d3d9cd99ca

Headline of the day from the New York Post- Coronavirus conference canceled in New York because of coronavirus

I think the authorities have opted to risk being called a puss as opposed to being called the guys whose decisions resulted in needless deaths. Who knows, this may all be media hype in the end, but if you are in the position of being a policymaker, you can't take that chance.

Zips release- AKRON, Ohio – Earlier this evening, the Mid-American Conference announced that the 2020 Mid-American Conference Men's and Women's Basketball Tournament in Cleveland, Ohio, March 11-14, will be closed to the general public. All games will be played as planned. As a result, the University of Akron department of athletics will no longer be hosting the fans pre-game rally at Pizza(216) Kitchen + Taphouse. "We fully support the health concerns and recommendations outlined by Ohio Governor Mike DeWine today," Zips' Director of Athletics Larry Williams said. "At the same time, it is hard to describe how disappointed we are that all of our wonderful alumni, supporters and fans (especially NWAkron) are not going to be able to attend this special event in person. And, it is so very disappointing the student athletes will not be able to enjoy the passion reflected by the raucous crowds that always come out to support their Zips. Fortunately, there will be great television coverage for each game." Fans whom purchased tickets through the University of Akron have the option to contribute to the Z-FUND and men's basketball program or request a full refund. Tomorrow, the ticket office will contact ticket purchasers. Ticket purchasers may contact the C.P. and Cornelia S. Chima Athletics Ticket Office directly during regular business hours at 1-888-99-AKRON (25766).

Old Mike is just following the lead of the medical people. Better safe than sorry gets you elected much easier than asleep at the switch. Here's hoping Groce is the motivator we think he is. A championship and an NCAA berth should be enough motivation.

Thursday is ESPN+, Friday is CBS Sports Network, Saturday is ESPN2.

OK, we're all going to NWAkron's place for a watch party Thursday, kreed5120's on Friday and Let'sGoZips94's on Saturday.

Press release includes family members.

Highlights from the release- The Tournaments will continue as scheduled on Wednesday, March 11th through Saturday, March 14th, however only credentialed institutional personnel, student-athlete family members, credentialed media, television and radio crews, and official team party members will be permitted for attendance for the tournaments. The MAC tournaments will be closed to the general public. All tickets for the MAC Men’s and Women’s Basketball Tournaments will be refunded in the form of a credit towards next year’s tournament or a full refund. All ticketholders will receive an email with further instructions regarding next steps to receiving credit or refund. Beginning Wednesday during regular business hours, fans can contact their respective athletic departments or the Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse box office at (216) 420-2200.

From MAC site- https://www.beaconjournal.com/sports/20200310/university-of-akron-menrsquos-basketball--zips-coach-appreciates-luxury-bench-players-bring-to-his-team

GT's latest- https://www.beaconjournal.com/sports/20200310/university-of-akron-menrsquos-basketball--zips-coach-appreciates-luxury-bench-players-bring-to-his-team

Me too, but I'd get over it once a well rested Zips team won an NCAA tournament game!