1981 grad

I just bought my ticket for the Kent game on stubhub. I just printed the ticket and I will be sitting with the Kent fans since it is a season holder ticket. I did the same thing about 5 years ago wearing my Akron hat and a Kent season ticket holder told me I was sitting in the wrong section. I told him I was in the right seat. He yelled for the usher to check my ticket. A young college student usher came over and meekly stated he did not want to do this but asked to see my ticket. I showed him my ticket and the usher thanked me. I then suggested that he check the ticket of the guy who complained and we both laughed. Looking forward to tonights game.

This team broke the game open in the 2nd half when they went 8 of 10 from 3 point range. When this team shoots the ball well from the outside they look really good. In the first half they were 1 of 10 from 3 point range but their inside game kept them in the game. The Zips would have 3 more offensive rebounds if the 3 point shooters would follow their shots. The short ball comes right back to them but they just stand still. Finally, Groce looked upset that Buffalo was pressing in the last 30 seconds. The Buffalo coach was gung ho on keeping the press. I thought Groce wanted Scott to shoot the ball at the end instead of holding it. Groce gave the Buffalo coach a quick handshake and moved on quickly.

The next step of getting time in the NBA is the hardest step in Freeman's journey. He has to have more games where he both scores and rebounds in the G league to get noticed. I would like him to have 30 points and double digit rebounding in every game in the G league. Now that Zicarsky is with the Timberwolves maybe it will give Freeman more of an opportunity to score.

Freeman is back down with the wolves but had probably his best game with 29 points on 7 of 9 shooting and a team leading 12 rebounds. He did foul out and the Wolves lost in Overtime.

I always wondered what pursuaded Tavari to stay at Akron after putting his name in the portal and the annoucers indicated it was only for half a day and the coaching staff told him he needs to think about what he was losing. He then stayed with Akron. Like these announcers. Best yet.

Scott with another buzzer beater to end the half. That is 2 in a row. Not sure which shot was better. They both rate a 10 in my book.

Really strong defense from the Zips. Nice rip away by Young. They are also rebounding the ball well. Great start!!!

I agree. I also think it is also harder to win on the road in the grind of a long season. As much as this board gives Miami grief about their weak schedule, they have won all of their road games. Something we have not done.

Wow, I knew he had been off but I am surprised by how bad those numbers are in conference play. Is there such a thing as a sophomore jinx? I think Tavari also had better numbers as a frosh. I just remember he did not get in some games as a sophmore but he also had issues on defense.

When I looked at the stats this morning, I noticed that in the last 6 games the Zips have not shot 40% from the 3 point line. In our lost to Troy and our narrow win st Eastern Michigan we shot the 3 point ball around 27% for those games. Earlier in the season against good out of conference teams including Perdue we were averaging well over 40% from 3. I even commented that this might be Groce's best 3 point shooting team. I hate that our three point shooting in trending downward at the end of the season. Not sure what is the cause except the grind of a long season. Also, Groce has been playing some players long minutes and there has been a greater emphasis on defense. In our loss to Miami we only shot 25% from 3. Hoping that we can regain our outside shooting touch in the remaining games.

I watched the replay 5 times and it was a reaction jab that was no where near hitting the other player. Difficult to call it a punch but I guess it was techically a punch out of anger that was about 5 feet from striking the player. Again, watching the video 5 times it was clear but in real time nobody would call that a punch.

Really happy to see Marvin get some minutes and really play well. His foul shots were pure gold. You could tell he has been working on that part of his game. Made some real hustle plays. That was the 2nd bizarre game at the JAR in a row. Kent went 1 for 23 from 3 and in this game we almost shot 50 foul shots. That 10 minute intermission while the refs reviewed the scrum like it was the Kennedy assasination film was rediculous. I thought the Zips played well but our 3 point shooting was well below 40%. We also played slow and often shot near the end of the shot clock. I was surprised to see how much trap zone we played. The Zips did a great job on the boards against a very physical team. I thought we were more athletic and quicker than Mass. Great win for the Zips!!!

How would you like to play for this coach who basically threw all of his players under the bus. I think everyone on this board knew that Nate was a great MAC player but few thought the would be a great player at the next level. The coach has to accept responsiblity for assembling a team that cannot compete at the level. Basically, the players are pros and mayber the colleges should have a gm who evaluates talent and brings in talent. Tang might be a great coach but not sure if he can evaluate talent. When K State lost to Bowling Green he had to know this was going to be a losing season.

Freeman was called back up to the Timberwolves. Maybe he will finally get to be on the active roster.

I hate these probablility charts ever since somebody posted on our board that we had a 96% probabiity of beating UCLA with about 4 minutes left in the game for our first NCAA victory. When I saw that post, I knew it was the kiss of death. And we all know what happened in that game.

I have a vague recollection of Kent winning at the JAR and going over to our fans and taunting them. I thought it was classless then and classless now. I saw the same thing in soccer this year by our soccer team and others. A coach should teach his players how to win and how to lose. I don't know what happened after the Kent Toledo game but if it was inappropriate I am glad the coach called it out. Regardless if you win or lose, student athletes should not act like jerks after the game.

I hope you did not bet on this one.

Give Hardman credit for a game winner. I cannot remember an Akron game winning shot in the last 10 seconds this year. I really thought it was going to be a Tavari drive or pull up jumper for the last shot. Give Groce credit for the game winning play.

Lyles has thrown some passes that have been directly to the other team. Worst game I have seen him play. And no we can not play 5 minutes of good basketball.

Can the Zips play 5 minutes of good basketball running their offense and not throwing the ball away.

Speaking of alumni parents, I remember only one parent that used to post on this board and that was Kwan's mom. She was always very nice. I started thinking about Kwan and it looks like he has had a very successful career playing all over Europe and in Israel. I copied his Twitter picture and he looks great with a very handsome family.

I just wonder who is happier, Tavari who is having a break out season in the MAC and has an opportunity to go to the big dance or Nate who cashed a much bigger paycheck but is stuck on a losing team with no personal accolades such as MAC player of the year and no chance of an NCAA tourney. Money or fame? Difficult decision for 22 year old athletes.

Underwhelmed by college kids playing 3 on 3 basketball in front of the biggest crowd of the year. I am sure the red panda was booked.

I also felt the Lord's presence when the rowdies were yell F___K you to Kent.

Has anyone else noticed that both Scott and Tavari have step back jump shots that are almost impossible to defend. That is something new to their games this year. Also, Scott has been much more aggressive in attacking and finishing at the basket this year. That three point play where he got fouled and put the ball high over the defender was amazing.