Z.I.P.

Gee, I wonder what Gozips thinks of this comment: Carmelo Betancourt did not prove much during his freshman campaign, but he will be right in the mix for the starting point guard spot, especially if Evans needs time to adjust. Betancourt is not much of a shooter or a scorer, but if he can keep the turnovers down and get the scorers involved in the offense, the Zips will be happy. I think Carmelo has a lot of potential to score points -- maybe not Rickie Abreu-style, but I'm less concerned with the 1, than the 5.

Comments from today's Honolulu Star-Advertiser. Columnist Dave Reardon writes, regarding the Diamond Head Classic first round matchups: With the announcement this week of the pairings for the Diamond Head Classic, the interesting possibility of the president attending the tournament resurfaced. Last year, when it was announced that Oregon State would be in this December's field, someone wondered aloud if coach Craig Robinson would still have his job in 2013-14. Normally that'd be a good question since he has just one winning season in five years with the Beavers. But then again, he is the president's brother-in-law. Oregon State drew Akron in the first round. Smart choice by the organizers, since if Barack Obama is even rumored to show up at the Stan Sheriff Center, you're gong to sell a lot of tickets regardless of the teams' marquee value, or lack thereof. University of Hawaii Athletic Director Ben Jay said he sees the possibility as an opportunity. 'I am anticipating that the president will come for the game', he said. 'I have aready started talking to local agencies for what to do. Obviously we won't talk about specific security measures, but I've met with the chief of police and the FBI and my next call is to the Secret Service.' Well, that sounds like the University of Hawaii is taking the Obama opp very seriously. But, now tell me, Zips fans, is that comment about the team's marquee value a dig at Akron's perceived image, or what? I think every Zips fan better get their tickets ASAP! The travel itinerary and options are now posted on Gozips.com!

HUH?? Sandon Mibut is no longer HQ'd in Uniontown? AND -- there's a reference on BigSoccer that Fox Soccer Channel is dieing. I would call it homicide, personally. Death by Fox network idiocy. MLS already is screwed with the lack of coverage, now the NCAA loses the NSCAA Game of the Week. Don't tell me football/(soccer) isn't in trouble in the USA!

Off the topic of Coach Kest, but on the subject of MAC women's hoops, I was watching the USA women's basketball team in the World University Games (watched just the first half of the game Saturday vs Australia) and noticed a player from Central Michigan receiving significant minutes for the US -- and looking very impressive in her time -- Crystal Bradford of the Lady Chipps was a nice slashing 2-guard or wing who did a great job of taking the defensive pressure off the USA stars like Oddysey Simms of Baylor. I had never heard of her, but as I recall it was her team that beat us in the MAC title game.

Well, there's a strong possibility they will be playing us in the second round -- unless they decide to throw the game to GMU.

Here is the complete Diamond Head Classic bracket, in .pdf It looks like Iowa State jumped the gun, so ESPN Regional (owner of the event) just put it out for all.

Aha!

According to... I don't know, but there are strong rumors that certain residents of 1600 Penn Ave. could make their way to this event. If coach Robinson lasts long enough...

JZ, Nice to see you enjoying Hawaii's latest intro to the Zip State! I know this happens to be one of 72Roos' favorites! Cheers.

How can Klinsmann not take notice of DeAndre? I'm sure he has to be at the top of the list for look-sees as soon as the World Cup is complete. Any chance of his being in a senior camp before next June? Here's another article with DeAndre's response to being an MLS All-Star. "Yedlin seems to be taking all of this in stride, especially considering it wasn’t so long ago he was contemplating which classes to take heading into the second semester of his sophomore year at Akron."

I will be watching the replay on Time Warner Cable SportsNet, the galaxy's network tonight (was at BB summer league game on Saturday nite). All I can say is, it sure is time the galaxy got a rival. Zemansky should relish what it means to have them as a rival, after his years with Chivas.

The reason I was confused by the relationship between Akron Brass and Lubricantes de Akron is that I swear I have seen lubricants used by fire departments (described on the container as for fire equipment) with 'Akron" in the brand name.

Eh, mahalos to our MBB posters out in Green and Wadsworth! I wonder to what extent these rules were changed because the previous ones were being conveniently violated. Some may recall my past recitations of visits to universities in Hawaii and Oregon where I witnessed coaches actually "coaching" players in open gym, and even players and assistant coaches playing together in open gym sessions. Hey, BTW, the most interesting thing I saw on the link from DiG was that the school in Portage County (SiPC) finally showed the door to their long-time women's coach -- several years after he was accused of abusing players in a fashion similar to a recent Rutgers mens coach.

OR, you could say it reflects the attention which the media pay to any sport or social phenomenon. It was in a University of Akron sociology class where I first learned of the process of the self fulfilling prophecy. As for myself, as I've stated here on multiple occasions, the women's game (at this time at least, even with the intervention of players like Britney Griner) is a more entertaining, competitive and team-oriented game than what is provided by men's basketball. Nonetheless, I will be watching coach Dambrot's squad every chance I get. But when I have my own choice, I will gladly pay less than half as much for a ticket to a women's game that is IMHO a better entertainment value.

Rolling right along now, we can conclude that Lubricantes de Akron is actually the Diez Minuto Fast Lube of Mexico. Then there is the Akron Brass Company, formed by BF Goodrich workers in 1918... The history of Akron is full of fascinating stories. Y la historia de Tijuana tambien.

Next question: Who wants to order

Can someone insight us about the changes in NCAA rules governing pre-season practice sessions. In the past coaches weren't even allowed in the gym when players were playing prior to October practice start. What are they allowed to do nowadays? Mahalo kakou.

Nathan Quirk is not on that list.

I only heard on the NBCSN broadcast of the Sounders - Whitecaps game on July 6th that DeAndre suffered a separated shoulder in the World Cup. If so, he sure came back quickly, as he was subbed in in the second half in Vancouver.

Looking forward to the run down from attendees of the Crew's incredible 1-0 victory -- ending the Timber's (I believe) 15-game unbeaten streak. I only noticed in the box score that a Portland player I am unfamiliar with got a straight red in about the tenth minute, then Caleb brought on an extra defender. What I forgot to mention about the Columbus @ LA Galaxy game is that both Chad Barson and Ben Speas started and I think played 90'. Hard to tell though as the L.A. broadcast misses subs. I noted that Will Trapp started today for the Crew, while Ben Zemanski played for Portland, and Nannchoff came on in relief. Nice.

Said Holden Caulfield. BTW, isn't Xavier spelled with an 'e'? Never mind.

All I can say is, if the Crew put on the same uninspired performance they showed in L.A. a couple days ago, Caleb's squad should roll! Man -- that was torturous to watch; two offensively incompetent teams balied out momentarily by poor defense. Without Keane, the Galaxy would be in the same department as Toronto FC.

Isn't this the same thread we have every year with the Blue Ribbon College Basketball report? Sure looks the same...

I read somewhere that he arrived in Boston today. Hmmmph.

So let me get this straight...Akron is playing two games vs teams that they could end up playing twice in the same season? But they left an offer on the table to play @Hawaii while already on the road. Maybe hotels are cheaper in Moraga and Columbia. Well, actually, I know they are. p.s.: I want to know if Underdog is coming?