Z.I.P.

When I was watching practice here in Hawai'i I thought I heard Coach Groce call number 0 "LeBron". But it may have just been Jimond. Not sure which one I was watching today! #ForgetBonzi

Another interesting fact about the video: These are three of the four St Vincent-St Mary's players to have their numbers retired by the HS. The OTHER is today celebrating the 30th anniversary of his most famous moment! Bill Rafter made it famous with his words: "Send it in Jerome!" http://www.nytimes.com/2013/01/25/sports/ncaabasketball/call-by-espn-broadcaster-bill-raftery-on-dunk-by-jerome-lane-still-reverberates.html

And BTW -- the Ohio Basketball Hall of Fame announced its new class today. I looked and was amazed: How in the world isn't Joe Jakubick in the hall? He's in the Czech-AM BB hall of Fame!

Well the three "new names" confirms what I have heard from a source on campus over the holidays! There are still a couple of additions remaining that I had heard about -- two players coming from Portugal... I suspect the team was trying to add them before Spring practice, which would mean they are enrolled for Spring semester. I had heard that coach Coppinger was overseas recruiting. He's the GK coach, so I wonder if he recruits (field players) also...?

Re: Officiating. I didn't watch it real close, but it seemed like -- especially the first half -- they were calling offensive fouls like never before. Can't remember that number of not just charges - but also moving screens called, on both teams. Did it seem unusual to you? Any way, other than watching a replay to find out the #s?

I love that Zak tweeted that he and LeBron are the only number one draft picks in Akron's history! That's the kind of history people might not be aware of -- and sure doesn't hurt his credibility in his position with the media! I would love to hear him call a game! Wonder who the play-by-play guy is for SSFC. I remember hearing the almost over-done British accent on the PA announcer at QWest/Century Link and now I wonder if their TV voice is a Brit too... Not that there's anything wrong with that.

There's a statement on coach Groce's Twitter account.

I would really like to know -- is this the unluckiest team in America, that all our opponents get hot when the Zips step onto the floor, or are we just that bad a perimeter defensive team? In past seasons, Akron was near the top in defensive 3-point percentage. Now we must be near the bottom.

Who is CBS Sports Net breaking in as the scoreboard operator for this?? They need to hire someone with some experience, because the score always seems to be either not changing after baskets, or changing out of nowhere!

OH WOW!! I saw the Grand Canyon women's team in August -- and noticed that one of their best players was a freshman from Green, Hannah Nichols. She played for the Cleveland Internationals while refraining from participating with my HS alma mater. Now I'm amazed to see that Blair Gavin was on the bench, and the HC is also an Akron grad! I guess Blair's name wasn't listed on the one-page roster, and I wouldn't have recognized Derek Leader's name. Blair has retired from playing now -- right? The other connection I have on the Phoenix Rising team is former Louisville midfielder Brock Granger, who was a member of Ken Lolla's memorable 2010 squad, and a grad of Iolani HS here in the islands.

From what I heard from admins attending the basketball tournament in Hawaii, this is in large part a promotion that's intended to appeal to and be marketed to future Honors College attendees. Those big-headed types apparently are getting an oversized attention from university recruiters. Smart guys may be the future. Whodathunkit!

When your readers have to use Google, you're showing your age!

Leo Chappel has been very busy on the road since the season ended, and his travels are going to pay off handsomely, I am confident. Yes, in Portugal, among other locales. Looks like a number of incoming players will be eligible to play this upcoming spring season. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Okay, no time to reminisce about bygone games...If Hawai'i wins tonight Akron plays Davidson at 7:30 AM Christmas morning, Hawaii time. If Davidson wins, Akron plays Hawaii in the second game at about 9:45 in the morning. I was very impressed with our grittiness against a very athletic Princeton team. If we had Jackson and OR Hester, we would have beaten them.

I saw the rebound...then Cotton flying into the bench are a As I shouted at the ref. " He ain't flyin solo!"

Yep. V-shon waz very cool about it! Way to ho Zips. Lead by 4 at tbe break. But we have a LOT of work left to do. Poke has 3 PFs, Duvivs 2. Let's start the second half the same as the first!

Well, Z.I.P. has to be corrected -- again! Looks like we're wearing the visitor's colors. First time is hood luck!

Here's an intetesting fact: Akron will be the "home" team again today. In 2013 we sat at the home end of the court all three games! GoZipBows!!

I know Akron has played MTSU like three times in fairly recent years but Coach Groce & the team weren't part of that. I think it would be a fine matchup of two pretty athletic ball teams. Raiders have come out of the half better and taken the lead.

#23 natch. JAMES on back.

Day 1. Game 1 under way. Princeton & Middle Tennessee players did not know words to Hawai'i Pono'i, Hawaii's national anthem. Coaches gotta prepare their teams better!!!

I just talked with Joe this morning. First thing he asked was if I was able to get his Coaches Show in Hawai'i. lol Yes -- Coach Groce is at first impression a real go-getter who does nothing but care for and about the welfare of this team and its players. Joe said that his show should be available on GoZips.com -- But I have never seen a link. Maybe I just wasn't looking in the right place. Anyone seen a link to the show? Maybe its on YouTube.

Perry Kitchen Returns? To the Galaxy? http://www.espn.com/soccer/la-galaxy/story/3319903/la-galaxy-pursuing-former-hearts-captainus-international-kitchen-sources

Fan34 wins the award. I just checked the MVSU stats myself, and saw he wore #25 in the game. Lucas is wearing the #13 jersey in practice. Hester, Jackson and the other transfer are not allowed to travel (sad for them!) -- maybe there's an extra practice singlet...?? Practice right now, then we're walk-thruing in Stan Sheriff Center Arena. The game Friday is expected to start about 2:50 HST 7:50 EST depending on the end of game 1. After thought: The players were all wearing different numbers in practice than their game jersies. They must grab whatever they can find. GoZips!!!

Team will be very sad to hear that! It was 75 and rainy all day in sunny Hawai'i. Still Middle Tennessee went to North Shore, and Zips visited USS Arizona Memorial in the afternoon.