clarkwgriswold

So, let's have a little contest as to where Enrique will be picked, by the number of the pick. The closest wins a Matthew Wilson bobblehead. I'm going with 47, though he deserves higher.

I don't see Scott as a failure. He contributed well as the season wound down. Also, every coach misses on recruits. Akron has benefited from what some may consider "misses" by coaches at bigger schools.

I am not good at copying an email, but there's an Akron Basketball Reunion and Reception at the Jean Hower Taber Student Union, on Saturday, July 27th. Doors open at 6:00 with dinner and program at 7:15. Register through the athletic department. $100 a ticket.

John's dad, Larry Groce, has passed away after a battle with cancer. Prayers for the Groce family. I'm glad he was able to see the Zips run to the tournament.

Amen, draft party at the JAR!

More positive press for Enrique- https://sports.yahoo.com/2024-nba-draft-big-board-ranking-the-top-40-players-142413978.html

Kaulig...Wentz...NWAkron...kreed5120...Captain Kangaroo...Let'sGoZips94...Blue & Gold...all the high rollers.

Amen, between that and his kid being on the team we have reason to be encouraged.

For those who are curious, a quote from the site- Established in 2023, the Summit Circle recognizes those that make a financial investment of $25,000 or more, in addition to their ticket donations, to Akron Athletics. Investors in the Summit Circle make multi-year pledges that are crucial to the long-term financial success of our athletics program. Kudos to the Groces for doing this. This is something every coach who makes big money from the school should do. I promise to be a Summit Circle member when the university pays me $650K.

I'm thinking this article will not be well-received by ZipsNation. LOL. https://sports.yahoo.com/case-end-college-football-123000337.html

I guess it's the P4 NIL world. None of it happens...the deal...the lawsuit...etc... without NIL.

The NIL world has again shown it's ugly side, albeit in another sport (football), with Jaden Rashada's lawsuit against Florida coach Billy Napier and a booster over his NIL deal that fell apart.

Enrique's best shot is to show he can be multi-dimensional. He's already shown he can defend and rebound against larger post players and can score in the post. An outside shot will only help his odds of being picked in the second round or getting a viable UFA contract. With any luck that gives him a chance at the end of the bench or a two way contract and he can work his way up from there.

Hmmm, certainly not an upgrade for the kid. Maybe we overestimated his talent. Closer to home I guess.

I had that thought, but it also shows how his game is expanding.

More good news for Enrique - a Yahoo Sports article on 10 players who have helped their draft stock at the combine - https://sports.yahoo.com/nba-draft-combine-10-players-who-helped-their-draft-stock-172423141.html

Poor guy never even got a basketball bobblehead. On that note, I still have some Matthew Wilson bobbleheads available at a great price!

I saw that WVU guard Kobe Johnson announced on Sunday morning that he has committed to Saint Louis.

Bradley is likely not a fan of returning to Akron having lost at the JAR to the Zips and to Duquesne at SVSM this past season!

Averaging 19 wins over the last 5 years in the Horizon League apparently brings large rewards.

$2 million in new seating for YSU's arena- https://www.tribtoday.com/sports/local-sports/2024/02/beeghly-center-scores-2m-seating-upgrades/

No question. I'm sure there would be a price jump but it might be worth it to have something that resembles a decent arena. One of the reasons I've opted for the GA seating (other than being really cheap) is that the seatbacks aren't any more comfortable than the bleachers.

The underlying problem with the JAR is that it was built as a multi-purpose facility. As a result, it doesn't fill any of its purposes very well. The seatback seats are old and beaten as is their support structure. Time for an upgrade and to expand them to both sides, leaving bleachers on the ends.

Red Panda on a tricycle holding a salad bowl would get my respect. She's a legend.

The community has indicated they don't want to help pay for a new arena. The University doesn't have the money and nothing is likely to come from the state. As such, any progress will have to be made with the JAR. My wish list: 1. Get rid of the track and the glass railings. 2. New seatbacks on both sides. 3. Upper seating moves forward into space previously occupied by the track. 4. Re-open a gate on the north side of the JAR. We will fund this all with the increased revenue from having Red Panda perform at halftime at every home game.