Z.I.P.

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.

After attending one team practice it's clear to me why we were able to keep at least SOME of our players from escaping to PA. Damn! This Groce guy is a motivational leader. Two hour full contact session at UH Gym 2 from 10:30 - 12:30, and there were a couple of elbows to the chops in the lane. Everyone came out no worse for the ware. Coach G is a totally positive force on his players -- the only words of criticism on the floor were from #0, who for good or bad -- and I think it's the former -- is the vocal leader of this club. I did wonder if the attitude is similar to some of us -- "We have nowhere to go but up.", but I imagine the team's expectations are higher than that, as I could sense a belief in their chemistry and confidence to compete vs a recent top 15 team on the court Friday. 'E' Olajakpoke was throwing down just like in game, and didn't even miss "bunnies". Steve French be warned. Want to hear a name to be looking out for in the future -- if not necessarily this weekend? That guy #13, the new JC transfer can play with a smooth presence on the court, and puts up three-pointers with more confidence than, e.g., Virshon who will be good but isn't quite there after just two months. BUT, I have to say he played tough hard-nose defense today, and that will be important vs USC's guards like McLaughlin who you HAVE to keep away from the ball. BTW, the reason #13's not on the GoZips.com roster is because he does not have a head-shot photo yet that is required for consistency with the rest of the players. I swear, that's what I was told was the reason! From the way Coach talked to his troops -- especially about errant passes underneath that the Trojans big man will mark "return to sender" -- it seems he expects USC to be at full strength personnel wise. One more shorter no-contact session tomorrow and a walk-through in the arena at the same time on Thursday. Coach Groce is attending a Coaches Against Cancer fund-raiser tonight with Hawai'i coach Aran Ganot and I guess the other tournament coaches. An opportunity to tell the Dan Peters Story to a wider audience. #ForPetesSake. Aloha and mahalo for reading!

I'll be sure and tell that to coach Groce when I meet him tomorrow. Or not...

Somehow, Princeton had enough left over to defeat the Trojans in overtime 103-93, which Bill Walton said is probably a school scoring record for a team known for 58-56 or similar results. Tigers shot 52%, made 14 of 36 three-point attempts. For USC, Chimezie Metu is a BEAST! 25 points and 10 rebounds tonight for the 6-11 power forward. First round NBA selection. Hoping to attend Zips practice session in the morning...