Akron Vs. Buffalo....Senior night

[The Hip Zip]

OK, I admit it right up front that I get emotional on senior night and I have not missed one in many,many years. This one is probably going to even more so for me as I have got used to seeing and chatting with Bill and Kathy McNees and Phil & Mrs McKnight over the years. We have followed the Zips all over the MAC and I don't think that I have ever been to a game here or on the road when I didn't see Bill there. I have not met D Robs parents or Mr. Bardo but I know that Mr. Bardo should be mentionred as well as he seems to be a fixture at all the home games. All of them have all sacrificed greatly to support their boys and the Zips. I know that it will be quite strange to not see them at the JAR next year. Tomorrow I'll be raising my glass to these great parents. Their children have represented the university with honor and I'll surely miss them all. I just hope that we are not saying goodbye to Nik as well but I understand his situation. God bless him.

To me, the fun of being an Akron basketball fan is having a coach that stresses bringing in really good kids from really good families. I really appreciate these kids, not only as great players, but as great young men as well. I can live with not winning the MAC every season or having an occasional off year. I can't live supporting a program full of thugs and cheats. We do things the right way around here and that means the world to me.

It's been quite a pleasure seniors. Go out in style, Crush the Bulls !!!

[johnnyzip84]

OK, I admit it right up front that I get emotional on senior night and I have not missed one in many,many years. This one is probably going to even more so for me as I have got used to seeing and chatting with Bill and Kathy McNees and Phil & Mrs McKnight over the years. We have followed the Zips all over the MAC and I don't think that I have ever been to a game here or on the road when I didn't see Bill there. I have not met D Robs parents or Mr. Bardo but I know that Mr. Bardo should be mentionred as well as he seems to be a fixture at all the home games. All of them have all sacrificed greatly to support their boys and the Zips. I know that it will be quite strange to not see them at the JAR next year. Tomorrow I'll be raising my glass to these great parents. Their children have represented the university with honor and I'll surely miss them all. I just hope that we are not saying goodbye to Nik as well but I understand his situation. God bless him.

To me, the fun of being an Akron basketball fan is having a coach that stresses bringing in really good kids from really good families. I really appreciate these kids, not only as great players, but as great young men as well. I can live with not winning the MAC every season or having an occasional off year. I can't live supporting a program full of thugs and cheats. We do things the right way around here and that means the world to me.

It's been quite a pleasure seniors. Go out in style, Crush the Bulls !!!

Well said! Go Zips!!

[Zip Watcher]

OK, I admit it right up front that I get emotional on senior night and I have not missed one in many,many years. This one is probably going to even more so for me as I have got used to seeing and chatting with Bill and Kathy McNees and Phil & Mrs McKnight over the years. We have followed the Zips all over the MAC and I don't think that I have ever been to a game here or on the road when I didn't see Bill there. I have not met D Robs parents or Mr. Bardo but I know that Mr. Bardo should be mentionred as well as he seems to be a fixture at all the home games. All of them have all sacrificed greatly to support their boys and the Zips. I know that it will be quite strange to not see them at the JAR next year. Tomorrow I'll be raising my glass to these great parents. Their children have represented the university with honor and I'll surely miss them all. I just hope that we are not saying goodbye to Nik as well but I understand his situation. God bless him.

To me, the fun of being an Akron basketball fan is having a coach that stresses bringing in really good kids from really good families. I really appreciate these kids, not only as great players, but as great young men as well. I can live with not winning the MAC every season or having an occasional off year. I can't live supporting a program full of thugs and cheats. We do things the right way around here and that means the world to me.

It's been quite a pleasure seniors. Go out in style, Crush the Bulls !!!

+1

What he said.

Go Zips!

B) B)

[originalrowdy]

... It's been quite a pleasure seniors. Go out in style, Crush the Bulls !!!

BUCK FUFFALO!!!

[The Hip Zip]

Anybody ever think that Reggie Witherspoon looks like Homer Simpson ??

[phil]

Both McNight and McNees have always stepped up their game the past few years during the Mac tournament. Two years ago McNight scored the game winner on an out of bounds play where he received the ball in midair and put the ball in the basket.

McNees seems to shoot the lights out at the Q. He has hit some deep 3s at the end of the games. When he first played as a freshman I remember he used to throw some crazy passes and would turn the ball over. He has matured every year.

Bardo is really playing well and has helped this team.

These players will be missed next year. Lets hope they each get to play in one more NCAA tournament before they leave!

[The Hip Zip]

I'm lucky because I get to see a lot of basketball. This will be probably the 5th or 6th time that I will have seen the Bulls play and I'm of the belief that the Bulls have the best starting 5 in the conference. ( go ahead, let me have it )

We have been using more and more zone lately and its been very effective, though I worry a little about going zone a little too much against Buffalo. Zach Filzen and Byron Mulkey can shoot over the zone very well and if they get hot we've really got a problem. I think that there a couple of things that we have to do. We have to constantly make Filzen uncomfortable out there. Make him work like hell to get his touches and keep a body on him to wear him down. One of the keys to K S U's victory Thursday night was just that. I checked ESPN for his numbers and discovered this: Zach Filzen scored 14 points in the first half for Buffalo on 5-of-9 shooting, including 4 of 6 on 3-pointers, but he made just 1 of 11 second-half shots and finished with 17 points. I like the idea of possibly using a bigger, faster, more athletic guy on him some. It just so happens that we have a guy that fits the bill. Hello Quincy, meet Mr. Filzen. I'm not saying the Keith will do that with Q but I think that it does makes sense.

Another factor is to not allow Mitchell Watt become a big factor down on the block while defending. In their first game against the Flushes back in Jan. when Buffalo just flat out embarrassed them, Watt must have swatted close to ten balls back in the faces of Can't's bigs. Some of those blocks led to easy fast break hoops and the rest of the Bulls really fed off of his energy. It was damn near a feeding frenzy out there and and Buff. played their best game of the year. We run a lot of stuff with Zeke out high so if Watt goes out there with him that should help out in that respect.

Beating the Bulls doesn't end with Slowing Watt and Filzen though. Barnett is a 6'5" guy that can play both the 2 and 3 spots and can really outplay his size around the rim. MCrea

and Robinson are also both talented forwards as well. The Bulls are, simply put, just a very solid team. In mid to late Jan. they looked like they had the possiblity of running away and hiding from the rest of the East. Since the first of Feb. though, the bulls have gone just 3-4 vs. the MAC and have dropped all three of their road games in that span ( Ball St, EMU ,K S U ). I am happy that we are catching them off of that poor 2nd half against Can't and the fact that they only had one day off before facing us.

I like our chances here.

Akron 77

Buffalo 66

[Valpo Zip]

Nik will continue to show us why he's the MVP of this team with a 20 points 10 rebounds effort and the zips take the canadians in a "not even close" game.

[RootforRoo44]

I have to agree the Zips will win with as well as they are playing, but I don't think this one will be a blow out. There is no way our perimeter defense is as good as it looked last game vs. Miami and Buffalo is very good in 3-point shooting (first in the MAC, high up there Nationally). It's tough to put away a team that keeps scoring three when you score two.

I say Zips- 69, Bulls-65, just beating the spread.

[Dave in Green]

No help from BUGS today, as they lose to the Sweaters, 84-77.

Best case scenario now to move up to the #3 seed is for the Zips to beat Buffalo tonight, and then for Buffalo to beat the Sweaters when they play in Buffalo. I think the odds are better of that than of OU beating the Sweaters at Miami.

Those are the last 2 chances for a Miami loss that would allow the Zips to catch them in the MAC East if the Zips win their last 3 games.

Or, if you're thinking defensively for the Zips holding onto the #4 seed rather than offensively for the Zips to move up to the #3 seed, it would be best for Miami to beat both Buffalo and OU, which would give the Zips a 2-game cushion over both of those teams as well as BUGS. That would help if the Zips should lose one of their final 3 games.

Current MAC East standings after today's Miami-BGSU game:

1. Can't -- 10-3

2. Miami -- 10-4

3. Zips -- 8-5

4. Buffalo -- 7-6

4. Ohio -- 7-6

6. BGSU -- 7-7

[RowdyZip]

No help from BUGS today, as they lose to the Sweaters, 84-77.

Best case scenario now to move up to the #3 seed is for the Zips to beat Buffalo tonight, and then for Buffalo to beat the Sweaters when they play in Buffalo. I think the odds are better of that than of OU beating the Sweaters at Miami.

Those are the last 2 chances for a Miami loss that would allow the Zips to catch them in the MAC East if the Zips win their last 3 games.

Or, if you're thinking defensively for the Zips holding onto the #4 seed rather than offensively for the Zips to move up to the #3 seed, it would be best for Miami to beat both Buffalo and OU, which would give the Zips a 2-game cushion over both of those teams as well as BUGS. That would help if the Zips should lose one of their final 3 games.

Current MAC East standings after today's Miami-BGSU game:

1. Can't -- 10-3

2. Miami -- 10-4

3. Zips -- 8-5

4. Buffalo -- 7-6

4. Ohio -- 7-6

6. BGSU -- 7-7

Best case scenario? OU nips Can't State, Buffalo drops Miami at Alumni Arena and the Zips run the table. Likely? No, but it could happen.

[ZachTheZip]

Best case scenario? The Zips win every game from now until April. Doesn't matter what other teams do against each other.

[Dr Z]

Best case scenario now to move up to the #3 seed....

What two teams scare you to play at the Q? What would the worst case scenario be for you (and others)?

[The Hip Zip]

Best case scenario now to move up to the #3 seed....

What two teams scare you to play at the Q? What would the worst case scenario be for you (and others)?

I'm not D.I.G. but I'll tell you that OU is very quietly playing some decent ball again. They worry me as much as anybody right now but we'll know more about that after our trip to Athens.

[RowdyZip]

Best case scenario? The Zips win every game from now until April. Doesn't matter what other teams do against each other.

Sorry. Best case scenario in the MAC.

The Zips still have a very real chance of bringing home the regular season championship. It'd be nice to control your own destiny, but in this case the pressure is absolutely off. I'd LOVE to see us going into the MAC tournament at 21-10 and on a 9 game winning streak and a regular season championship in our pocket. I know what happens in Cleveland is all that "matters," but we've shown what we're capable of, and it's time to bring home a couple big road wins.

[Dave in Green]

Best case scenario now to move up to the #3 seed....

What two teams scare you to play at the Q? What would the worst case scenario be for you (and others)?

Really, none of the other teams in the MAC "scares" me because I believe the way the Zips are playing now that they are capable of beating any other team in the MAC. On the other hand, if the Zips are a little off in any of their games, there are more than two teams that could beat them.

The likeliest scenario is that Can't will come in with the #1 seed and WMU or BSU the #2. If I had my choice, I'd rather see the Zips at the #3 seed and most likely be playing WMU or BSU in the semi and most likely Can't in the final.

But obviously all scripts are out the window for the MAC tournament. Upsets could abound, and there's no way to "plan" who you're going to be playing.

So, other than the obvious advantage of getting a bye, I'm not all that concerned whether the Zips are #1, #3 or #4 seed for the tournament.

Now, the #1 seed carries a backup of an NIT bid, so that's not a bad thing to have in the back pocket if the Zips should get upset in the tournament. But there are really long odds against the Zips getting that right now. So I'll stick with the #3 seed as my most likely goal for the Zips.

[Dr Z]

So, other than the obvious advantage of getting a bye, I'm not all that concerned whether the Zips are #1, #3 or #4 seed for the tournament.

Now, the #1 seed carries a backup of an NIT bid, so that's not a bad thing to have in the back pocket if the Zips should get upset in the tournament.

My thoughts also. But I would like to avoid OU if possible.

[UA Fan]

Anybody ever think that Reggie Witherspoon looks like Homer Simpson ??

Like. All he needs is a donut and/or a beer.

[zipsfan13]

What a game! Go Zips!

[UA Fan]

OK, I admit it right up front that I get emotional on senior night and I have not missed one in many,many years. This one is probably going to even more so for me as I have got used to seeing and chatting with Bill and Kathy McNees and Phil & Mrs McKnight over the years. We have followed the Zips all over the MAC and I don't think that I have ever been to a game here or on the road when I didn't see Bill there. I have not met D Robs parents or Mr. Bardo but I know that Mr. Bardo should be mentionred as well as he seems to be a fixture at all the home games. All of them have all sacrificed greatly to support their boys and the Zips. I know that it will be quite strange to not see them at the JAR next year. Tomorrow I'll be raising my glass to these great parents. Their children have represented the university with honor and I'll surely miss them all. I just hope that we are not saying goodbye to Nik as well but I understand his situation. God bless him.

To me, the fun of being an Akron basketball fan is having a coach that stresses bringing in really good kids from really good families. I really appreciate these kids, not only as great players, but as great young men as well. I can live with not winning the MAC every season or having an occasional off year. I can't live supporting a program full of thugs and cheats. We do things the right way around here and that means the world to me.

It's been quite a pleasure seniors. Go out in style, Crush the Bulls !!!

Beef...it's what's for dinner. Great job, Zippers! <--(that's a bull, isn't it?)

[Quickzips]

First game I've been to since BG at home. Awesome game tonight. Awesome atmosphere and a great way to send out the seniors. Buffalo is a tough team anywhere you get them, and I know KD just has to hate the though of Javon McCrea hanging around for 3 more years. But the Zips overcame all of it (including some of the most puzzling calls I've seen since, well...sadly since the last MAC game) and took home a nice victory. Seven in a row. Never thought I'd see that after EMU. Let's make it about 12 or 13 in a row.

[Dave in Green]

Ditto from the last 6 wins. As a team, the Zips continue to play with smarts and intensity. Buffalo had me fidgeting a little, and the refs didn't help. But the result was the same as the last 6 games, and that's what matters most.

Buffalo would be a tough matchup for the Zips at the Q if they happen to meet along the way. The Bulls have a great chance of beating Miami in Buffalo. And after what OU did to Can't at Can't tonight, they could also give Miami a tough game at Miami.

There are no easy games left for the Zips, either. Two tough ones on the road. OU is lurking a game behind the Zips, and they're going to be fired up to pull even with the Zips in the standings.

If the Zips beat OU and Miami loses to either Buffalo or OU, how sweet would it be to have the Zips playing for the MAC East championship against Can't in the final game of the regular season?

EDIT: Forgot to mention, that was a great big noisy crowd at the JAR tonight. Why do we have to wait for the last home game of the season to fill the joint?

[Quickzips]

With the Buffalo win, that makes the East standings look like this:

1. Miami (10-4)
   
2. Can't State (10-4)
   
3. Akron (9-5)
   
4. Ohio (8-6)
   
5. Bowling Green (7-7)
   
6. Buffalo (7-7)
   

There's still chance for that #1 seed

Just as important, the Zips can theoretically clinch a first round bye with a win over OU on Tuesday. Western would also have to lose to Eastern tomorrow.

[jem101]

Pardon my ignorance, but if Miami were to lose to OU or Buffalo, and the Zips win out. What would the tie breaker be? Head to Head is a draw. Does it then go to overall record??

[Spin]

I'm lucky because I get to see a lot of basketball. This will be probably the 5th or 6th time that I will have seen the Bulls play and I'm of the belief that the Bulls have the best starting 5 in the conference. ( go ahead, let me have it )

We have been using more and more zone lately and its been very effective, though I worry a little about going zone a little too much against Buffalo.

I like our chances here.

Akron 77

Buffalo 66

Well, Buffalo took us out of the zone, and played their usual hardass ball. And we got the usual bad calls, what would a MAC game be without them? Zeke got a couple early fouls, and spent a lot of time on the bench. But Bardo stepped up in his last regular season home game and made the difference IMO.

That was the most exciting crowd I have seen at the JAR. Great college basketball atmosphere.