Game 24- UMASS

[clarkwgriswold]

The Zips are off until Friday when UMASS comes into the JAR for the first time.  UMASS comes in at 15-10 overall and 6-6 in the MAC.  They are coming off a 3 point loss to Coastal Carolina in the MAC/Sun Belt Challenge.  The game is at 9:00 (yawn) on CBS Sports Network

 

6'9" grad student forward Leonardo Bettiol leads UMASS in scoring and rebounding at 17.6 ppg and 7.6 rpg.   6'3" grad student guard Marcus Banks is second in scoring at 16.8 ppg.   They are 6th in standings, 6th in team offense and seventh in defense in the MAC.

[Blue & Gold]

It's Big Dog jersey retirement night.

9:oo start time kinda sucks.

[clarkwgriswold]

The bye comes at a good time.  It gives them a chance to regroup, get their feet under them and find their shots.

[NWAkron]

On 2/7/2026 at 8:18 PM, Blue & Gold said:

It's Big Dog jersey retirement night.

9:oo start time kinda sucks.

helluva lot better than 6pm or Noon on a Saturday.

[clarkwgriswold]

Today's email from the Athletic Department-

 

Zips Nation,

 

This is Head Men’s Basketball Coach John Groce, and I felt compelled to express our gratitude and share three takeaways with you today.

 

First of all, we want to THANK YOU for what you've done this season. We are extremely grateful for the attendance and the electric environment that has been created in the JAR for our home games, especially against Kent State. You were certainly a big part of the win that night. It was a sellout crowd and amazing basketball environment.

 

Secondly, we have three home games remaining, starting with UMass on Friday, Feb. 13 at 9 p.m. on national television. As I'm out in the community, I have multiple people approach me and say...

 

“Coach, as good as your program is and has been over the last 6 plus years, we need to get that place filled up more often, like we do it for the Kent State game.”

 

So, The Challenge is on!

 

That is why I was compelled to express my thoughts on the three remaining home games, starting with the UMass game on the 13th. We want to see this place PACKED. Zips Nation deserves it, our players deserve it, the city deserves it, the community deserves it and the University deserves it. We're all in this together.

 

Let's take on the challenge and Pack the JAR for the three remaining home games!

 

Lastly, at the UMass game, we are honoring one of our all-time greats in Isaiah “Big Dog” Johnson by hanging his No. 23 jersey in the rafters prior to the game. He was a former All-American, MAC Player of the Year and MAC Sixth man of the Year. He made long lasting memories for Zips Nation as a great player and a great person. We are looking forward to having Isaiah and his family back here at the JAR, and we need to give them a warm welcome and an unbelievable Akron Zips response that night with great excitement, passion, energy, and attendance.

 

Thanks Again for all that you do. This is a special place and it really is because of Zips Nation.

 

John Groce

Akron Head Men’s Basketball Coach

[Westie]

Is this the transcript from the video? 

[clarkwgriswold]

11 minutes ago, Westie said:

Is this the transcript from the video? 

Text from an email.  There may be a video but I haven't seen it.

Edited 4 hours ago by clarkwgriswold

[Illini Zip]

22 minutes ago, Westie said:

Is this the transcript from the video? 

Yes. 

[Blue & Gold]

 

[Zips1991]

I also saw they're doing $28 lower level tickets for the 28 game home winning streak. 

[Let'sGoZips94]

Speaking of tickets, does anyone need a ticket? I won't be able to make this one.