Z.I.P.

that doesn't look like very much digging I did more in my back yard this weekend by myself. PS Thanks for taking the time to take the photo. I always appreciate anybody that takes the time to take a photo and post here. We have many members that aren't from the area. Yes! Mahalo and aloha.

Well, with all due respect Racer, I would say it's a matter of past experiences earning expectations. Keith Dambrot has earned the expectation of 25+ win seasons. Caleb Porter has earned the expectation of undefeated seasons. BUT, I tried to remember the last time the Zips football team had a winning record. I can't.

Didn't get to see it, but Steve-o slotted a perfect pass across the box to Brad Evans for the Sounders' initial score of 2010 against the upstart Philadelphia Union. This is from MLSnet.com http://www.mlssoccer.com/content/zakuani-d...ophomore-slumps

Zach, You might have read the same story as me. Two players wanted to transfer to Western Michigan. Oakland coach gave the first his release, then refused to do so for the second. The kid's reason for transferring was that Oakland didn't offer his preferred major, chem engineering. Then the coach made it out that the player contacted WMU before applying for the "official" transfer (signing the NCAA's required form). Sound familiar to any Akron BB fans? Young coach. Replaced their long-time favorite last fall.

Question: What "revenue" is there, other than gross receipts from tickets? I don't know how Hawaii can make almost four times as much revenue as Akron, when attendance is very similar.

I don't think they'd take him, but those other two sound pretty interesting. I think they could be competitive in the West by 11-12, if they get the right guy -- and either Hunter and Kowalczyk could produce for the Rockets. Hell, maybe Dan could too...but I doubt it. Wonder if Coleman Crawford's name is in the mix anywhere.

++ Concur with that sentiment -- as if I haven't been saying it for months. And, if TPSjuggler is correct -- we will be down to Zero on any slasher-type players. Is this addition by subtraction??

+++ Back atcha Cap'n. But, a chance at bringing the Zips West of the Rockies looks like an improvement to Z.I.P. Last time Akron played in Boise I was a freshman and the Broncos kicked their butts.

As if I wasn't already aware, Vice President Biden pm-ed me this morning to remind me. "Z.I.P.", he wrote, "This is a Big F%*@ing deal!" Take a Look at the Super Brackets. Thanks, Joe.! http://www.dallascup.com/teams/XXXI/accepted17616398.html

And don't you love how the author gave us an undefeated record for 2009? Me gustan Ticos

Gold helmets AND gold uniforms. No more beige!

Thanks Dave in Green, for coming around to the central point in the discussion (within an argument, within a thread). It leads perfectly to my suggestion to the NCAA basketball Gods. The rules need to be massaged to both provide some defense in the game finally, while at the same time give more credit to talent, and lead to increased parity in college basketball. Since my idea to take from soccer and hockey and add a goalkeeper is unlikely to pass muster (sadly, especially now that we have a 7-foot keeper), my proposal is that a lay-up or a slam-dunk should count for only one point! How much do you expect for such an easy shot? Reward teams that take chances, not those that take the easiest shots on the floor! I think it was John Wooden who first suggested making slam dunks worth less -- if you have to allow them at all (it was in his time, in the 60s that dunking was made illegal. If you can't bring that back then make it less valuable).

Here's what I'm predicting for Akron football in 2010. --edit-- Sorry, wrong board!

Here's another. Rank the conference-winner automatic bids. Make the bottom 16 (of 31/32?) play off against each other in round 1. Then you get to add 8 at-large teams that would not otherwise be there. All the at-large teams are still better than any of the bottom-16-ranked automatics. This adds just 8 more teams, increases odds of upsets, and (hopefully) increases mid-major participation.

Holy cow! I'm almost (ALMOST) too disgusted to regurgitate my comments one more time. But, the last two games -- and the final RS game-- were worth regurgitating. This team is totally one-dimensional offensively. They have physical strength on the inside, and some jump shooting ability. But, if that is the limit, average teams like OU and UW-GB can beat us by just forcing us to throw up long shots and get the rebound. The only thing that can change that is to find a dribble-drive guard. Does anyone know where we can find that player? Without him, Zeke, Brett, S-Mac and the rookies are not going to produce enough to make a difference. I DO like the idea of more full-court pressure. That, however, is still just placing a mask over the fundamental flaw in the team's personality. Can you tell I'm not full of high expectations? I AM glad though, that it looks like SOME MAC teams are getting better -- in the East again of course.

They think they're better than us. We think we're better than them. Well, until tonight we did!

They played with no heart, no movement. What a sour note to end the season. See y'all next year. Are you joking? Maybe not.

As if naming Governor Gilligan's daughter to his cabinet wasn't enough, now Hawaii's favorite son is really givin' it up for his mama's home state. And Go Cornell! This one's for my friends Root-for-Roo44 and In the Zone. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3036677/vp/35921516/#35921516

What's his excuse for the other 20 games he "missed"?

Exactly! They're a very average team. And Akron can't beat them. What happened to the 'crap down the leg' emoticon?

SAND FUTBOL!

First of all, I'm a little surprised -- well, actually, more than a little surprised, and very glad for the team! Secondly, the reason for the surprise is that as I recall, we had a losing record in the OOC portion of the season, no wins over major teams (definitely none over top-50, maybe none over top-100). But, this season represents the turning of the corner for the program -- and I suspect we'll have Jody Kest back, as MAC COY for one more season at least. Thirdly (and I like that word, whether it IS one, or not!), I hope this season's performance will serve as an impetus to start upgrading the schedule (nothing familiar sounding in THAT suggestion, is there?), so that it will be easier to argue the team's abilities to WNIT committee in future years -- i.e., if we somehow don't kick BeeGee behind in future years to make the Big Dance.

I'm not going to get too wishful about THAT prospect. It appears that Egner is a very different type player than Jimmy, and will be more of a 'high post' position - more of a 4? What has been so valuable about Conyers this season -- from the four games I saw him play on TV -- is that he's the only player besides Humpty who is capable of slashing to the basket with any quickness. That ability creates variations away from the default Akron offense, of clearing out for a three-point shot and hoping for the rebound on a miss. After watching the Ohio debacle, it became more clear that the team desperately needs that talent from the guard spot --the talent that Mr Anthony Hitchens brings to the floor for, at best, 1/3 of the time. Without a slasher, Akron is a completely one-dimensional ballclub. So, tell me who is going to fill THAT whole?

My guess is, you've never taken the ride to Logan -- or Cheyenne. Geography is a big reason why these schools get few high major home-and-home skeds. And Stew Morrill is one tough SOB -- the kind of guy the Great GP-1 would love.

I hate to add to the already incredible pressure on the team, but they should know Wednesday is my birthday, and a Zips Win would certainly make things as merry as another Guinness. Go Zips!