Captain Kangaroo

Two wins in the last 24 games...five wins in the last 36 games...trust me, it makes people a little skeptical. Coach Bowden has, in 1 month, generated more goodwill and excitement regarding the Zips football program than Ianello did in 2.5 years. If this were an 800meter race, Bowden would have lapped Ianello while simultaneously running backwards and signing autographs. Great times are ahead for Zips football. But expect Zips fans to need a little time to warm up to a winner and a pro. Chalk it up to Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.

Ah...ZW and I were so young and ambitious in those early years...

I believe Nitro has had a difficult time transitioning from the McNees/Roberts half court game, to the fast break, high flying style of play the Zips have embraced in 2011-12. Even Dambrot has taken some time adjusting to coaching this mix of old+new players. That said, Nitro is an athlete, in the mold of Bobby Sura, sans the hops. He was all-state in 3 different sports. He has the skill set to play wide open, fast break, run-and-stun basketball. He bagged that part of his game for 3 years because it didn't fit those Zips' teams, but he can adjust. I see signs of Nitro loosening up. Having the green light to fire-away, I believe he'll be doing more shooting down the stretch, and less thinking. I look for a more relaxed, free-firing Nitro down the stretch now that it's his established role.

I liked your original Harney Badger post. I love any clever post, because the board can sometimes be overrun with epic, go-no-where 1,000 word oratories, typically containing a bold summary like - "Sometimes players are good, and sometimes they are bad...all we can do is watch the games, trust the coaches and hope for the best in March." As I've said many times, once the board is no longer fun, I'm out. Everyone should be. I only question the rush to official nicknames that seems to be so prevalent anymore. "Sparty's gotta love what's goin' down in C-bus with The Vest and blah blah blah..." Bogus?

Our turnovers kept the game close. Since the WVa game, Diggs has improved SO much at the point. If AA is struggling, like he was last night with turnovers, Diggs seamlessly steps in. If you can get see through the dense Harney-mania that abounds (not that there's anything wrong with it), Q's had a great series of games.

Jason "The Captain" Stargel? Sorry...I had a Berman Moment.

+1 Nik was horrific last night. A turnover machine. And he got away with a couple travels too. Wish he could reliably convert the 2-foot bank shot.

@ JZ84 I like nicknames too. Good ones. Do we really need to call Terry Bowden "T-Bow"? What's that? How long is "Honey Badger" going to be topical/relevant? Another two weeks? It just seems like some people are itching to tag a quicky nickname on any new player or coach now-a-days. Nicknames are earned. Was "The Steel Curtain" named before they ever made a sack? Was "Mr. Clutch" Bryan Hiphser named before he ever missed a free throw?

We're not in Kansas anymore...thank God Ianello is. Another small, positive step in repairing the category 5 damage of the Ianello regime. I'll take it.

Zeke's effectiveness is best measured by blocks, and wins. He never gets the numbers like the physical bigs he faces, but those physical bigs need to have huge numbers for their team to have a chance to win. Zeke needs his 4-5 blocks, plus 4-5 altered shots, and the Zips typically end up in the win column. Points, schmoints.

And it holds true for yet another game...

Marshall was a beatdown too.

Ah, "The B Hip17 Rule." I remember it well.

He's usually found on a couch, where he can deftly perform the "YMCA/O-H-I-O" motions horizontally. He has never been to a Zips sporting event, yet can tell you everything that is wrong with Zips athletics.

OMG...maybe the lecture was really really boring? LOL

Why do people feel compelled to give Akron players or coaches nicknames?

As I sit in the Charlotte airport, beneath the 25 foot high banner stating "Home of the Great GP1, " I will take a few minutes to clarify "The Harney 20 Rule." Harney 20 was based upon what it takes for the Zips to beat a difficult team, on the road. If Nick Harney gets 20 minutes, the odds of a Zips loss to ANY solid mid-major team is almost zero. Since the Zips NEVER win at Buffalo, the Buffalo Harney 20 factor was the full 20. Anything less was futile. The exact number of minutes Harney should/must receive MUST be a variable, changing with venue and strength-of-opponent, otherwise it's irrelevant. As previously stated, Harney could log 0 minutes against EMU or NIU, and the Zips would still win by 20+. As far as the K.e.n.t. game is concerned, KD realized the mistake he was making, only playing Harney 5 minutes in the first half (a 10mpg pace). He upped his minutes to 8.5 in the second half, the exact pace recommended in the CK Harney 20 pre-game calculation of 17+ for an entire game, and the Zips quickly turned a 10 point deficit into a 12 point win. Ball State Harney 20 Factor: 16+

Man, you're right. That Harney kid is awesome.

Then shame on UA for not spreading their message and marketing their excellent product. I see hundreds of kids walking around the JAR at every home game. After Christmas, most of them should have been wearing the Zips basketball jerseys they found underneath their tree. There are plenty of customers for nice jerseys. Sorry to hijack the dadgum thread. I'll cease.

I coach youth basketball. At my practice Tuesday, one kid had a nice Pitt basketball jersey, one an Arizona jersey and one an Ohio State jersey. Our 20+ win, NCAA qualifying, MAC Champ basketball team has no jerseys for fans or kids to buy. Stupid and short-sighted.

I think you're off by a factor of at least 10. Probably much more.

Have her pick me up a Zips #22 replica jersey.

Dadgum T-shirts, but I can't get a decent Zips replica hoops jersey? I love UA too, but not because they do anything smart regarding Marketing.

What surface are you on...the moon? If Harney gets an appreciable amount of minutes, it's because he's ridiculously talented. And he produces.

If it was simply a 20-minute rule, anyone could do it. The Zips ain't so simple. Spreadsheet? Once it turns from fun, into work, I'm out.