Illini Zip Posted January 15 Report Share Posted January 15 1 minute ago, Let'sGoZips94 said: Toledo is more speculative for the AAC. From my understanding, they told the MW no because their basketball would lose its home. They are AAC or bust for conference movement it seems. 💯 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1981 grad Posted January 15 Report Share Posted January 15 (edited) I was curious about the ref that called a quick t on Scott and then on Groce. Groce commented post game he did not believe Scott deserved the T and did not think he should have gotten one for his comment. I never saw the ref before so I was curious and looked him up, Kevin Brill, and he usually works PAC 10 games and did the NCAA tourney games last year so not a novice ref. However, he has made enemies in the PAC 10, especially from Utah State fans https://www.usufans.com/Forums/viewtopic.php?t=65945 I think Toledo had 20 more foul shots then we did. Not the best job by the refs tonight but we won so hopefully the whistles will go our way on Friday. Edited January 15 by 1981 grad 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Let'sGoZips94 Posted January 15 Report Share Posted January 15 22 minutes ago, 1981 grad said: I was curious about the ref that called a quick t on Scott and then on Groce. Groce commented post game he did not believe Scott deserved the T and did not think he should have gotten one for his comment. I never saw the ref before so I was curious and looked him up, Kevin Brill, and he usually works PAC 10 games and did the NCAA tourney games last year so not a novice ref. However, he has made enemies in the PAC 10, especially from Utah State fans https://www.usufans.com/Forums/viewtopic.php?t=65945 I think Toledo had 20 more foul shots then we did. Not the best job by the refs tonight but we won so hopefully the whistles will go our way on Friday. I believe we were 3-16 from 3 in the first half (ended 9-29, so 6-13 in the second half). Toledo had 31 FT attempts and made 25. We had 9 FT attempts and made 6. This is a double digit win if the FT discrepancy isn't so lopsided, and that's with our pathetic first half shooting performance. Quite the win. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NWAkron Posted January 15 Report Share Posted January 15 (edited) The ABJ has stepped up it's coverage...big time. Now if we can attempt to stay a bit more positive on ZN. https://www.beaconjournal.com/story/sports/college/zips/2025/01/15/akron-zips-mens-basketball-defeats-toledo-rockets-mac-coach-john-groce-enrique-freeman/77678028007/ Clark quoted in ABJ article: "Roughly midway through the University of Akron men's basketball season, Zips fans should be looking at each other and saying, “In John Groce we trust.” Edited January 15 by NWAkron 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Captain Kangaroo Posted January 15 Report Share Posted January 15 He lost me when he says “…the Zips are shooting 11.3 3’s per game, up from 8 3’s per game last season.” Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1981 grad Posted January 15 Report Share Posted January 15 (edited) This is the first game I felt like walking out of the building we won the "physicality" part of the game. We outrebounded Toledo and seemed to have more blocks and hustle plays and hustle rebounds. Tevari only scored 3 points but had 9 assists. He is clearly the best passer on the team and is clearly developing a chemistry with our centers on the pick and roll. Speaking of which, this is the first game I can remember where we scored multiple baskets on the pick and roll. It got so bad the Toledo players were arguing among themselves about who was supposed to cover the center rolling to the basket while their coach just stood there watching the argument. Toledo started out hot and we were cold from the 3 line shooting around 20%. With the help of the refs, Toledo had a 12 point lead at half. Really impressed how we came back the 2nd half. It seemed like we wore down Toledo with our deep bench and fast play. Finally, as people on this board have noticed. Scott has really elevated his game with several nice finishes at the basket. The players from last year, Lyles, Scott, Tevari and Johnson really showed how they have elevated their games from last year. I am hoping that is a trend that continues the rest of the year. Edited January 15 by 1981 grad 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clarkwgriswold Posted January 15 Author Report Share Posted January 15 1 hour ago, NWAkron said: The ABJ has stepped up it's coverage...big time. Now if we can attempt to stay a bit more positive on ZN. https://www.beaconjournal.com/story/sports/college/zips/2025/01/15/akron-zips-mens-basketball-defeats-toledo-rockets-mac-coach-john-groce-enrique-freeman/77678028007/ Clark quoted in ABJ article: "Roughly midway through the University of Akron men's basketball season, Zips fans should be looking at each other and saying, “In John Groce we trust.” The same Beacon referenced that the Zips three point attempts are up from 8 to 11 per game from last year. LOL. What a fun game. I am really liking the pair of Sharron and Shammah when they come in together. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hilltopper Posted January 15 Report Share Posted January 15 19 hours ago, NWAkron said: Overwhelmed by dread. Feels like a Friday night "Teamism" wins again. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zippy87 Posted January 15 Report Share Posted January 15 One thing that stuck out to me was Sharron Young's energy on defense. He was a nuisance to Toledo's guards and did an excellent job of disrupting their flow. After one of his many hustle plays, he was checking out of the game and Groce actually motioned for the crowd to give him a bigger ovation. You could tell he loved it. Young was also subbing in defense for offense for Tavari toward the end of the game, which is a big indication of Groce's growing trust in the freshman. I'm really excited to watch him continue to develop. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Illini Zip Posted January 15 Report Share Posted January 15 1 hour ago, Zippy87 said: One thing that stuck out to me was Sharron Young's energy on defense. He was a nuisance to Toledo's guards and did an excellent job of disrupting their flow. After one of his many hustle plays, he was checking out of the game and Groce actually motioned for the crowd to give him a bigger ovation. You could tell he loved it. Young was also subbing in defense for offense for Tavari toward the end of the game, which is a big indication of Groce's growing trust in the freshman. I'm really excited to watch him continue to develop. We have had some very good defenders at the guard position. Banks, Maishe Daily, Tribble and now Scott have been quite effective taking on the opponents best offensive threat. But when your point guard goes out and meets theirs at half-court your defense has it’s front porch. And it keeps them from going north to south as quickly. Watch his ability to jump the route of the opposing point guard before he can get going without fouling. I had seen Groce use the technique at Illinois, but it’s special. Not everyone can pull that off. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clarkwgriswold Posted January 15 Author Report Share Posted January 15 6 hours ago, Zippy87 said: One thing that stuck out to me was Sharron Young's energy on defense. He was a nuisance to Toledo's guards and did an excellent job of disrupting their flow. After one of his many hustle plays, he was checking out of the game and Groce actually motioned for the crowd to give him a bigger ovation. You could tell he loved it. Young was also subbing in defense for offense for Tavari toward the end of the game, which is a big indication of Groce's growing trust in the freshman. I'm really excited to watch him continue to develop. He had a rough night offensively so it was nice to see him contribute in other ways. A less mature freshman would not have looked for other ways to chip in. I said it before, but I really like him and Shammah in the game together. They really play off of each other well. Both can handle the ball and run the point and really play hard on defense. It's like having a second set of starting guards some nights. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Captain Kangaroo Posted January 15 Report Share Posted January 15 Lyles exhibited the most amazing growth I've ever seen in a single game. He went from being Ben Simmons Jr. in the first half...afraid to shoot anywhere within 2 feet of the hoop...even when completely unguarded...to slicing to the rim and deftly spinning in lay up after lay up off the glass in the 2nd half. 😀 Groce's decision to sit Okonkwo in the 2nd half and run with Lyles and Marvin was a gamechanger. 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Let'sGoZips94 Posted January 15 Report Share Posted January 15 37 minutes ago, Captain Kangaroo said: Lyles exhibited the most amazing growth I've ever seen in a single game. He went from being Ben Simmons Jr. in the first half...afraid to shoot anywhere within 2 feet of the hoop...even when completely unguarded...to slicing to the rim and deftly spinning in lay up after lay up off the glass in the 2nd half. 😀 Groce's decision to sit Okonkwo in the 2nd half and run with Lyles and Marvin was a gamechanger. Okonkwo doesn't have the post moves/fluidity on offense to deal with physical "bigs". When he wasn't getting the calls, you could tell it was getting to him mentally and he started forcing everything. Props to MMK and Lyles for grabbing the bull by the horns and making the absolute most out of their 2nd half PT. Both were way too fluid/quick/versatile for Toledo's "bigs". Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clarkwgriswold Posted January 15 Author Report Share Posted January 15 1 hour ago, Captain Kangaroo said: Lyles exhibited the most amazing growth I've ever seen in a single game. He went from being Ben Simmons Jr. in the first half...afraid to shoot anywhere within 2 feet of the hoop...even when completely unguarded...to slicing to the rim and deftly spinning in lay up after lay up off the glass in the 2nd half. 😀 Groce's decision to sit Okonkwo in the 2nd half and run with Lyles and Marvin was a gamechanger. Gross said in the post game it was nothing bad that Okonkwo had done but that Amani was just playing so well that he didn't want to take him out. Amani broke out right after I complained about him. I have to do that more often. I'm apparently some kind of motivator. LOL. Ummm, Ted, the big man is going to roll to the hole. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blue & Gold Posted January 16 Report Share Posted January 16 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Z.I.P. Posted January 16 Report Share Posted January 16 2 hours ago, Blue & Gold said: Lovely product placement! How much is JG's NIL contract with Dr. Pepper? 🤔 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Illini Zip Posted January 16 Report Share Posted January 16 6 hours ago, Blue & Gold said: I just want to say that I used the wash-machine analogy first. Or did I? I have been following this guy for so long I don’t know anymore. I am so filled with Grocisms I might not have an original thought of my own left. Ha!! 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1981 grad Posted January 16 Report Share Posted January 16 5 hours ago, Z.I.P. said: Lovely product placement! How much is JG's NIL contract with Dr. Pepper? 🤔 Maybe it should be a Bud Light to promote our $2 beer promotion. (LOL) I know this promotion is something, but I just find that discounted alcohol at a college game to be a lazy way to promote a product. The other promotion I remember was a bourbon or some other tasting behind the basket. We should be able to do better. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Captain Kangaroo Posted January 16 Report Share Posted January 16 42 minutes ago, 1981 grad said: I know this promotion is something, but I just find that discounted alcohol at a college game to be a lazy way to promote a product. The other promotion I remember was a bourbon or some other tasting behind the basket. We should be able to do better. I don't know that there's a "lazy way" to promote Zips Athletics? "Lazy" is what we typically see...which is nothing. Could they do more? Sure...promote it as Zippy's Hoppy Hour™. Add $2 pretzels or hot dogs to the fare. $2 off the Hoppin' Frog beers. Lather, rinse and repeat it for every 6 pm post-work game and it will become "a thing" if it's run right*. The Bourbon Tasting was a completely different animal. It was something like $80 for four, 1 oz pours. Joe Akron doesn't show up for $20 shots of bourbon...Joe and Flo run with the $2 Bud Light crowd. * It will not become "a thing" if - the beer is warm the beer runs out by 5:20 pm the beer lines are 40 people deep and customers wait 30 minutes in line for a crappy Bud Light I'll probably knock off work and hour early and go to The Score (is that place any better this year?) or Europe Gyro. I don't think I'll get to the JAR in time for any cheap beer. But Joe and Flo will...and if UA runs the event right, they might bring a couple friends to the next game. 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reslife4Life Posted January 16 Report Share Posted January 16 38 minutes ago, Captain Kangaroo said: I'll probably knock off work and hour early and go to The Score (is that place any better this year?) or Europe Gyro. I don't think I'll get to the JAR in time for any cheap beer. But Joe and Flo will...and if UA runs the event right, they might bring a couple friends to the next game. I will always be a supported of Score until I die. Most of my friends don't agree with me, but I say it is the best college bar out of UA, Kent, and maybe OSU, and the food is sneaky good Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zippy87 Posted January 16 Report Share Posted January 16 (edited) 1 hour ago, 1981 grad said: Maybe it should be a Bud Light to promote our $2 beer promotion. (LOL) I know this promotion is something, but I just find that discounted alcohol at a college game to be a lazy way to promote a product. The other promotion I remember was a bourbon or some other tasting behind the basket. We should be able to do better. For the first time in years, they seem to be trying. I am going to support that and hope they keep doing more. Edited January 16 by Zippy87 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kreed5120 Posted January 16 Report Share Posted January 16 I see nothing wrong with the promotion. No matter what promotion they run someone will find a reason to complain. If they want to have other nights where they mix in $2 hot dogs or what not, that would be fine as well. What's important is getting students to the game. They might initially come for the $2 beers, but have a great time and decide to return for future games. These will be the next generation of Zips season ticket holders. I had a friend take me to a Columbus Crew game a few years back and I went because of a free ticket plus $1 beer & brats. I didn't really care much for soccer outside of the World Cup. A new fan was made that day. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LZIp Posted January 16 Report Share Posted January 16 42 minutes ago, Reslife4Life said: I will always be a supported of Score until I die. Most of my friends don't agree with me, but I say it is the best college bar out of UA, Kent, and maybe OSU, and the food is sneaky good Pints was always my go to (what it was before Score). Probably before you’re time. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zippy5 Posted January 16 Report Share Posted January 16 RIP Pat's Pub 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blueandgold Posted January 16 Report Share Posted January 16 I used to go to Bizarre's year's ago. Anyone remember that place? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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