Captain Kangaroo

True. If the other team isn't winning anything, it ain't much of a "rivalry." It's a ton of fun to beating Ohio State, don't get me wrong. But they haven't stepped up to the plate and made it a "rivalry." I think next year's CSU match could be equally as intriguing/heated/crazy as Ohio State. Only because CSU manned-up and beat the Zips. Ohio State wants to be our rival. But they aren't. They're Robin. We're Batman.

I just laugh and laugh and laugh at all the scarlet and gray sheep who, upon reading anti-Ohio State posts in the past, smugly replied "You're just jealous. Zips fans are all jealous of Ohio State." So sweet to be vindicated. Everything every open-minded, free-thinking, non-sheep has said about OSU being a corrupt machine is proven to be true. Congrats to you, Non-sheep! It is always so sweet to see a complete fraud exposed. "Life Promises for Success: Promises from God on Achieving Your Best." History always repeats itself.

Nicer football stadium -> better recruits -> better team -> more hype -> higher attendance, etc. This logic didn't work for football. better coach was somehow left out of the equation Very true. Say, as an example, at the opening day game at InfoCision, there was a giant inflatable Zippy in the middle of the field. But instead of air, it was filled with diarrhea and vomit. And as the giant Zippy got bigger and bigger, the crowd cheered and cheered...until the kangaroo exploded and covered everyone with it's contents. The crowd leaves, covered with all this crap, angry and vowing never to return. By the prevailing logic in this thread it was a lousy idea to build the stadium, because people don't want to watch Zips football. Everyone ignores the exploding kangaroo. The kangaroo exploded. I saw it. I was covered. For whatever reason, I go back. But I can't blame the other 25,000 people who don't.

Take your base.

Dr Z has seen the light. Look at Dave with a quality one-liner.

And the prophesy is fulfilled. Mark it down. Dambrot gets his first CoTY. Miss Cleo ain't got nuthin' on me. I didn't want you to think I overlooked the post, Doug. You are absolutely correct. I took a big cut at this one, and missed. But from my standpoint, it is a lot more fun to step up to the plate and take multiple good rips at the ball, than to watch the game from a couch. Or stand in a batter's box, bat glued to the shoulder, hoping and praying for a walk. My questions for anyone would be - Did you enjoy reading the post? Was it a "fun read?" Generally speaking, do you enjoy posts like that on ZipsNation? Are those types of posts, whether they're from GP1 or Dr Z or ZipWatcher or anyone else...pretty much the reason you click on the site a few times per day? Or do you like repetitive, milquetoast generalities? Maybe blatantly false information and ill-founded rumors are your fancy? We have those here too. And for free! I like taking the big cut. And writing perspectives that are unique and thought-provoking. It always seems to generate some good follow-up, and keep the board active. I'll never bat 1.000, but when I walk away from the plate, I'm always satisfied with my effort. Dambrot told us in December that Egner and Euton would play big roles for the Zips in 2011...so even that guy misses once in a while? My on-base percentage may be no different that that player who only looks for walks...but I like to think the way I play the game is a hell of a lot more fun and compelling...and, we all know chicks dig the long-ball.

Cap'n, what happened two or three years ago really isn't all that relevant to this particular conversation. Just for that comment, you're on our Basketball Golf Scramble team again this year.

McKauly is gone?!

It is my opinion that this is the only thing that matters. I want to win games. I want the best players on the court that give us the best chance to win. I don't care who practiced well and who didn't. I want the guy that gives our team the best chance to win on the court during the games, because that's what fans come to see, the game. If you don't, then your attendance may suffer. Our Little League coach used to call us "The Practice All Stars." We stunk in games, but man were we awesome in practice.

Shocker.

CSU is more a rival than Ohio State. At least they beat us.

I agree. I hate that our coach is recruiting good players. He should be spending his time on lesser-talented, low-hanging fruit...we'd have a ton of commitments by now.

So we're now sans Diego?

First up: Brett McKnight was far more than a "one dimensional" player. Brett got tagged with being a sub-par defensive player in his sophomore season. Brett stood like a deer in headlights when a UMASS guard drove past him for the game winning basket. Brett has never been able to shake that unfair label. McKnight was a great shooter; a clutch shooter (better than any other Zip during his time at Akron); he also was a decent rebounder. So, one dimension just does not fit Brett. I can't imagine how many all MAC Defensive teams there would need to be before Brett McKnight appeared on one? Maybe "38th Team Honorable Special Mention All MAC Defense?" I'm forever grateful for the two free throws he stroked at The Q in March, and refuse to hate on the kid. He was a solid Zips player. Great kid. But his defense consisted of leaning on the opponent with his forearm. He was essentially one-dimensional ("one-dimensional" meaning a Top-20 threat on the offensive side of the ball, and a Bottom-20% player on the defensive side of the ball). No disrespect to your opinion, or anyone else's.

CK never is negligent in offering an informed, thought-provoking opinion. You know better. Click here for the definitive opinion on Diggs. Should your left mouse button be inoperative, I will offer the following highlight: You're welcome.

Bold prediction.

Other than giving Ianello credit for D'Orazio, I can't find much fault in the column. It's probably the most accurate independent overview of the Zips that I've ever read.

I remember when Larry Shyatt was an assistant at Akron. http://www.gatorzone.com/basketball/men/bi...mp;staff=shyatt Another quality Akron area recruit that goes to Wyoming....man, that is a terrible loss... Shayatt is a funny dude...he was at Wyoming for a single season, then bolted for Clemson. People in Wyoming were pissed. Now they take him back...and a lot of people are even more pissed. I predict Nance Jr. will go to Wyoming, hate it, and transfer back to either CSU, OU or Akron (my crystal ball is on the fritz and I can't see the exact final destination yet). Slight chance he will also renege on his commitment. No chance he plays 4 years in Wyoming. Column on the topic

My notes regarding the banquet are - If you've ever noticed, there is a youth with Downs Syndrome that sits at center court for all the men's hoops games. He had an award dedicated to him last season for "Zips Fan Who's Overcome the Greatest Odds." This year's recipient was Coach Weigand's young son Trevor, who has been battling cancer. Trevor accepted his award and gave a speech at the podium that got a huge ovation. Everyone was a bit choked-up. It was awesome to see him doing well. Regarding Harney and Treadwell -- At the risk of being a buzz-kill, there remains a huge "unknown factor" to these guys. Each only played one season of high school basketball. And each was not allowed to meet with, or practice with the team this season. They enter the program this summer as almost complete unknowns, even to the coaching staff. They seem to be great kids, and grades are fine, but it is anyone's guess when they will be ready to log meaningful minutes on the court. KD really tries to drive home how difficult it is to achieve what the Zips have done over the past several seasons. During his speech he reeled off the other 19 teams D1 teams that have won 20+ games for 6 consecutive seasons. He then listed teams like Toledo and BG, who haven't been to an NCAA tourney since 1980 and 1968 respectively. He then specified the two teams aside from the Zips to be in their conference championship game for 5 consecutive seasons -- Gonzaga and Butler. He mentioned numerous times "You don't understand how difficult it is to achieve what we've done." I think Wistercil needs to give him a hug. And we all appreciate having a meaningful March every year! Despite the roughly 400-person crowd, KD took the time to speak with me for several minutes. He also listened attentively as my long-winded son told him a few stories involving his 4th grade gym teacher, who was a high school classmate of KD's. Thanks, Coach. The classroom that housed my Industrial Circuits classroom is being wiped out along with a couple other classrooms underneath the North bleachers to make way for a what sounds like a "player's lounge." Seems to be the college equivalent of a Continental Airlines President's Club, but without the beer. It is something that most other schools have, and will be a nice recruiting tool. No other JAR renovations were discussed. I loved all the senior's speeches. KD talks about "character" all the time. You can see why these Zips won more games than any other group, despite getting virtually no All-MAC accolades what-so-ever. They always played hard, they were always poised, and that made them winners. Other team's players and coaches always seem to garner the post-season awards, but the Zips play for the championship. I spoke to Brett McKnight's pop for a minute or two. He's a good guy. He's battling back well from his health issues, and looking very robust. He said he'd still return to the JAR for some of the big games next season, including K.e.n.t. Jeremiah Wood probably wishes he didn't attend the event....he got called-out several times during various speeches for not yet having his degree. It was all in jest...but KD takes pride in his graduation rates. And Wood promised to deliver a degree soon. I will be in Arizona when the Zips play VCU. Grrr... Hope it is on ESPN. I had two Roo Brew's at the event... my first and my last. The infected, medicinal liquid reeked of Band Aid, a dead-giveaway to poor sanitation during the fermentation. I had a similar beer in Annapolis once, after the Zips beat Navy. That's the only two times I've had commercially-brewed, infected beers. I can't believe that beer was allowed to exit the brewery doors. Overall, the food was fine. Much better than a few years ago. Steve French's wit rules. He was born to be an emcee. Thanks for a great season, guys. Hope to see a few of you seniors at BW-3's before games next year...I owe you some beers!

Son of a gun...and my sources were telling me the big minutes in 2011-12 were going to Peterson, Oldham, Green and Ibitayo? Who knew?

I think most older Browns fans think "the fumble" was a hilarious play. And they probably still yuk it up when they talk about "the drive." Funny, funny stuff. Likewise, what Zips fan can't find the hilarious side to losing to K.e.n.t.? Me.

Euton was a sloth...on the rare occasion he got off the bench during garbage-time, the kid moved like he was an 80-year old who'd moved piano's his entire life. Maybe he was injured...who knows. I believe his departure evens-out our scholarship situation? It will be interesting tonight to learn if there are any other newcomers-of-note (as hinted by Frenchy at season's end).

No it isn't. Not even close. If you are a "hater," you simply hate someone. If you disparage someone, you are "hating on them." It has absolutely nothing to do with race. I have "hated" on Bryan Hipsher in the past. It wasn't because he was white.

From an "admin" -- You blatently, incorrectly accused IST of calling you a racist. That was totally out of line. I deleted it. We don't take that crap here lightly. Withhold whatever Zips info you want. I could care less. Go away forever. ZipsNation will roll on. If you enjoy this board, be grateful I didn't delete your entire post, instead of 2 sentences. It was easily justifiable to do so. If you get something deleted on ZipsNation, don't puff your chest full of hubris. Don't pose an incredulous look and play the victim. Look in the mirror for the reason why. CK