Game 17- Ohio U

[Let'sGoZips94]

2 minutes ago, 1981 grad said:

I sit behind the Ohio Bench and during one of the time outs I saw Tevari had words with one of the Ohio players who I was told was Coach Boals son.   When the ref called the T, I am speculating that Tevari may had said something to him or the bench and the ref called the T.  I did not see it but after the T I saw this player then talk to the ref who called the T.  It is a lot of speculation but it would not be the first time an Akron player got called for a T for something that was said or a motion to the opposing bench.  I noticed that Tevari sat the rest of the game.  Again, just speculation.

 

"Your dad's gonna lose his job."

[clarkwgriswold]

2 minutes ago, Let'sGoZips94 said:

 

"Your dad's gonna lose his job."

"You dance like your dad." 

[Illini Zip]

12 minutes ago, clarkwgriswold said:

"You dance like your dad." 

That’s definitely technical material. 

[ZippyforPresident]

Watching the ball movement, cutting, and screening, it's clear that collectively they are really starting to get it. When an offense starts executing and moving with that sort of precision - that's when basketball really becomes such a beautiful dance. The past 3 halves of this offense almost remind me of Groce's DJ Cooper era teams at Ohio during some of those games at the Convo where they just had the Akron defense completely lost.

This was the first time I've been fortunate enough to see a game in person this season and holy moly is Sharron Young FAST! All in all, an enjoyable evening at the James A. Rhodes Health & Physical Education Building!

[GP1]

My first Zips game this season. Looks like a fun team. Keep up the good work. 

[72 Roo]

Tonight's attendance was a disgrace. This team is so entertaining. Basketball fans are missing something special. I applaud the students who did turnout. They were loud, exciting and made it fun to be there. There just were too few of them. I don't know what the issues are, but I do know this team and coach deserve better. 

[Reslife4Life]

If anyone finds any highlights post them in here! No espn+ replay

[1981 grad]

3 minutes ago, 72 Roo said:

Tonight's attendance was a disgrace. This team is so entertaining. Basketball fans are missing something special. I applaud the students who did turnout. They were loud, exciting and made it fun to be there. There just were too few of them. I don't know what the issues are, but I do know this team and coach deserve better. 

This was the best crowd of the season.  The Jar was about 70%.  I will give a shout out the students who did some cheers during the game that was something new.  I heard post game that the players gave out leaflets to students trying get them to attend.   I think this team is trending in the rights direction for attendance and trying to get butts in the seats.

[gozips19]

What a great team win! 

I know that Groce typically gets more out of his teams as the season progresses but I did not see this coming defensively.  

Very impressed with Lyles's ability to finish as a rim runner. It adds another dimension to their sets. 

I've been waiting for Nate to become the next Jimmy Conyers and we might be seeing that now. 

I've been critical of Tavari in the past so I have to give him his flowers. He's way more productive when he's looking to facilitate. Opens things up for the team and his game too. 

 

This team is fun to watch 

[Zipmeister]

Outrebounded by 7, outscored at the free throw line by 18, win by 12. Makes perfect sense.

[Illini Zip]

We did also have 7 blocks to their 4. And had double the points in the paint. Not too shabby for one of the smaller teams in D1.

[Illini Zip]

Groce mentioned that Lyles has been playing through pain from a sprained ankle. We have seen him back to 100% for about the last week and a half. 

[clarkwgriswold]

I did like how every time they made a run last night (up until the last one) that the Zips countered with a run of their own and pulled away again.  However, I did not like the last 4 or 5 minutes.  Groce made a good point about how this squad needs to learn to "step on the neck" of their opponents and not let up.

 

I think we've seen some real growth from Lyles lately.  Frankly, I never thought he'd be more than a 10 minute a game reserve and that the Zips may well lose him to the portal.  I was pleased with his physical growth when I saw him at the tip-off reception and now we're seeing the growth in his game.  His kind of development only comes through hard work.

 

Nate seems to also have turned the corner.  It looks like he's finally realized he's "the man" and now has the confidence to go get a hoop.

[clarkwgriswold]

1 hour ago, Zipmeister said:

Outrebounded by 7, outscored at the free throw line by 18, win by 12. Makes perfect sense.

In the MAC it does.

[Sergeant Zip]

10 hours ago, Reslife4Life said:

If anyone finds any highlights post them in here! No espn+ replay

 

Recap is here.  Game was on CBSSN.  https://www.cbssports.com/college-basketball/gametracker/recap/NCAAB_20250117_OHIO@AKRON/

 

Edited January 18 by Sergeant Zip

[Illini Zip]

I do expect the game at Ohio to play out differently. Tighter and more competitive. But the thing that pleasantly surprised me was how much we closed the gap on what was Ohio’s advantage heading into the season. And that being their cohesion. They are the team returning the most players and from the outside you wouldn’t have known that the Zips have added 9 new pieces to the roster. The OOC portion of the season was rough, but we are turning the corner for sure. 

[Reslife4Life]

I didn’t even notice this but Gray only had 2 points against Toledo, then 22 last night. I love the balanced scoring attack from this team 

[Let'sGoZips94]

 

 

[clarkwgriswold]

In the last two games, both convincing wins, the opponents have taken 64 foul shots.  The Zips have taken 24.  I'm generally not one to gripe about the refs and realize some disparity can come from having a more aggressive defense, but that is ridiculous.

[1981 grad]

1 minute ago, clarkwgriswold said:

In the last two games, both convincing wins, the opponents have taken 64 foul shots.  The Zips have taken 24.  I'm generally not one to gripe about the refs and realize some disparity can come from having a more aggressive defense, but that is ridiculous.

And the 3 techs that all have us scratching our heads!!!

[zippy5]

13 minutes ago, clarkwgriswold said:

In the last two games, both convincing wins, the opponents have taken 64 foul shots.  The Zips have taken 24.  I'm generally not one to gripe about the refs and realize some disparity can come from having a more aggressive defense, but that is ridiculous.

The OU game was bizarre especially because we dominated in the paint (and everywhere else). Usually doesn't unfold that way at the line in games like that. Refs might be friends with some EMU fans

[Illini Zip]

Groce is right to have his team focus on themselves and not buy into the Akron fan’s protests. From getting caught reaching in, being out of position to moving screens, we have plenty to clean up. That said, 2 things can be true at the same time. And the MAC does not like blow outs. Especially on national TV. Without some timely calls and no-calls this was a 30 point rout.

[ZipCat]

12 hours ago, 72 Roo said:

Tonight's attendance was a disgrace. This team is so entertaining. Basketball fans are missing something special. I applaud the students who did turnout. They were loud, exciting and made it fun to be there. There just were too few of them. I don't know what the issues are, but I do know this team and coach deserve better. 

 

How many times are we going to have this conversation?

 

-JAR Sucks.
-The OU/Akron rivalry isn't what it was 12 years ago.
-UA Student body has literally more than halved over the past decade.

 

Why would we expect more?

[GP1]

3 hours ago, clarkwgriswold said:

I did like how every time they made a run last night (up until the last one) that the Zips countered with a run of their own and pulled away again.  However, I did not like the last 4 or 5 minutes.  Groce made a good point about how this squad needs to learn to "step on the neck" of their opponents and not let up.

I noticed this also but had to remind myself that OU is a good program. Good programs lose now and then, but rarely allow their necks to be stepped on. The take away for me is Akron soundly beat one of the best teams in the conference and should be able to make some hay with the confidence and momentum from the win. 

[WeRise225]

1 hour ago, ZipCat said:

 

How many times are we going to have this conversation?

 

-JAR Sucks.
-The OU/Akron rivalry isn't what it was 12 years ago.
-UA Student body has literally more than halved over the past decade.

 

Why would we expect more?

 

I think the team needs more community support; there's no excuse for the attendance to be as low as it is when Akron has been good for a long time. Seems like they are actually making an effort to market the team now and attract students.

 

The JAR though I will say is pretty crap. I never noticed till I stopped sitting in the student section after graduation but the sightlines in the upper section, especially the baseline sides, are dreadful. The track and wood benches needs removed.