Big Zip

I'm no expert draft analyst, but how is ever couple years a guy from Cal emerges as a top notch talent -- goest high in the draft and amounts to nothing in the NFL -- yet every couple years they do the same thing. I'd trade Kyle Boller for Charlie Frye straight up today.

Win at Buffalo and we play Thursday, March 10 at 2 p.m. Half day at the JOB -- lunch and drinks at the Hard Rock prior to the game.

Great job with the site....

I unfortunately missed the game last night and didn't get a chance to watch or listen, but the Can't fan seems to be more right than the biased fans that inhabit this board. I put myself in that category too. I have been cautiously excited about this team from the beginning and this loss certainly didn't make me any more cautious -- I'm glad to see it has helped others. What struck me about this game was we took the lead at 68-64 -- our hallmark is supposedly defense and we give up 9 straight points without scoring once? That is a big concern. For years we've poked fun at the flushes for losing to us in football. In case you have all forgotten this game was the second consecutive loss to the flushes this year. That stings -- it's a loss -- I'm not making any excuses or assumptions on how this team would play with other players. I do note there aren't any big guys coming next year. The Marshall game is the biggest game of the year. To be in the driver's seat and subsequently give a game away is gut wrenching. This team can forget about this game and take Marshall to the woodshed or they can lose their last two games. I don't see the Buffalo game being a winner and won't be surprised if we go from talking about a bye to getting the last home game invite for the tournament. Go ahead and blast me now, but note that I have truly enjoyed watching this team this year -- what KD done has been amazing. I think the strong play early on may have ratcheted up or expectations prematurely.

Lets get something straight and can you leave this up -- I'm not BZ -- if it would be possible to stop allowing people on this site from posting without registering it might help this problem. I post under nothing other than Big Zip. If this isn't possible -- I would appreciate it if BZ would find something further away from what i post under to use. The attacks were aimed at me, but intended for BZ for the most part. I don't think I've said anything controversial on here in a while.

Why you have to do that Z.I.P -- why you have to blow out our candle to make yours burn brighter? It's bitter cold here this week -- bring your hacksaw to cut a hole in the ice on the lake. For what it's worth -- if your coming I'll buy you one of those gold sixth man t-shirts.

If you had told me this team was going to play like this tonight I would have been skeptical, but WOW was I impressed. OU was playing well and undefeated at home. What a great win from KD and the boys. Dare I say this team is coming together at the right time? Quick turnaround on a an overtime game and you play like this? McFadden sounds like he has it all coming together for him right now -- glad to see him playing so well. I thought the Toledo game was the best of his akron career.

To say I'm criticizing him is kind of harsh -- I'm merely saying I didn't agree with his post game comments. As for my view of the post game comments -- your right -- it is my view. I can say I had an unbiased observer in the car with me -- a Buckeye fan -- who was equally as surprised. I like KD a lot and actually thought the comments were out of character. I just thought there was plenty of blame to go around for this loss and to single out any specific incidents seemed a little odd. No harm no foul -- I'll be there Monday cheering hard for a Zips win. I hope the game turns into a great learning experience they can put in the back of their mind for the future.

And if he did say something down the players accountability path -- Aren't they ? Z-Pouch Z-Pouch I thought it was unanimous on this board that nobody longed for the days of Hipsher humiliating the players and trying to break them down, by outing them. Are you telling me that is the part of Hips coaching you enjoyed? I'll agree they are accountable, but why do it on the radio -- why not sit down with them and talk to them about it. His words about Mario were about him dribbling the ball of his leg at the end -- making it tough to win. Don't you think Mario felt bad enough about it already -- now his coach is singling him out after the game? This was only a three point loss and as a poster before said -- we could all point to a missed shot or blown play that could have got the three points or four. Why single anyone out? Not to mention -- KD didn't seem to take any of the blame himself.

I may be in the minority, but when it comes to experience in big games and singling out players in the post game show -- I think KD should have kept his mouth shut and thought about the other person without big game experience -- KD. It's a close game you have three fouls -- you may need to foul to extend the game late and you need to have the foresight at the four minute mark to get to the bonus -- so you are ready late. On top of that to fire all your TOs away and not save any for late -- causes problems in a close game too. I was very surprised to here KD single out kids on the air like he did -- just didn't seem like a good move to me. For what it is worth -- this is the first time I've thought all year he didn't outcoach the other team. You live and you learn. I loved the toughness and play to the buzzer mentality of this team. They are real fun to watch -- I can't wait to see this team get more experience and develop of the next few years. Great game overall -- would have loved to have seen a replay of the out of bounds play where Collins dove for the ball.

Where to meet?

i would love to hear the meeting for this bracket buster crap...Akron beats Buffalo and runs over Ball State and is higher in the conference than Can't State -- yet Akron is on the outside looking in? How the hell does that make sense? I agree with the article in the Beacon today in reference to the bracket buster -- it's a bunch of crap. Here is the deal -- ESPN take 25 mid level teams and 25 upper level teams and call that a bracket buster. Make someone like Duke or North Carolina travel to Akron or OU. Don't tell me financially it doesn't work ESPN can pay these schools with the advertising dollars -- these schools don't have to lose out. Think about when North Carolina played CSU or Buffalo -- they did it away from there place. As far as playing North Carolina at home we have to hope for a local product to go there so they bring a game back to his hometown to get a game. Make the bracket buster really mean something. If Miami beats Wichita State it doesn't help Miami enough and it hurst Wichita State -- what is the good of that. If you don't win 20 games in a mid level conference you are screwed. They take 15-15 Big Ten schools over you every year. all right that's enough I'll stop ranting.

How nice is is for David Lee to right this article now...Hey David if you had written these articles regularly and covered the Zips like you do the Buckeyes maybe things would be different. How about you point less fingers at the people in Akron and more fingers at the rinky dink newspaper you report for that refuses to assign a writer specifically dedicated to the Zips year round. We've provided you with numerous ways to do it on the cheap on this board -- I think my favorite was a hire an intern from Akron to cover the team. How about that help the community give back to the University and its student body. It just get more pathetic day in and day out down there at the Beacon.

Did anyone notice the interviewee talking with Charlie and calling the MAC the Mid-Atlantic Conference. Man -- that doesn't make you look to professional. Especially when it was in the voice over portion and obviously got through the editing department. The must have had one of the Beacon staff writers there checking facts.

I'm not sure how many of you on this board are NFL fans and if you root for the NFL team slightly to the North, but I selfishly would like to see Charlie last until the third pick of the second round -- so I could have another reason not to give up my season ticket -- I'm not giving it up, but would sure like to see the current no. 5 head out of town and a new no. 5 suiting up for the Brown and Orange. Whether you are a Browns fan or not - if you are local you would get a chance to continue following Charlie's career up close with out the NFL Direct TV ticket.

I know I was critical of the team early on and believe it was warranted, but I wonder if anyone has any insight or thoughts as to how a team can play so horribly --- losing to a Div. II school yet get on a roll like this now. Really glad to see this team turn it around -- I don't know what Coach Kennedy has done recently, but it is working - keep it up. congratulations on win 3.

Actually the he had three incompletions -- the third was called as interference, but actually was the TE dropping the second TD pass from Charlie. The only legit incompletion was the throw away in the back of the end zone. Sorry to see Kiper still picking him as a late first, second or third round. Hey Mel -- is that what they pay you the big bucks for? Kiper, "Hey you know that Charlie Frye -- he's going to be drafted in the NFL." Mel -- thanks for the insight.

Great news -- how are they going to fun it? I know years ago one of the plans they looked at for the Jar was actually going to take a side of the building off and reconstruct the building from there -- round out the corners on the top. I really hope the deal is deal with the city of akron, but i doubt that will happen. Nonetheless I'll be watching for the news - thanks for the heads up.

A win at Miami tomorrow and Miami isn't the best team in the MAC East any longer -- it could change this guesstimate.

I think JD had a lot of great selling points for his recruiting. Not the least of which is these guys will be in the third year when JD makes his first trip to Ohio State. I know its a long time from now, but I hope we are building this team with an eye on beating the Buckeyes in 2007.

Pairings will be announced Sunday. A win against Miami should get us a great game. Would love to see 16-2 Wichita State.

Maybe Stacy Little leaving was just the spark they needed to get over the hump Congratulations Ladies.

Quite funny -- I do know the team is 0-14 and on a 21 game losing streak. What else do I need to know? I merely asked a question about the coach -- I wasn't aware she was being recruited by so many other schools. If my hope for my alma mater is to win some games and have a successful program is too much -- just let me know.

Interesting article in the Beacon about the women's team. Interesting note I don't question peoples inside knoweldge about the situation or the team often, but Z.I.P her salary is stated in the article at $94 grand not the $102 you state. I don't recall the battle for her services you talk about either. Can you enlighten me? Akron women still looking for victory Rebuilding program hurt by losses, little attendance By Darnell Mayberry Beacon Journal staff writer They have a 21-game losing streak dating to almost a year ago. A home loss to Ohio University on Tuesday ensured a losing record just 14 games into the season, giving them only six seasons with a winning mark in the program's 31-year history. It's the University of Akron, a women's basketball program that is looking for success and fan support but struggling with instability and the lack of enough athletic talent to compete. Tonight at 7, the Zips (0-14, 0-3) travel to Mid-American Conference rival Can't State (8-6, 1-2), a team that has beaten them in 10 consecutive games and 24 of the last 25 meetings. In some ways, the neighboring Golden flushes are the model Akron aspires to be. ``I envision at some point we'll be at that level,'' Akron athletic director Mike Thomas said. ``Hopefully that'll happen real soon.'' For now, stockpiled numbers in the loss column are the only figures that surpass low attendance, as games are played in front of vacant blue lower-bowl seats and deserted brown bleachers in Rhodes Arena. Talented Division I recruits have become harder to snag than a season-ticket holder as Thomas and third-year coach Kelly Kennedy labor through a building phase, just like athletic directors and coaches before them. Coach No. 4 In 2001, Kennedy became the team's fourth coach in the last 11 years after replacing five-year coach Roxanne Allen. Allen went 1-27 in her last season but did lead the Zips to their only postseason appearance (the Women's NIT in 1998-99) and their only two postseason league tournament wins ('98-99, and '00-01) since the team joined the Mid-American Conference in 1992-93. Kennedy finished 2-26 in her first season and 7-21 a year ago. ``It's important to feel like we're making progress,'' said Thomas, who is also chairman of the MAC women's basketball committee, ``and I don't think you can always gauge progress by wins and losses. ``When you bring in new staffs and anytime you go through a coaching change, you experience different things based on where that program is at that point.'' Before coming to Akron, Kennedy, who missed the first four games of the season after giving birth to her first child, experienced success as a college assistant coach. She reached the NCAA Tournament with the University of Oregon and helped Iowa State to two Sweet 16 appearances. Perhaps Kennedy's most valuable experience in preparing her for the challenge at Akron might have been her three-year stint as an assistant at Texas Christian University, where in her last season, the Horned Frogs notched their first winning season in Division I. ``It took getting a few players to say yes,'' said Kennedy of the Horned Frogs' ascension. ``We got some kids to take a chance and say yes that they wanted to help build that program. That's what it's going to take here at Akron. ``The biggest thing right now is believing that we can win. I think the hardest thing to overcome is that stigma. There were perceptions that had to be overcome, particularly in this area and nationally about what Akron is about.'' The challenge is creating an identity without the benefit of posting winning records. The Zips entered 2004-05 with a 265-512 all-time record and are currently one of three winless teams in Division I. This year, in the 14 losses, the average margin of defeat has been 17.4 points. In 10 games, the margin has been greater than 11 points. Five-year plan Thomas and Kennedy agreed there is no timetable for reversing the win-loss mark, but did say they believe it takes five years to turn a program around. Kennedy is in the third year of a five-year contract that pays $94,000 a year. Kennedy said it has taken longer than expected to scrub negative attitudes and bring in solid recruits. She thinks the program made its first big stride with this year's recruiting class. The Zips signed four players, including two local products (Ashley Veal of Wadsworth and Rachel Green of Northwest). Strong recruiting often is the backbone of building. ``You try to change attitudes to start off with,'' said Can't State coach Bob Lindsay, who is in his 16th year and is the winningest coach in MAC history. ``A lot of times, the only way to change attitudes is with recruiting classes, and I'm sure that's what Kelly's trying to do. She's trying to recruit players who will fit best in her system. Once she does that, it will probably reflect her win and loss record.'' One positive sign for the Zips was that none of the incoming recruits seemed affected by the Zips' futility. ``They want to get it going and make a big name for themselves,'' said Green, a 6-foot-1 forward. ``I've been to games, I've seen them. They're working their butts off. It's just not going their way right now. ``We don't second-guess ourselves about our decision, because we know that we made a good decision and that we will try our hardest to make a difference.'' Kennedy takes pride in not having run off players who were in the program when she arrived. ``There are some programs in the country that may turn things around faster because they just come in and clean house,'' Kennedy said. ``But we didn't do that. ``There's kids here who have been given an opportunity in the past and we're committed to (them) because they're working hard and doing what they're supposed to do. I think we're doing it the right way.'' Off-court success Akron's administration and coaching staff boast about the players' success off the court with respectable graduation rates and community involvement. Of this year's five seniors, four are on track to graduate within five years. Seven players made the dean's list for academics in the fall, and the team's average cumulative grade-point is 3.26. ``People tend to be less patient if you are not having success on the floor, but you're doing all the wrong things off the floor,'' Thomas said. ``I think it's a good sign that we are doing all the right things off the floor, knowing that if we continue to work hard in a number of areas including recruiting... eventually things will turn and we'll be successful in all areas.'' Attendance is another concern. In each of the last 10 seasons, the Zips have failed to average at least 500 fans per home game. By comparison, Can't State has announced averages of at least 1,000 per year in seven of the last 10 seasons. ``I think part of that goes back to tradition and history,'' Thomas said. ``Once you start winning and having success, people will start showing up at your games. Once we begin to experience more success on the court, I don't think there's any doubt those numbers should go up.'' Looking at the program from a league-wide administrative point of view, Akron is ``average or a shade below'' other MAC teams in spending, according to Thomas. The total budget for the 2004-05 season is slightly more than $800,000, including about $300,000 in athletic scholarships. ``We definitely have the support we need to be successful,'' Kennedy said. ``You can always look at it and say I need more of this or more of that. The biggest thing is always recruiting. But as far as what we have to work with, it's very sufficient.'' Which means Kennedy can devote her efforts to breathing life into a team that has labored mostly in a 31-year funk. She must do it amid sparse crowds, mounting losses and the stigma that accompanies it. ``As a coach, everybody judges you on your wins and losses,'' Kennedy said. ``But I've taken the perspective of we're going to do the best we can and we're going to keep learning and getting better. ``I think you have to keep it in perspective that this is a building process and that there are a lot of positive things that are happening here. We're not dwelling on our record, we're dwelling on our opportunities to get better.''

Did I read somewhere this is the 20th consecutive loss for this team? I don't know much about Kennedy, but it sounded like she was a good pick up when she came here. But -- if you are losing 20 in a row in your third year -- maybe you were a bad hire or you made a bad career decision.