clarkwgriswold

And on cue, Thompson proves me right. Azzwipe makes me like DeLaRosa.

They'll get more chippy the closer their season comes to being over.

No let up! Keep them down! No runs.

All right Zips! 20 more minutes.

Making those threes eventually makes them come out and that loosens up the middle.

I realize he's become the "Voice of the MAC", but his inflection, cliches and vigor drive me a little nuts.

Careful NW, don't get confused by the green and grab an early St. Patrick's Day reveler. They start partying early in Cleveland.

PCCC has been very good at the end of tight games this year, with the exception of last Friday night.

Damn, no free tickets from Verizon this year!

I didn't like it when it went down as I thought they should force KSU to inbound the ball on the fly without a chance to huddle and draw up a plan. In hindsight though, and after hearing Groce discuss it and explain it gave the Zips a chance to devise a plan that didn't allow a KSU guard to get the inbounds pass on the run, I appreciate the strategy. If KSU would have scored, I would not be above sticking to my initial criticism! I guess that's why I am in the bleachers while Groce is on the bench.

Next they'll let the coaches of the one seeds hold a draft to pick the teams in their regions! LOL.

It's a strange feeling. Almost like playing with house money. I've become used to the Zips being a favorite and having trepidation that they might blow it. This whole underdog thing just feels weird.

So, what's the over/under on the number of free student tickets that will be claimed at the Corner Alley?

To the Zips good fortune Parrish did not end up being a whiny, sulky load with the attitude of an angry four year old.

Here's a link to the most recent Zips Live. Good stuff in there. Nice to see him credit Parrish for his improvement. The kid made me nuts early, especially on defense. Great to see him come around.

Sayles does have the brace off, but I didn't notice that until the PCCC game. I'd be surprised if he's back this year. As for E-man, I noticed he was the only UA men's basketball player on the Dean's List per the list given out at the PCCC game. Good for him! I miss that kid on the floor.

The EMU late win streak bought their coach, Rob Murphy, another year on his contract with the school. Under the terms of his deal with EMU, originally signed in 2011, every year EMU wins 20 games, he automatically gets a one year extension. His original 2011 contract ran through 2017, but was extended twice, through 2019, after 20-win seasons in 13-14 and 14-15, and he now has been extended through 2020. The deal pays him a base salary of $235,000 a year.

Blurb from yesterday's Detroit Free Press- After a sluggish conference start, the Eastern Michigan men enter the tournament with momentum, having won their final six games, including a pair of victories over West Division champion Toledo and wins at Central Michigan and Western Michigan. The third-seeded Eagles (20-11, 11-7 MAC), who will wait until Thursday to face the winner of Monday's game between No. 6 Western Michigan and No. 11 Akron, last appeared in the NCAA tournament in 1998, when former standout Earl Boykins led EMU to a conference tournament title. NBA prospect James Thompson IV is averaging a double-double for the Eagles at 15.3 points and 11.5 rebounds per game. Elijah Minnie leads the team in scoring at 16.8 points per game, while Paul Jackson is averaging 14.9 points.

George was busy recovering from the Oscars. That's his Super Bowl.

Yep.

I kept it on. I'm not sure why, other than I apparently didn't have anything else to do (AKA don't have a life).

Amen.

There were times in the middle of the season that I worried Groce may be on the cusp of losing them. Just their body language looked bad when they were down. From those slumped shoulders and rolled eyes, Groce rallied this team to where they've now won the two most important games of the year.

Did anyone else get the momentary panic when Virshon went flying into the basket padding on the last foul, envisioning WMU picking the last guy on the bench to shoot the free throws for an injured Virshon?