Zips @ Kent State Friday on ESPN2

[1981 grad]

At Kent at 9 on ESPN 2.  Things to do not look good.

 

We have lost 3 of 4 and the last game at home to the worst team in the league.

 

I cannot remember the last time we won at Kent

 

Kent has been looking good recently after beating us at the Jar.

 

Does anybody know whether Utomi will be playing or how serious his injury?

[kreed5120]

On the positive side things are looking on the up since @clarkwgriswold didn't create this thread.

Edited March 2, 2017 by kreed5120

[Blue & Gold]

4 minutes ago, kreed5120 said:

On the positive side things are looking on the up since @clarkwgriswold didn't create this thread.

I'm already feeling better about Friday night.

[skip-zip]

Well, I guess "close the season on a good note" now comes down to only one game.  

 

The last time I clearly remember winning there was in 2007 when Little Dru fouled out and Dials had to play the point through overtime, and had a nice dish at the end to Jeremiah for the winning basket.  A very exciting game to watch.  That was the game where LeBron was in attendance cheering for the Zips, and our radio guys commented that it was the first time they had ever seen him get booed in NE Ohio.  I guess the Kent fans didn't like it.  

 

Here's the Box Score:

http://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/game?gameId=270632309

 

Actually, that was a really exciting year for the Kent/Akron rivalry because we beat them again a few days later in Cleveland in the Semifinal after being down something like 14 at the half?

 

 

Edited March 2, 2017 by skip-zip

[feetg10]

I think we will win. We have been a better road team this year anyway.

[Zipgrad01]

1 hour ago, feetg10 said:

I think we will win. We have been a better road team this year anyway.

Our record says otherwise 

[feetg10]

20 minutes ago, Zipgrad01 said:

Our record says otherwise 

At least in conference play we seem to have had our best shooting nights on the road. For example at EMU ,at WMU and at Buffalo. 

[Dr Z]

Beat Kent! 

 

Game listed as a PICK EM. 

 

Oddshark's calculations predict the Zips to lose 70-73.

Zips 9-16-1 ATS this year. 

 

 

[clarkwgriswold]

Doing my part for the cause!

[zippy5]

[kreed5120]

[UAZippers]

I bought my ticket last week only to realize yesterday that I have a prior commitment in Cleveland tonight, so I won't be attending. I suppose I just made a small donation to KSU. Everyone that does go, give Kent a little extra hell for me. 

[MDZip]

17 hours ago, skip-zip said:

The last time I clearly remember winning there was in 2007 when Little Dru fouled out and Dials had to play the point through overtime, and had a nice dish at the end to Jeremiah for the winning basket.  A very exciting game to watch.  That was the game where LeBron was in attendance cheering for the Zips, and our radio guys commented that it was the first time they had ever seen him get booed in NE Ohio.  I guess the Kent fans didn't like it.  

The last time we won at Kent was during Zeke's senior season 2012-2013. We had actually beaten Kent five straight times at that point including a coupe at their place and a couple in the MACC. Sneaking suspicion the Zips pull this one out tonight and drop the Flashes to the sixth seed.

[clarkwgriswold]

I can't get a feel for this one.  Do we get the Zips of the first 20 games who tend to find a way to pull it our after trying to give it away or do we get the Zips of the last two weeks that draft off and never wake up?  At their best, the Zips are the top team in a conference that is struggling this year, but on a bad night they are among the worst.  

[Captain Kangaroo]

If we want to win more than Kent, we'll win. Kent's offense can't keep up with the Zips when we play to our capabilities.

 

If we play uninspired and lazy, we'll lose.

 

If we're down at the end, we'll probably lose. We haven't shown the poise to pull out a comeback win in a tight game (we won in spite of ourselves vs Ball State). We need a lead going into the final 2 minutes. If we're down, we're in trouble.

 

I like our chances tonight. I think we hit rock-bottom against Miami, and sometimes you need that "that's all I can stands, I can't stands no more" wake-up call before you can turn things around. 

 

Zips 72

Kent 64

[GJGood]

This one is too tough to call. Which Zips team shows up? How will our opponent shoot the 3 ball and how will they handle the emotions associated with Senior Night? A lot of unknown and inconsistent variables in this one. I hope Akron just wants it more.

[skip-zip]

1 hour ago, GJGood said:

how will they handle the emotions associated with Senior Night?

 

Hopefully they handle it as poorly as we did.  

[lance99]

How is the record when it is a late start(9PM Eastern?

)

[GoZips88]

Coach just confirmed on pre-game that the games don't matter until next Thursday. Silly me for thinking momentum heading into the MAC tournament meant something or that wins in your league heading down the stretch just might have an impact on seeding in The Big Dance or to a (much-)lesser extent the NIT. 

[Zipgrad01]

Maybe we can chuck up a few more 3's. We will have Trumps wall built by halftime with all these bricks. 

[kreed5120]

Kwan needs to play smart in 2nd half. Kent is getting offensive rebounds at will with him on the bench.

[bUAkronG]

12 minutes ago, kreed5120 said:

Kwan needs to play smart in 2nd half. Kent is getting offensive rebounds at will with him on the bench.

 

+1 on this. Poor Kwan lost his confidence down the stretch and lately is trying to force things. He just needs to relax and play smarter. 

 

Not a bad half overall. A few forced threes but I like the defense efforts, except for the offensive rebounds. That is becoming our MO lately. 

 

Jimond is such an unbelievable athlete. I wish he'd keep pounding the lane. 

[bUAkronG]

They really awarded Hall two free throws on a foul as he was receiving a pass. 

[Zipgrad01]

Poke would foul out if he played 12 minutes a game. He can't guard anyone in the post. 

[Zipgrad01]

Hall dominates big dog