clarkwgriswold

Anyone have any news on Nate Johnson?

We've had some kids come through the program over the years that have made major progress from the time they came to the time they left. Jimond Ivey is one that immediately comes to mind. Tribble has grown as much or more as a player and team leader as any of them.

From the MAC Stats: Team stats: Akron is 5th in PPG (77.1); 1st in PPG surrendered (65.6) 2nd in field goal percentage; 2nd in opponent FG% 5th in team 3-point FG%; 2nd in opponent 3 point FG% 5th in free throw shooting percentage 4th in rebounds per game; second in opponent rebounds surrendered; last in offensive rebounds; 3rd in defensive rebounds; 1st in rebounding margin 4th in turnover margin; 3rd in turnover ratio 9th in blocked shots; 2nd in assists Individual stats (in top 25 in MAC): Freeman- 5th in scoring; 1st in rebounding; 2nd in FG%; 24th in FT%; 4th in blocks; 10th in minutes played Tribble- 11th in FG%; 2nd in FT%; 15th in APG Nate Johnson- 19th in FG%; 8th in 3PFG%; 9th in steals Hunter- 16th in 3PFG% Thornton- 7th in APG; 1st in assist/turnover ratio; 13th in steals Dawson- 24th in steals Ali is not in the stats. I suspect that he hasn't played enough total games. This all tells me, not surprisingly, that these Zips are winning with defense first.

They're going to have to get the checkbook out for my buyout!

"We're not going to let winning be a deodorant to hide what stinks."

Amen. Out of town+ screaming grandkids+ limited intellect= clarkie confusion. I've now done that twice (2/17, sounds like Buffalo's 3 point rate), both times in NYC!

I'm curious to see what happens with the starting lineup if Nate is out. The easy move is to just switch Dawson in for Nate but I could also see Ali essentially sliding over and Scott or Thornton starting.

He's leading the MAC in assist to turnover ratio.

The 6-9 Broncos of Western Michigan come to the JAR Tuesday night to face the Zips. They are undefeated in the MAC with wins over Miami, NIU and Buffalo going into today's game against Ohio. Temps could be in single digits for the walk in and out of the JAR. 6'4" sophomore guard Seth Hubbard leads scoring a 16.5 ppg. 7'0" sophomore center Javonte Brown cred 15.5 while adding 5-5 rpg, but hasn't played since December 16th. 6'9" junior forward Owen Obsinger leads rebounding at 6.3 rpg.

Nice catch by @kreed5120 on the line. I bet Dayton on the money line.

Does anyone know a nice Jane Akron we can fix up Joe with? He seems a little pent up and frustrated.

That tough year definitely produced some growth in his attitude and approach.

It's nice of Buffalo to offset their rebounding edge with so many turnovers.

It was certainly more intimate but so is my garage.

Bradley is on a little bit of a roll, with a 5 game win streak - https://www.pjstar.com/story/sports/college/basketball/bradley-hoops/2024/01/10/bradley-braves-basketball-score-evansville-in-missouri-valley-game-result/72173819007/

Really surprised with Santiago. He's appears to have actually regressed as a player. I always thought he was the heart of that team but he's scoring only 8 points a game on 34% shooting in 32 minutes a night.

I suspect Mr. Pinky is having some attitude issues with his roster and is working through them. Last night, Sullinger didn't start and Bass, last year's MAC Freshman of the year at CMU, played only 4 minutes. I know he shook up the starting lineup against Ball State also.

He and Dawson have been able to stay active and involved during their slumps. Hopefully, Sammy can snap out of it like Dawson has.

We need to get more from Sammy. So far in MAC play, he's 2 for 17 from the field and averaging 3 points and 4 rebounds a game. Fortunately, other guys have stepped up to fill the void.

Beacon/Ohio.com article on the game- https://www.beaconjournal.com/story/sports/college/zips/2024/01/10/akron-zips-basketball-score-ball-state-enrique-freeman-stats-ali-ali-greg-tribble-mikal-dawson/72165900007/

We'll see on Halcovage. He was just hired in March and I suspect is still paying for some of Whitesell's issues. Halcovage in part should thank the Zips as Whitesell was shown the door after the Zips pummeled the Bulls (101-77) in the MAC tournament. One of the issues raised by Whitesell's detractors was his ineffectiveness in recruiting and it looks like Halcovage is paying the price for it this season.

On a positive note, I was able to give away a ticket. LOL.

I started feeling old when I started picking the kids of guys I had previously drafted in fantasy drafts!

As this season goes on all of those new and young Ball State kids are going to gel and get a bunch of wins. Lewis is solid and if a third player can get established to help Jihad and Anderson they could make a nice MAC run.

Our Canadian friends come to the JAR to face the Zips this Friday night. The Bulls are 2-13 after loss to Miami. Heading into the Miami game, 6’8” fifth year forward Sy Chatman leads Bulls scoring at 18.8 ppg (3rd in the MAC), while also contributing 7.1 rpg. 6’6” senior forward Isaiah Adams averages 13.2 ppg. 6’9” senior forward Jonnivius Smith is averaging an impressive 9.5 rpg (2nd in the MAC) to go along with 8.4 ppg. Anquan Boldin Jr, son of the former NFL star, also plays for the Bulls.