GoZips

Root 4, I for one did not see your post. However, if your post was a flamer toward KeithDambrot and especially today's game you are way off base. You are entitled to your opinions.Sometimes it is just best to keep them to one's own self.I was at today's game against UMass. Not once did I observe any player or Akron coach do anything deserving of criticism. UMass was simply too big, too quick and playing at home.I loved our kids performance. They left it all out on the floor. UMass fans were all around me.They were deeply impressed with Akron as a team, its players and the quality of coaching.UMass was greatly surprised by our play. To quote one of them. "You folks sure as hell were noSteven F. Austin. You nearly kicked our butts. Great Job. Hope to play you again in the future."The only negatives I encountered were coming from Akron fans and parents.

uakronkid, nice post. You have spoken volumes.

GoZips was watching the game at home. I made every attempt at getting down to Tallahassee on short notice. All the cheap tickets, even AirTran intoJacksonville were gone. I have over 87,000 frequent flyer miles banked on Northwest. Those suckers told me that I had to spend three nights in Florida tobe able to use 25,000 of them for a ticket. Couldn't do it.On the bright side, I have close friends in Providence, RI. Providence is about a 90 minute drive from Amherst, MA. Easter weekend coming up. Might be ablack out period. If I can get a NorthWorst flight, I'll be in Amherst with several friends.What a joy to read all the carping by the FSU folks. Who the heck do they believe we were? Pollyanna?

We love Zeke. He certainly has the skill set the Zips sorely need in the post.Zeke is Akron's ticket to becoming a true elite mid-major like Gonzaga and Drake and Butler.Zeke would be surrounded by exceptional players such as incoming Anthony Hitchens of state champion Chillicothe.The McKnight brothers, any number of talented under class men, and a lot more all point to a grand Akron future.One thing only do we need Zeke to do. Get Mrs. Beth McKnight's lasagna recipe eat repeatedly. Standing next to Nik Cvetinovic , an incoming freshman you met, revealed that Zeke is lasagna deficient.

Don't look now, but I am going out on a skinny limb. I predict that Portland State will become the first ever sixteen seed to knock off a one seed.Kansas which played great earlier in the season is looking pretty ordinary now excepting beating a down trodden Texas team recently.Portland State has improved steadily all season. They are hungry. They are over achievers. They are off the radar.Portland State squeaks out the first ever sixteen over a one seed win in NCAA tourney history.

Western MI gets a minor snub as the four and five seeds of the MAC tourney get CBI bids. Ohio plays Brown at home. Miami travels to Tulsa. CBI Bracket

Found this on the MAC BBS Toledo Fires Stan Joplin

FORWARDS/CENTERS*Nate Linhart ----- only real senior; excellent yet streaky player; needs to provide leadership*Chris McKnight ---- can play nearly any position; will start at power forward or center; Romeo Travis cloneBrett McKnight ----- proven factor; at this point likely power forward or wing man; could possibly post up; starterJimmy Conyers ---- lost in the dust; needs to really apply himselfMike Bardo --------- spot player; must improve offensive skillsSteve Swiech ------- unproven; size could really help the Zips inside; suppose to be an excellent scorer; weak on defenseTim Carroll --------- walk on; great kid; can give minutes at the small forwardNikola Cvetinovic --- suppose to be a stud; wide body; six-seven; one of two players coach's tag as able to start right nowAndrew Parrish ---- huge wide body at six-eight; great defense, weak offense; real weakness is maturity; could be that enforcer Zips so badly need* returning starterGUARDSSteve McNees ----- good short minute man; strengths include shooting touch, free throws; slow; only fair on defenseDarryl Roberts ---- has demonstrated excellent all round skills; still learning Zips defense; potential starterRonnie Steward ---- injured reserve; no college level playing time or even practice; a year behind; was great in high schoolRydell Brooks ------ spot playerAnthony Hitchens --- if his high school performance is any indicator "Humpty" will quickly grab the starting point guard spotAlex Sullivan ------- prolific scorer; more combo guard than pure shooter; probable starting "two" guard by conference playBrett McClanahan ---- nominated as a McDonald's All American; probably can play point, deuce and small forward; shooterSYNOPSISThe Zips have some returning talent to go along with a great many fresh faces. While they might not win twenty games before MACtournament time, they could do so by the end of the conference tournament. A first round bye is not out of the question. The real fun begins after this team has a year to "season". Zeke Marshall would make the Zips that elite mid-major we all desire.

Steve has a BIG body. He also has potential. He can score which is something that seems to escape Bardo. However, Swiech is a liability on defense. Jeff Boalsand company have all Spring and Summer to improve Steve's defensive skills.The Zips sure could use both big men. Both need to make big improvements to be effective and get a lot of playing time.I, personally, have come to see it KD's way. KD covets Zeke Marshall. Zeke is supposedly better than either Bardo or Swiech. Zeke still has a year of high school.We need Zeke. Let us hope that coach James can reel him in.Second choice is Reggie Keely. Keely is a six-seven wide body with an attitude. One thing the Zips sorely need is a player on the floor with attitude and a body to back it up.

Wow! A lot of excellent observations. While I disagree with some, I think they are all valid and well thought out.Just once I would like for KD to step up and admit that he did not have his team prepared when the Zips stumble. Last night was awful. The heck with blaming themissed shots. There were several basics not being performed properly. A lot of it came from the coaching or lack there of. J Wood (and I love him) was abused by Cant all night and the Zips kept pounding the ball inside to him. Cant would immediately foul him. Once Wood gets in a funkabout his free throw shooting he goes down hill. Hey, AK-Howdies, yes, you dummies, did I not tell you the secret to get Wood knocking in free throws? Why didn'tyou do what you were taught? Your job is to help the team, not just do goofy stuff. When Wood gets the ball at the free throw line you are to yell LOUDLY ..."HEELS".There is a purpose to this. It is to remind Jeremiah to extend when he shoots. His success percentage goes way up when he hears that command.Since we all knew all season that Cant hacks, chops and abuses our perimeter players which forces them into bad play, why not counter with a three and some times four forward line up? Want to pound the ball inside? Fine. Give Wood some baseline help instead of three guards stranded out beyond the arc. Cant had a lot morehelp down low than did the Zips. How about a line up consisting of both McKnights, Wood, Linhart and Darryl Roberts? The heck with the ineffective three guardline up. It failed all three times Akron played Cant because Cant knew how to defend it.And, I totally agree with the observation about why on Earth did KD pull Roberts just when the kid was taking over the offense? Roberts played his heart out.Middleton and Dials are worn out. Roberts is the future. For those of you who are big Steve McNees fans, you are not going to like this, but, Steve will only everbe a part time player unless he learns how to stop going into that awful dribble, dribble, dribble, turnover mode. Steve is a sweet shooter and can give decentminutes so long as he does not try to do it all himself. I cringe every time he handles the ball.I hope that Ronnie Steward can be ready to play come the Fall or he'll be backing up Hitchens. I have seen both Hitchens and Sullivan play this year. Unless thereis a huge step up by any of the other guards, they will be your starting guards for the next four years. And, personally, I think that is a great thing.It is the front line play that concerns me. Chris (C-Mac) McKnight is solid at the four. Brett should compete with the two freshmen guards for scoring honors.The Zips badly need a five (post player) man. It sure isn't Bardo or Swiech. At least not at this point. Swiech couldn't guard me and I'm sixty-four years old.Bardo couldn't score on me and I'm six foot tall and still sixty-four years old. Can Nik Cvetinovic grow an inch or two and give the Zips that badly neededinside presence? As much as I dislike Hambone he beat us up awful. Thank God he is gone.Andrew Parrish with all his six foot eight and great bulk is so immature that he'll be looking at a red shirt next year. Those of you who have read what I write know thatfor the past three years I have been correct on every red shirt. I can not say with total certainty, but, its likely that Brett McClanahan will be red shirted to preventa clog at the small forward position. Just a guess at this point.Linhart has to take command of the leadership. This is a must. However, I loved a comment Humpty made in the post game interview that he is the team leader.Can a freshman be the Zips team leader? You bet. Jimmal Ball did it. btw, congratulations to Chillicothe. I watched the game and a replay. Looks to me thatthe Zips and not the Suckeyes got the real Mr. Basketball. Congrats to Jeff Boals for making the drive down to Columbus to attend the championship game.That is not only classy, its the right thing to do.

I caught the replay of yesterday's semi-final game on ONN late last night.Humpty is for real. He proved that in the first thirty seconds. First, he inbounded the ball utilizing a full court pass to a wide open Ray Chambers resulting in thegame's first dunk. Not fifteen seconds later Humpty dished the ball under the basket that led to an easy lay up. Two asists in the first minute.Cillicothe's opponent was the then number one ranked division II team in the state. A team that was then 25-0. Thus, they were not some sad sack opponent.Humpty knocked twenty-four points, mostly pretty, pretty pull up jumpers. He had several assists and rebounds. His partner in destruction was again Ray Chambers.I would love to see Chambers walk on at Akron.Humpty is a high school senior, not a veteran NBA player. Of course he has short comings. He is certainly not the world's best defender. He will get better ondefense or sit.Overall, he is fun to watch. Humpty is easily the quickest and best ball handling guard Akron has seen in years. You are going to love him.Some of you can view the playoff game on Time-Warner cable by going to free on demand channel 1111.Newspaper Account

Jimmy Conyers sat on the bench during the Central Michigan game. Appearantly Jimmy has not completed his tour in Purgatory.Quade Milum played in both halves during the CMU game.By my observation, playing the McKnights who are both more talented than Quade is the wisest for the team. The McKnights are the future.

Late in the post game radio show when KD finally made his appearance Steve French commented about Humpty."He is the only Ohio Mr. Basket Ball finalist not headed to Ohio State or Xavier."That speaks volumes about Humpty.

How about a point guard that leads his team to a record number of victorys, knocks in 27 points in the regional finals game along with five steals?Gentleman I give the pride of the Soviet Navy ... the ballistic missle submarine Red October. Ooops, wrong promo.Without further ado, I present to you the future point guard of the Akron Zips.Point Guard

Anthony "Humpty" Hitchens selected to first team all state honors.Here's a kick in the groin thanks to sports writers; two OSU signees from Division II (BJ Mullens and William Buford) received co-Player of the Year honors.Its a solid bet that ninety per cent of the high school writers never saw Humpty play during the season.Chillicothe plays in the Division II semi-finals Thursday at the Value City Arena.Humpty Makes First Team All State

I sat katy corner to Zeke Marshall and the two Zips signees that I recognized. I was with in ear shot of LeBron, whom I know. My observation being that Zeke wastreated to a steady stream of dignitarys through out the game. Zeke got to meet coach Faust, LeBron and Romeo as well as Alex Sullivan and Nik Cvetinovic.The best part from what I could tell was the Zeke was involved in watching the game and absorbing the attention. Standing next to Nik I would say that Zeke whilea good four inches taller does not out weight Nik. Nik is a true wide body.For my money, I think the chances of signing Zeke went up, maybe doubled, by being at last night's game. Would love to know his thoughts about playing against Cant.Remember, at this time we have only one scholarship available. Zeke is just a junior in high school. I have switched from wanting Reggie Keely to wanting Zeke.Gawd, I hate Cant.

Which is why we need to continue to promote the University of Akron. Ten years ago I took a lot of heat for being an "anti" Suckeye. Today many of you have joinedthe fray. Life is a lot better for a non-Sucker these days in Ohio. The Akron Zips is your team. Promote that at every opportunity. It filters down and the youngkids pick up on it. Akron's recruiting opportunities improve the more the high school kids realize there is another game in town.Not every kid wants to play for Mr. Rodgers or old crabby. Our coaches are young and full of fire. The kids relate to that. Akron has had Mr. Basketball playersin the past. We will garner them in the future. Its a tough climb from the two star to the three star level. I see a lot of progress. When JD took over his programhe signed one or two the first couple of years. These days the Zips expect at least six.The same is happening in men's basketball. Anthony "Humpty" Hitchens and Alex Sullivan are bonafided three star players. Fortunately for the Zips, Andrew Parrishis a two star with a lot of up side. Had he been a three star player he would never be in a Zips uniform. KD found a diamond in the rough there.There is a George Gipp and a "Pistol Pete" Maravich in the Zips future. Give it time. Remember, John Heisman was a Zip.

I watched the St.Ed's vs Mentor playoff game the other evening. The game was played at Cleveland State's Wolstien Center.Now, if you are any kind of a Zips fan you would quickly spot that CSU's new center court logo looks for all the world like a fierce roo sporting a stylized Viking helmet.Found the logo on their web site. Unfortunately I could not extract a picture. So, I give you a link to CSU's web site.Zippy in Viking drag

Congrats to Chillicothe for making it to the Elite Eight of Ohio Division -II Ohio high school boy's basketball. Anthony "Humpty" Hitchens lead the charge with a twenty-one point out burst in the third quarter. This kid fills up a stat sheet in a hurry.A certain UA coach mentioned that Humpty is the best of the recruiting class and will likely be a starter for the Zips right out of the gate. I agree. This kid is thereal deal.Tournament Win

ROWDY, my friend, why are you getting your knickers all in a wad over anything that titless Rivals.com writes?Never have known them to be in the loop. Its a fluff piece. While us Zippys have a complete and total revulsion toward that slime ball institution of lower learningperched several miles east of our grand campus, we do acknowledge that Cant has a pretty darn good record at 24-6. Cant did defeat St. Mary's on the road inthe Bracket Buster. They also tanked at BGSU. Their resume (RPI wise) is good because they got their brains beat out at North Carolina just as the Deadhawksblew up at Kansas. RPI is largely determined by what big name school kicked your butt from pillar to post. Akron has not lost to big time OOC foes. So, ourRPI languishes behind the likes of Temple, Miami (OH), Ohio U that all fell to Akron at least once. But, all those teams got shelled by a big timer along the way.Sure, its not fair. What is? The deal is this. Beat Cant on Sunday and the Zips play somewhere post season. At 22-8 going into MAC tournament play the Zipshave qualified to play in one of the three tourneys. Win the MAC tournament and both Akron and Cant get to the NCAA tourney. Perhaps Western gets the NIT automatic. There is even a long shot that Ohio could snag an NIT bid.At least one team from the MAC will go to the new tournament. Frankly, I would rather win that tournament than do a "one and done".We can be pretty confident that at least three and probably four MAC teams will get a bid to a post season tournament.As for Cant being on the outs if they do not win the MAC tournament I think that is highly unlikely. A case can be made for Cant if they get to the MAC final. Pleasenote that even Rivals did not list the MAC as a one bid league.

She is one ugly girl. Is Ohio U the only school other than Cant that accepts such freaks?

CAP'N, you wrote: "I know his team played in some very tough, high-level tournaments to begin the season. And the guy the Zips were originally recruiting from VES (Nik wasn't our original target)signed at Temple. So VES is not exactly CVCA. It is a pretty high-level program."My question is this. Since I have followed Nik and VES all season what player on that team is good enough to play at Temple or Akron other than Nik?

The Virginia Episcopal School moves into the second round in division II playoffs on Nik's last second dunk.Nik's Dunk Article

Its pretty naive to think that the referees had no influence on the outcome of the Akron-VCU game.Did Akron shoot well? Perhaps not. Probably not. Still, they were in the hunt to the end. A butcher does not have to put a brick in his scales to tip the balance inhis favor. Nor does a referee have to be blatantly biased. It only takes a degree of shading to one side to tip the scales. I maintain that the CAA officials wereunjust. I thought so at the game. By half time I thought they were calling a fair game. That all changed during the second half. And it was not just in the lastfive minutes of the contest.In fairness, I thought that only two of the officials were favoring VCU. The third official, while he made a couple of calls that were questionable, did not seem tobe biased. I even complemented him as he left the floor. The other two surely heard me refer to their illicit parentage.The solution for these Bracket Buster games is to use officials from a neutral conference. In the Akron-VCU game use Missouri Valley or Horizon officials.I watched most of the B/B TV games. In a few of them the home fans had several displays of incredulity over calls. The two worst were the Cleveland State-Maristgame where even coach Gary Waters got upset. The other was the Cant-St. Mary's game. While the officials could not tip the balance Marist's way, it seemedfor a time that the MAC officials favored Cant. However, in crunch time Cant just out hustled St. Mary's.One point of interest that caught my attention was a comment by an announcer. He pointed out that Chris Singletary "committed a HARD foul". Which the announcerstated sometimes happens. He further pointed out that there was nothing illegal about Singletary's hard slam to a vulnerable St. Mary's player going for a lay up.The St. Mary's fans LOUDLY disagreed with the announcer's assessment. Later the same announcer (color man) mentioned a couple of times that Singletary"seemed to enjoy" hitting people with a lot of force.UnZIPped, great post. I concur. KD is the man.

I just finished watching a replay of the VCU game on ESPN-U.The two announcers had nothing bad to say about either team. They seemed delighted that two top shelf programs were going at each other tooth and nail.I saw nothing either at the game or on the replay that bothered me about how KD coached the game. The Zips were in it to the wire. The only questionablething I noticed at all was Nate Linhart. Nate under achieved two games in a row. Could Jimmy Conyers or Brett McKnight done better? Conyers gives excellentdefense at the price of zero offense. Brett is just the opposite. Since Nate plays great perimeter defense I have to believe that Nate stayed in the game to coverMaynor and Shuler (#24), VCU's other great guard.The announcers stated repeatedly that both teams were playing at tournament level. They were amazed at Jeremiah Wood's performance. I agree on both counts.The replay clearly proved an early post game observation of mine. The Zips got thoroughly hosed by the CAA referees. The TV announcers even pointed outseveral miscues these characters committed. Missed fouls committed against Akron, traveling not called and the wonderful held ball call late in the game where Natewas the only player with his hands on the ball and trying to call time out. Nice. The no call goal tending by Anderson on a Wood soft hook was replayed a coupleof times. It was clearly goal tending. The fans were going berserk. Sanders hard foul on Wood that staggers Wood sideways, again, no call. As I reported before,the loose ball carom off the VCU player out of bounds was a beauty. The TV announcers called it as out of bounds off the player and quickly changed the subjectwhen the ball was awarded to VCU. That one happened right in front of me.VCU is a really good team. On a neutral court with fair referees, they lose to Akron nine times out of ten in single digit differentialsI defend KD because he is doing a good job. Perfect, naw. But a ton better than any Zip coach since Huggins. KD is the man. I believe. I believe. I believe.Yep, I'm pimping for KD.