Hawaiian Airlines Diamond Head Classic

[Captain Kangaroo]

19 minutes ago, zippy5 said:

MTSU was the perfect mid-major matchup that we should have more of. Teams in the same situation as us that are opportunities for very quality wins. 

I miss the old "Bracket Buster" match ups.

[Let'sGoZips94]

21 minutes ago, Captain Kangaroo said:

I miss the old "Bracket Buster" match ups.

 

Why did those go away again?

[zippy5]

58 minutes ago, Captain Kangaroo said:

I miss the old "Bracket Buster" match ups.

They were great, plus it was a lot of fun predicting what our matchup might end up being. Good times.

[Captain Kangaroo]

40 minutes ago, lilroodude said:

 

Why did those go away again?

The upper-mid majors (VCU, Gonzaga, Nevada, Butler, Creighton, Wichita State type programs) began separating themselves from the mid-mid majors, and backed out. With most of the bracket-busting "Cinderella potential" programs gone, I think that killed ESPN's interest.

[Let'sGoZips94]

2 hours ago, Captain Kangaroo said:

The upper-mid majors (VCU, Gonzaga, Nevada, Butler, Creighton, Wichita State type programs) began separating themselves from the mid-mid majors, and backed out. With most of the bracket-busting "Cinderella potential" programs gone, I think that killed ESPN's interest.

 

Wait just a minute. You're telling me being the only mid-major on the list of teams with X amount of consecutive seasons with 21+ wins, that didn't separate us? 

 

This makes sense. I forgot about the conference realignment that took place. I am surprised CBS or Fox hasn't restarted it. 

[NWAkron]

24 minutes ago, lilroodude said:

 

Wait just a minute. You're telling me being the only mid-major on the list of teams with X amount of consecutive seasons with 21+ wins, that didn't separate us? 

 

Scary we think alike. 

Edited December 18, 2017 by NWAkron

[Z.I.P.]

24 minutes ago, NWAkron said:

Scary we think alike. 

That IS scary!   ?

 

I would give as an additional reason for the demise of the event was that the only teams that benefited at all from it were those -- what, ten percent of the total teams involved? -- who received a televised game on ESPN.  For the rest it was a drudgery of having to either travel often long distances, or play a sudden non-conference game against a school with no name recognition.  I can't remember ever hearing a favorable comment about bracket busters from a Hawaii Rainbow Warrior fan -- even when they had the great gift of traveling to play at the MAC Center against the Golden Flashes... 

 

Akron was one of the few schools who had fairly regular TV appearances and games against teams who participated in the post-season.

 

I personally enjoyed not just our team's involvement, but the televised mid-major games across the country.  I think the only way to fashion something similar would be for the MAC to partner with another conference like the MVC or similar for a "challenge" type event.  Would ESPN or CBSCS be interested in showing that?  Maybe - maybe not...

[zippy5]

5 minutes ago, Z.I.P. said:

That IS scary!   ?

 

I would give as an additional reason for the demise of the event was that the only teams that benefited at all from it were those -- what, ten percent of the total teams involved? -- who received a televised game on ESPN.  For the rest it was a drudgery of having to either travel often long distances, or play a sudden non-conference game against a school with no name recognition.  I can't remember ever hearing a favorable comment about bracket busters from a Hawaii Rainbow Warrior fan -- even when they had the great gift of traveling to play at the MAC Center against the Golden Flashes... 

 

Akron was one of the few schools who had fairly regular TV appearances and games against teams who participated in the post-season.

 

I personally enjoyed not just our team's involvement, but the televised mid-major games across the country.  I think the only way to fashion something similar would be for the MAC to partner with another conference like the MVC or similar for a "challenge" type event.  Would ESPN or CBSCS be interested in showing that?  Maybe - maybe not...

That would be an interesting event. Have a couple conferences that would participate hold a challenge, only in February instead of the November time frame the B1G and ACC use. Then the conferences could hash out matchups to help bolster a tournament resume. With ESPN having some input naturally.

[zippy5]

At the end of the day, that pretty much is just a watered down Brackbuster even though

[Captain Kangaroo]

10 minutes ago, zippy5 said:

At the end of the day, that pretty much is just a watered down Brackbuster even though

In the end, the Bracket Buster was a watered-down Bracket Buster.

 

I think home-home games with the likes of MTSU, Oral Roberts, NDSU, Drake, Valpo...those are all possible if UA wants them, even without ESPN.

[clarkwgriswold]

My best bet is that the Zips lose to USC then face Princeton who loses to MT.  The Zips then beat Princeton and play the winner of Hawaii/Davidson which should be a winnable game for 5th place.   

[Z.I.P.]

2 hours ago, clarkwgriswold said:

My best bet is that the Zips lose to USC then face Princeton who loses to MT.  The Zips then beat Princeton and play the winner of Hawaii/Davidson which should be a winnable game for 5th place.   

SPOILER ALERT!!  SPOILER ALERT!!  Oops.  Too late, and thanks a lot.  Might as well stay home now!  

[clarkwgriswold]

1 hour ago, Z.I.P. said:

SPOILER ALERT!!  SPOILER ALERT!!  Oops.  Too late, and thanks a lot.  Might as well stay home now!  

 

Giving you a chance to get in before the line changes so you can make some cash.  Lead pipe cinch lock on my toll free line!

Edited December 19, 2017 by clarkwgriswold

[Z.I.P.]

1 hour ago, clarkwgriswold said:

 

Giving you a chance to get in before the line changes so you can make some cash.  Lead pipe cinch lock on my toll free line!

Thanks. Perfessor!  I saw President Wilson's tweet that the U is starting a new "gaming" program.  Ground floor opportunity for massive profits!

[Z.I.P.]

Team arrived safely in Honolulu.  Shame they didn't go to practice gym instead of watching football game!  ?

[Z.I.P.]

USC is playing Princeton tonight in a on-campus game of the Diamond Head Classic at USC's Galen Center.  Very inconsistent performance by the Trojans, in which they hold a 36-33 lead at the half.  I believe Akron is a better team than the Ivy Leaguers, and can pull the big surprise on this directional school on Friday afternoon in Honolulu.  Let's pull it off guys!

Edited December 20, 2017 by Z.I.P.

[Z.I.P.]

In the second half, Bill Walton is announcing the game on PAC-12 network as the school of 42 Nobel Prize winners!,  the Tigers of Princeton have come from behind to take a 55-48 lead on the Fighting Condoms of USC.

Benny Boatright and Jonah Matthews are out of action currently for USC and NOW the backup post player, Rakocevich has gone down for USC!  WOW!  We may be handed a BIG advantage for Friday's game, BUT, still have to play 100% to compete with our opponent.  Princeton has now gone up by ELEVEN at 59-48.  Is this good for Akron, or a wake-up call for USC?  We'll see!

 

Edited December 20, 2017 by Z.I.P.

[Z.I.P.]

Well, Princeton has blown the lead down the stretch, allowing USC to outscore them 10-3 in the final 2 minutes.  They're going to overtime tied at 86.  Jordan McLaughlin had followed his 19 assist performance with 24 points tonight.

[Z.I.P.]

Somehow, Princeton had enough left over to defeat the Trojans in overtime 103-93, which Bill Walton said is probably a school scoring record for a team known for 58-56 or similar results.  Tigers shot 52%, made 14 of 36 three-point attempts.  For USC, Chimezie Metu is a BEAST!  25 points and 10 rebounds tonight for the 6-11 power forward.  First round NBA selection.  

 

Hoping to attend Zips practice session in the morning...

[zippy5]

Kind of a bummer that the USC game isn't such an opportunity for a big upset anymore. On the flip side it's certainly winnable

[Z.I.P.]

After attending one team practice it's clear to me why we were able to keep at least SOME of our players from escaping to PA.  Damn!  This Groce guy is a motivational leader. 

 

Two hour full contact session at UH Gym 2 from 10:30 - 12:30, and there were a couple of elbows to the chops in the lane.  Everyone came out no worse for the ware.  Coach G is a totally positive force on his players -- the only words of criticism on the floor were from #0, who for good or bad -- and I think it's the former -- is the vocal leader of this club.  

 

I did wonder if the attitude is similar to some of us -- "We have nowhere to go but up.", but I imagine the team's expectations are higher than that, as I could sense a belief in their chemistry and confidence to compete vs a recent top 15 team on the court Friday.

 

'E' Olajakpoke was throwing down just like in game, and didn't even miss "bunnies".  Steve French be warned.  Want to hear a name to be looking out for in the future -- if not necessarily this weekend?  That guy #13, the new JC transfer can play with a smooth presence on the court, and puts up three-pointers with more confidence than, e.g., Virshon who will be good but isn't quite there after just two months.  BUT, I have to say he played tough hard-nose defense today, and that will be important vs USC's guards like McLaughlin who you HAVE to keep away from the ball.  BTW, the reason #13's not on the GoZips.com roster is because he does not have a head-shot photo yet that is required for consistency with the rest of the players.  I swear, that's what I was told was the reason!  

 

From the way Coach talked to his troops -- especially about errant passes underneath that the Trojans big man will mark "return to sender" -- it seems he expects USC to be at full strength personnel wise.

 

One more shorter no-contact session tomorrow and a walk-through in the arena at the same time on Thursday.

 

Coach Groce is attending a Coaches Against Cancer fund-raiser tonight with Hawai'i coach Aran Ganot and I guess the other tournament coaches.  An opportunity to tell the Dan Peters Story to a wider audience.  #ForPetesSake.

 

Aloha and mahalo for reading!     

[clarkwgriswold]

Thanks for the great updates Z.I.P.

 

It's 82 and sunny back here in Akron.

[LZIp]

#13 isn't Toles yet is it?

[Z.I.P.]

5 hours ago, clarkwgriswold said:

Thanks for the great updates Z.I.P.

 

It's 82 and sunny back here in Akron.

Team will be very sad to hear that!  It was 75 and rainy all day in sunny Hawai'i.  Still Middle Tennessee went to North Shore, and Zips visited USS Arizona Memorial in the afternoon.

[NWAkron]

11 hours ago, Z.I.P. said:

After attending one team practice it's clear to me why we were able to keep at least SOME of our players from escaping to PA.  Damn!  This Groce guy is a motivational leader. 

 

Two hour full contact session at UH Gym 2 from 10:30 - 12:30, and there were a couple of elbows to the chops in the lane.  Everyone came out no worse for the ware.  Coach G is a totally positive force on his players -- the only words of criticism on the floor were from #0, who for good or bad -- and I think it's the former -- is the vocal leader of this club.  

 

As witnessed im the last game, Ivey #0 certainly threw some shade at Cotton, and Cotton, the star of his high school team last year, didn't take too kindly to that.   Thank you Z.I.P. for the awesome insight.