1981 grad

I saw the box score and he led his team in points, had numerous assists and rebounds. Of the 3 guards that we lost, Antino was by far the best when it came down to tournament time. He was real competitor in the clutch. Even though he left I feel bad that he never got to play in the NCAA tournament.

I did not read that much into the T because in my opinion I thought all 4 techs did not have to be called. The coach got a T when his back was to the ref, Jimond for bouncing a ball hard and the Easter Michigan Ts were also weak. I still see Jimond separating the coach from the refs at the Buffalo game. I thought they were good. I trust Groce will get this under control since he will have the players he wants.

Why do you think he still had problems? After the win on Monday and the competitive game they played last night that was the last thing I expected. I did not see anything on the floor that looked like a bad attitude. The refs slowed down the game, we slowed down the game. And it caught up to us when they started hitting their shots and we could not make a basket. Not sure what you saw or heard.

This was a very up and down season. Toward the end of the season Groce had these guys playing good basketball, especially on the defensive end. But I was surprised to listen on the post game last night where he indicated he had some issues with the character of some of his players. I thought we were beyond that. Groce needs to figure out what players he considers to be problems and make a decision whether it is immuaturity that can be fixed on something else that cannot be fixed. I certainly do not want to hear about coachability next year. It is tough enough to win with guys who want to play for the coach. I think being down to our third string center hurt us all year and the last 2 minutes of the game certainly was an example of that problem. That should not be an issue last year. I think next year will be better.

I thought the game turned when they went to a full court press and we turned the ball over and they went on a 7 point run. The momentum changed. The T on the coach was after he was walking away and had his back to the ref. It made no senses. The call on Ivey was weak. However, they also had two t's so it even out. I thought Groce made 2 really bad moves at the end of the game. When Utomi was taking foul shots he put in Klac and took out Patton. Patton has rebounded missed foul shots on seveal occasions. Stupid move! Utomi missed the second one, Klac did not go for the rebound as was running down the court to play defense. He then missed a layup and turned the ball over when he fumbled another pass. No way this guy should have been in. Patton was having a good game. Finally, the only person I remember scoring at the end was Cotton. He hit a clutch 3. He should not have been on the bench when we needed somebody to make a basket. He showed he could play in the clutch on Monday, made a big 3 tonight, and then he sits on the bench. Just poor coaching. However, Groce did a great job getting this team to play well but hopefully he will make better game decisions in the future.

We have not played well against the zone this year. When we played them before I remember a lot of perimeter passing without any penetration. This team often runs down the shot clock. The last thing we want is to run down the shot clock against the zone and then have to force up a contested three. In the past we have been able to penetrate the zone by getting the ball to a player on the foul line and then letting him drive to the basket or kick it out. However, we had at least 2 guys with some height, Kwan and Big Dog. I am hoping that Utomi can get the ball at the foul line and then penetrate. He was not able to do it last time. What started our come back last game was some break out baskets after turnovers. Maybe we can run on these guys. Last game Groce basically went with a 6 man lineup, Klac and Smith did not get much playing time. It will be interesting to see if that changes coming into this game. Finally, we need to stay out of foul trouble. We cannot afford to have any stupid fouls. Very little room for error if we are going to win this one. Need to hit our outside shots. Go Zips!!

Is Sayles done for the season? I read somewhere he was supposed to return in March. I ddi not see him suited up so I assumed he is done but does anybody have an update? I watched Groce's TV show for the first time last night. They did a review of E man's injury and they expect him to make a full recovery and come back next year. The young man is an honor student and very well spoken. He is an asset to the team and the University. Groce talked about the improvements in Utomi's defense and Parrish's defense. I noticed that Parrish is rebounding the ball much better on defense. It is typical of frosh that they love the offensive part of the game but it takes them some time to realize that defense is what keeps them on the floor. He also indicates that Parrish anticipates the pass well and is often is position to make steals. The show was very good.

As bad as things were I never gave up on the Zips. I kept hoping that they could get it back down to 10 by the half. Never expected the 17-0 run. The Zips played some great basketball to get in it. I also knew when they had the 12 point lead in the second half this game was not over.

He has not been as aggressive going to the hoop. It seems like he is settling for the long 3 ball. He needs to score more in the paint and that will get him more room to shoot the 3 ball.

It is a shame that Western only had around 900 people in attendance to watch that game. It was a classic. I said early in this thread that this team revolves around Utomi and he had another amazing offensive game. The offense always seems to click when we play the ball through him. This team outrebounded us by 10 in the first meeting and this game the rebounding was even with a much smaller lineup. Like I said before, size does not matter. Groce has these guys boxing out and hustling for the rebound. Most of the defensive rebounds the Zips had 3 guys around the ball. I was really surprised to see that Parrish only had 4 points. I thought he played a great game. Patton and Cotton supplied the scoring. The Zips have now won 2 close games in a row with buzzer beater foul shots. I cannot remember that ever happening before. So much for refs swallowing their whistles at the end. We should have a moratorium on ref complaints considering the last 2 games.

Tonight Cotton reminded me of Antino his frosh year. Antino had a great post season and probably played his best basketball of the year in the MAC tourney when he was a frosh.

We have also struggled against the zone all year. This will be a true test.

This has to be one of the most back and forth games in Akron history. I cannot believe that we gave up the lead. I cannot believe the ref called a foul on that drive by Cotton. That never happens! Great game. The frosh came of age today. Just amazing. Great win Zips!!

Western is making their free throws. We need to step up. I wish Ivey did not foul out. We can use him.

We need to keep pouring this on. Do not want this game to get close towards the end. Love the aggressive defense.

We need to keep hitting our shots. Do not let them come back. Great drive by Cotton!! Great block by Parish!!

The Zips came back playing aggressive defense and getting some turnovers that lead to some fast breaks. Need to stay aggressive. The double team is working. Need to bring this one home!!

No reason to lose this game. We have to come out strong in the second half. Cannot have slow start. Go Zips!!!!

If we would have hit our foul shots we would only be down 3. Need to keep this up!!!!

Need to get the ball to Utomi instead of a constant diet of 3 balls that are not even close.

Looking forward to the game tonight. I think the key to the game is Daniel Utomi. The last 5 games he has been averaging over 20 points. He has been scoring from the inside and is no longer relying on the 3 point shot. The Zips are feeding the ball to him with his back to the basket and he is distributing or driving to the hoop. Would love to see Duvivier get hot from the 3 line or drive to the basket. Jimond also needs to have a good offensive game. Parish and Cotten have been playing well and if we can get something from Klac and Patton we should win this game. I know that Lucas Smith will give us everything he has on the defensive end. The Zips need to stay out of foul trouble, especially, Duvivier. We need him to end the game. Not sure why he is such a foul magnet. I like the way the Zips competed in the last 5 games even though we 3 losses we were in every game and played tough defense. Go Zips!!

I believe that Cotton can learn from his mistakes. I saw Cotton make those faces after the game and it upset me that an Akron player would do that but Cotton is a frosh. Also, there is really no senior leadership on this team as Duvivier is the only senior being a transfer. New coach, mainly first year players on the team, you are lacking a mentor to tell him right or wrong. There is a fine line between competitive and being respectful. Sometimes even the pros disagree on what is unprofessional conduct. Jordan Clarkson throws ball at Dario Saric, setting off Cavaliers-76ers scuffle _ ESPN - YouTube (360p).mp4 Also, the last game Cotton sees the coach charge the court and go after the referee. I understand why Groce did this but it may have sent the wrong message to the team on being respectful. Next year Cotton will be a year older and a year wiser and hopefully will learn that you can be competitive while being respectful.

New Rule: Team should be able to drop down on the brackett to play their rival. We are the higher seed and should have the option to drop down!

During one of the earlier timeouts Parish stuck his head into the Kent huddle when they were gathering during a timeout. Senderoff got really upset about it and talked to the ref. As I stated earlier, one of the assistant coaches pulled Cotton aside after the game because Cotton was making faces at the Kent bench immediately after the game. The team played so well it is a shame that these frosh do not understand that you need to have respect for the other team even if this is a rivalry game.

Great win by the Zips!! The are playing their best ball of the season. Parish really came through with the foul shots. He is really playing well. I love to watch Daniel drive to the hoop. Klac had a nice drive to the hoop in the first few minutes with no hesitation. Next time he had a layup he used 4 pump fakes, got fouled and missed the 2 foul shots. Not sure what happened under the basket. Immediately after the game, Cotton looked at the Kent bench and made gestures with his face that were uncalled for, immature, and reflected poorly on the University. He then went through the line and I think that is why DeLarosa started something with him as he went through the line. I saw one of the assistant coaches say something to Cotton. Hopefully, the coach will talk to him about this conduct as it is not acceptable.