LoyalZIP

Zips Nation kicked some ass! Over $200k collectively for all of the programs.

My sources tell me he's got a 1.8 GPA and will be enrolled in summer courses (like many athletes) solely for the purpose of becoming eligible.

Sure, you could say that. But these circumstances, especially with an assistant coach putting out public support of a return, point to there being no ill-will between the two sides. This is no Bubba Walther.

2023 Zips Day of Giving--Men's Soccer https://fundraise.givesmart.com/vf/ZipsAthDOG23/team/MSoccer

2023 Zips Day of Giving--WBB https://fundraise.givesmart.com/vf/ZipsAthDOG23/team/WBasketball

2023 Zips Day of Giving--Football https://fundraise.givesmart.com/vf/ZipsAthDOG23/team/Football

Funds will be used to put together a trip to Puerto Rico this preseason. 10 practices and 3 games.

It is quite disappointing. The short interviews with George and Martin were great, but were the only 5 minutes we've seen all spring.

Another clear roster spot for coach Gensler 🔥

I suppose he is probably the worst leading scorer to lead Akron to the NCAA tournament in school history. Can't argue with that. Thank God he left, we were far better without him anyway.

Thanks for the info, HT. I always liked Wymer. It’s a shame that the last Akron game he ever reffed went the way it did. The block Matt Potter called on Aziz had me through the roof with anger.

Were all of those players elite MAC-level basketball players before they got to Akron? Hell to the no. Even in LCJ’s first year, he was not good. Ali was every bit the Akron Zip they were up until he left. And the questions of attitude and defense just don’t make any sense. Nor does the “hero ball” stuff. It’s almost like that team never won the 2022 MAC title sometimes. He was an elite defender and always played his tail off. And if Groce didn’t want him to do the “hero ball” that he has been accused of, he wouldn’t have done it. In re-living some of the 2022 postseason threads recently, @Illini Zip explained the Ali back to the basketball strategy as well as anyone. Basically, it wasn’t sexy and didn’t always work, but considering the circumstances that roster was put through, they somehow miraculously went on one of the best runs in program history with Ali Ali as the leading scorer and one of the 3 most impactful players on the roster. His play at the end of the UCLA game was awful. So was the decision to not call a timeout and let it play out like it did. Had Ali not gone portaling, he would have in all likelihood surpassed 1000 points in his career at Akron, been All-MAC, and been part of one of the best 3-headed monsters to return after winning a championship that the league has seen. I get that he left here and it was a stupid BS move. Easy to see from the moment it happened. But retroactively killing the guy and pretending like we weren’t salivating at the prospect of him being part of the core that was supposed to return for 22-23 is just…weird to read.

Yeah, this is a strange take a few people have had. When he announced he was leaving, there was a feeling of despondence. If he announced a return, I’m sure we’ll see some despondence. In reality, he is the definition of John Groce basketball at Akron. Superb athlete that was completely homegrown. Far from perfect with plenty of flaws, but he was as imperative to the championship run as everyone. Sign me up for an Ali Ali who has had his eyes opened to the horrors of what some other “grass is greener” programs have to offer. Sometimes home is where the heart is. I hope that if he finds home in the MAC, it’s at Akron.

https://www.espn.com/espn/feature/story/_/page/bracketology/ncaa-bracketology-2024-march-madness-men-field-predictions Kent lands a huge transfer who shot 32% from the floor for a sub-300 MAC team, and it propels them into the projected 2024 tournament field, booting the Zips. How will we ever recover? I've had about enough of this John Groce character.

From what I heard when the Jackson news first came to light, she always wanted to and intended to stay. I'm glad to see that has been confirmed.

Will UA give him a LeBron-style "Coming Home" party at InfoCision if it happens?

HUGE! Can't wait to see what this new group can do!

Saw this earlier today and should have shared. What on earth? They finished very well this year too.

She is followed on Twitter by coach Gensler. Usually a telling sign he’s trying to make contact. I wish we knew who assistants were so we could get them on the radar too.

First time I met coach Nicholson you could tell he had the right attitude and temperament. This is awesome for the program, which has been nothing short of an embarrassment for many years now.

How about that! I wasn't too high on Bass as compared to most. Tremendously inefficient offensively on a really bad team. That said, he will fill a hole over there. Interesting move.

Love it @Sergeant Zip, probably haven't seen that video in a decade but it still seems so familiar. I guess I certainly wouldn't be mad if Akron had the Stroh Center. But I really don't like it. I've been over there a few times now, and it is "nice" but that's about it. The arena and amenities are "nice" but I don't see it as a good place or a fun place to watch a game. It's very sterile. Many BG fans feel the same way. The only time it's a truly rocking environment is with a huge crowd and a huge game. On any given Tuesday against NIU, the JAR can feel intimate and be a great environment to play in. Akron deserves to play in a better arena, but I would at least want them to play in an arena that's a fun place to watch a game. The Stroh is not it.

Book your flights to Omaha early! Lunardi Bracketology 2024: https://www.espn.com/espn/feature/story/_/page/bracketology/ncaa-bracketology-2024-march-madness-men-field-predictions

Great catch. “You ass!” (You are ass). Sammy is awesome. I loved seeing him go off at the end of the year. You could see the potential from Day 1. I hope he can put together a whole season like that, he’s got POY potential if he lives up to it. Great guy too. Ran into him a couple weeks after the season ended. Very kind and friendly.