clarkwgriswold

Starting all over? 11 returning, one graduating, two transferring. Seems like a reasonable retention rate.

I guess I'd like to hear from the detractors as to just where they thought we would be after the KD leaving dismantling. We're two years in and Groce's hands were tied in the first year due to getting a late start. I sure as hell would want them to win my games but we have to be realists at this point. As to kids leaving, I don't think it's the end of the world. It's just starting to become a point of concern for me.

Great kid. He has dropped off as a basketball player, though I wonder if the dropoff has been in part to their inability to run a pick and roll. I do have to say that every player that moves on plants another seed of doubt in my mind.

Two words- budgetary constraints.

By virtue of playing 23 minutes and not fouling out in that Buffalo debacle, he gets that distinction!

When the SVSM/Hoban and state playoff games are your bigger draws in your football stadium, you have a problem.

Some very good points Let'sGo, but I did not see notable improvement in Riak. I have no complaints about Riak. He is what he is- a defensively focused, offensively challenged big man who plays hard and leads the defense. However, he was the same guy against Cedarville that he was against Buffalo and the stats show that straight line consistency throughout the season rather than substantial growth.

That tax issue was to be included in an issue with countywide 911 updates and jail improvements as I recall and polls showed that the voters were so against an arena that it would bring he rest of the issue down so the politicos bailed on it. Sure would be nice having a decent downtown arena.

You're just afraid of Otterbein and Muskingum.

I sure hope. Groce had to get things up to speed quickly which brought us JUCOs and transfers who tend to be short timers. That should be coming to an end.

If for no other reason than to keep fan interest. This isn't Kentucky where there's turnover every year. Fans need to connect with players over time and that connection is built over seasons. I went up to JImond's dad on senior night congratulated him and told him how much the Zips fans had enjoyed watching his son grow up at UA. You don't get that connection with one and two year players.

No reason anyone shouldn't be able to state their position, I just get fed up with griping without solutions. It has been a while, but I recall that UA was among the larger basketball budgets in the MAC. Unfortunately, the citizens bailed on a new arena. It was going to be in an issue to go to the voters and every poll showed it was going down. With each year, I wonder more if the Georgetown model isn't one to consider. Pick your sport and devote your money to it while you let the others exist but on a lesser level. It has recently blown up on Georgetown as the basketball program has slipped and I am not sure a public university is the right place for it, but it is an interesting approach.

I share your concern with guys leaving, more with some that others obviously. However, KD resigned. Not pushed, not coerced. Went off for greener pastures, following a family tradition to a conference that would give him a better chance to get to the big dance.

Yes, you are a homer but that's OK! Scott Walter is exactly what you say. Unfortunately, the Zips need a starting point guard or a guy who can play 15 minutes and start or play significant minutes when LCJ is hurt or having a rough game.

As I pondered next year's lineup, I often saw him ideally as a 6th man, instant offense kind of guy. Not diminishing his loss by any stretch. He will be missed. Kudos to him for sticking it out when others left and his dedication in hitting the weightroom. Good luck to him.

I had a funny feeling he could be the next one out. It may just be his demeanor, but his heart just didn't seem to be in it this year. I just got this email from the Athletic Department today. This little piece of info should brighten our days-

As a MAC team that finished a game over .500, I suspect there were no offers.

Do you really think that a 17,000 student university belongs in a conference with schools whose largest enrollment is 4,000? None of them even has an athletic facility that seats over 3,000. I get that the MAC is an issue but do we really want the entire athletic program to just throw in the towel?

Not at all. I was naively yet optimistically asking for your solution.

My question was directed more at the critics who never offer a solution to the problem. Of course they are all too often the same people who say the program is worthless yet expect the same worthless program to be of value to a better conference.

OK, so what's the solution?

Just because we don't make it our lives' missions to be the Eeyores of ZipsNation and P!$$ and moan to the point that we're virtually unreadable does not mean we're fine with the status of the MAC.

And just what conference would you propose for the Zips?? You previously stated "Akron doesn’t have the personal to be good in any sport except soccer." What conference would want that?

Amen. Asleep at the switch.

So Buffalo may get to play against Bobby Hurley. I love it.