Z.I.P.

:blink: OR I'm not sure whether there'll be anything to keep MAC bb fans awake this year or not. It's testament to just how far the league has fallen, that (Heaven forbid) the Buffalo Bulls may be the best team in the league. They may, after all, not be among the top 100 teams in the nation. I fear the MAC may be falling below the Horizon League overall. That said, it would appear the Bulls are indeed the pre-season favorites. Can't will be a factor in the East. After that there's nothing but sheer mediocrity. I'm confident that in a year or two, Coach Dambrot will have assembled a group that will be at least very competitive, and possibly dominant in the MAC East. I really hope the rest of the league wakes up before its too late, or the league may not get two NCAA berths in our lifetimes. And that's quite sad.

Seems to me Akron out-uglied the flushes tonight. Or the Zips were a little more courageous and came up with the big plays when they had to. Either way -- Akron can claim the wagon wheel, but I don't think either team can be too proud of their performance. This looks like two teams that will struggle to win more than three or four games this year. Especially Akron. How did you Sluggoes feel about JD's play calling? Was that conservative or what? Man, oh, man, he makes Owens look imaginative by comparison. Okay let's celebrate. Bring on Cool & the Gang. You know they actually played at UA when I was a student?!

Well, dagnabbit, I'm an Andy Alleman fan already. According to the Pitt website, Andy is a Massillon Washington HS grad from Greentown. I wonder how many D-1 players Greentown has ever produced. The only person I know from Greentown, I call Mom. Tee, hee, hee.

Whoops, missed again! Here's to our season! My greatest fear is that the team may be playing close to their potential. They made some stops, but can't when it matters. Charlie's makin' Mel Kiper look good (he placed #5 #4 overall for the NFL draft). Too bad the rest of the cupboard's bare.

I have all the respect in the world for the history of Penn State football, and all the Joe Pa legacy schlamiel, but the Lions took advantage of a team that was like a deer caught in the headlights Saturday. Akron was stuck in a revolving door of bad circumstances (e.g.: Winston Churchill's answer to the question: "What is the worst enemy of a politician?: 'circumstances' "). I still believe PSU will really struggle to win 6 games and go bowling. They may HAVE to win @Boston College this week to have a chance. Look at the schedule and you see they have a 5-week canyon in the middle of the season where they could easily go 0-pher. After 9/18 they play @UW; @MN; Purdue; Iowa; @Columbus. 1-4 in that string would be pretty good, if you ask me. But, if they can pull off 6 wins, they could be awaiting a December matchup with another MAC team (Toledo again?) in Motown. Good luck to PSU. We need some luck of our own this Saturday -- which is why the idea of using up the our freshmen in a lost season makes no sense at all. You have to keep them around long enough to supplement the upcoming recruits that will hopefully take us to the promised land of Mike Thomas and JD Brookhart.

Hey thanks Panther! I'm trying to fit those words in with the melody that I've never forgotten. It goes OK till the last stanza. Oh well... Too bad this isn't placed anywhere on GoZips.com. I don't think it is. Least, I can't remember ever seeing it. (Hint, hint.) I'll be at the watering hole Saturday, 9 a.m. to get a seat and a TV. I'm sure I'll be the only one interested, unless some nutty lion wanders in. GO ZIPS!!!

Let's get ready to gamble! From an unknown source in the ether of the web: Boston College -11.5 @ Ball St O/U=52 Eastern Mich -10 vs UBuffalo O/U=53 Oklahoma -21 vs BGSU O/U=55 Michigan -11 vs Miami U O/U=54 Maryland -13.5 vs No. Ill. O/U=52 Iowa -25 vs Can't St O/U=52 Wisconsin -17 vs Cent Fl O/U=51 Marshall -16 vs Troy St O/U=49 Penn St. -11 vs Akron O/U= 53 Indiana -8.5 vs C Mich O/U=54 Minnesota -7 vs Toledo O/U=57 Best bets: Mich.; UA-PSU over; IA-Can't State over; Okla. Let's get ready to guzzle

I've been unable to create a file to post on this page, so I'll just add the link here, for readers to cut & paste. http://www.zanesvilletimesrecorder.com/new...rts/930901.html

Captain, Let me set the record straight. I never criticized the new site, I simply asked before the transition, whether I would be able to register and/or post from the WebTV browser that I use for about 75% of my websurfing. Like about half-a-million other Americans, I use the cheapest and most user-friendly internet system available. But -- now that I have looked at the "new" GoZips.com website from my Windows XP equipped PC, I can say definitively: we have a problem, Akron. I was unable to stay around long enough the first time -- I'll return before logging off -- but after more than 10 minutes, the entire site had yet to download to my dial-up connection. That's way too long for any pro setup. And I expect it to improve. I HOPEfor it to improve (at least). Now lay off us Coconut Zips, or no more free mai tais at the Sand Bar.

Hey J.P., Let us know when they have the German alumni meeting with the coach. I might be interested.

What I've read about Sutton has surprised me -- compared with the rave reviews from around the Akron area. He doesn't seem to be getting the high major attention you might expect. I would hope that the competition is just MAC schools, and perhaps Pitt or lower BE/ACC or thereabouts. On a similar track: Jerell's brother is solidly #1 at RB in Ohio. Do we have any real shot at him? Most would take him over Sutton. Such a choice would be unimaginable in the LO era. Now, we can imagine, at least. The lights are getting brighter.

Riddle me this fellahs, how are Schifino and Dials going to get on the floor at the same time? Is one of those guys going to play point guard? I dunno, maybe Nick, but tell me he's not a SG, with this 3-point shooting. I'm afraid there might not be enough balls to go around. Further question: Could Schifino be eligible in 04-05? How many games did he play last season before quitting? Ahhhhh..."quitting". That's a big word for ya. What makes anyone think he has it inside himself to make such a commitment? I wouldn't give up a scholarship for the guy that could go to any big-time HS prospect (like St.V's Wilson, or the big guy from Walsh), unless his "one shot" is in 04-05. Riddle me asleep!

Hooooweee! Dad, you said it all! This sets the tone for Akron's 2004-05 recruiting and the MAC season. Akron is now established as a program that people attend because they want to go dancing. Now THAT is why Keith Dambrot was placed at the helm. However -- I wonder if this places Schifino completely out of the picture. Since he has just one year to maintain a scholarship, is the Dials grant the last one remaining for 04-05? Maybe. Can anyone give confirmation? Maybe, with the probation, OCSU will be looking for opponents. Let's make them a home-and-away offer.

That's where I would recommend this transfer notice be placed. Sure, he can play (though he's not as good a scorer as Tarver was). But, I'm rather sure he has just one year of eligibility remaining (how many games did he play in his Jr year at WVa.?), and carries a LOT of off-court baggage. If the choice came down to Schifino or Nick Dials, who plays the same position, I'd MUCH rather have Dials on my team -- and I suspect Keith's thinking is along the same lines. Any news out there about Dials??

Good question Cappie. Maybe its because the guides aren't finished till after Aug 15th. When do tix go out? Earlier? They could at least send a guide to booster club members. And to get season tix, ya gotta join, right? So... Good question Cappie.

Funny lady! My frandfather, Arthur Sloat played on that 1920 Akron Pros NFL championship team. I didn't know until I saw him listed by name in the team photo at the Hall of Fame in Canton. Here's another little known fact about Akron and the NFL: The first Dallas team in the NFL, I believe called the Texans, were forced by the NFL to move to Akron due to low attendance in Dallas. They played about 3 or 4 games in 1953 or 54 (?) at the Rubber Bowl before going out of business. We can say Akron had "America's Team".

No -- I think Chuck has something there. I'm relatively sure the NCAA rule allows no more than three paid assistants -- plus an administrative assistant or Director of Basketball Operations. In fact, I did a little quick research and found that no other school I could find (top 10 schools) had more than three assistants listed. Take a look for yourself. That tells me that someone is "on the bubble" at Akron -- or may be going to be a volunteer ass't. Anyone know more?? If I had to guess, I'd say Shaka stays, so either Kraley or Yater gets the short straw. Then again, it could be Fantasia or Diana.

Whoa, whoa, whoa! I Miss You Trey went to high school in Sandusky? I wonder if she knows Zipman? Or is it possible I Miss You Trey and Zipman are One and the Same?!?!?

Things that make you go "Hmmmm?!?" This will give you an idea why nobody in Akron knew the Wingfoots existed: <www.nablhoops.com/teams.htm> The home town is Henderson, Nevada. Exqueeze me?

Captain, you da roo! I've been trying to find info on the Hawaii Chiefs for about the last six months. Their owner is in the pizza biz ovah heah (Boston North End Pizza). Now, I gotta find out when they play. Anybody wanna bet some mac nuts vs OK chips when da Chiefs and 'Foots meet?

Well, it's a nice question, I have to admit. And I'll give credit to JP: how far can you go? But that begs the question: Which is more difficult? Akron has never come close to making it to a D1-A bowl game, and even the Motor City Bowl would be probably the biggest accomplishment in school history (any sport). BUT a basketball trip to the Sweet 16 would be bigger. Then again, some of you can remember the trip to the Tacoma Dome that the soccer team made in 85, losing to Duke in the final. Now that I think about it -- I'd take another trip to the futbal final over all -- because this time, we're takin' it ALL! p.s.: The team is going back to Puget Sound in September. Hope to see someone else from this list there.

According to the PR, this kid should be in the running for the Heisman shortly. So how has he managed to be unsigned in mid-May??? Is he a criminal? Where did you see the CMU info Cap'n? Nice find, BTW.

Some people might present the following question: If this team isn't improved over last year's (8 wins+??), then why did we all dump on the coach? That's a reasonable question, and I hope those who were most vociferously anti-Owens are anticipating more wins. My feelings were, we won as many games as could have been expected last year, but were on a plateau with Lee and needed to find a way to move up long-term. So I still agree with Da Boss's move. That said, I also will be very disappointed if we move backwards and fail to give .500 a real run (i.e., 5+ wins entering the 11th game). Then again, the schedule is markedly improved, and I would call 6-5 a better season than last year's 7-5. Here are some game goals: It's very important that we win at least one of the two home games vs MAC East favorites MU & MU. If we lose both of those, the season will be a failure unless we beat both PSU AND UVA. Another important goal: We can't give up or get creamed late like happened vs Cant St & UW. I think the two MU games are the best chances to spring upsets. PSU third. And the games to look out for, Ball U and UB. Don't be surprised if the Bulls pull a surprise like the BB team and become the most improved team in the MAC. Can't State becomes the new #13. But that may change in 05!

Let me start with the admission that I've never seen DT in person. I wanted to go to Stockton to see him in the Cal JUCO tourney, but didn't make it. I talked with several people who saw him play at the JUCO level, and told me this guy could play just about anywhere. He was a five star (of 10) recruit, with no other MAC recruits above 3-star. Offered by Bob Knight + Fresno & UNLV. Akron got an incredible break with the presence of KD and DT wanting to come home. I feel strongly that rick would have been a much bigger player in a different coaching situation. But, we'll never know. I'm surprised to read the comment that he needs to put on weight. I've always heard that his physical strength at the '2' is his greatest asset. Yes -- of course he needs to learn better defense. But that's within his capacity if he puts his mind to it. I think Derrick can be as good as Derrick decides he wants to be. He needs more "inspiration" than most players perhaps, but he has the tools to play in the NBA, IMHO. Hopefully he finds that inspiration and gets his chance.

Hey, who are these guys? I love that name Razi Penny. But my new fave is an old fave, Corner Willie Nelson, #3, a junior (schol.?) from Buffalo. Here are some other names I never heard of before: #2 Leno. CB with a big chin? Try Vinnie out. #7 Clark, FS. #60 Tom Enright Strong LB from Mentor. There was another name I forget now from Miami that I didn't recognize. Not Pace. Are there any players missing? Is Vince Vaugns still there? Good athlete from OK.