GoZips

He is "listed" at six-six. Did you see him at open gym? I did. Do not under estimate this kid.

I had the good fortune to watch Jordan Davis "workout" in open gym with the Zips. First off, Jordan seems a good bit taller than six-six; more like six-nine. Jordan played well in the post and fit right in with the Zips. He has sound skills and seems quite coachable. I was surprised to learn after the open gym that he had no D-1 offers. There is no doubt in my mind but that he can play D-1 ball. Excellent offer by the Zips. Now, we have to run the gauntlet of the johnny-come-latelys.

A lot more fun and of interest is the five and soon to be six incoming Freshmen. The three Nigerians players, while all raw, are athletic as heck. They are all large men over six-six. Good characters with pleasant, competitive personalities. Josh Williams at this point is the star of the class. Look for Josh to contribute from the beginning. He may well be the best guard out of Ohio high school this season. Tyler Dunn, broadcaster Joe Dunn's talented son, is an outstanding walk-on. Last year's walk-ons will not be missed. A second walk-on, whose family was the host family for Peter Agba, is going through orientation and will join the team as soon as he is enrolled in class.

Prevent injuries. The Zips are busy preparing for the coming season. Yes, Zips participated in the Summer League last Summer. The coaching staff discourages participation in the Summer League. I do not know of any NCAA ban against playing in Summer leagues.

Darn this guy knew something. Akron opens the season with a trip to Philadelphia and two days later plays at Arkansas. This is tough, but, it gets worse. The Zips then travel straight to Wisconsin to play at Green Bay. Fourth game as part of the preseason NIT for Akron is at home against Savannah State.

And change it to what? Eight seconds? Fifteen seconds? What is your view?

The NFL did not go far enough. This amounts to a slap on the neighbor's wrist. The Patriots are laughing all the way to the bankS.

Actually, I took the elevator. Was able to take several shots from the south end. Only, this view is fresher than the ones I shot. The light/dark floor staining is impressive. Duly noted: the arc in front of the baskets not even outlined as the NCAA decision to retain tthe three foot arc or expand to four foot not yet decided upon. Apparently the lanes will stay as before.

Agreed.

The Zips are playing in the new format for one reason only. The chance to whack either or both Arkansas and Villanova.

I will defend coach Dambrot. He has successfully stayed on or near the top of the MAC for ten years. This is no mean feat considering that most MAC players come from the same talent pool. They are largely two star talent. On rare occasion a three or four star gets recruited by a MAC team. The power conference teams rarely dip to the three star level. Recruiting is a science sprinkled with luck. Some top echelon schools recruit by paying their players. You just do not know how its done. Well, it is done. That makes the ego maniac coach a bum. A rich and successful bum. So what? You raise your own children to lie and cheat? You do? Pray tell. There are any number of measuring sticks for coaches. One of them, integrity, is the most important. I wish Bob Hurley well. It would have been nice to see just how successful of a coach he can be by coaching Buffalo. Instead, we get to watch him on a bigger stage. Well, not a really big stage such as the Big Ten or the SEC or the ACC. Bobby's brother struggles and is slightly successfully at Rhode Island. A program not far above the Zips in the pecking order. Bobby's ego will either make him rich or drive him to drink; maybe both. As for Bobby Hurley being a better coach than Dambrot, there is precious little to prove that. Keith Dambrot is respected and well liked in the coaching circles. Bobby is mostly intensely disliked. So much for fleeting fame. It is not really about your coaching tree or even your wins and loses. It really is about integrity or which Reggie Weatherspoon has a ton and Hurley none.

Malcolm Walters AND Ricardo Hill are both looking for a D-2 or low major that will offer a scholarship. No one can blame them.

It is not that the Zips do not want Evan Payne. Look at the list of candidate schools listed. Nearly all of them are on a higher tier than the MAC. Akron would happily take Payne if he offered his service; per two coaches on staff.

Great photo of Peter defending. Copyrighted, or I would post it.

Dambrot on the radio at 6 PM according to broadcasters.

What time is coach being interviewed? Thank you.

I would like to give credit to Pat Forsythe for his hard work; after team practice shooting TWO HUNDRED made free throws. It paid off as last night Pat was four-for-four. Great job, Pat. Perhaps I am just getting old; the pep band really annoys me. It is loud and enthusiastic, which is good. The bad is that they start playing the instant the clock stops. Then they play so long that several times this season the referees have actually had to wait on them to stop. Even the start of the Can't game was delayed a couple of seconds as the officials had to wait for the band to finish. It is not about the band. The band is suppose to be entertainment during time outs. They have become a pest that treats the game as if it is a back drop for their performing. You can not hear announcements because the band is banging away. Some announcements are actually important. Do not ask me which ones. Personally, I do not mind all the cutesy contests; except that blindfolded four year olds can not find Zippy on their own. Use older kids. The same goes for shooting baskets for cash. Eight year olds can not score. Try young adults. Besides, a fifteen year old knows the value of money (well, some do).

Scroll down through the top twenty-five list and ... walla!!!!!!! Peter Agba plays for number twenty-two Greensboro Country Day.

You are right on target. Coach Kest is one knowledgeable and wise coach. I had a chance to chat with her this morning after the Lady Zips defeated Western Michigan last night. She took a risk in putting Kerri McMahan in the game in thefinal couple of minutes. Kerri has been a dismal free throw shooter up to this time. WMU seized the chance and immediately fouled Kerri when the Lady Zips inbounded the ball. Kerri had been shooting 45% on free throws. But, Coach Kest knew that Kerri had been working diligently before/after practice to improve her free throw shooting. If Kerri steps up and knocks down the free throws her confidence goes sky high and the Zips get a three point lead. Kerri canned both opportunities. Zips win by three thanks in part to some excellent shooting by Kerri. Coach Kest has the confidence to take such risks. She is intelligent and loves her craft. Akron will find it tougher and tougher to keep her. Realize that WMU is a legitimate top 100 (RPI) team. That was a good win for the young Zips. Seventeen and four with eight to play. At season start seventeen wins would be a tall order for such a young group. Post season play is likely. The early signing of two quality players also bodes well for the coming seasons. See you in the JAR.

Eric is the leader of the managers. He is following his plans to one day be a college coach. It is a tough road; but, he has the capabilities to become a college coach. Personally, I think he will succeed. College basketball teams have a number of positions and responsibilities that the general public is barely aware of. It all starts with a head coach (Keith Dambrot for Akron); followed by four paid assistant coaches. Then most teams employ a small number of "paid" graduate assistants. I say this tongue-in-cheek as a grad assistant gets a small monthly stipend that covers some of their expenses and paid tuition. The typical grad assistant needs an outside source of income to help. The next level is the unpaid team managers. These are the "go-for"s that do the many tasks a team requires. At Akron some walk-on players begin as managers. Although, most walk-ons at Akron are invited by the coaching staff to join the team. Currently, all three of the walk-ons are invited players. Managers are students. There is a thread here on ZipsNation that suggests coach D learn how to coach (sic). I have not bothered to read any of thread because Coach works his butt off coaching; as do his assistants and grad assistants. Come to a practice and learn first hand what coaching is all about. Being around the program and seeing it first hand gives one a much better perspective than merely barking up in the stands on game day. Akron as a program is a notch below the high majors (essesntially the Power Five conferences). Most true mid-majors get beat when ever they play a high major. Usually for a couple of reasons. One, high majors do not play at mid-majors venues. Remember when Kentucky had to play a first round NCAA tournament game at mid-major Robert Morris? Kentucky lost. High majors are loaded with three and four star caliber talent. Most mid-majors rarely sign one or two players with these credentials. Thus, beating two Power Five teams in one season is a huge victory for the Zips. Give credit to the Zips coaching staff for the excellent talent they have recruited and continue to recruit. Josh Williams and Peter Agba will give you, the fan, a lot of joy in the coming seasons.

Now, I have to figure out who these guys on the bottom of the score sheet are -- Walters, Hill and Noble? Mark Noble, 6-4, soph, walk-on forward Ricardo Hill, 5-8, walk on, red shirt freshman, guard. He attended high school with Isaiah Johnson Malcolm Walters, 6-3, frosh, walk on point guard, was starting PG on state champion Lakewood St. Ed's All three of these young men could earn scholarships at low Div.-1

Can't red shirt Ivey. He is a grey shirt and not on scholarship.

I'm not. I see Pat at every practice. He is stronger, more adept, tougher, smarter; and best of all, enjoying himself this season.

Rest assured that Coach "Pete" is safely enjoying the fruits of his labors in paradise. While we will miss Dan greatly, and the wound in our hearts will be long in healing, we need to be joyous that he has gained the eternal reward we all seek. Dan was a wise and loving man. His passing shakes all college and professional coaching. God speed Coach; my friend.

My apologies. I missed this post. Practice times vary. There was no practice Saturday. Next scheduled practice is Wednesday, October 9, at 8:30. Start time subject to change. Please check with a coach prior to attending practice.. This can be same day.