GoZips

See my post for June 26th in Summer Session(s).

Duplicate post. I really dislike this new version of ZipsNation. What we kindly refer to as a POS

People, it is nice that you are "hawking" your favorite players. That said, playing them out of position solves little. Kwan just does not yet have the heart or the skill of a big man. He behaves like what he is, a tall small forward. KC has done a nice job off season of improving his size, bulk and conditioning. Still, Pat blows him up down on the blocks. KC is probably a year away from playing inside. We may see Kwan get minutes in the blocks against weaker opponents as the coaches develop his skill set. This does not mean he is a bonafide post player. It just means he is learning. Opening inside space for Tree comes by forcing our opponents to guard our guards. Last season opponents rarely bothered to defend our guards. Why? Because they could not shoot. Both of the freshman guards can and will shoot the lights out. Opponents will not have the luxury of double teaming Tree. Both BJ and Aaron have size, motors and attack the basket. If either of them play good defense the guard issues are resolved. Let's not band-aid fix our problems. Instead, let's use the fresh talent to make the team better. Akron's coaching staff is one of the best in the business. So, please, when they don't do it "your way" relax and enjoy the results. D.I.G. saw one open gym and reversed his analysis. These freshmen ARE the real deal. Take the time to go watch the games on Sundays down at Walsh.

Yeah, no practice this week as the players are working the Summer camps. Today's lesson: Take the time to read Coach Kest's tweets and retweets. Many a valuable lessons to learn. One that truly applies to college basketball: The Spurs passed the ball three hundred - sixty-seven times more than the Heat did over the series.

Does NOT work using IE7. Tip of the hat to hiltopper. Now using Google Chrome.

Grrrrr..... I despise this new format. Simply can not do simple things like quote a previous post.. Z.I.P. to answer your question, contact Amanda Baird in the men's basketball office.

First week of practice now in the book. Saw nothing to diminish the initial enthusiasm regarding the Freshmen point guards. The point has to be run by a savvy, quick, skilled player that is a mixture of selfish and generous. Wednesday's open gym saw a point drive the lane on a breakaway, look to both sides, pull up and bury a 12 foot shot. Previously, the point was afraid to take such a wide open shot. These cold blooded shooters attacked and delivered. The freshmen bring, savvy, cunning, quicks and the lethality of scoring off the dribble drive. They are quick. At this time I will not reveal who did what. It is way too early to make selective judgments. All three are better than what the Zips have enjoyed in recent years. One thing that stands out is off the ball play. These guys know how to play the point and lead. Speaking of leading, Tree has been vocal and pushing his team mates. This is good to see. No one is seriously hurt, though a couple are a bit banged up. BJ reminds me of a slightly smaller Romeo Travis. Which is probably why hilltopper has visions of BJ going down low. I think that is a reach as he is even under sized for the three hole. Aaron is as bouncy and positive as ever. Big Dog is not as polished as we hoped. BUT, he is still a force. The big surprise in my eyes is the gritty post play Kwan is exhibiting. We sure need his bulk down low. A week off up coming as its Summer Camp time for the kiddies. Clev-Akron pro-am play begins Sunday, June 15 at Walsh University.

Monday, June 9th, marked the start of individual workouts as authorized by the NCAA. Each player is allowed two hours of coached practice per week. At Akron this broken into 3 forty minute sessions per set. This means these practices can continue for each summer school session. After just two workouts it is already clear that the Zips have GREATLY improved the point guard position. Both scholarship signees and the preferred walk-on have demonstrated that they have excellent skills and will challenge for major minutes. The incumbent, Carmelo Betancourt, has seen the writing on the wall. Melo has stepped up his game to meet the challenge. It is much too early to render any judgment. Only thing I would say is that the fans of Boston College were choking on sour grapes when they blew off Noah Robotham as a "two star" MAC level talent. At the end the two major schools competing for Noah were Oregon State and Missouri. Neither are MAC schools. Antinio Jackson is lightening quick. He also has a deadly "three" ball. The walk-on, Malcom Walters, is showing that he is skilled. Pat Forsythe has filled out and is imposing. I heard him referred to as "The Undertaker". Kwan Cheatham is working with the bigs. Thus far "KC" is taking the low post banging well. Kwan also bulked up nicely. BJ Gladden added weight and upper body strength. Jake and Reggie are healthy. Competition for minutes should be fierce. Next step is recruiting front court players.

Two early season "rags" hit the news stands Friday. The Sporting News picks the Zips to finish fourth in the MAC East. Lindy's is some what kinder and more realistic; picking Akron second. If ESPN picked the Zips as the #115 team, they have lost all sense of reality.

Scarbrough is Iannello 2.0

The topic of a potential new basketball arena came up at tonight's women's basketball banquet. What I heard was that the planners of the proposed tax hike mishandled their target. That is, some one blurted out new arena and the press ran with it. Facts are that the arena comprises about one quarter to one third of the expected new revenue if the sales tax is passed. The county (Summit) is not interested in building a new basketball arena for the University of Akron. That was to be a "sweetener" to draw more favorable votes. Presenting the tax as "build a new arena" was mishandled. Government; what do you expect? The University is expecting to go it alone on a new arena should the tax fail. If that happens the new arena will be built on campus near the current arena; most likely in the parking lots just East of Rhodes Arena.

This is an excellent addition to Akron. The young man does some things that do not show up on stat sheets. He goes to the basket with authority and can finish. He seems to have no fear. I like that. Seems to be more of a combo guard. I think he played the point for St. Ed's. Remember that he was a starter on the Division one state championship team. He knows how to win. Also, he is quick. I am surprised that he was not offered by any low major or Div. 2 team. Perhaps he was. Darn glad to get him.

That sounds good. I fear portable, moveable seats along court side that can be retracted for hockey. I want no part of an arena that has a floor large enough for hockey. It would destroy the intimacy needed for basketball. Frankly, like GP1, I would much prefer an on campus, University owned and controlled arena. I am NOT willing to wait "several more" years. Do it now.

@akzipper ... to quote you "UA will probably get stuck financing it themselves, get cheap and build a small arena like BG." Is the kiss of death. Such an arena would doom any future plans for at least twenty years just as it has at Bowling Green. Spend the money up front. The long term payoff will more than cover the initial outlay. The buzz among many is that the Zips want up and out of the MAC. I am with this group. The idea is to improve the university and the city. Let's just do it. For once may the naysayers and wolly wogs stay in their caves.

She is a CLASS act. Too bad we did not see more of her when the Ianellos were in Akron.

Noah is getting a lot of tweets asking him to commit to UNLV. If he does he will enjoy a loooong stint on the bench; possibility his entire college career. A fifth year senior just signed with UNLV and they have an outstanding sophomore point guard. Happy trails gathering splinters when he could be a four year starter at Akron.

Timing is everything. This may not be the time to move on. Jodi brings in her best recruiting class ever. Fearful that if she leaves she will take her prize recruit (Alli Ball) with her. That would sting. There are plenty of good candidates to replace her, since she has the Lady Zips on top. For my money Glenn Box would make a great follow on coach. Jodi is likely to invite him to Houston. Sad.

Players do NOT go to San Jose State to ball. They go SJSU to enjoy the extra curricular life. What I remember most about the San Jose area was the great flying weather. As a private pilot I loved it. Use to fly out of Reid-Hillview airport. Flying in for landing you flew low over a huge Sears store. You could actually land on its roof as several pilots did in an emergency. The other thing about San Jose was all the old people out early in the morning gathering large snails that were sold to restaurants to make Escargot.

Nice pic with that last tweet. Dad gum it. Tree is rubbing off on this boy.

Do the deal, Noah. You will enjoy the ride; the work; the company; the pride; the championships.

Hey, hey, hey. Great award. Well deserved. Love that dedication. DIG is next.

This better be a preferred walk-on. The kid is a D-3 player.

What a fine family Zeke has surrounding him. Darryl has many friends beyond the immediate family. The trip was one of joy as we got to "Celebrate Life" along with the Bozemans and Marshalls. It is my firm, personal belief that Darryl is now enjoying what we all strive for; rest in the arms of our Creator. May God eternally rest Darryl's soul. Please continue to pray for Dan Peters. We love Dan.

Sounds better to a Zips fan. 49-42 that is.

Have to laugh at the silly, hateful remark. September 10, 2006: Akron 20, NC State 17 Just embarrassing. Also, the Akron runner's knee clearly touched the ground before he scored the game winning TD, and somehow the replay officials chose to not even review it. Not on the list only because this entire year was a disaster and one more win would have changed little. Driving home from that game we listened to the three hour long post game show. The commentator repeatedly made the following remark. "Folks, we have watched the replay more than forty times. The Akron player scored every single time." Since the game was televised it was camparatively easy to Photoshop the last play of the game. Which persons unknown, promptly did. Sour grapes. NC State lost. Period. Get over it. In a one-on-one conversation with Coach Chuck Amato after his arrival in Akron to coach the Zips I asked him about the play. Coach Amato claimed that the runner's knee DID touch the ground shy of the goal line. His opinion. Coach also admitted that on the previous play the Akron QB, Luke Getsy, scored standing up. The officials then placed the ball on the two yard line claiming Getsy was down. Replays show that Getsy did actually score. So much for honest officiating.