GoZips

GoZips88, ahem.

Never made any such comment. Show cause. If you find any such remark from me I will add a retraction to my long list of "to do"s. Most recent of which is KD charged me with ten push ups for a clock/horn malfunction I was responsible for.

The dreaded Red Shirt decision time draws near. Since Akron is deep with returning players in its rotation there are few (if any) minutes available to the Freshmen. Except, of course, in the paint when Isaiah Johnson looks to be Pat Forsythe's companion. The other three Freshmen, Aaron Jackson, BJ Gladden. and Kwan Cheatam face the real possibility of sitting out a season. Each one has a good skill set, though not complete. Plus, each is likely to be looking up through a two deep depth chart at their respective position. Two factors to consider. One, how healthy is Jake Kretzer's back? Second, what if neither Carmelo or Nyles are effective? So, who escapes the red shirt tag? Personally, I think all three will be red shirted. What is your view and the rationale for your opinion?

Quick, this may disappoint you, however, right now Quincey Diggs is the best point guard we have. Actually, he is pretty darn good. I tried to say this before, playing Q at the point means some one has to play the shooting guard. That means either Reggie McAdams or Nyles Evans. Both are excellent shooters and ball handlers. Reggie has much greater size and is a better defender. Nyles needs to step up his defensive skills. This situation may require "un" red shirting a Freshman player. Best bet, BJ Gladden. At any rate, we will all know by the start of the Coastal Carolina game.

I Speak, Monday's scrimmage was far more intense and telling. Seems everyone was tippy-toed over the new rules. Monday was set to be six eight minute quarters with player combinations changing every quarter. One interesting quarter pitted the four freshmen and Nyles Evans against the "varsity". The veteran players won by two points. It was quite contested. The new rules did not bother most of the players. A tad dicey out on the point on defense since the Akron scheme has long been to deny the point guard bringing the ball up court. A lot of in-out ball movement shown. Back door cuts that worked. Way too many turnovers, as usual. Surprised by how well the Freshmen played defense. A good omen for the future. Do not discount Deji. He has been playing well. We can get an excellent evaluation of this edition of the Zips from the first two games. Bluffton not so much. But, Coastal Carolina will test the Zips.

No one will be left out. The Zips will be eleven deep. I do not care to speculate on the depth chart.

Sina King suffered life threatening blood clots in her legs. Stop the unwarranted rumor mongering. Since I am on campus nearly every day I had the opportunity to speak with Sina (A most delightful young woman) on many occasions. Though cleared by doctors to play, a decision in the best interest of Sina was made to medical red shirt her. Sina gets an opportunity to work toward her Masters on the Zippers nickel. She deserves it.

The Intra-squad scrimmage went well this morning. Coach Dambrot was pissed at nearly everyone and cut the practice short. The players are getting testy. Which is something you actually want. Its time to beat up on people other than your teammates. The four freshmen have actually learned to play defense. Some more than others, but all have gained ground. In my opinion, (remembering that I have no say in the decisions), Big Dog is a lock to play a lot of minutes. BJ Gladden will play back up to Reggie McAdams. Cheatam and Jackson will play in the future, but, not this season. Just a guess on my part.

Nice thoughts. Reggie McAdams is a shooting guard/small forward. He will be on the floor (most of the time) when Quincy Diggs is running the point. Jake Kretzer is mainly a power forward backing up Demetrius Treadwell. Like McAdams, Jake will get plenty of minutes. If Evans plays more minutes at the point than Q I will be darn surprised. Nyles played mostly the shooting guard in JUCO. He has some defensive issues that need be corrected before he owns the point. Remember, the Zips are a machine with many, many interchangeable parts.

Two quick points: one) the thug's name is McCrea. two) in a decently officiated game McCrea fouls out in the first ten minutes.

There is a great line in a chick-flick uttered by a butler advising Jenifer Lopez in the movie Maid In Manhattan. "We are measured by how well we rise after falling." In my opinion, Coach Tressel has risen far above being a disgraced football coach. I think Jim Tressel would make a great President of the University of Akron. But, I am opinionated. I know the man personally as some on this board know.

Is this the same friend/source that oft claimed that Coach Tressel had zero interest in the University of Akron in any capacity? I wonder.

The main difference at this point is that McCrea is a cheap shot artist who mugs unsuspecting opponents. In two seasons on the court Treadwell has NEVER even been accused of sneak punches. Several schools that have played Buffalo have video footage of McCrea rabbit punching and other nasty, underhanded moves. Do NOT try to tell me that McCrea is a great player. He is a thug. What horse crap you dudes ingest. You glorify a cheater. McCrea best have a bout of the blue flu the nights Buffalo plays Akron. Enough said.

Not me.

Saw both Hilltopper and Dave In Green at this morning's intra-squad scrimmage. They be holding out on you folks.

Yes. Sunday 8 to noon. Ask for permission to attend.

FYI: 9 AM at the JAR.

I watched video clip with interest. At the time, Coach Geno Ford defended his player, Chris Singletary. Today you can add Coach Ford as one of many who have little or no love for Cant State. They rabbit punched him, too.

The most interesting thing about today's Media Day, to me: None of the media types have any real clue as to the depth and quality of this year's team. Interestingly, they failed to grasp just how good Akron is. Even when told by Coach Dambrot they discounted the information. Harvey Glover and Leonard Paul understood and both called the Zips a near top twenty-five team at this point in the season. They have to be forgiven their views since both of them have watched the Zips practice more than once. Today was Elton Alexander's first look at the Zips. He was chirping how good Ohio looked against Xavier in a controlled scrimmage. Uberhunds with their own Big Dog. For clarification the media wonks learned that Big Dog wants to be known as Big Dog.

This year would have been a good time to participate in the Charleston Classic. Nice field with a lot of "big name" opponents; all beatable.

Since KD is on the Rules Committee this was no surprise to him. In practice the kids seem just as defense oriented as ever. The rule is arm's length for defense. I heard six feet which is IMPOSSIBLE considering the size of a half court. The reality is that the coaches want to eliminate the constant hand checking which impeded the ball handler. There is a controlled scrimmage Friday with officials. It will be interesting to see how they make calls.

This week; I was told.

The reasons are many and legend. One that sticks out to me was when Zippy was in the running for the Capital One Mascot of the Year back in 2007. The voting was intense. We soon learned that Cantsuckies were block voting AGAINST the loveable Roo. Zippy won despite the sick bas-TARDS.

Pat Forsythe had an exceptional day at practice today. Pat dominated the middle and schooled Big Dog something fierce. Today officials were used for the first time. Kind of a semi-scrimmage environment. First intra-squad scrimmage later this week. Everyone is healthy. Jake's back has settled down. Just the usual cuts, bruises and unbroken bones. Oddly, very little in the way of temper flares. Senior leadership shaping up. People are battling for several open roster spots and starting roles. No comment. Coach has set a very high team goal. It is up to this talented group of players to go that distance. They have the ability. btw, for anyone who thinks or believes that the Zips are underdogs, please visit Coach Dambrot for some mind alteration therapy.

Did I miss something? Underdogs? Didn't you mean Uberdogs? p.s. You failed to mention Big Dog ... !!!!