UAZipster0305

The mark of a young team is losing close games, and we have too many of those for me to list off the top of my head. When this team learns to closeout, it will be a force. At least for one full season I'd like us to have a mature and complete team...no injuries, suspensions, or dismissals; no 10 minute scoring droughts; and 26+ wins including an NCAA win or two. I know right now we are way better than the Hipsher era, but this program needs that kind of season to refresh the fans and community. I recognize the athleticism and talent of the young players, but I think all the public sees is four straight losses. I still like our chances for a MACC. All our losses are close, no MAC team is clearly better than the others, and we always play our best in the MAC Tournament. Why not us? With regard to UB, I was so happy to see McCrae graduate...then Moss steps right in. The guy is a monster of a good player. If any current MAC player has NBA potential it is him. Kudos for his consistent play tonight; he was Canada's anchor. On our side, good games from Pat, Deji, and Big Dog.

From gozips.com: #13 Akron Rifle Team Travels to #9 Ohio State for NCAA Qualifier#TeamOhio

Be prepared for a loss in Canada. We lose there every year even when we have a far superior team, and Buffalo is very good this year.

The team has shown fight all year, and I think this bodes very well come tournament time.

This is the difference between an experienced team like Toledo and our youth. Things could be worse though...we are deep and now even have a walk-on who can contribute. I am not one to complain about officiating, but I thought there were a handful of questionable calls and they all went in Toledo's favor. If those are more balanced, most of ZNO is probably singing our high praise and antcipating a MACC. Overall, the game was very even and in spite of Toledo beating us twice, I like our chances against them in Cleveland. May the best team win.

#TeamOhio and iCoach. Those two things alone are worthy of not having a contract renewed. As far as I'm concerned, he got four more years than he deserved.

Obviously, and I don't think he should be retained on his comments associated with #TeamOhio alone. However, his superior was on board with that embarassment of our university.

Why are we assuming he won't be retained?

I remember the game at Can't a few years ago when some of our Rowdies dressed as Can't fans and rolled out a "We Suck" sign in their student section...on TV! That was classic! Where did this creativity and enthusiasm go? Even if both teams are winless, games against Can't should still have meaning.

Yes, it's definitely a must win if we want to win the East. All the more reason ZNO should be buzzing with enthusiasm. If ZNO members aren't excited and buzzing, I can only imagine the level of student apathy. NIU and OU should have been easy wins too, but they weren't. I know, Jekyll and Hyde - home and away.

We're tied for first place in the East, coming off an exciting home win against Canada, and we have a home game against our rivals (also tied for first place in the East) on ESPN3 tomorrow night. Yet there are only crickets on the board. What gives?! It's Monday at 2:08PM and...

The OOC losses to MTSU and PSU really hurt. The MTSU and OU losses are particularly tough to take because they were by 1 point. NIU shouldn't have been a loss. An older / more mature version of this team probably only has three losses right now: Miami FL, NDSU, and Toledo. However, I can accept this team's performance. Top to bottom, this is the most athletic team KD has ever had yet it is still very young. There will be growing pains.

DiG, this is by far your most insightful and concisely written analysis ever! Kudos. Go Zips!

Beating Pitt was huge...potentially...but not when it is followed up with a weak performance at Ohio, a pounding at Buffalo, and a loss to the pillow-fighting Golden Flashes. Two of those three games were winnable. Do that and the program is on a substantial upswing and recruits take notice. As is, the Pitt win is easy to dismiss as an anomaly. We have another chance at Pitt and a break out season next year. I'd love to beat Pitt twice in two years!

Thanks for the insight, CK!

I count a total of 5 recruits who we offered but ended up at OSU. It's a good thing we don't compete with OSU for recruits, huh, Tom W.? #TeamOhio I like that Coach Bowden offered to a lot of high level recruits even though we lost out to bigger programs. You never know when we might snag one of these top guys, but that only happens if we make the offer.

And how are we doing? I really have no idea. It would be appreciated if a few ZNO members could elaborate on this point.

Another good win for the ladies. Coach Kest is outstanding. I hope she stays.

This was an exciting overall game, and I don't lament the loss. Unfortunately, it was yet another example of the Zips losing because of a long scoring drought and attrocious foul shooting. When their big guy hit the long three from the sideline on the scramble play, I gave up. I was about to get upset about how lucky it was then I realized it balanced out with Pat's three. It's encouraging that the team didn't give up; that alone may win us a couple tight games down the stretch or in the MAC Tournament. Onwards and upwards.

I like the Zips in this one, but I think it will be fairly tight. I expect a back and forth game until the last few minutes when we pull away and win by no more than five. I expect us to struggle some on the road against a team that is not WMU or BUGS. I love being able to watch on ESPN3!

Let's not get ahead of ourselves. During KD's tenure, we have owned both WMU and BUGS. We should sweep OU and Miami this year, but I think the games against Canada and Can't are unpredictable. We could easily lose all four of those. However, I expect us to win both at home and lose both on the road. I'd love to be proven wrong though.

I agree, these were all good opponents. Id love for us to get Pitt. That could be huge for recruiting, and Pitt is notorious for flaming out of the Tournament early.

Anyone that has played a football game on Playstation could have called their way to victory in those last seconds. You are in BeastMode at the goal line with a timeout available and three plays and you run the ball. It is a dream setup. Why did Pete mention wanting to waste a down? That is insane. If the play by the defender wasn't so improbable, I would have suspicions of the game being thrown. Edelman looked really solid. Kudos to him. #TeamOhio

The post-season is an opportunity for us to match up against quality teams that we would not normally get to face during the regular season. Given that we have played VCU home and away in this decade (and even once in the NCAAT), I would not want to play them again. I'd prefer a game against a PAC-10 or Big 12 team. I thought the Gonzaga game was great for us.

Buffalo is my favorite to win the MAC East and the MACC. We always lose in Canada, and I think this year we will lose at home to them as well. Don't be surprised if Buffalo also beats us in the MAC Tournament too. Three strikes and I think the Zips are out this year. We are a very young team, so I am accepting of a relatively down year.