blueandgold Posted March 9, 2018 Report Share Posted March 9, 2018 I expected an up and down season this year and that is what we saw. We hired a new coach, had a depleted roster coming into the season and had to rely on Freshman way more than any team would like to. That being said, I think the future is bright. Lot's of experience for the young players and a year of learning the system for all the transfers that came in. Looking forward to the next few seasons for sure! 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joe Akron Posted March 9, 2018 Report Share Posted March 9, 2018 There's an emptiness inside, but it's tempered by the anticipation of what lies ahead. Must be like Barbra Streisand feels after one of her dogs died, but before the new cloned one has arrived. 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tboned Posted March 9, 2018 Report Share Posted March 9, 2018 I feel good about the Team, and the program. I have zero expertise. I am just an Alum and a fan. I yearn for the day we can win an NCAA tournament game! And be in the Saturday night game at the Q consistently. Thanks Guys! Looking forward to next Season!!! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UAZip0510 Posted March 9, 2018 Report Share Posted March 9, 2018 (edited) This season wasn't great. We haven't experienced Akron basketball not being a MAC Title contender for a long time. I still expected us to be middle of the pack, but the injuries to Olojakpoke and Sayles made that a tough ask. Couple that with a new coaching staff, 5 players exiting via transfer, and the crazy amount of youth we had, and it was a perfect, awful storm. I think Groce did well given all of this, despite the record and finish. Next year, though, I expect to be a MAC contender again. Anything less is not acceptable or excusable. And I think we will be, which is exciting. Edited March 9, 2018 by UAZip0510 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clarkwgriswold Posted March 9, 2018 Report Share Posted March 9, 2018 Some random thoughts: By and large, I was pleased with the coaching staff. I was concerned and mid-season that the staff may be losing the team, but they rallied and the kids bought in and played harder and harder through the last month of the season. I was also impressed by Dustin Ford's interaction with the team. I think we were all lured into a false sense of the team based upon their early success against the out of conference schedule. In other seasons, some of the kids we saw on the floor this year would have been redshirted or otherwise not seen significant time. Kostelac may have benefited from a redshirt season, settling into the game and refining his skills before being thrust on to the court. We have to hope that the actual on-court experience will help him long-term. Malcolm often seemed to be playing out of position. He looks like a linebacker and plays like a shooting guard which would appear to be his more natural position. He did fine, but I would have preferred to see him at shooting guard and running off of picks, but the roster didn't allow that. Virshon was very much a pleasant surprise. He certainly has the potential to be one of the better players in the MAC. I hope that he matures with age and is a 4 year Zip. Lucas Smith was the unsung hero of the season. While certainly not a star in any regard, I can't imagine where the team would have been without him after the losses of E-man and Sayles. Parrish drove me to distraction the first half of the season with his regular lapses. As the season wore down however, he really seemed to come into his own and show glimpses of the player he can become. Early on, I thought this was a .500 team. With the losses of the two big men I can't be disappointed with coming up just a little short of that. I look forward to what next season holds. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1981 grad Posted March 9, 2018 Report Share Posted March 9, 2018 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clarkwgriswold Posted March 9, 2018 Report Share Posted March 9, 2018 I missed Groce's post-game comments. It was past my old lady bedtime and I just wanted to shut that awful game off at the end. What exactly did Groce say about the players/character issues? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skip-zip Posted March 9, 2018 Report Share Posted March 9, 2018 5 minutes ago, 1981 grad said: 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'm not. 37 minutes ago, UAZip0510 said: I think Groce did well given all of this, despite the record and finish. I think around the 2nd week of February, this season was headed for complete disaster after that string of blowout losses. He deserves credit for getting them to play the rest of the way. We even got a couple of wins here at the end to give everyone something to get excited about before it was over. I was just hoping that this season didn't leave us with the task of fighting our way up from last place going into 2018-2019. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1981 grad Posted March 9, 2018 Report Share Posted March 9, 2018 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skip-zip Posted March 9, 2018 Report Share Posted March 9, 2018 1 hour ago, 1981 grad said: 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. I think most of this has been addressed already, and most of it very recently in other threads. But even if it may not be visible to you, I think you can get some idea by looking at the game thread, and this one. Things such people questioning why a certain player didn't play more last night, especially down the stretch. And how someone likely turned the game because of a lack-of-emotional-control technical foul. 1 hour ago, 1981 grad said: 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. I probably should have commented on this earlier. I think your suggested approach to this situation is exactly what needs to happen. I said almost these exact words about a week ago. Decisions need to be made now, rather than later. However, we might not agree on how easily these these types of things are even "fixable". I think too often it can only be fixed via the exit door. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NWAkron Posted March 9, 2018 Report Share Posted March 9, 2018 1 hour ago, 1981 grad said: 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. This thread has some really good commentary. What 1981 says above is exactly what caused the problems last night. However, I think next year with a full roster the Zips wont need to run out the clock in order to win. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1981 grad Posted March 9, 2018 Report Share Posted March 9, 2018 14 minutes ago, skip-zip said: I think most of this has been addressed already, and most of it very recently in other threads. But even if it may not be visible to you, I think you can get some idea by looking at the game thread, and this one. Things such people questioning why a certain player didn't play more last night, especially down the stretch. And how someone likely turned the game because of a lack-of-emotional-control technical foul. I probably should have commented on this earlier. I think your suggested approach to this situation is exactly what needs to happen. I said almost these exact words about a week ago. Decisions need to be made now, rather than later. However, we might not agree on how easily these these types of things are even "fixable". I think too often it can only be fixed via the exit door. 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. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NWAkron Posted March 9, 2018 Report Share Posted March 9, 2018 Best news going into next year: THE ZIPS ARE KEEPING THEIR BIGGEST BASKETBALL FAN PRESIDENT WILSON!!!! His family was in the front row last night cheering really hard for the team. Phew! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ZippyRulz Posted March 9, 2018 Report Share Posted March 9, 2018 Best wishes to Malcolm and thanks for being a Zip! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skip-zip Posted March 9, 2018 Report Share Posted March 9, 2018 1 hour ago, 1981 grad said: I trust Groce will get this under control since he will have the players he wants. Yes, I hope that's exactly what he does. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zippy5 Posted March 10, 2018 Report Share Posted March 10, 2018 What? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NWAkron Posted March 10, 2018 Report Share Posted March 10, 2018 Tying up loose ends: President Wilson: IN Portage County Community College (Ravenna Branch): OUT Nice way to begin the off season! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GoZips88 Posted March 10, 2018 Report Share Posted March 10, 2018 Figured this 'End of season ...' thread might be a good place to post this ... PCCC's De La Rosa leaves semi-final game against Buffalo in garbage time (1:50-something to go) with possible knee injury. Just sat for quite a while under the basket not wanting to get up. Walked off under own power but was in noticeable pain and appeared to be very worried about just how serious the injury might be. Stay tuned on that one as it may impact PCCC heading into next season. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skip-zip Posted March 10, 2018 Report Share Posted March 10, 2018 I'm laughing when I say this, but Kent was a real disappointment this year. They should have contended, and they didn't. Yes, I realize that Hall was a big part of their recent success, but they still laid a major egg by only going 9-9 in conference play. Pinky should be on the chopping block. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clarkwgriswold Posted March 10, 2018 Report Share Posted March 10, 2018 Kent doesn't have the money to banish Mr. Pinky so he's there until the end of his contract. They certainly had talent better than 9-9 in the MAC. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Let'sGoZips94 Posted March 10, 2018 Report Share Posted March 10, 2018 Speaking of coach's contracts, sounds like Nate Oats got a 5 year extension. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NWAkron Posted March 10, 2018 Report Share Posted March 10, 2018 23 minutes ago, Let'sGoZips94 said: Speaking of coach's contracts, sounds like Nate Oats got a 5 year extension. They cut 6 sports programs at Buffalo. I guess they are doubling down on men's basketball. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skip-zip Posted March 10, 2018 Report Share Posted March 10, 2018 Well, just when we think that unexpected things happen in the MAC.... The Final opponents tomorrow night are going to be just who everyone expected. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jhl385 Posted March 10, 2018 Report Share Posted March 10, 2018 15 hours ago, ZippyRulz said: Best wishes to Malcolm and thanks for being a Zip! I'm right with ya on this. I'd like to thank Malcolm personally for (whatever reason - how DID Groce get him to come here???) his massive contribution to this years team. His calmness during games helped this young team tremendously. I'd hate to think of this years team playing a couple more frosh in place of Malcolm. I hope his decision to play for the Zips is compensated by allowing him to get his Masters from Akron. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jhl385 Posted March 10, 2018 Report Share Posted March 10, 2018 12 hours ago, GoZips88 said: Figured this 'End of season ...' thread might be a good place to post this ... PCCC's De La Rosa leaves semi-final game against Buffalo in garbage time (1:50-something to go) with possible knee injury. Just sat for quite a while under the basket not wanting to get up. Walked off under own power but was in noticeable pain and appeared to be very worried about just how serious the injury might be. Stay tuned on that one as it may impact PCCC heading into next season. I think De La Rosa is a punk. What happened at the end of the half at Kent and after the Zips beat them at the JAR proves it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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