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I'd like to think that knowing this is KD's strategy would put an end to the endlessly repeated criticism of McNees for dribbling so much around mid court. If a player is following the directions of the coach, and the coach directs him to dribble around a lot, then the player cannot be legitimately blamed. It's a coaching decision, pure and simple.KD is NOT pleased with Steve going into mindless dribble mode. Steve did this last season and the coaches took time to coach him away from doing this. Steve has regressed. I managed to get KDto admit that dribbling for "x" number of seconds and then tossing up a chuck shot is a de facto turnover. Believe me, he was just as reluctant to admit it is a turnover as you are. Its a turnover whether it shows up in the stats or not. ..... I can understand pointing out when players make mistakes, although creating an all-new negative measurement ("de facto turnover") to pin on one specific player is a stretch. I've seen McNees and other Zips players get caught with the shot clock running down and have to chuck one up. Sometimes it's because the defense is just doing an outstanding job of covering all of our players, sometimes it's because the other Zips aren't trying hard enough to get open for a pass and sometimes it's the result of a miscalculation by the guy with the ball. Sure, I'll agree McNees has his share of those. He also has more opportunities to make mistakes, because the coach trusts him to handle the ball more than anyone else.All players make mistakes. McNees makes few enough mistakes that KD has the confidence to keep him in the game for more minutes than any other player. When KD starts pulling McNees for too much dribbling and too many "de facto turnovers," I'll start believing that McNees is guilty of having a problem as serious as a few of his most vocal critics post here. Until then, I'll continue to trust KD's judgment that McNees' positive qualities far outweigh his negative tendencies.I'm sorry, Dave, this problem is cronic with Steve. There were four half or OT ending times inthe OU game. Steve pulled this stunt TWICE. He simply does not read the defense and then take action.I will continue to complain about this trait until it is cured. It is a problem.This is a team. It is NOT the Steve McNees show. I would love for Steve to be the game hero. Inorder for that to happen Steve has to run the point; not put it all on his shoulders. That forgotten assist is just as important as the winning shot. Oh, BTW, Steve did not throw an errant pass in Darryl Roberts direction. Darryl tripped over Chris McKnight's leg as he was coming around Chris. Darryl was not there to catch the ball. It was NOTany sort of a failure on Steve's part. This play occurred right in front of me. Deduct one turnover.

I'd like to think that knowing this is KD's strategy would put an end to the endlessly repeated criticism of McNees for dribbling so much around mid court. If a player is following the directions of the coach, and the coach directs him to dribble around a lot, then the player cannot be legitimately blamed. It's a coaching decision, pure and simple.KD is NOT pleased with Steve going into mindless dribble mode. Steve did this last season and the coaches took time to coach him away from doing this. Steve has regressed. I managed to get KDto admit that dribbling for "x" number of seconds and then tossing up a chuck shot is a de facto turnover. Believe me, he was just as reluctant to admit it is a turnover as you are. Its a turnover whether it shows up in the stats or not.I should have included that AD Tom mentioned working on scheduling OOC games with teams fromC-USA, Sun Belt and WAC in addition to the comment about Marshall. I had asked him specifically aboutthe Turd

The basketball coaches showed up at the Tap House as did AD Tom Wistrcill. Ianello was a no show.Even though the show was not aired it still took place, sort of. The radio team, the coaches and a fewfans (of which I was among them) enjoyed the comradery.We learned that there is NO football game scheduled with Virginia Tech. The OOC schedule for 2010is exactly as has been presented here on ZN. The AD favors playing just one BCS school per seasonwhile scheduling mostly non-BCS schools so the future Zips will have more home games by schedulinghome 'n home. Coach Peters wondered out loud why I'd even be interested in a game in 2015 sinceits not likely I'll still be sucking wind then. Thanks, pal.AD Wistrcill mentioned that we are in negotiation with Marshall University for a home 'n home FB series.KD offered that his 26-7 team was his best. The kid sitting in the recruits section at the OU game was St.V-St.M sophomore point guard. KD expects a hard fought victory down in Oxford. He still thinks that Steve is his best overall guard. He took some heat for that comment.I suggested that the publicity department run some radio ads for the Saturday women's game invitingfans to cheer on the Ladies with the VCU game to be aired on the jumbotron. An idea well received.Some one suggested using the TVs in the Tommy Evans lounge along with snacks.Coach Kest is in high spirits. Her incoming recruits are kicking butt state wide. Interest in the ladiesis high in the Zips Nation. A spirited debate took place as to who the best lady Zip is. Opinions differ.For once, the lousy food did not upset my stomach. The new waitress is a looker.

I'll never forget that play as long as I live. I'm impressed you remember X's ranking. McNeese makes me nutz at the point, only reading rationalizing stats makes me more nutz. I wish we had a point guard. Can we PLEASE get one of those next year.DrZ, we already have two excellent point guards. Both Humpty and Ronnie Steward are excellentpoints. Especially Ronnie if he is given a chance. Here is a tip that will get me in trouble with KD. Ronnie and to some extent, Humpty are disheartenedwatching Steve play the point when they know they are better players at that position. KD has rosecolored glasses on regarding McNees. Now, for the umpteenth time: I would love to see Steve on the floor. At the shooting guard positionis where he is of the greatest value to the Zips. But, I'm just a more stupid fan than the rest of you.Oh, how do I know these things? To start with, where do I have my season tickets? Enough said.

Dave, there is a type of turnover that Steve is habitually guilty of that never shows up as a turnover.Steve goes into a dribble, dribble, dribble mode where he never releases the ball and ends up takingan ill advised chuck shot that almost never goes in. While its not counted as a turnover it actually is.Steve is an excellent shooter when he has a chance to get "set". That is why I long for him to be at the two guard spot. Where he can receive a pass when he is open and then shoot his excellent trey ball.Coach Dambrot is enanmored with Steve at the point. The rest of us are seeing that Steve is a much better two guard.

McNees went Freddy Brown, tossing a bullet pass to absolutely no one with 30-something seconds remaining in regulation. We were in the driver's seat and it was a totally unforced error. It very easily could have cost us the game. He also hoisted an unnecessary 30-foot three pointer in OT with way too much time left on the clock. It too could have cost us the game.McNees has his strengths and his weaknesses. Being the off guard is his strength. Being the point guard in a tight game is not his strength. What's the stat that quantifies late game hyperactivity? If you figure it out, let me know. Please call it "The Ali Kart Percentage."CK, I see that you now see the light. Much as I like Steve at the "two" he is not a great point guard.Steve also did his excessive dribble, dribble, dribble, throw up a wasted shot at the end of the first half. McNees is not reading the floor and making like a point guard. He is trying to be Mr. Hero akaSuperman.The errant throw is likely that same old bug-a-boo of failing to communicate. The Zips, as a team, arestill not vocally communicating to each other. Fortunately two bigs is more than equal to a DJ Cooper.Had to laugh at the Ali Kart reference. Most of these folks weren't even alive when Ali chucked up asenseless desperation shot when he could have driven to the basket uncontested and given the Zipsan upset win over then ninth ranked Xavier.

We are in trouble now.Shaka Smart is a Keith Dambrot protege.

I don't recall that name on the fall recruit list. Probably means to say she WILL sign with Akron -- in April when next signing period rolls around.Hey, Z.I.P. in paradise, please be advised that Sina King IS a Zip.2010-2011 Lady Zips Signees

I could not disagree more.The key principle is INTEGRITY.The players, the coaches, the fans, the community are all affected by personal integrity or the lack of it.It has taken a while for Jody Kest to weather personnel problems on her team. She has done aremarkable job. Now she has the respect of the community and her players. No one is countingold basketball game loses.Now, I have no clue as to what caused Brett to be suspended. However, I do know his father personally.I would not care to be Brett right now. If any of you think coach Dambrot is hard on Brett, you haveanother thought coming. Phil McKnight is a no nonsense upstanding man. He will right his son. Count on it.

Agreed. An excellent all round article.One thing sits well with me. No Florida kids. Don't take that wrong. Florida produces great football players. Kids who have neverplayed in cold weather. All these northern kids are experienced with cold. This willbenefit the Zips in the late season games. I like it.Sounds like coach Ron is doing an excellent job.See you all at the Spring game.Go Zips...!!!!

I drifted this quote from my post on offering my tickets to the NIU game.My right .... you bet. I have been a fan of Zips sports from before most of you were born. I have held multipleseason tickets for football and basketball for more years than I care to count.Ninty-nine percent of the time I am a huge supporter of coaches. Even the really bad ones. I love KD.But, he has lost control. He needs to right the ship. The Zips have stunk up four of the past five games.The team has no heart, no soul, no drive, no killer instinct. Where is the leadership? I will tell you where.He is sitting to damned much of the time. KD, love the kids. Stop putting them in season long dog houses.Tonight I saw Dan Hipsher not Keith Dambrot. Hipsher never trusted his kids. KD knows better.Let us start with basics. First, free throws. Which coach teaches free throws? It is not enough tomake the kids shoot free throws when they are winded. A coach needs to watchfully correct bad mechanics.It is not being done. Game after game the kids go to the line and never get off their heels. A free throwshot is a continuous motion that begins at the ball of the foot and ends with full extension of the shootingarm. Other than Darryl Roberts none of the kids have good mechanics. Not one.Second, we play great defense for thirty seconds, usually. Sure, there are occasional breakdowns, that hapens.The problem is the last five seconds. Teams have learned to pass and weave and patiently wait for theend of the shot clock then drive the basket. We stand there flat footed and they knock down lay up afterlay up .. unguarded. This happens repeatedly because no one is communicating. No one calls the switch. No one releases and doubles down. No one, and I mean, no one is talking on the floor. If they were, we would hear them.You know all those missed shovel passes that become turnovers? No communication and the receiving player gets the ball unexpectedly. He can not read the other guy's mind.Third, other than Nikola, who drives the lane to the basket? That's right. No one.Fourth, we need a point guard that sees the floor and distributes the ball. I love Steve McNees, at the twowhere he gets open and knocks down treys. It is a whole different ball game when he is chucking themup in desperation. KD is not developing a point guard because he is comfortable with Steve. I'm not.But, I'm just a stupid fan. I want Steve out at the two where he is most effective.Fifth, who is guarding who? We had Brett McKnight guarding the EMU shooter. Isn't that better handledby Jimmy Conyers? I thought that assignments were awful. EMU had so many great mismatches on us.Sixth, lethargy. You just got to love lethargy because we have so much of it. Passion? Hell, if the securityguards catch a fan with any sort of passion they hustle them right out of the gym. If KD sees a playerplaying with passion he sits him down. KD, you are ripping the hearts out of these kids. Its on you, pal.Seven, the good old AK-howdies. They are back. Thrity kids in each end zone. There were a thousandRowdies at the soccer games. They all die?My last gripe of the night is the backing off of the full court pressure right when EMU was coming unglued.The time out at 6:32 and the three bigs are sat down and in trots Zeke, McClanahan and I don't recall.At any rate, the full court pressure stopped and so did the run. That's coaching, ahem. I am pissed.

I am so disgusted with what I saw tonight that I have no desire to watch the Zips lose to NIU.Thus, my two reserved seats in the lower bowl are free for the taking. Just message me here on ZipsNation and I will leave them at Will Call.The tickets have been spoken for. tnx

The highly respected "Bracket Board" has the Zips, Cant and Canada as three of the eleven TV games.The B/B has the Zips playing at George Mason.The Bracket Board web site

To make it all the sweeter .... BUGS lost at Toledo.BUGS and UT are now both 6-1 with BUGS having no way revenge that loss.Unfortunately the Lady Zips also have to play UT in Toledo. A win there would be huge.Today's win makes this coach Kest's best season (12 wins) and ties her record of 6 MAC winsin a season. Best part: the Ladies are only half way through the MAC schedule.

GP1, best piece you have ever written. I, too, know about playing for a losing college football team. Losing sucks.This evening I looked in the women's media guide and found that last year was Kest's best year as an Akron coach.She posted an 11-19, 6-10 MAC record. So, for the record, with ten games remaining the Lady Zips are on the verge of producing coach Kest's best year. Currently the Ladies are 11-9 and 5-2 in the MAC. The Ladies shouldfinish in the upper half. Quite an achievement for a once morbund program.While coach Kest may and probably should bolt at some future date, I do not believe that it is any sooner than twoyears away. Kest probably wants that MAC championship and a trip to the NCAA on her resume. She earned it.

Make note of the fact that coach Kest is now successfully recruiting the level of talentthat three years ago would have never given the Zips a second look.The incoming group is sufficiently talented to start from the git go. Young & LuburghYou will have to dig a little to get stats on these two ladies that are on a Div-I team that is currently 15-0. But, its worth your time. They play for Tri-Valley, Dresden, OH.The other two girls, Kacie Cassell and Sina King) are both having excellent seasons.Unfortunately, stats on them is a good bit tougher to dig up.You can rest assured that coach is recruiting even better talent for the next class.Winning changes everything. The gals aren't perfect, far from it. But, they arelight years better than when coach Kest came to town. She is doing a fantastic job.

D'Orazio may be a "smallish" QB, however, he is one LARGE DB.

Josh Egner was in attendance. He moved from the end zone to section E and sat right in front of me.His school jacket bore his name.

GP1 is totally correct. There was such a culture of death associated with Akron women's basketballthat remnants of it still exist. That shows in the unfairly low attendance numbers.Coach Kest has step by step, piece by piece, rebuilt the women's program. High school players who inthe recent past would not even listen to Akron coaches are now listening. Akron women's basketballnow has a sound reputation locally. I know this because today I spoke with a gentleman who has morethan thirty years association with girl's high school basketball locally.The Lady Zips are not a finished product; far from it. They are, however, now respectable in the MAC.Opposing coaches must now do battle with the Ladies on and off the court for wins and talent.My friend pointed out a couple of glaring problems the Lady Zips have. And his awareness that coachKest is actively working on resolving the issues. He stated that given two or three more years Akronwill be competing for the MAC title. I agree.

Mike Foote?Isn't he the referee that killed the Zips down at Dayton with his two shot foul call when Dialswas lofting a desperation three?Jerry Sauder?I thought we had the patent on his bad calls.

KD is convinced that Steve is his best point guard at this point.Personally, I prefer Steve at the two where he can do a lot of damage with his rangy three ball. And, Stevecan still guard people and make things happen on defense.The final objective is to get Ronnie Steward settled into the starting point guard role. Ronnie is still catching up.

I will be there.

While we wallow in the post game lust of a major beat down I am surprised that no one, and I meanno one, has mentioned a pair of glaring shortcomings. I really want answers to why no adjustmentwere made at half time for Bowling Green's very effective three quarter court press on our inbounds.Nor was an adjustment ever made to the half court trap double teams the kids kept running into.Now, the Zips beat URI's vaunted full court press by going over the top. But, against BUGS thethree quarter press seemed to terribly disrupt Akron at the beginning of the game. Admittedlythe kids gradually over came the jitters in the half court offense. It was, to say the least, quiteunnerving to watch.Other teams are going to review game tapes (film) and see that these tactics were effective.Expect to see these tactics applied in the future. Hats off to Louis Orr for a smart game plan. Heis one wise coach. His lack of floor talent let him down, not his coaching. Zips watch out.

I would not be boasting about this. The resume at Akron isn't pretty, but he'll do just fine in YSU. We have a winning tradition and will get the job done. Trust me, anyone is better than the last bum at Offensive Coordinator we had.I agree with zff.Montgomery's poor history far predates coaching at Akron.Be careful of what you wish for.

Gosh.I like the prospect of developing a BIG kid who doesn't have a rap sheet.Give him a real chance.This is what coaches are for.The SEC does not recruit Pennsylvania, but the Big Ten does.