mrelegazna

Where's Steve French?

Hey guys, So, I'm writing the UA football profile for this series that Reddit is doing... http://www.reddit.com/r/CFB/comments/1930f...ys_mega_thread/ ...and I need help on a couple of areas. I've been a Zip fan all of my life and I grew up in Akron. I can go on at length about the city, the team, and its history. However, there are two subsections that I am a neophyte about. One is "traditions." These include things like Ole Miss's grove and the "Walk" that players/fans take together to games in what seems like half the campuses on the country. I went elsewhere for college and haven't lived in Akron since, so the only games I went to were as a kid. Can someone clue me in on the Zips football culture when it comes to gameday rituals, ephemera, fan or player traditions, etc? Something more concrete than "The AK-rowdies are great." The other is "local dining/bars." Here, I know a bit more, but I haven't lived in Akron in forever so my knowledge is out-of-date and unimpressive. When I go back, I do go to the campus area, but it's been awhile and all I can contribute is this: Aroma. I've gone here a ton for coffee, but it's not impressive or unique, just an average cafe. Joe's Sun Bar and Grill. I've gone here a ton for drinks, but it's not impressive or unique, just an average bar. Euro(pe) Gyro. Again, decent, but average. Other profile writers brag about their bars/campus-area food, and their unique or award-winning elements, and I want to be able to, too. What say you?

Bump... I just read through this thread and basically came here to say this. I absolutely believe pot should be legalized. But this is not a pot issue, and highlighting how pot is becoming legal in some states is a red herring. It IS illegal right now, and he dealt with it in felonious amounts according to his plea. As other have said, there was an element of thought that went into this that is different than being caught drinking underaged at a frat party. Abreu seems smart. He KNEW that if he got caught, his time on the Zips were likely over and his team would be without a great point guard. He did it anyway. When you play for a team, join a club, enter a marriage, whatever, you're basically agreeing to adhere to the rules laid out by the partnership/organization. If you don't like the rules, don't join the group. Do NOT say, "I want to be involved in this group, but I shall try to secretly abrogate their rules. Have my cake and eat it too, if you will." So what disappoints me most about Abreu is the lack of character his actions showed, his selfishness. Pot shouldn't be illegal. It is illegal though, and what you do with that information matters. It matters to your teammates, coaches, fans, and you. I would be shocked and upset if AA was allowed back on the team. I hope that he either transfers to a school completely unconnected in any way to UA, Ohio, or the MAC, or starts his pro career. If he does either, I will root for him. I also hope that he can make a niche for himself playing overseas since it will now be a lot harder for him to enter the US workforce.

I like that there has not been a single talking point in this thread considering whether the A-10 wants to take us. I assume then that it's so obvious they would open the door to us it's not even worth talking about. I also like the reasoning that the MAC would allow us to stay in the MAC for football only, because they let UMass do it. "Guess what guys? We're leaving the MAC, BUT....our football team, our shitty, shitty football team, which has 0 conference wins in the last two years, well, we've deigned this, this so-called "league" acceptable for us, FOR NOW, and we've decided to stay. You're welcome!" The reason they let UMass do it (and for the record, I don't think they should, any more than they allowed Temple to do it) is it opens up a new market for the MAC. There is NO benefit for the MAC to allow us to stay in football because our market is already right in the heart of MAC country, and plus we don't win or draw fans. So, yeah, the MAC would absolutely kick out our football program if we joined another conference for all sports. That means we would either need to become a FBS independent (let's see how well that works for Idaho and New Mexico State now that their conference was pulled out from under them...I doubt it will go well), or, drop down to FCS. I know a lot of guys are willing to throw our football team under the bus, but I'm not. If we want to talk about leaving the MAC, we are, at very, very, VERY least, 2-3 years away from being in a realistic position to do so. The iron is not, in fact, hot. It would take dominance (not alternating between getting knocked out of the first round of the NCAA and getting knocked out of the first round of the NIT each year), but an NCAA tourney run that makes us everyone's darling. Then, our football program would need to improve enough at least enough to be called solid and flirt with winning records and bowl eligibility. Then maybe, MAYBE, Conference USA would come calling.

Sheesh. And I though *I* was hard on Melo. Maybe I missed an incident, but I don't see any swagger - unearned or otherwise - and I certainly don't know where the laziness tag is coming from. Hell, as far as being too hoist with his own petard, that to me more closely describes AA, and so I think Melo may benefit from being away from him. Hell, look how much his English has improved over the last two years. That's not the mark of a lazy ass. 2011: 2013: He's also very young, and accomplished with his leading roles in various PR junior national teams. ALLLLL of that said, I'm not convinced he will become a great or even good MAC-level point guard. I would neither bet against it or for it. His performance against VCU was just dreadful. I realize "havoc" his hard to deal with. But VCU runs it against everybody and without looking at the stats, I don't think many PG's this year handled it more poorly than Melo did. That's why Evans coming in and making a positive impact straight away is so important. Since KD is normally not big on getting JC guys, hopefully that means something in terms of Evans ability to be a better-than-average MAC player right away. But all the new guys have to step up; losing four big contributors is more than we have in a long time. For this reason, and with Ohio losing a lot too, I'm predicting a more wide-open MAC race similar to 2011. But KD seems to consistently find more gems than duds, so not only do I think we will compete for a championship in 2014, but will be dominant in the mold of this year (when we were at our best) in 2013 - without the suspensions and freak flu bugs.

This is a good and tricky question. On one hand, no, at bottom, I'm not satisfied being perennially one-and-done in the NCAAs. On the other hand...if we can't make a run in the NCAAs, I at least want to be able to call ourselves MAC Champions. We've been able to do that a LOT lately. And whatever post-season tournament we get into during non-NCAA years, I want the Zips to do well and I maintain my excitement. Will I be disappointed if we can't get past the first round of the NCAAs, very soon? Yes. If we maintain the current status quo (always 20 wins, always in the MAC Championship Game, NCAAs every other year) would I want Dambrot canned? Hell no.

That sort of scenario occurred to me too, but I don't think it qualifies as "best case scenario" because I don't think his suspension would be lifted in this case; he's still hanging out at the house of a big-time drug dealer. Obviously, this is all just wildly speculative and meaningless, moot spitballing, but hey, it's the internet. Thank you for the clarification. I hate the coverage, or lack thereof, on the Zips in what I call the Cleveland Beacon Journal. Maybe it's gotten better since I left town, but I doubt it. That said, this is a column, an opinion piece. NOT an article. Columnists, pundits, editorial writers, all these guys give their opinions, and waiting until all the facts are in does not stop them from expressing their opinion in the meantime, does not deter them any more than it deters us (as you allude to) on ZN.O. Strong opinions based on facts not (yet) in evidence is furthermore something we abhor of the political commentators we disagree with but forgive (because, come on, you know they're right) with the ones we do agree with. Both are protected by the first amendment. I HATE HATE HATE it when fans and, especially, coaches, suggest that the local media ought to be a Pravda-like mouthpiece for whatever program they fancy. Coaches have been known to ban writers from press conferences, facilities, and the like for expressing opinions they didn't like. Such behavior, and the local fan support of such behavior, makes my blood run cold. It suggests the coach or fan values the first amendment less than they value promotion of whatever institution they support.

Per Big Zips's link, AA has plead Not Guilty. His next court date is March 22nd (Day 2 of the Big Dance, not counting the play-in round). Bail is set at 5k. Someone will probably pay it, I'm guessing. Here's the one-in-a-billion best case scenario now, since he remains suspended until the matter is resolved: 1. It comes out on March 22 that not only is he not guilty, but it was somehow a huuuuuuuge misunderstanding and he's super-extra-innocent of any wrongdoing at all (like, the package was supposed to go the people next door or something), and he is quickly set free. 2. The Zips, having won the MAC Tourney, have their first game in Dayton, and it's a night game. 3. His suspension is immediately lifted and he makes it down to Dayton in time for the game, where we find he has stayed in game shape and picks up where he left off. Come to think of it, one in a billion is probably too generous.

Since no one responded to your offer directly, I will. Do you mean "He will parlay the multi-year success he's had at Akron into a more prestigious or higher-paying job?" Or do you mean, "The Akron brass will fire him, or compel him to resign in disgrace, because of one guy?" Or perhaps you are one of the ones who believe the entire team runs a drug ring on the downlow. If you mean the latter, I take that bet. Fifty bucks. If you mean the former, I do not take the bet, and I would have to ask you what the hell that has to do with this situation and thread, other than to draw attention to yourself. That business aside...I don't feel like we are doomed. This adversity will test the team like they have never been tested before (from a college basketball perspective anyway), and I think there's a non-zero chance we rise to the occasion. Whomever takes over at the point has a simple directive...get it across the court and don't make stupid passes. We still have the perimeter shooting and the dominant inside play to keep defenses honest. At times, especially the two seasons prior to this one, AA was an out-of-control turnover machine, trying to slash to the paint and make low-percentage circus shots. We were pretty damn good anyway. And without the cleared-eyed motivation I think (hope) this team will have now.

Anyone have the link to Frenchy? Are they still on WARF? I'd be inclined to listen to that and keep my eye on this thread.

I'm not even getting the incorrect audio you fancy people speak of.

Argh, here too. Anyone know if the game has tipped off or has anyone contact support yet?

UNC-Asheville is their replacement. They dominated their conference last year and nearly upset 'Cuse in the big dance. No idea how good they are this year.

Hmmm... No TV for us, unless we get to the final four. The writeup here, says HDNet will be carrying 11 of the games. Since we know that they are doing four first round games, and the semis/finals are three games, totalling seven, I'm assuming the HDNet will carry all of the quarterfinals too, and that graphic just didn't represent it. The Horizon League produced and broadcast games online this year, hopefully they will do so for this game as UWGB is involved. EDIT: Actually it says "up to" eleven games, and the finals is best-of-three. But it also says it will have a doubleheader on March 22nd. So I think they will have two of the four quarterfinals. Of course we know they will avoid Akron like typhoid.

I like it. Can I get a little Mid-Continent Conference nostalgia? Remember when they were the best team in the AMCU, and we went on the road and beat them? I believe that was the same year we finished second in the AMCU, they were first, but we got upset by Cleveland State in the tourney quarterfinals.

That list is now complete for the CIT. It's the CBI or nothing now.

Just looking at the names, the CIT looks better. It's a tournament full of teams that look equal to Akron. Perfect to see just where we stand in the basketball world. The CIT only takes non-big-6 conferences. The CBI is like A NIT lite. I kind of want the CBI because I do want a chance at another "Big Six" scalp, like Florida State a couple years ago.

You are a trip! How egotistical can one be to post pro-OSU crap on a Zips board and assume Zips fans "cop out" when they'd rather play some ball with their son, mow the lawn, enjoy a glass of wine with their wife on the patio...do whatever, rather than type at a keyboard about OSU for an hour or two? This will break your heart, but he's the sad, sad news for you -- debating OSU on the Akron Zips Fan Message board is REALLY REALLY boring to 99% of the people here. Despite your egotistical thoughts to the contrary, the Big 10 is a little bitch here. This is the Zips world! Call Kenny Roda, write the PD, write the Beacon, Bucknuts.com, call Mike Trivisonno...they'll all whoop it up with you OSU fans. Not here. Does a little "thumbs up" emoticon from BuckZip mean that much to you? It must. If so, you've come to the right place. But that's all the response you seem to generate here. It isn't just me that doesn't respond to the OSU drivel (hint hint).On ZIPSNation.org, there's no place for OSU. Never has been, never will be. The Zips fan comes first here. And second and third. And the egotistical OSU guys that can't comprehend that...the guy that thinks EVERYONE, EVERYWHERE cares about the buckeyes...well...type away boys!! The world revolves around you!! :lol:And why didn't you address MY response regarding Miami and the armbands? It couldn't be because you "copped out," now. Could it? :lol:Six minutes of my life wasted...but in an odd sort of way, this time it made me feel "whole?" Viva La Anti-OSU Cohorts!!! I'm not asking anyone to discuss OSU. I don't think you mean we can't discuss OSU here, I think you mean we can't discuss OSU here unless its to rip them to shreds. I didn't start this thread, I didn't start the one calling OSU scum. None of the OSU threads I see are started by Buckeye fans, we're not trying to make this anything but an Akron board. They're started by guys like you. Re: Charlie Coles. It would have been a nice touch if his players wore black armbands or whatever for the Zips. But you went further and questioned his sincerity by NOT doing it. Here again, we see you criticizing people's or entity's character for not doing something unprecedentedly selfless that would benefit Akron.

1.) I maintain my stance on the "Total F-ing Dirtbags" comment. 2.) Sometimes, when a few OSU fans want to type mile-long posts...it is just best to bow out. To say the POV was proven proposterous is right...in your "world." I felt there was nothing productive to be gained by extending that thread. I was right. What a cop-out. It's not because you shrugged you shoulders and said, "Those guys will never learn," it's because we made reasonable points you had no reasonable rebuttal to. If I'm wrong, make them now. Mile-long posts? Yeah, you've never been known to write any of those. If you are determined to look at everything as a conspiracy against Akron and/or the MAC (and you've made it clear over the years that you are) sometimes reason is not going to be on your side. That's why you and your anti-OSU cohorts are reduced to just mindlessly insulting guys like BuckZip and myself, rather than making substantial counterpoints explaining why Ohio State is scum for not doing something unprecedented (giving the other team a raise just to to keep up with inflation ) and doing something I'm sure you would not support Akron doing if they were in the same situation.

In your "world" that's probably true. However, this is the discussion board of a mid-major school. When a 1-AA school or a MAC school beats a Big 10 school it hits home with us, and is worth of mention on this board. As a shill for OSU and the Big 10, you wouldn't understand. In fact it is very obvious you don't understand. Nice post, Dan!! And congrats to Andy! This from a guy who called OSU "Total F-ing dirtbags" because they didn't call up Akron to give them more money when they scheduled Can't and YSU.Then, when that POV was demonstrated to be preposterous, you mysteriously had no more to say on the subject.That, and your "if Charlie Coles was really serious about Akron getting hosed, he would have his players wear black armbands!" comment show me that it's not just that you put Akron first (great), you expect the rest of the world to, too.I love upsets and I love the MAC. But until these upsets are as frequent as the losses and are the rule rather than the exception, of course the Big Ten will get the lion's share of coverage.You guys act like the BCS conferences and the Big Ten should run the table every year and if they lose three or four non-BCS games against 20 wins, they should be held in no higher regard than the non-BCS conferences. Hell, if I knew nothing of college football, the first post in this thread would convince me that the MAC is every bit as good, top to bottom, as the Big Ten. You guys are more biased and delusional then the guys you bash for being biased and delusional. Just like Boise State was, this will be the story of the year in the mainstream media. They love upsets and love a cinderella. You just got to earn it on the field. The reason the Big Ten gets the share of media they do is precisely because it doesn't happen very often. Stop playing the victim, and stop demanding the world on a silver platter. It's patently obvious the media is happy to fawn over giant-slayers. You just have to keep doing it to keep getting commensurate coverage. This is actually pretty reasonable.

I think you mean SportSradio1350.com

Exactly. It doesn't really matter which of YSU or Can't were the filler game, they were both scheduled much, MUCH more recently than Akron, and that's why this is happening (well, that, and Tressel's YTown gifts).It sucks, but there's no real scapegoat other than timing. If Can't was the one that scheduled 5 years ago, and we were the last minute addition, the dollars would've been reversed - and WE would've been braying and hee-hawing about that and how we outsmarted Can't economically or some such thing.

Let's say one of you guys who's slamming OSU for not giving Akron's agreed-upon price five years ago a raise.Let's say you just got hired at Akron AD. And let's say YSU is coming here, scheduled by the previous regime 5 years ago, and we pay them 100,000.This year, you have to scramble to find a 12th opponent, and the only one you can find is Dayton, for the "now" price of 300,000.Would you then say, "Gee, better call up the YSU guys and negotiate a raise for them, since we just gave Dayton 300 thou."Like HELL you would.Some of you guys, I think, would be happier if we dropped to 1-AA. It better fits your model of how things "should" be.

I don't agree. I wasn't really too upset we didn't get an NCAA at-large bid last year. I don't think we can accuse the *NCAA* selection committee of screwing us. What sent me into a fit was being snubbed by the NIT. And who is the *NIT* selection committee? Legendary retired coaches like Gene Keady and Dean Smith and I-forgot-who. I seriously doubt they are making a science of this. If they did, they would have selected us. Instead, they picked "names," looked at things at the most surface, cursory level, and hit the golf course.So in terms of the NCAA, we already know playing a great, tough OOC schedule, and losing 10 games will not get a MAC team in the NCAA tourney. We don't know if playing an easy schedule and losing 3 or 4 games will do the trick, but it's worth a shot. And it should do the trick for the NIT, where they can't look much deeper than W-L records, and see the scheduling/defeating of "names" like Temple and Dayton who are a lot better in their Alzheimers-fogged minds than they really are.P.S. I don't really think you can hold the "scheduling" of SC-Upstate, Portland State, or IUPUI against the Zips. I doubt they got to preview the tournament roster before making a decision on the invite (for all we know, Akron was the first team invited, or invited right after Oregon State or Colorado State), and they sure didn't have a say in who else would play in it.

I like it. After last year's unprecedented disasterbacle, I despair of any committee giving us any kind of slack ever.So our best bet is to compile just a ridiculous record, like only 2 or 3 losses.Now, I'm saying we only lose 2 or 3, but there's no one on the schedule that we just have NO SHOT against...but still some definite challenges.BTW, does anyone know if the Temple game is part of a home-and-home, or a return trip for the 2006 NIT? I'm hoping the former, because I live in the greater Philly area and would like to go see them (missed them in the NIT).