1981 grad

I hate analytics!!!! I am still upset at the guy who posted during the Zips UCLA game in the last 3 minutes that the Zips had a 96% chance of winning. No, it is the Zips and we had never won a tournament game. And of course the Browns had a 99.9% chance of winning the Jets game. No, it is the Browns and they have a long record of finding a way to lose. And next time we go on a long scoring drought and we keep missing threes because analytics tells us it is a better shot my response will still be that analytics is crap.

Will not be the first player who thinks he is better than he really is. Makes me think that Groce's system is that good where a player with good skills can appear to be great. I wonder how the coach and fans feel about the transfer. However, it may take him some time to get used to the speed of play so maybe he will pick it up and some point later in the season. The injury in the beginning of the season did not help the transition.

And somebody suggested we ban sarcasm from this board. (LOL)

As I read comments on this board that Kent could go undefeated and having watched them play, I believe that our offense must get better. We have seen a number of slow starts on offense and long scoring droughts. Please post any suggestions on how this team can improve its offense. Here are my three suggestions: When Freeman gets the ball in the lane, Tribble always cuts to the middle for a quick pass. It never happens and he just stands there and it makes an easy double team on Freeman. It is part of the offense but it never works. When we get Freeman the ball, stop the cut to the basket. What is wrong with designing plays where we take a 15 foot jump shot. This team struggles with the 3 ball and I rarely see any jump shot that is not a 3 ball. Design some plays where players can get a short jump shot. I think Tribble would benefit from taking shorter shots. We need more players to score and attack the baskets. Both Tavari Johnson and Nate Johnson have shown the ability to score. However, they rarely attack the basket or even attempt a shot. We need more balanced scoring. Neither Hankerson or Hunter are inside players. I think Groce has to encourage Johnson and Johnson to attack the basket or take some more shots.

We can chalk up this win to great defense and X having a great game. I hate to see Hankerson, Hunter and Tribble being so one dimensional. Hankerson and Hunter can only shoot from the outside and Tribble can only score inside. Hankerson and Hunter were a combined 3 for 17 with the 3 ball and took a combined 3 shots from inside the 3 line. Tribble was 4 for 7 scoring inside and had a good game for 9 points. I cannot remember the last time Tavari scored a basket. However, he is playing good defense except he gave up one offensive rebound where he just stood and watched the rebound. We shot 35 3 balls and only shot 22% and won. You will not see that in many games. Any road win is a good win so no complaints just observations.

My season tickets are close to the floor and I have seen some puckish behavior by Zips players in years past but not this year. Groce had recruited some great guys and you could not ask for a better role model than Freeman. During one of our games an opposing player got into our huddle and the players handled it well. Kent had a tech called on them on Friday although it was not clear what happened.

We are going to have to play our best game of the season with some decent outside shooting in order to compete with them this year.

Kent is just rolling over Ball State. Great defense and 3 point shooting. They are up between 11 and 17 the first half. Ball State already with 10 turnovers in 1st half. Kent State has a number of guys that can score.

"but are Jekyll & Hyde with their shooting" This quote sounds like us

Nate Johnson was a third contributor tonight with a 3 at the buzzer and some nice plays. I think he had a bad turnover when he had a behind the back dribble in traffic that was a turnover. Tavari had a great pass to Tribble for a fantastic dunk that will make the highlight reel.

If we can get offense from Hankerson and Hunter and continue playing good defense this team can compete. Great to have a blowout road win. Really like the fast break points in the first half. This was a team effort. It seemed the last 6 minutes were a whistle frenzy and the game really slowed down.

Great article on Hunter. We have seen 3 players on the Zips that have shown "flashes" of being offensive contributors, Tavari, Hunter and Hankerson. However, they just have not been consistent. If all 3 become contributors, we are looking at a really good team. However, it takes the air out of the ball when Hunter and Hankerson continually miss from long range. Looking forward to these 3 having big games.

Can somebody tell me when we are up by 30 all of a sudden we cannot miss a three?

Sorry but I looked it up and Buddy is still a ref in division 3 with 250 people attending. Less stress?

Clarke has missed about the last 8 games and this is the first time somebody has posted about a specific injury.

I am surprised the Zips pulled it out but they did play good defense on the last few possessions. The offensive end at the end of the game was a struggle but X made the shot of the game. I think it was our only basket in the last 2 minutes.

Make that 3 bad possessions.

The last 2 possessions the Zips did not look good but X bailed them out with the off balance 3. Unfortunately, we only have 2 scoring options, X or Freeman. Need someone else to step up.

Three minutes left. Can the Zips pull out a close one on the road? I know what everyone is thinking.

I have watched a lot of Akron Basketball and I cannot recall a game where we have been so hesitant to take an outside shot. In the last 10 minutes I only recall Hankerson taking and missing a 3 pointer. This team needs somebody who can take and make an outside shot. Tribble was shooting so well at the foul line I would like to see him take a 12 foot jump shot. They are backing off of him to drive. Tough road game.

Freeman having a great game. Hankerson has disappeared. We have been stuck on 61 for the last 5 minutes.

Good guess!!

Since we have been a 2nd half team, the fact that we are up by 1 at the half means we are in good shape. Groce cannot be happy with how many layups they have been making but the Zips have created some good turnovers. Tavari has to play better in the 2nd half.

The Zips on the road have sucked this year. They may be without their best player. They have started slow on offense even when they have their best player. I will be impressed if they can keep it competitive in the first half after a slow start. I hate to be a pessimist but would not be surprised if they are down by double digits in the first half and spend the 2nd half trying to recover.

In a way it was good that other players had to produce. It seems like players are hesitant to shoot or take the ball to the basket because they are deferring to X and when he is off we have not played well. Tribble had his best game. I would still like him to develop an outside shot and not be a one dimensional player.