Zip JD

Let's see if JG has the same impact with our players.

Based on the Zips' troubles in the MACC game and the fact they came out and played hard against Houston, I doubt it, but who knows.

When he didn't press Carmelo Betancourt or Nick Harney in the MACC game (Abreu suspended) and allowed us to run the kittens out of the Q he should be officially taken off any list of candidates for the Zips opening. I realize that was a run on sentence, but in the spirit of Jim Christian just sit back and let a back up PG suffering from cramps and a power forward with so so ball skills control the game without ever trying to stop or pressure them. As much as I could not stand DJ Cooper or Stevie Taylor they could have set career highs in steals if allowed to press. Instead Jim sat back and did nothing. I have never presumed to know more than a coach, but I was at the Q that night and the OU guys in our section were close to storming the bench. Worst coaching I have ever seen.

Duquesne is 96th at over 4.2 million.

You beat me to it so I will go with CIT.

+2

You are forgetting the MVC was even stronger when Creighton was a member. Even with their departure, the MVC is still much better than the MAC. If Akron drops off then the MAC drops off even more. Now that the Shockers have a strong program they are wisely looking to move up. I am a diehard Zips fan but you have to accept that the MAC is a weak, weak conference. Unless a MAC school has a once in a generation season, it is a one bid conference not only to the NCAAs but the THE NIT.

As much as I hate to admit it, I ALMOST agree with you. That being said, seeing Can't make a tourney run would have been too much for me to take. You can name just about any other MAC school and will I root for them in the post season, but I just can't back the Flashers. Off the top of my head, I think OU is the only MAC school to win in the big dance over the past 10-plus years. I also recently heard (I think from Steve French) that no MAC player has been drafted by the NBA since 2003. The days of Ron Harper, Wally World, Thunder Dan, Grant Long, Gary Trent, Bonzi Wells, even Chris Kaman, etc. are long gone. Lastly, I believe the Zips are the only MAC school left in the post season as our conference already got bounced from the CIT (Toledo lost at GW) and the CIT (Ball State lost at Ft. Wayne). Don't even get me started on how little respect we carry in any tourney when it comes to seeding. Based on all of this as well as how much the MAC sold out to ESPN resulting in a horrible conference football schedule, I am now firmly in favor of the Zips looking to join another conference. There is no reason to believe the MAC is ever going to improve or gain any national respect. It is a one bid conference pure and simple in hoops and is abysmal when it comes to bowl games. I don't want a rash move like how we exited the OVC in the 80's but it is time to look at our options. If we can't improve the basketball schedule with better OOC games how about joining a better conference? Winning a few more post season games and seeing some winning football games wouldn't hurt either. Go Zips!

I think we just saw the formula that will be repeated in Cleveland. Run 2 or 3 at Big Dog and the MAC version of hack a Shaq. Don't even get me started on our inability to stop dribble drive penetration.

Agreed. With the Zips inability to put anybody away all season, Noble-Time has been nonexistent. Amazing that they could win the MAC outright with 2 games remaining without any garbage time for the non scholarship players. I hope the effort is there, we hit some shots, protect the ball and get back on defense. I want a Noble 3 to go out on with the assist from Anderson.

Besides the shooting and post play, I love the KC is down low boxing out and grabbing boards. He has evolved into such a complete player in every aspect of the game. He's not afraid to speak up when the younger guys mess up defense rotations or don't box out, etc.. He is really our team leader - that's not a dig at Big Dog. Dog leads by example, but KC is the one doing the talking and backing it up. Big Dog is without a doubt the team MVP, but the success of the season IMO is how much KC has stepped up. Who is the last Zip you remember growing this much from Jr to Sr year?

Buffalo came out swinging as expected and the Zips gutted one out. Best crowd all season, but our dribble drive defense almost cost us. It was a never ending lay up drill for the Bulls. Nice win, but defense lapses, not getting back and foul shots could spell doom in the post season.

You are 100% correct, we are going to get everyone's best shot. Can't, OU (especially with Miami being down for so long) and Buffalo all consider us their main rival for the top spot in MAC basketball. I've heard French and Dunn say CMU and EMU now consider us their rivals as well the usual bravado we hear out of Toledo (again especially with BGSU being down). I'm sure even the rebuilding in NIU's program has us circled on their schedule as well. It's great to be the top team, but it does cut down on any walk-in-the-park road games. Just look at the YSU game, they had probably had us circled on the schedule for months.

Unfortunately, as long as the MAC is so mediocre to poor, kreed is correct. They listed about 60 schools on their "on-the-bubble" list during the selection show and we were nowhere to be found. If my memory is correct, weren't we undefeated at home as well as neutral sites, but 6-7 on the road last year? No way you get an at-large bid with weak SOS and losing record on the road. As for all the RPI talk on the board, the selection committee seems to quote RPI when it serves them and ignores it in other cases, such as, mid major teams. Most importantly, I want to see a complete game against Buffalo where the Zips keep their foot on the gas all game. 8-0 in the MAC.

That is great. Ken Babby, the owner of the Rubber Ducks, is at a lot of the games. It would be great to see the Zips work with somebody who excels at putting people in the seats.

My comment was about the MAC being a one bid conference and wasn't directed at the Zips. The MAC as a whole plays a terrible OOC schedule - and seldom beats anyone really good when they do. We are one of the few teams that took on any ranked teams and we do not get much help from the rest of the conference. If Akron wins the tourney at the Q, tell me one other MAC school that would get a look for the NCAA's. Also, when was the last time the MAC got an at large bid to the NCAA's or even the NIT? That being said, If we run the table and lost in the MAC tourney I agree we would be in. Nobody's ever gone undefeated in the MAC, but it would be a hell of a ride if we did.

Thanks for all the number crunching wadszip. If my quick checking is correct, the MAC is 0-6 against top 25 teams this year (AP or Coaches polls). Akron (Gonzaga, Creighton), Buffalo (Xavier, Creighton) and WMU (Villanova, UCLA) are the only 3 to even schedule top tier teams. The MAC will continue its streak as a 1 bid league to the NCAA tourney (maybe the NIT as well) for another year.

Any word on Campbell's injury? I hope he plays and more importantly, I hope we pack the JAR. This is the time for the Zips to step up and take control of the MAC.

If my quick tally is correct, the MAC is now 0-4 in Bowl games. Miami is a 14 point dog to a 5 win Miss State team and we all know WMU is playing on the big stage. 0-6 is a very real possibility. I hate seeing MAC teams lose all holiday season (Kent excluded, but they may never again be bowl eligible) especially to teams that recently used to be in I-AA like App State and Old Dominion. Bring on March Madness.

Don't let one or two idiots ruin what you have created. Keep up the great work. I'm glad I found this board as are all the other U of A faithful. Go Zips!

Wow, the Bowden haters are suddenly quiet. I agree that the personal fouls and lining up off sides, etc. need addressed asap. I also agree that the program has issues, but does anyone remember actually travelling to OOC games like Pitt or Marshall and not just winning but winning big? Again, I don't think Bowden walks on water but after JD and Rob from ND, my only request is if you want Bowden fired write down your short list of replacement coaches. Saying, "he sucks, fire him" is easy. The hard part is saying who would you hire in his place and who would you actually get to come here. Let's end the scrapping between Zips boosters (difference of opinions should be welcomed, but not the name calling) and get ready for App State. Go Zips!

Don't forget about Zeke Marshall. I think Deji Ibitayo is trying to catch on internationally as well.

I'm new to the board, but a long time season ticket holder for football and basketball. I don't think the problem is KD, at least not due to a lack of respect from fellow coaches. He was recently selected as the Chairman of the NCAA Rules Committee for a 3 year term so I think that speaks for itself. After the Villanova game, Jay Wright spoke very highly of KD and Dan Dakich went on about KD during the entire NIT game. These weren't the only times this season others have complimented KD on the job he does at Akron. As for scheduling, why would a P5 school want to schedule us? If they win, big deal we're a MAC school. If they lose, its a big upset. No head coach would want Akron on the schedule when EMU, Miami U, Bowling Green, etc. would be an easier opponent with no real drop off in name recognition. During the CMU Akron pregame, Steve French mentioned that CMU called EVERY DI school to fill their schedule. They ended up having to schedule 4 non-DI schools because nobody wanted to play them. While I don't think Akron is poisonous as was mentioned in an earlier post, being a 20 plus win mid-major program year in and year out makes scheduling very difficult. I think we are a low reward, high risk team for P5 schools looking for out of conference opponents. Lastly, I don't have the insight or first hand knowledge to dig into $60K vs. $95K payouts, but maybe its time to take a smaller pay check for a bigger opponent. Go Zips.