MDZip

Technically Akron is the 24th seed and St. Johns would be no higher then 25th so it should be at Akron but this exact situation happened between Akron and Charlotte a couple years ago and it ended up being played in Charlotte. There was also some nonsense about a "bid process" that was never clear so bottom line is it is indeterminent where that game would be played. All irrelevant of course unless the Zips take care of Marquette, but the Zips have made it to at least the sweet sixteen the last six years. If you want an omen, a MAC school already beat Marquette in soccer at their place in the NCAA tournament. WMU's women's team took out #2 Marquette in what might be the biggest upset in the women's tournament history. Effectively a #15 seed taking out a #2.

Could Ohio be demoralized enough to drop one to UMass? And if NIU wins tonight perhaps Toledo decides they don't care about the Black Friday game? That would lead to a lone third place finish in the MAC East, anybody see that possibility before the season? As a matter of fact if either of those situations occurs the Zips would be tied for third and very worst case are tied for fourth. After three straight years of living in the basement I see that as a big improvement.

Here's a situation that NIU's weak crossover schedule can work against them - if Toledo beats NIU and they and Ball State all end up at 7-1, Toledo will be the winner based on the tougher crossover schedule (which is the same way the Zips won the East in their only MACC year). All of them played Akron so that is a wash, but Toledo gave the East leaders, BGSU and Buffalo their only losses of the year. In contrast, NIU had Umass and Can't State while Ball St. drew Miami and Can't State. NIU has a ton on the line tonight because if they don't win not only is there no possibility of a BCS game, they probably won't even win the MAC West. The "backroom" guys didn't think this one through very well.

Toledo may have a ton to play for - if they beat NIU (and it is at Toledo) and then they, Ball State and NIU all end up with the same records (highly likely since NIU has WMU and Ball St has Miami left), then Toledo is the MAC West champs.

Most fun play of the game was a Can't State fake punt to a lineman who was lined up as an up back and who ran 60 yards including hurdling the Ohio return man. #MACtion Two mishandled punts earlier in the game. #NotMAction Can't State just went up 44-13. I agree, how the hell did OU beat us 43-3?

The Zips have earned a top 16 seed and there shouldn't be anyone that they should fear seeing in the tournament (although the same holds for just about every other team - this one is wide open). While it's cold, Philly is a very easy trip for me - c'mon Zips - Seattle, Cary, Santa Barbara, why not Philadelphia?

Are you suggesting that St. Mary's=Dayton and MTSU=Wright State? But for that to be the case wouldn't all those games have to be on the road?

Is that including 2009, the year where the Zips were the #1 seed or not?

Yes, but he has never once sat in the stands and watched the Zips. He's too close.

Actually they broke that record two years ago. It is amazing to think that this would be the Zips Eighth straight championship game, especially considering they had never appeared in it before that.

Diggs has 15 turnovers in three games and if you saw him at the end of the MTSU game, I think it is apparent he is not the answer at PG either. He can score in bunches (46 points in three games) so I think the Zips need him doing what he does best. McAdams was a PG wasn't he? And a definite threat from three, so I vote giving McAdams a shot.

Just got back home and turned it on - Zips up 4-0 with only 20 minutes gone? Guess they decided they didn't want to be the team to lose the championship. Disappointing looking crowd though.

Still a chance, not over yet. Edit: Now its over - dammit. Clawed back to within four and then lost it.

Finally turned their audio off. The ten second delay was annoying, but still less annoying than how out of sync the Zips have looked.

Young? Geez, how many high school playoff teams have a freshman starting at quarterback? Zips, keep an eye on him! Of the three events events though, how can a MAC playoff game (of any kind) take a back seat to any of the other events if you're a Zips fan?

Buffalo put a heck of a run at Toldeo after going down by 38 but still gave up 51 points in the loss. Now it gives them and BGSU one loss apiece to the thrid best team in the West so it looks like the MAC East Champion rightfully comes down to them and BGSU on Black Friday. I stil think BGSU is the better of the two but the game is at Buffalo. Buffalo does look better than I thought.

Yet another steal and layup - ballgame. Goodnight. Glad I stayed up for this one (sigh).

Starting to slip away, getting absolutely nothing from Kretzer and McAdams. Going to need a big run.

Abysmal shooting around the rim and 3 pointers, too many turnovers and with the exception of Diggs - poor free throw shooting but still in this one.

Wasn't intending to stay up but I guess my inner Zip woke me up. Waldo is a heck of a player but Zips hanging tough. Go Zips!

Can't State at Temple as part of the same 24 hour package as the Zips (with a much better start time). As much as I hate to root for the Flushes, I will if it benefits the Zips - which it would in this case. Can't State down by a point and have hit 10 3's. Zips better work on defending the three. Edit: And the Flushes upset the Owls. Should help in RPI down the line. C'mon Zips now follow suit and pull your own upset.

Wow, I can understand why they got rid of him, but you wonder how often this kind of stuff happened when there just wasn't a convenient recording device around to capture it. Good for EMU's players to go out and win a game right after it happened. Even with the Zips miserable recent run, the program wasn't in as bad of shape as EMU.

So if the Zips beat Oregon St., that win is going to look a whole lot less impressive. Coppin St. downs Oregon St. at Oregon St. Dammit.

Whew!! 9 straight.