Game 21- Toledo

[clarkwgriswold]

Groce was interesting in the post-game.  Said Toledo was more physical and played with more urgency in the first half while the Zips didn't impose their will and played poorly on defense but were fortunate to shoot well enough to stay in the game.

 

Eric has the best hops for the Zips since Tribble.  I've been waiting for his breakout game and I hope this was a sign of things to come.

[NWAkron]

always tough to play Toledo.  Brydens mom was at game.  they wont be at Toledo next year.

[Reslife4Life]

2 minutes ago, clarkwgriswold said:

Groce was interesting in the post-game.  Said Toledo was more physical and played with more urgency in the first half while the Zips didn't impose their will and played poorly on defense but were fortunate to shoot well enough to stay in the game.

 

Eric has the best hops for the Zips since Tribble.  I've been waiting for his breakout game and I hope this was a sign of things to come.

I didn’t catch the start of the post game and I turned it on and groce was talking about a bunch of people that passed away recently. Anyone have the context of that?

[Illini Zip]

2 minutes ago, NWAkron said:

always tough to play Toledo.  Brydens mom was at game.  they wont be at Toledo next year.

 

That’s an interesting tidbit. 

[Illini Zip]

That dunk by Eric had to juice our entire team. 

[MDZip]

6 minutes ago, clarkwgriswold said:

Eric has the best hops for the Zips since Tribble.  I've been waiting for his breakout game and I hope this was a sign of things to come.

I don't know, we had a guy named Freeman in that time frame that could also leap pretty good. 😊

[clarkwgriswold]

24 minutes ago, Reslife4Life said:

I didn’t catch the start of the post game and I turned it on and groce was talking about a bunch of people that passed away recently. Anyone have the context of that?

He spoke a bit about Mrs. Acus, wife of Dr. Acus.  Her calling hours are this week but Doc was at the game tonight.  An official he was also close to was discussed along with Larry Williams.

Edited 4 hours ago by clarkwgriswold

[NWAkron]

3 minutes ago, Reslife4Life said:

I didn’t catch the start of the post game and I turned it on and groce was talking about a bunch of people that passed away recently. Anyone have the context of that?

most recent was Julie Acus, former dietician for Zips athletes.  her husband was the orthopedic doctor for akron basketball and football.

[Let'sGoZips94]

1 minute ago, clarkwgriswold said:

He spoke a bit about Lisa Acus, wife of Dr. Acus.  Her calling hours are this week but Doc was at the game tonight.  An official he was also close to was discussed along with Larry Williams.

 

I did Akron Basketball Camp with their son Chris. Great guy. Sorry for their loss. Zips Nation lost a good one. 

[kreed5120]

16 minutes ago, Reslife4Life said:

I didn’t catch the start of the post game and I turned it on and groce was talking about a bunch of people that passed away recently. Anyone have the context of that?

One was a former player from many decades ago who stayed involved over the years. The other was a woman who I think was married to a former alumni who is also very involved in the program. I don't remember the names. There was a moment of silence for them before the game.

 

Edit: Correction, it was 1 former players and then as others mentioned the wife of one of the team doctors

Edited 4 hours ago by kreed5120

[clarkwgriswold]

Obit for Julie Acus-

 

Julie Acus Obituary January 20, 2026 - Hummel Funeral Homes https://share.google/IfZsKiClnbQAf8oGi

[Captain Kangaroo]

9 hours ago, UAZipster0305 said:

As others have said, this is a trap game against an opponent we do not usually fare well against. Still, we are at home against a MAC opponent with inferior talent into the mature part of our schedule.

 

Zips win, 90-80, pulling away at the end.

Good call.

[1981 grad]

Toledo came out hot shooting the ball well and shot 73% from three.  I have seen teams come into the Jar and have a hot first half where everything goes in and then struggle in the 2nd half.  That is exactly what happened tonight and they shot 25% in the second half.  I watched Halligan play really good defense on their quick guard.  He really works hard on defense.  Glad to see him on the post game show.  I saw that he wanted to come out.  He has a broken nose and it got bumped in the game and he was in a lot of pain.  I thought Toledo played really good defense at the end of the first half and I was worried that would continue in the 2nd half but we came out on an 8-0 run.  

 

I thought we did a great job running down long offensive rebounds.  I would like to see that in future games.  Young and Hardman went for a combined 0 for 7 from the 3 line.  I thought Hardman rushed his two three point attempts.  Young's were open threes but just could not hit.  I checked the stats and Young and Hardman are our worst three point shooters with Young shooting 29.5% and Hardman at 35.5%.  I think Hardman is often a liability on defense although he tries hard he is just not very quick or physical.  He only saw 15 minutes tonight.  Tavari is so important to our offense that he played 37 minutes.  He made so many difficult shots in the lane.  I love the way he can penetrate through a defense.  He is playing as well as any Akron guard I can remember in getting and finishing at the hoop.