NCAA Tournament- Game 1- UCLA

[clarkwgriswold]

That late season and tournament run may be the finest example of coaching we've seen in Akron basketball in a very long time.  I like the kids on this team but there have been much more talented UA teams that didn't accomplish half of what this team did.  It was accomplished by getting 8 players to completely buy into the system and give full effort for every second they were on the floor.  That kind of effort and attitude across the board is an exceptional accomplishment.  Those kids were also well prepared for all of their games, even on short turnarounds.  Also, the staff showed considerable patience with kids like Clarke and Wynn and that paid off in the end.  Kudos to Groce and his staff.  Enjoy those tournament bonuses guys.  They were well earned.  

Edited March 18, 2022 by clarkwgriswold

[Let'sGoZips94]

BruinGold forum had a lot of praise for Akron. I posted a summary of our program over there and it was well received. Some UCLA/P5 arrogance in other threads, but nothing but class from those I interacted with. They all noted how well coached the game was and were very impressed by our defense. We may have lost, but I think we definitely grabbed the attention of the nation. 

[AkronAlumnus]

Atleast we're not Bellarmine

[RowdyZip]

24 minutes ago, Let'sGoZips94 said:

 

He and Ali are P5 caliber. However, both were given their only shot by Akron and Groce. I see them as Groce lifers, meaning where he is, they'll be. 

I hope you're right.  But I remember being broke in college, and if someone said they could get me $100k for using my image, I would have had some strong feelings.  

 

These guys appear to be tight and hopefully forming life-long bonds.  With some added pieces, these guys have the opportunity to do something that's never been done at UA in more than 150 years.  Here's hoping next year is even more fun.

[NWAkron]

We need an epilogue thread and/or prologue for next season.

 

Is this the guy someone said was on campus?

Isaiah Cottrell

 

StatusTransferred from West Virginia

 

Year2020 (FR)

 

PositionPF

 

Height6-10

 

Weight245

 

HometownLas Vegas, NV

 

High SchoolHuntington Prep

[Let'sGoZips94]

28 minutes ago, RowdyZip said:

I hope you're right.  But I remember being broke in college, and if someone said they could get me $100k for using my image, I would have had some strong feelings.  

 

These guys appear to be tight and hopefully forming life-long bonds.  With some added pieces, these guys have the opportunity to do something that's never been done at UA in more than 150 years.  Here's hoping next year is even more fun.

 

I thought I saw Freeman in an ad online or something. Regardless, I don't think money is a motivating factor for these guys right now. As long as they continue to develop, that will come. If they transfer elsewhere, they risk not being a fit, not getting extended playing time, etc. They are showcased at Akron, especially when we win a Tourney game or more over the next couple of years. 

[Blue & Gold]

24 minutes ago, NWAkron said:

 

Is this the guy someone said was on campus?

Isaiah Cottrell

 

No, that’s not the guy I think I saw. I forget the name of the young man I think I saw, but that’s not him. Lol.

 

Huggy Bear seems to have a lot of players transferring out.

 

 

[GP1]

The words "we belong" come to mind when I think about the game last night. Never had this feeling after an NCAA Tournament game before. 

[ewbrooman1]

3 hours ago, clarkwgriswold said:

The improper screen is the least called violation in all of basketball.  I'm always calling it out from the stands at the JAR (against the opponent of course).  That's what made it so frustrating.  Sure, it was a foul but they could have called a dozen of those in the game.

 

As for Freeman, I think he's hurt by being the only big doing the dirty work down low.  Another big that could defend down deep and help on the boards would relieve him of the pressures to do it all and as a result decrease his fouls.

 

I think depth really hurt this team.  Another couple of contributors would have really helped in the long run.  It's a shame that our Ball State quitter and St. John's head case didn't work out.

 

As for Ali, we've learned that once he's made up his mind to take a shot there's no turning back.  I always told the kids I coached that the refs will not bail you out when you are out of control.  He wasn't fouled on that drive but even of he was I think the refs may well have swallowed their whistles unless it was egregious.

I think the thing that really hurt Freeman on that call was he bolted to the spot right in front of the ref. For a second I wondered what he was doing. 

[Rufus]

Long time listener, first time caller sort of thing. You can tell by the username where I'm from. I just wanted to sign up to tell you all, even though moral victories aren't what you wanted, your guys played great in Cleveland and last night. You should be proud of how well they showed out last night against UCLA. I really believe if Freeman hadn't gotten in foul trouble that was going to be a W for Akron. With all the youth on your team slated to come back, the future is really bright for Akron. Congrats on a great run from Bobcatville, can't wait for the battles next season. 

[clarkwgriswold]

1 hour ago, NWAkron said:

We need an epilogue thread and/or prologue for next season.

 

Is this the guy someone said was on campus?

Isaiah Cottrell

 

StatusTransferred from West Virginia

 

Year2020 (FR)

 

PositionPF

 

Height6-10

 

Weight245

 

HometownLas Vegas, NV

 

High SchoolHuntington Prep

 

The new thread is up.  👍

[72 Roo]

1 hour ago, Rufus said:

Long time listener, first time caller sort of thing. You can tell by the username where I'm from. I just wanted to sign up to tell you all, even though moral victories aren't what you wanted, your guys played great in Cleveland and last night. You should be proud of how well they showed out last night against UCLA. I really believe if Freeman hadn't gotten in foul trouble that was going to be a W for Akron. With all the youth on your team slated to come back, the future is really bright for Akron. Congrats on a great run from Bobcatville, can't wait for the battles next season. 

Thanks Rufus. Your comments are very classy and appreciated. There is a great rivalry with the Zips and OU. Part of it is because we know each other so well. We especially respect Boals, originating from his time at Akron. He was, and is, a total class act. The rivalry can only help both programs. We can't wait for next year. We also are coming after you with new football coach JoMo. We are done with getting our asses kicked by the rest of the MAC, except BG.

[1981 grad]

Any other Zips fans upset that we are not playing today?  The Zips have never won an NCAA tournament game and we had an 8 point lead, momentum on our side, and statistics that indicated we were going to win the game.  (personally, I hate that stat stuff but to each their own.)  We played poorly in the last 5 minutes and the refs made some questionable calls to protect UCLA by fouling out Freeman on a illegal screen and call Azziz for a block when it was clearly a charge.

 

On the last possession Groce should have got in the refs face to get a timeout and Ali should have brought the ball out when he was told by the coach to call a time out if they did not have numbers.  He then forced up a shot and game over.  The Zips lost the game in the last 5 minutes and UCLA did everything to win the game in the last 5 minutes.   I once indicated that being a Zips fan is not easy.  Thursday's game proves my point.  

[NWAkron]

5 minutes ago, 1981 grad said:

Any other Zips fans upset that we are not playing today?  The Zips have never won an NCAA tournament game and we had an 8 point lead, momentum on our side, and statistics that indicated we were going to win the game.  (personally, I hate that stat stuff but to each their own.)  We played poorly in the last 5 minutes and the refs made some questionable calls to protect UCLA by fouling out Freeman on a illegal screen and call Azziz for a block when it was clearly a charge.

 

On the last possession Groce should have got in the refs face to get a timeout and Ali should have brought the ball out when he was told by the coach to call a time out if they did not have numbers.  He then forced up a shot and game over.  The Zips lost the game in the last 5 minutes and UCLA did everything to win the game in the last 5 minutes.   I once indicated that being a Zips fan is not easy.  Thursday's game proves my point.  

disappointed but not upset.  lots of sad stories in the tournament.  The 13th seeds all had competitive games.  I measure success by winning the MAC tournament.  That's an event the Zips can WIN!  NCAA ... try and put up a good showing and hope for some luck and maybe the lower seed has an off game.  It all sucks, especially when we think of 2020.  

[LoyalZIP]

Very disappointed they're not playing today. It would have been perfect. Matched up against a more similar team skill wise, playing at 7:10 pm so fans could easily gather to watch, a shot at the sweet 16, a trip to Philly for the sweet 16, which I would imagine most Zip fans would make the trip. It would have worked out nearly perfectly.

 

With that said, while I do feel a slight pressure on the program still having not won a tournament game, we get to have the bragging rights in the league all summer, specifically over Pinky and his fans. It had been way too long since we've been to the dance, so again definitely not upset. 

 

Still got many thoughts and feelings over this last week. The one I haven't talked about the most is my underlying sadness and depression when I think about the 2020 team. The feeling of sadness I've gotten when thinking about their tournament hopes and chances is pretty much gone. While still bummed, I now know that this is an even stronger program that's capable of continuing to make history. I'm so thankful for these last few seasons, it's been special and it has been the most fun I've had being a Zips basketball fan.

[Blue & Gold]

53 minutes ago, LoyalZIP said:

it's been special and it has been the most fun I've had being a Zips basketball fan.

+1. Driving home from Cleveland I almost had to pinch myself. I couldn’t believe how good of a mood I was in!

[Let'sGoZips94]

Let's Go Gaels!

[Blue & Gold]

5 minutes ago, Let'sGoZips94 said:

Let's Go Gaels!

I’m pulling for UCLA. Makes us look better, right?

[Let'sGoZips94]

4 minutes ago, Blue & Gold said:

I’m pulling for UCLA. Makes us look better, right?

 

In a sense, but St. Mary's blowing the doors off UCLA would make me feel better knowing we had no shot at a Sweet 16 trip. 

[Blue & Gold]

21 minutes ago, Let'sGoZips94 said:

 

In a sense, but St. Mary's blowing the doors off UCLA would make me feel better knowing we had no shot at a Sweet 16 trip. 

Yeah. If UCLA handles St. Mary’s it’ll definitely lead to some painful and lingering “what-ifs.”

[Let'sGoZips94]

4 minutes ago, Blue & Gold said:

Yeah. If UCLA handles St. Mary’s it’ll definitely lead to some painful and lingering “what-ifs.”

 

So far I'm not impressed. I believe the announcers just gave a shout-out to our defense on Thursday, basically stating that our level of defense hasn't been replicated yet in this game.

 

Make 2 more shots and this is us... Damnit.

[UAZipster0305]

Lots of respect from the announcers during today's game about how well the Zips played the other night. I believe in this coach and team. We have arrived. Gone are the days of just hoping to win the MACC then getting blown out in the NCAAT.

[Blue & Gold]

Yeah. They said St. Mary’s isn’t disrupting UCLA’s passing nor keeping them from getting into the paint like we did. 😕

[Let'sGoZips94]

I think I might pass on watching the rest of this game. It's a bit of salt in the ole wound...

[Blue & Gold]

1 minute ago, UAZipster0305 said:

Lots of respect from the announcers during today's game about how well the Zips played the other night. I believe in this coach and team. We have arrived. Gone are the days of just hoping to win the MACC then getting blown out in the NCAAT.

Definitely. In prior trips to The Dance I was always just crossing my fingers that we’d look respectable. This time around we definitely looked like we belonged there. Our defense was elite - not just on the MAC level, but on a national level.