LoyalZIP

Man, that's the worst way to lose. I think we win if Reece is healthy, but that is a moot point. All teams go through injuries and adversity, it's how you respond to it that matters. I didn't have the chance to watch the WVU game, but this one seems like it was similar, you play well enough to win, but you just weren't good enough. That may be the craziest game I've ever seen at the JAR.

Yeah, even when they weren't nearly as good the last two years, there was still some fun basketball to watch for what $60-$100 for a season ticket?? In Akron, Ohio?? Come on man, that's gotta be better. But we won't get into attendance issues right now. Let's go 1-0 on Saturday!

I caught the end of that Kent game, it's worth checking out on the replay if you can. It was like they were both trying to throw the game.

I won't get my hopes up. Sh*t marketing department plus people still pouting about the coach will unfortunately keep these guys from getting the support they deserve this year, I'm guessing. French just said Toledo has won 8 of the last 9 in the series. As bad as they've looked lately, they've got some players and I'm thinking this will be the first close MAC game for Akron.

These boys got poise!!! Another dominating defensive performance on the road and another game that was never in much doubt. Nice board by Dawson at the end and a nice floater from Tribble! On to Toledo, keep it rolling.

Poise, poise, poise. Come on guys.

One of the best halves of the season there!!! For the second half: Step on their throats Get Channel out of his funk offensively Try to get Dawson some more minutes, he clearly needs them Keep it rolling!

I hope they can become more consistent. They played so well at the beginning of the year, but have been pretty dreadful since losing to Cleveland State the day before Thanksgiving. It's a close group and there's talent there as well. I'd like to see them make it to Cleveland this year.

The workday is made so much more enjoyable knowing that I have two Akron basketball games to look forward to every week. It's either excitement from leading up to a game, excitement of it being gameday, or joy from a win the night before. I missed Akron basketball being good so much.

Agreed. After going home from the Q losers on Saturday night 5 times in the last 15 years or so as the better team, I can't help but feel as nervous as I do excited to see what these guys are doing. After Akron beats some quality MAC teams and picks up a few more road wins I think I'll start getting into the rankings/polls hype.

As I was walking to my car, I thought if Akron repeats that 40 minutes of basketball on Friday, they'll lose. And Groce said the same thing on the post game. Sure, Flowers hit some tough shots, but that defensive performance was just not good enough. Numbers wise, the offense played well but it came more in spurts. Being stuck on 27 points in the first half for so long kept this one much closer than it should've been. Tonight reminded me of last year's WMU game--never in doubt but not as comfortable as I would've liked. But 2-0 is 2-0. Zips fans need to bring it on Friday!!!

Good point. I could argue that given the chance to naturally develop, Eric Parrish would have been a top 3 player on the team at this point. Just not worth the pain, which is why he's onto his fourth school now or something like that. Same could be said for Virshon Cotton. And Patton got the boot as well, granted that was more because I think Groce just needed bodies in year 1 and he happened to be available at the time.

A little surprised to see the line at Akron -13.5. Seems like a lot even with Western at the bottom half of the league.

If this season continues to go as it appears it is, I hope the community really gets behind this team. While I have loved and been proud of all of the good teams we've had the last 15 years, I really feel like this is a special and different group. It's not the most talented team Akron's had, but they looks as cohesive an Akron team I've seen and they play hard and well on both ends of the floor. On top of that, they're old guys that lost a lot of games last year. You can see their hard work and dedication to the TEAM and PROGRAM play out, as things that they were bad at last year have been reversed. I know there are still plenty of Akron fans pouting over the coaching change and there are probably some that are even upset to see Groce doing well. If that's keeping them from supporting these guys, do us all a favor and don't associate yourselves with Akron. Go cheer for Kent or something. Keep it rolling, boys!

Personally, I think he's all in with this program. He's been a vocal "trust the process" guy since he got here, and I think a lot of that has to do with his upbringing. Besides, he will be starting his Master's here once classes resume next week or whenever it is. If Akron ends up shattering expectations and Groce gets hired off, I wouldn't be surprised to see him follow Groce or just go elsewhere. Definitely agree on the POY potential. Last year during nonconference play, he looked like a really good MAC point guard. Then league play started and he shot something like 29% from Three and was a guard that only had interest in scoring. It looks like the game has seriously slowed down to him and he's got more poise to contribute in so many more ways than just shooting. Mikal Dawson is a guy I have my eye on. I wish he could've gotten more meaningful minutes toward the end of the game. I'm honestly a bit surprised they're burning his redshirt considering he wasn't with the team at all until mid-December. His body is impressive, but you can tell he's just behind. Hopefully he can develop into a meaningful contributor come the last half of the MAC season. Keep it rolling.

Last year's team loses this game (Tulane) 10 times out of 10. The potential is there, just pray everyone stays healthy and keeps buying in, and we're on to something.

I hope our entire staff watched Kent tonight. They looked really damn good and rose to the occasion and were completely fearless. Those boys are nasty. Do everything you can to get to that level, I can't stomach Kent looking this much better than Akron. I hate it.

Thanks for compiling all of that here, Dr.!!

It's a great program, in fact their coach is arguably the best basketball coach at the school right now. But they shouldn't dominate Akron like they did. And Akron shouldn't be losing to Cleveland State either.

Well said. That Duquesne game was a blowout for 40 minutes and certainly concerned me. They didn't look interested in being there at all which is a shame considering they had a great atmosphere against a team Kent beat.

Reece didn't look too good today. And we struggle when Cristian isn't scoring. But they kept their poise and showed a lot of character so not all is lost.

I'm starting to get that feeling too, the "March could be fun" feeling. But I've let that feeling ruin too many springs for me, so for now I will temper my expectations and try to take it one game at a time. But yeah, this team seems like its got the "goods."

A little birdie told me we're going to be a little deeper/better come December 15. Not sure I would believe a random poster myself, but I heard what I heard. Go Zips!

What an atrocious hire. Even if he ends up building this thing into a decent program, which I don't see happening and have no reason to believe it will, you just can't go 0-12 in 2019. Especially in the MAC East.

I'd like to see X continue to take the good looks, but maybe bring it in just a little bit. He's been really good in the mid-range game, so I don't want to see him force his way out of his funk. Man, I'm looking forward to what this group can do. I'm not gonna put the cart before the horse, as last year's team had Nevada on the ropes, but this team is shaping up to be really good. We. Shall. See.