GoZips

Overall, Watcher's report is what we saw in Dayton. The Zips are a pretty darn good team. I believe that had the Zips opened at home with a Mount Saint Mary's type team as Dayton had the outcome of the Akron-Dayton game might have been reversed. Mt. Saint Mary's revealed tuning problems for the Dayton coaching staff that playing Millipede never uncovered. Reminds me how frantically Tressel bought a game against YSU when Akron was coming in with a first game win under belt. Yes, yes, I know, the bought game was last minute and bought before the Zips played Army. The point is that Tressel was concerned that his opponent was coming in with actual game experience. Akron really, really needed a decent Div-1 home game before going to Dayton. Brett McKnight was on the sideline in sweats. Please do not read more into his not playing than what we actually know. That KD turned Dakota Euton loose pleased me a great deal. I generally dislike redshirting. Especially with four outstanding new players coming in next year. Playing Euton now was a pleasing uplift to the team. Not pleased that Zeke was saddled with quick first half "ticky-tacky" fouls. The officials homered Akron by deliberately taking out Akron's inside presence while Christ Wright and his cohorts were allowed to muscle the zips without getting the same cheap fouls. We should be pleased with Akron's overall performance. Dayton is a near Top 25 team. Akron came into game rated about 150th. The Zips sure did not play like a 150th ranked team on the road.

It's a shame Steve is a senior. The kind of team that he fits on will be next years Zips team more than likely. That turnover and foul of his in the back court with 4:32 left was the beginning of the end. I'm here to defend Steve. In the first half Steve launched a deep three ball that caught all air. Our basket was the end full of Dayton students and band. They mercilessly chanted "airball" every time Steve touched the ball. That has to be unnerving. That tended to intimidate Steve as it would nearly any player. I think a mistake was made late in the first half where Steve got a 30 second "blow". KD then put Steve back in the game and yanked Abreu. I saw no reason to not rest Steve the rest of the half. In the second half Steve had the composure to drill a nice three pointer; followed by a second one in short order. It was not long before the chants of "airball" dried up. Good job Steve. Late in the game I think Steve was out of gas. This is where KD has to trust Abreu and rest Steve for a minute or two. Brian Gregory was far more effective rotating his players. Not good.

Shaking my head at this comment. Dayton was tough as nails the entire game. There was no sleep walking, meandering or other such nonsense. Confined to the rafters, us few and very cramped Zips fans who ventured to Dayton in the stretch limo (I'll NEVER do that again) can attest to the fact that Dayton never once let up off their go pedal. Dayton just had way too many bigs for the Zips. Their overall athleticism did the young Zips in. I read in the Dayton News this morning that one of their star players commented that they were a young team just learning each other. Baloney, Dayton started three seniors, one a first team All-American in Chris Wright, and two juniors. If that's youth, I'm a coocoo clock.

Caught just a few minutes of the end of the Can't State-Robert Morris men's basketball game. Approximately two minutes to play; Cant leads by four. Geno Ford calls time out. As the players headed to their respective benches, freshman Robert Holt (or is the dolt?) elbows a Robert Morris player as they cross paths. Technical foul on Cant. Player makes one of two. But, RMU gets the ball and ties the game with a three ball. Looks like Ford has his herd of thugs in full bloom. Think the only admonishment Ford gave Dolt was, "don't be so flaming obvious". Cant fans jeered the RMU players and the officials after the call. Still the only class at Can't Stateucks is Kindergarten.

Root, I thought that I had. I apologize. Tom was stiff, frozen faced and showed the famous enthusiasm of a cumquat. Not unlike his pal iCoach. Which, btw, I have a glimmer of hope gets his first victory Wednesday night. As I posted this dirge .. a thought came to mind ... dour.

Well...I'm just glad to hear coach Dambrot doesn't send a manager to eject observers from the upper seats of the JAR during practice, like his predecessor did. Those salt water Mai Tais have addled your feeble brain oh vaunted Paradise Zippy. I sit or stand along the sidelines most of the time. Care to join me grasshopper?

ESPN's analyst stated that the Zips have something to prove and they are playing with a chip on their shoulder. Well, putting Akron as the third seed only made the chip bigger. Akron clearly played the toughest out of conference schedule as proved by the fact that the Zips hold the best RPI for OOC play. Akron also won the most games of any team (18). By rights, the number one seed belongs to Akron. So what? Just go win the whole thing. We'll bury the dead as we go. The kids played twenty matches to earn the right to a top four seed. They succeeded in the first season. Now begins the real season the Zips have been playing for all along. Chatted with Caleb briefly prior to the selection. He says its all about being positive. I agree. He sent Perry Kitchen over to me to reassure me that Perry could handle playing with a yellow card hung on him. Perry played quite well and was the last Zip starter pulled. Now, folks, that's utter confidence in your players. Prediction: Akron gives the MAC its first ever team national championship December 12, 2010.

I know you don't like me and a whole lot of other people. That is no excuse to not be cordial and glad hand at Zips functions such as the soccer selection party. You are the Athletic Director ... act like one.

What the hell is going on here? It is very unusual for players to leave during the season. I have heard that the new coaching staff has made it very clear to the players that they are not wanted on the team, and are there only to fill things in until the staff can fully recruit a team of their own. I don't know if that's true, but it explains why so many players are leaving in the middle of the season instead of sticking it out and then transferring over the summer like most player who want to leave do. It also follows along with the coach's statements that he is looking to follow the Al Golden approach to rebuilding - i.e. blowing up the team and starting from complete scratch. One thing is for sure ... he sure blew up the team.

DaveInGreen and I watched the second half from the sideline next to the Zips bench. For the first fifteen minutes we watched Mattocks sulking along the sideline. When Darren finally got to play he responded with two quick, excellent goals. Just have to wonder is going on with him. He bundles up like the cooler air troubles his Jamacian hiney.

I watched most of Sunday's practice before heading at ten till four over to the soccer stadium. This was, by all accounts, the most intense practice I have seen by the men's basketball squad in a couple of years. KD was "el diablo". KD pushed his charges and the coaches like a man possessed. Akron is not going to Dayton to show up and collect a paycheck. Akron is going to Dayton to win. The Zips are going to attack and play up tempo, pressure on the ball, in your face basketball. The intensity level was high enough to drown in. I got an impression that at least one redshirted player has neither the talent or the spirit to survive the rigors of playing out his red shirt. On the other hand, Chauncey Gilliam continues to greatly impress me. Heard in conversation that both of the two non-qualifiers are better than anyone on the floor. And, considering that most of returning Zips, the transfers, Walsh and Gilliam are excellent players, that is saying a lot. Expectations for Egner, Abreu and Diggs are high. A trip to Dayton to watch the Zips could well be worth the time and money invested.

Watching Sunday's butt kicking 4-nil shellacking (no, I still don't like him) of a decent Western Meeshegan team really lifted my spirits that the real Zips futbolers are alive and well. The stage was set in the first half as the Zips took control ten minutes in (after two solid WMU attacks on Akron's goal). The last thirty-five minutes of the first half were all Akron. It became obvious that it was only a matter of time. The Akron dominance of WMU in the second frame was every bit of the powerful Zips team we all love and respect. They were methodical and near perfect. I fretted the last thirty minutes once the Zips were up by two as to why Perry Kitchen was on the pitch with a yellow card. Perry was the last first team Zip pulled. A silly or imaginary foul by Perry could have resulted in the Zips not having him for the first play off game. Whew. A heart felt thanks to all who voted for AMPI.

I must say that this is one of those rare games where my wish is that both teams lose. The thought that came to mind is: just what did CSUcks do to stop Justin Greene?

Old adage: "don't count your chickens before they're hatched."

Saw a little of Humpty in the second half. Cocky as ever. And best of all ... still turns the ball over at every opportunity. JMU, nice point guard you have there.

As of 11 AM Friday, November 12th, AMPI has garnered 32.7% of the total votes. With just two days remaining AMPI could dial up more than 33.3% of the total ... if you ALL VOTE

Dave, excellent points. I thought Egner played his way off the red shirt band wagon as I watched his excellent performance. He brings an electric athleticism that is only matched by Quincy Diggs. Did you VOTE for AMPI today?

Akron is playing Millipede or what ever because they were a last second (note: not last minute) fill in after negotiations to play at Michigan State fell through because neither Akron or Michigan State could shuffle existing games around to allow the Zips and Spartoons to play each other. Millipede would likely get blown out of the gym by John Carroll. So, be prepared for: 1) a school record for dunks 2) Zeke sets the all time NCAA blocked shots for a single game 3) No starter plays for more than four minutes (except Zeke who has to play nine minutes to get the blocked shot record. 4) Millipede secretly has John Carroll players dress and play to stem the carnage. feel fre to add your own prediction Note: its one dollar hot dogs and Pepsi (gack) night Did you vote for AMPI today?

First and foremost ... did YOU vote for AMPI today? The Zips best keep in their collective brains that this game is Hartwick's College Cup.

Not in the least arrogant. Most coaches know and like each other. Dambrot is paying a form of coaching respect. Which means, secondarily, that the Zips are NOT going to deliberately run the Blue Streaks out of the gym. Character counts ... and, KD has great character.

John Carroll would blow Millikin out of the gym. Vote for AMPI today ... !!!!

You just keep thinking that the Zips suck. Surprise ... surprise for you. As for sucks canal Waters ... yes, he does. A flake with an ego the size of Toledo. We'll be waiting for his over stuffed sausage face. Waters is a total slime ball.

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The pitch is freshly laid sod (this summer). Add in the recent rain and the lack of deep roots to hold the grass and you get a minor disaster. Creighton need not complain. Having watched the game live and on replay I would say that the Zips did a lot more slipping and sliding than the Jays did. Creighton is a private Catholic university. Good school in a great city (Omaha). I worked for a summer in near by Bellvue then home of the Strategic Air Command. I could tell you what I did there, but, then I'd have to kill you.

Voted once. That was sickening enough. Can't Zip's additional reasons struck a cord with me. Especially about no umbrellas in the stadium. Truth be told; that is normal practice at most stadiums. To this date I am still trying to replace a beautiful Pepsi golf umbrella for a friend that was ripped off when we attended the 77-27 slaughter Virginia Tech laid on the Zips years ago. I recently bought her a new, still in the shrink wrap Pepsi clock. But, alas, several years and presents later, I still haven't been able to replace that golf umbrella. She still hasn't forgiven me. Sigh. Did YOU vote for AMPI today? I did.