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Big game on Tuesday. If we win we are 3-4 in the MAC, gives us a winning record, and puts us in the middle of the pack. I think there is a reason to be optimistic. We are rebounding much better. A highlight in yesterdays game was a defensive rebound by 3 zips. This team needs to understand that they need to go for every rebound because we need to outhustle every team we play. Utomi came out of his shooting slump. He is a key to our offensive scheme. Plus Cotten is also shooting the ball very well. This team has already played the class of the league, Toledo and Buffalo early. Although we got killed by Buffalo at home, we stayed with Toledo on the road. That is a good sign. We are getting production from our center. K is getting more confidant. That will only help his game. Finally, this is a very young team. The more experience they get this season, the better they may get. We have already seen Cotten and Klac make big jumps in their play. Who knows what the ceiling is for this team at the end of the season. The one thing I disliked about last years team and many of the recent teams with Dambrot, was our reliance on the 3 ball. Here we have a new coach, new players, new system, and we once again are relying on the 3 ball with about 30 per game. When we shoot the 3 ball well, we win. If not, it can get ugly. Looking forward to the game, go zips!!

@Illini Zip I figured I'd get ahead of the question, "What's PCCC?" PCCC stands for Portage County Community College. Portage County is where Can't State is located. It's just another rivalry-driven derogatory name for our main rival. The original poster got a lot right in his post, but I thought he underestimated or missed Duvivier's ability to get to the basket. This is going to be a great game. I really wish Sayles was going to be healthy for this one. Kostelac is going to be a key factor I think, since he'll be the tallest player on the floor for once (although Doug Taylor at 264 lbs will give him all he can handle); don't leave your feet, Mark! Go Zips! Beat the Bobkittens!

I just did the math for the last 2 Zips home games- NIU and BG. In those two games, the Zips shot a total of 32 free throws. Their opponents shot 76. How is that possible?

Did ANYONE read this??????????????????????? Akron Zips men’s team beats Northern Illinois Huskies 82-67 Published: January 20, 2018 - 6:40 PM | Updated: January 20, 2018 - 6:40 PM The University of Akron men’s basketball team needed the game they played Saturday afternoon against Rhodes Arena against the Northern Illinois Huskies. Behind four Zips (9-9, 2-4 in Mid-American Conference) in double figures UA beat the Huskies (9-10, 2-4) 82-67and assumed control with 12:18 left in the first half and never looked back. Gaurds Virshon Cotton and Malcolm Duvivier led the way for the Zips with 17 points each, followed by Daniel Utomi with 16 points. Guard Jimond Ivey added 10 rebounds to lead the team. Dante Thorpe and Eugene German led the Huskies with 16 points each. For the Zips it very well may have been their most complete game of the season as they played respectable defense and fund their offense. UA outshot the Huskies 53 to 40 percent and connected on 15-of-31 three-point shots (48 percent) to NIU’s 4-of-15 (27 percent). The Zips accomplished something that had been in short supply during the conference schedule. They sprinted out of the gate against the Huskies. They found their offensive stroke early and connected often. After the two teams exchanged scoring pleasantries flipping the lead six separate times during the first period, the Zips took control behind Duvivier and Cotton, who were often on the floor together. Each scored in double figures in the first half to give the Zips an offensive boost. Tied at 11 with 12:18 left in the first period, the Zips outscored the Huskies 33-19 the rest of the way, connecting on 53 percent of three-pointers (9-of-17) in the frame to contribute to a 43-30 halftime lead after having led by as many as 17. Oh my Freaking Gawd!!!! This passes for journalism at the AKRON Beacon Journal???? WTF??? This had to have been written bya fourth grader!!! Do they even employ an Editor??? This is sooo bad, on so many levels, first of all that it wasn't written by a real ABJ reporter,o r journalist, or whatever.... They make it so easy to hate them!!!

Recap: 1. (#1, Round 1): D Joao Moutinho, Los Angeles FC 31. (#8, Round 2): D Niko De Vera, New York Red Bulls 48. (#2, Round 3): D Nate Shultz, Los Angeles Galaxy 64. (#18, Round 3): F Stuart Holthusen, Portland Timbers FC

Congratulations to Nate Shultz drafted by the LA Galaxy at #48 overall (#2 in the 3rd round) today. https://www.mlssoccer.com/superdraft/2018/tracker?round=3&utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=news&utm_campaign=unpaid

Who would have thought the Zips would be a game out of 3rd place in the MAC after the start of conference play. Will be interesting to see how things play out but Buffalo has no losses and Toledo only has one. Then 5 teams are at .500 and the last 5 including us are a game back. Keep taking care of business at home and steal a couple games on the road when Sayles gets back and we will be alright.

https://www.lafc.com/post/2018/01/19/2018-mls-superdraft-all-access?autoplay=true At about 1:11 we can see Joao in the background with LAFC Head Coach Bob Bradley in the foreground; then we can see the card with Joao's name, and then see Don Garber call out the first pick, + some footage of Joao not seen in the other videos. I can't get enough of this. I'm so proud of our program and our players.

All in all, a decent performance against a not very good NIU team. The kids continue grow. Happy to see Utomi starting to get back in the groove. Wasn't happy with Ivey, Parrish and Duvivier's composure at times.

Nice to see Cotton starting.

Not to brag, but that was me. You're all welcome.