Game 1- Arkansas State: Nov 4th @ 8pm EST

[clarkwgriswold]

The season opener is now less than a month away.   The Zips will head to Jonesboro, Arkansas on November 4th to face the Arkansas State Red Wolves in the MAC/SBC Challenge.

 

The Red Wolves are led by head coach Brian Hodgson.  As @Let'sGoZips94 previously mentioned, Hodgson’s prior experience includes being an assistant for Oates at Buffalo and Alabama.  In his first year at Arkansas State, he took the Red Wolves to a fourth place finish in the Sun Belt Conference after being slotted as the ninth team in the pre-season poll. They also made it to the third round of the CBI. They have been predicted to win the conference this year by Mid Major Madness.

 

The Red Wolves return a number of major contributors from last year’s squad.  Second leading scorer, 6’4” Senior guard Taryn Todd averaged 12.8 ppg and is joined in the backcourt by the team’s fourth leading scorer 6’3” junior guard Derrian Ford who averaged 10.4 ppg.  Leading rebounder, 6’10” forward Izaiyah Nelson, who averaged 9.8 ppg and 7.6 rpg also returns. UMass transfer Dyondre Dominguez, a 6’8” forward, will be in his second year with the team and contributed 10.3 ppg and 5.8 rpg last year.

 

The Red Wolves were also successful in the portal, bringing in the Sun Belt’s leading scorer from last year, 6-6 senior forward Kobe Julien, from Louisiana where he was named to the All Sun Belt second team.  They also added Arkansas transfer Joseph Pinion, a 6’5” junior guard and Ole Miss transfer Rashaud Marshall, a 6’8” forward.

 

This is one heck of an opener for our Zips as new members settle in.   I’ll update as more preseason previews are released.

[clarkwgriswold]

The following is a link to an Arkansas State season preview.  It refers to the Zips as the Broncos.

 

https://www.sportskeeda.com/college-basketball/arkansas-state-basketball-season-preview-2024-25-biggest-games-key-players-watch

[clarkwgriswold]

Another Arkansas State preview-

 

https://www.collegenetworth.com/arkansas-state-red-wolves-mens-basketball-2024-25-season-preview/

[ZippyRulz]

First National Bank Arena. No TV or stream listed.

 

Edited October 27, 2024 by ZippyRulz

[ClevelandZip]

On 10/27/2024 at 1:46 PM, ZippyRulz said:

First National Bank Arena. No TV or stream listed.

 

Dang… that pretty much looks just like the JAR but nicer. Hope Guthrie makes the trip and gets inspired.

[Blue & Gold]

GoZips.com is now showing the game will be on ESPN+

8:00 p.m. EST

[MDZip]

36 minutes ago, ClevelandZip said:

Dang… that pretty much looks just like the JAR but nicer. Hope Guthrie makes the trip and gets inspired.

It even has the railing. 

[ZipsFan31]

My prediction: 

 

zips 77 ASU 75

 

Seth Wilson MVP with 6 made 3s

[kreed5120]

I'm not as optimistic. As I understand it ASU returns the core of their team and added a few key contributors. I'm not saying we can't win, but it will be an uphill on the road and being the first real game this core has played together.

[ClevelandZip]

My prediction: 

 

zips 102 ASU 34

 

Evan Wilson MVP with 6 made 3s

[clarkwgriswold]

On 11/1/2024 at 7:20 PM, kreed5120 said:

I'm not as optimistic. As I understand it ASU returns the core of their team and added a few key contributors. I'm not saying we can't win, but it will be an uphill on the road and being the first real game this core has played together.

 

Agreed.  The up side is that Arkansas State also has a number of new faces.

 

They also had a tough time in an exhibition against Trevecca Nazarene last week.

Edited November 2, 2024 by clarkwgriswold

[clarkwgriswold]

Zips basketball TOMORROW!

[csims0917]

Very excited!

[NWAkron]

9 hours ago, clarkwgriswold said:

Zips basketball TOMORROW!

Any hopes of an at-large bid rest on this game.  I'm concerned.

[Reslife4Life]

It’s GAMEDAY! Best 2 weeks of the Akron sports calendar are here

[clarkwgriswold]

14 hours ago, NWAkron said:

Any hopes of an at-large bid rest on this game.  I'm concerned.

 

I see it as a scrimmage/warmup to make sure we're firing on all cylinders for the Ohio Wesleyan matchup.

[akzipper]

 

[Captain Kangaroo]

Arkansas State Message Board

 

Seems like they may be missing a couple key contributors tonight?

 

They are impressed with the Zips deep pockets?

 

[AkronAlumnus]

Looking forward to seeing Okonkwo in action tonight!

[akzipper]

31 minutes ago, Captain Kangaroo said:

Arkansas State Message Board

 

Seems like they may be missing a couple key contributors tonight?

 

They are impressed with the Zips deep pockets?

 

 

Quote

clearly they have some money behind their program

 

Guess they haven't seen the arena our team plays in 😂

[Let'sGoZips94]

1 hour ago, akzipper said:

 

 

Guess they haven't seen the arena our team plays in 😂

 

Arkansas State plays in the First National Bank Arena. Since we're the official University partner of the Browns (or whatever marketing slogan they threw on that deal), can we get a cut of the Huntington naming rights, throw it on the JAR, and get the renovations going at Huntington Bank Arena?

 

In all seriousness (that was only partially serious), Arkansas State's arena looks to be very nice. 

 

Interesting to hear that the Red Wolves will be without some of their pack. Was that known information prior to the opening line of Zips +5.5? 

 

Regardless, cannot wait for tonight's game. I hope we make a statement to open the season. Go Zips!

[akzipper]

30 minutes ago, Let'sGoZips94 said:

 

Arkansas State plays in the First National Bank Arena. Since we're the official University partner of the Browns (or whatever marketing slogan they threw on that deal), can we get a cut of the Huntington naming rights, throw it on the JAR, and get the renovations going at Huntington Bank Arena?

 

In all seriousness (that was only partially serious), Arkansas State's arena looks to be very nice. 

 

Interesting to hear that the Red Wolves will be without some of their pack. Was that known information prior to the opening line of Zips +5.5? 

 

Regardless, cannot wait for tonight's game. I hope we make a statement to open the season. Go Zips!

 

As @ClevelandZip said up above, it really looks like a nicer version of the JAR. Practically the same layout with more seating behind the hoops. 

 

Between all the big companies in the Akron/NE Ohio area, someone could give us a nice chunk of change for the naming rights. 

 

[Captain Kangaroo]

10 minutes ago, akzipper said:

 

Between all the big companies in the Akron/NE Ohio area, someone could give us a nice chunk of change for the naming rights. 

 

It that was true, it would have happened by now. Instead, for 42 years, it's been the JAR.

[zippy5]

Would be nice if some of their bigger guns are out and come back and dominate the SBC, we aren't high enough profile for anyone to look back and see anything but "nice win over Ark St back in November" when seeding conversations are happening in March (hopefully)

[clarkwgriswold]

41 minutes ago, Captain Kangaroo said:

It that was true, it would have happened by now. Instead, for 42 years, it's been the JAR.

 

I can see it now, the University of Akron Captain Kangaroo Center.