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From the way I see it, if the Zips win out, they are probably straddling that 12/13 line if you use a mix of RPI (which still favors the Zips) and KenPom (which pretty much hates us, due to a low defensive ranking) as a rough estimate of where teams will be slotted. IMO, a win against Kent and the MAC tourney puts the Zips squarley on the 12 line (looking at a mid 30s RPI and mid 60s KenPom ranking). A loss to Kent and the MAC title puts them squarley on the 13 line, though maybe as low as a 14 if KenPom is more heavily factored. So tonight's game is huge if you consider the odds of advancing as a 12 vs. 13/14 As for the MAC tournament, it's gonna shake out how it shakes out, but looking ahead to the final games around the league, there is a scenario that looks real good for Akron (thanks to the simulator that was posted in the OU thread). IMO, this is what we have to root for this weekend: 1. Akron over Kent (that's a given regardless of how it affects seedings) 2. Buffalo over BG: likely a given, even if it's at BG. 3.Ohio over Miami: see above 4. CMU over WMU: At CMU, so a good bet. 5. Toledo over EMU: It's at Toledo, but who knows with those two teams. A lot of talent, crap shoot results. 6. Ball State over NIU: This one is the most important, but probably the toughest to happen since NIU is 16-1 at home. On the bright side, BSU is a good road team. If those play out, here is the MAC seedings: Top half: 1. Akron vs. 8. NIU or 9. EMU. You'd think NIU would be a favorite at home over EMU, and NIU is a good matchup for Akron in Cleveland. But even if EMU wins, while I think would pose more of a challenge, they would be going from Chicago on a Tuesday night to Cleveland to play a noon game on Thursday. Tough turnaround for either. 4. Ball State vs. 5. Buffalo or 12. BG: let's pencil in Buffalo. Either way, the Zips match up with any of the three, though would be rooting for BSU to knock off Buffalo on Thursday. Don't see BSU beating us. Buffalo, though, is a different story, though they would be doing it in 3 games in four days. While it was 4 in 4 for Akrom last year, we saw how that much play took out of the Zips in the second half of last year's semi against Buffalo. Really, can't ask for a better draw than that. On the bottom: 2. CMU vs. 7. Toledo or 10. Miami. You figure Toledo will get past Miami (who is horrible on the road). That sets up a quarterfinal (on the opposite side) of what you can argue are the two most talented teams in the league, outside of Akron. No. 3 Ohio vs. No. 6 Kent or 11. WMU. Kent is 2-0 against WMU, but neither were easy. Still, you have to love the fact that either OU or Kent (maybe both) would be gone before the semis. I like OU down here, and against either CMU or Toledo. What does that set up... Akron vs. Ohio for the NCAA on the line. As much as well all hate Kent, this is probably the biggest current rivaly in MAC hoops. If this happens, it would be the fourth time in seven years the two would meet in the MAC title game. You talk about a big-time atmosphere, I would bet anything that this game draws 12,000-plus. And when you factor in the pregame bar scene, it will be a rowdy 12,000. It always is when you have two of three between Akron/Ohio/Kent in the finals. Really makes the MAC title game one of the best conference tourney atmospheres in CBK, including any of the power leagues. That's just best case. Hopefully, the Zips are prepared to play their best basketball regardless, since there is no shot at an at-large and an NIT bid (especially since it will likely be a road game, probably at OSU, thanks to ESPN) would be a colossal disappointment.

T-shirt give away is legit! 4,000 fans!? We might actually get one!

I like it....

Is there anyone that really wants to trade experiencing a Zips 3-day ride through The Q...the bars, the environment, the excitement, the program exposure...does anyone want to fast-forward through all of that...just so they can watch the Zips lose in round #1 of the NCAA tourney? If we simply got a round #1 berth in the tourney for winning the MAC, how many awesome, memorable moments would you have been cheated from experiencing? Our days at The Q under Dambrot have been some of the absolute best experiences I've had as a Zips fan. Even the championship games we've lost have been exhilarating. The Ivy Leaugers may be able to work a protractor, but their 1965 approach to modern-day college basketball is cheating their fans. The MAC Tournament rules.

The JAR has been set up for a theatrical extravaganza for the game on Friday. After Wednesday evenings women's game a contractor has installed 16 computer controlled multi-color spotlights in the rafters and 8 towers with carbon dioxide smoke generators at the corners of the floor along with two additional light show generators on some of the towers. I assume that other equipment will be installed just before game time. I told Reggie and Jake that they must be awful special to get this size of Senior Night treatment. Make sure you get their early enough for the pregame senior recognition.

Tank123?

Yes.

You have to remember there are 32 auto bids awarded. In order for Akron to get a 12 seed they have to be regarded as being better than 18 of those auto bid teams. 10 of those are 15 and 16 seed teams that have no chance of catching Akron even if Akron lost to Kent. From there you have the OVC and Southland conference whose best teams are already decently behind Akron and play in conferences much weaker than the MAC so Akron should only further distance itself. Eliminating the 9 projected multi bid conferences plus the ones I mentioned already that leaves the below. America East - Best team RPI 66 with 212 SOS. SOS will continue to drop as the strongest opponent that they can face in conference tourney is 145. Next opponent RPI 296. Big West - Best team RPI 91 with a 280 SOS. Plays in weaker conference than MAC so Akron would separate themselves. CAA - Comparable conference to the MAC. It's 50/50 if Akron would be higher than top team Horizon - Valpo would be higher than MAC, however if upset Akron would top their auto-bid team Ivy - Best team has comparable resume to Akron, but no conference tournament gives them no chance of boosting it MAAC - Monmouth would be ahead of Akron, but if they get upset Akron would top their auto bid MVC - Wichita State easily tops Akron, Evansville or any other MVC team that potentially upsets Wichita State not so much Mountain West - Sand Diego State is ahead of Akron, but if they get knocked out Akron would top whoever upsets them Southern - Akron should be able to distance itself from Chattanooga whose conference tournament features a bunch of cupcakes Sunbelt - Ark-Little Rock would likely stay above Akron by winning its poor conference. If upset that team would be well behind Akron. Moral of the story is we need to cheer for 2nd and 3rd place teams to win auto bids of 1 bid conference. In cases like Wichita State they would make the tournament anyways, but that doesn't hinder us b/c we aren't vying for an at-large bid.

they just don't show Victor in the article because they only list players who were selected All-MAC. The biased MAC coaches did not select Victor as one of the best 22 players in the conference. Can you say travesty? joke? laughable? I think top drawer listed Victor as the 20th best player in the country. ZipsNation is certainly glad to have Victor on our team. Great student athlete.......and I hope that a 2nd star is in the future for Victor and Akron soccer.

These projections are cool and everything, but the information I need to know is where is the "official bar" this year? Anybody know? Winking Lizard again or back to The Clevelander or somewhere else? Inquiring minds want to know.

http://www.goal.com/en-ca/news/4175/major-league-soccer/2016/03/02/20926592/sources-darlington-nagbe-signs-new-deal-with-portland well deserved new contract.....for young Mr. Nagbe and I just read an article.....that Portland vs. Columbus will be televised on espn at 4:30 on Sunday

GTFOOH: George Thomas Feasts Only On Hotdogs? ......

Great win to get March off to a great start. 39 3's in the last 2 games is crazy! It's always great to thump the kittens.

Gotta go with Dambrot. Everyone tells me how much the MAC has improved this season, and the Zips are the class of the league. Make up a "Most Improved Program" award for Whitford, but give Dambrot "Coach of the Year."

Slightly OT, but when I was tweeting @Yedlinny today after SAFC's draw with Crystal Palace, which saw them clear of the relegation zone for maybe the first time all season, I couldn't help noticing in DA's photos a shot of him and "Uncle" flashing some true #UglySweaters at the Wearside pad over the Christmas season. Check it out next time you visit the Tweeting post. Tweeting post! lol -- it was the Canaries of Norwich who Sunderland pushed into the drop zone today! Wish I could remember Uncle's handle at Zipsnation. Anyone?