Z.I.P.

The NCAA men's soccer selection "show" is at 2PM EST on ESPN news (I think). But don't bother watching, if you're a Zips soccer fan. Our team's only chance of making the post-season was to beat Northern Illinois on Sunday. I said in my post last week that I thought we had about a 40-60 shot of an at-large NCAA tournament spot. That was before I saw the team's ranking in the RPI (available on ESPN's soccer page). Akron is at number 68, which gives them absolutely Zip chance of dancing.The key to this program's progress will be determined in the next three months, as Caleb Porter and staff corral their first full recruiting class. If they can get some of those sensations from the Dallas Texans -- America's top youth program, and do well in the Midwest and Eastern US, look for the team to be back in the top-10 as soon as 2007. I am very high on this club, but the next months will provide the first major indication of whether Porter is indeed able to make UA a persistent national powerhouse.

Sorry Timmy...er Trimmy. But the Zips fell down the well today, losing to the game Huskies of NIU, one-nil. We could have used Lassie!Our season is over. There will be no second chance.

NIU is a good team, that will present many challenges for Akron. A win on their pitch will be a great championship capper. Let's not count our chickens till they're hatched.Anybody know if this will get any national TV? Last year's title match at LJF was on Fox Regional nationally. Go Zips! Make us AGAIN!

At least regular season champs -- for 8th time in 14 years in the league, and, by my count, the fifth time in the past seven years. The team is peaking at the right time, and two wins @ NIU this week puts us back in the big dance. There's also a decent chance that we could lose the final and get an at-large bid with a semifinal win. Probably 40-60 at this time, but still a chance. Two wins, and we have a shot at a home match in the first round.Could we please have some comments about Akron winning a MAC football championship from those who were actually there today? Please! Fill my need for Zip kicks. Go Caleb & Co.

Thanks alot 19. I already paid 28 bucks to read that once. Thanks ESPN!!

I hate to tell you folks this, but the best thing that could have happened for Akron in this game, was a Can't victory. With a win over OU, we could have been no worse than second in the East. Now, even with a win, we will likely be in third place in terms of overall record. HOWEVER, for those who are thinking of throwing away your season ticket book, the Zips could possibly lose to Ohio -- or WMU -- and still make the post-season. With 64 teams fighting to become bowl eligible, this could be a repeat of 2004. There will be no more than one or two schools with 6 victories that do not go to a bowl. And this season, we don't have to worry about Marshall!

Folks, yesterday was a big day here in Hawai'i! I got home from work, and waiting for me in my mailbox was the Bible of College Basketball, the 2006-07 Blue Ribbon College Basketball Yearbook. Yeehaw!!!The article on the expected MAC champs is written by Jeff Brewer. Is he one of ours? Very familiar name. Anyhow, his analysis is that if Wood is back to his old form, and gets just a little frontcourt help, Akron is unstoppable.How unstoppable? Read this conclusion to the piece on the UA team:"The backcourt is undersized, but rates as the best in the MAC. There is enough young talent to be good at small forward. Another four-five type player is going to have to surface to rotate with Travis and Wood. Whether it's Milum, Bardo, or McNight, someone will need to step into that role. If for any reason Wood can't go, there probably isn't enough strength inside to win the MAC.There is a sense of urgency about this team as seniors Travis and Joyce are used to winning and want to bag a MAC Tournament championship before they go. If the Zips should falter, they could be in line for a mid-major NCAA at-large berth and that certainly would be a great consolation prize. Anything less will be a disappointment for this squad."We've created a monster", Dambrot said. "Expectations are pretty high."I couldn't agree more. I don't expect the Zips to be back up to this year's level for another 2-3 years. But we WILL be back, and so will KD.

I'd love to see the kid from Greentown, my ancestral homeland, come to play in my new home in Alohaland. Unfortunately, there may not BE a Hula Bowl any longer. The Aloha Stadium authorities are refusing to schedule the game until they are paid for LAST year's game, which may not happen.But, if you head this way -- Pop and son, post me off board, and I'd love to get you guys a mai tai.I was at the 1966 Greentown Sesquicentennial oxe roast with my grandpa, ya know! Use to get my hair cut at the Oddfellows hall there.

You know what sickens me? People who Can't give the Golden F lashes their due. They are now easily the best team in the MAC, and with the exception of VPI, should run the table. And for the record, Phil Steele also picked K.S.U. last year, as did the MAC Report guy -- isn't that right buddy? BTW -- I looked at the I-A standings, and only 59 teams (of 119 of course) have 4 wins so far. Some bowl game may end up without any teams with 6 wins. Aren't there 31 bowl this year? On the other hand, if UA can get to the magic number, they have a good chance of bowling. Somewhere.

Okay, is "corn hole" a noun or a verb?

Having seen LMU get put away by the weak team WMU put on the floor for last year's Rainbow Classic, I can tell you -- they may be the slowest team to visit the JAR this season (well, I haven't seen Tiffin!). If UA gets any 'bounds, they run LMU into the ground, win by 20.

Domo arigato gozaimashite.

Thanks, fan.Now my reply is something bearcat fans should all be familiar with:When does basketball start?

I asked the BJ's reporter why their paper doesn't cover college football recruiting. He responded that they do a great report on local schools' recruits just after the national letter of intent day. "No", I said to him -- "Why can't you report on players BEFORE the signing date". "BEFORE the signing date?", he remarked. "What're we supposed to have, a crystal ball?"

Nice report ZW. Mahalo for that. Let KD know the Aloha Section Alumni are ready to do next year's event at Turtle Bay. Palmer Course OK?.

A big mahalo to GZ 19! All you Zips on O'ahu, turn out at East Side Grill for the 8 a.m. kickoff. Fried rice and a screwdriver! That's the official breakfast there.

I have sources that tell me, the Pitt Panthers looked at the kid closely a year ago, and came close to offering him, but finally asked him to walk-on, which he wasn't interested in. I guess there were grade and test score questions too. K-Fl ashes have another good one. That's good for them -- and us. The better the MAC gets, the higher our RPI goes.

So he's finally getting his first choice, and will play for Marshall, eh?

Well...Nice picture. But Sportsline before the season had Akron playing Pitt in the International Bowl. They've now spotted lowly NIU in that game (still vs Pitt), and -- this is on the order of Phil Steele's award of the MAC East to K.S.U. -- they put Ohio U in the GMAC Bowl (forget the opponent).Well, at least they're having fun with us -- we'll see how it plays out in diue time. But Akron staying home for the holidays isn't an idea I want to think about. Ahhhh, how times have changed!

I keep reading folks mention wrestling, and the need to move forward on Title IX. Well, duh, put the two together, and you have one of the fastest growing sports in the US -- women's wrestling! And, oh, Heaven forbid... I'm sure one of you guys will ask if they wrestle in the same singlets the men wear! Sorry.

Aaaaahhh! Coach Go Zips -- a renowned expert at managing expectations.Now for the truth (sorry KD): With the additions to this team, and the return of J Wood (possibly a MAC rebounding champ), anything below 25 wins is failure.Let's not return to the Lee Owens days of pre-season strategizing. Please!

RPI POINTS MATTER! And this will be about our only shot at a High Major this season. Hell -- I haven't seen the whole sched, it might be our ONLY shot.Frankly, beating Knight may be required to make the dance if we should lose in Cleveland. Just win Zips -- and get about a 8 or 9 seed with 27 wins.

Someone just tell me -- how can I get an AKRON hockey jersey???

Pal, if you think 4-6 is a "great start" for the volleyball team , you woulda loved Lee Owens. I think its time to stop not caring about the UA volleyball squad, and time to make a change if they don't dramatically turn things around (ala wahine soccer). I think they've only been competitive for a MAC East title once in this guy's forever tenure. We can do better! Are you listening Mack?