Game 22- PCCC

[clarkwgriswold]

PCCC comes to the JAR Friday night at 6:00 to renew the rivalry.  The Flushes are 16-5 coming off a home win against OU.

6’8” senior forward Delrecco Gillespie leads PCCC in scoring and rebounding at 19.4 ppg and 12.3 rpg.  He’s 3rd in the MAC in scoring and first in rebounding.   Morgan Safford, a 6’4” grad student  scores 13.7 ppg along with  6 rpg.  Gillespie’s cousin,  6’7” 290 pound Nevada transfer grad student Rob Whaley contributes 12.3 ppg and 4.1 rpg and seems to be taking on a larger role as the season has progressed.

Gillespie has made a huge improvement this year after averaging 8.1 ppg and  8.1 rpg last season.
 

[Reslife4Life]

Important to point out the 6pm start time

[roopride]

I. Thought 9:00 PM start

[MDZip]

15 minutes ago, clarkwgriswold said:

Gillespie’s cousin,  6’7” 290 pound Nevada transfer grad student Rob Whaley contributes 12.3 ppg and 4.1 rpg and seems to be taking on a larger role as the season has progressed.

Larger role indeed, apparently the emphasis is on the first syllable. 

[UAZippers]

This game is going to fall squarely on Lyle's shoulders. He is going to have to have a monster of a game on the defensive end. I think Marvin and Evan are going to struggle guarding Gillespie/Whaley, they just don't have the size to keep up, and I am assuming that even if Chabi plays, it will be very limited minutes after so much time off. It is totally possible that we struggle to rebound and give up tons of easy points, but I also think it is going to be hard for Kent to stop our offense as well.

[csims0917]

Gillespie has been doing his best Enrique Freeman impression (Cheap copy). The big battle will be the bigs. If we can get the second chances and win in physicality we should be fine. I’ve been nervous for the Lyles vs Gilliespie. He needs a huge game. 

[Let'sGoZips94]

Bringing my daughters down for their first Kent game (my son is still a little too young, although there's a decent chance his first words will be "Kent sucks"). 

 

A lot of focus will be on the post matchups - which is somewhat valid - but much like most Akron games, it's going to come down to our shot-making ability. Make our shots and we will win going away. Struggle to make our shots, and this will be a typical Akron/Kent brutal fight. Kent's post play doesn't scare me whatsoever. I know I and others have joked about Whaley's weight, but it's a legitimate point of emphasis when facing a team like Akron. Our athleticism and pace should really take him out of the game. Our trap-style defense will give Gillespie fits as well. When watching Kent, they're not fast or quick; they're physical and rely on the downfall of their opponent more than their own ability to win games (Kent is the 5th luckiest team in the country according to KenPom). That won't play well against an Akron team that is quicker, faster, more athletic, and far superior offensively. If they choose to play an inside game, they'll be playing a lot of catchup vs our 3P shooting (assuming it's not horrendous). If they choose to try to keep up from beyond the arc, they'll be going away from their strength (interior play). Kent does NOT have a rebounding advantage on paper and with how we've been playing, that should carry over to the court. Kent is averaging 40 RPG vs. Akron's 38.3 RPG. In the Toledo game, Akron outrebounded Toledo 37-25 despite on-paper mismatches in the post. Kent is also quite undisciplined which hopefully Akron can exploit. Stay level headed, play smart, take care of the ball, make our shots, and we win this by 10+. Fully expecting a double digit win.

 

Don't forget your nose plugs to help with the stench that will be in the pee-yellow areas of the JAR. Go Zips. 

Edited 19 hours ago by Let'sGoZips94

[csims0917]

Kent gives up a ton of turnovers. (About 14 a game) Need to take advantage of all of them

[1981 grad]

16 hours ago, Let'sGoZips94 said:

That won't play well against an Akron team that is quicker, faster, more athletic, and far superior offensively. If they choose to play an inside game, they'll be playing a lot of catchup vs our 3P shooting (assuming it's not horrendous).

I have been reading and posting on this board for more than a decade and this is the first time I can remember somebody posting that an Akron team is "more athletic" than Kent.  On an unrelated note, I hope that they will bring back the cartoon where Zippy destroys all of the mascots for this game.

[ewbrooman1]

Whaley is hurt and did not play last night against OU. Questionable for Friday according to Coach Pinky. 

[Zips1991]

56 minutes ago, ewbrooman1 said:

Whaley is hurt and did not play last night against OU. Questionable for Friday according to Coach Pinky. 

If he were to miss the game on Friday, it would be a real shame and also you would love to see it.

[NWAkron]

54 minutes ago, Zips1991 said:

If he were to miss the game on Friday, it would be a real shame and also you would love to see it.

boals also said Simmons was questionable.  dont trust any of them