Z.I.P.

We might have our chance next December. Both teams are coming to the Diamond Head Classic. Who wants to watch with me?

Yes, coach Hipsher would be proud! He always bragged about making more free throws (23/30) than the opponent attempted (14/17).

Seems so. Fran Fraschilla tweeted game Monday at Arlington. Thanks for raising our hopes, Joe.

Well, we were down 65-59 with 5:51 left. Then went on a little 19-10 run.

We DO however, need TWO more wins to make the Final Four at MSG... Houston may be the best team we could play till...? Bracket: http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2698145-nit-tournament-2017-full-bracket-schedule-and-top-championship-contenders

He DID have a nice second half, however!

I need to clear something up about the roster -- while Antino is listed as a junior, he should have two years remaining to play, is that not right? Was he ineligible two years ago, so has two years left if he makes academic progress? Wondering, if he had 1000 pts. Did I miss a year? lol Oh, I'm getting forgetful -- but don't call me old!

FWIW, the last time Akron played Houston down there the Zips won -- but that was coach Kest's team. One of, if not her team's first win over a "name" school. That was about where the program began to become competitive. No reason why the men can't take a jump from there too.

Tweet from @MarkBermanFox26 says game is not at U of Houston, but at Texas Southern U. Huh?

Congratulations to the MAC champs from Kent State. They played their game today, and Akron just couldn't get their offense rolling. This was the final I expected, but not the outcome. If Kent plays like that next Th/Fri they have a fine chance to take out a 2/3 seed opponent. I felt all season that Kent had the pure talent to challenge for the title, they just were too inconsistent to get a top-4 seed in the tourney. On paper Kent can be the #2 team in the MAC --but on the floor they're #1.

Kwan and Antino, total 0 points. Bad 1st half, good prospects for the second. Flashes big men have 2 and 3 PFS each. Go to Dog each time --at least once per possession! Look for the three. Come on Zips guards!

I understand and agree completely. Although, I think we might have a better chance against the Bobcats. Kent is playing very well right now. I seriously doubt the players will allow any emotions to prevent their playing their best. Kent and Ohio are tied up early in the other semifinal.

I'm feeling a Battle for the NEO on Saturday! Third and deciding fall for all the marbles. I know who's the better team!

Zips played good enough defense today, that it exempted the team from a poor shooting performance. Same type of effort tomorrow sill probably signal a win --- but we have to get some more shooters involved -- especially Antino55 and Chop. Hope that final '3' gets Kwan going for two big games!

The sequence from 4:50 to about 4:40 to play was certainly interesting! After BD's line-drive FT, Ivey sticks his hand out and gets the steal, goes in for the lay-up -- then, while the camera is isolated on Jimond, all-of--a-sudden you see Noah making a three-pointer! WOW! What a game-ending-turn-of-events! That was all she wrote! Let's do this again at 12:30 HST tomorrow!

Noah made NO attempt to shoot the ball. If no tech, it would have been a non-shooting violation, and out-of-bounds on the baseline. Gotta smh! and laugh!

I'm watching the replay now -- 17:40 to play 2nd half. Really strange situation: Noah has a breakaway layup opp, but for some reason stops about 4 ft from the hoop, and the big guy from EMU pushes Noah with two hands (probably couldn't help running into Noah!) and WHAT -- Noah gets T'd up??? WHAT in the world happened there?? Almmost funny. Why did Noah just stop?? I was going to say overall -- this may have been Noah Robatham's best game of the year. Did just about ALL you hope for! Especially the little things we expect from a PG. But that ONE play -- Maybe the strangest play I've seen all year!

What time on Friday?

The stats show 7 total techs (4 on us)! Where were all the others? Or is it an error?

Is this in hand? Can I go to work now?

You see that guy in the seats up above? I was three times as far from the court the time Hipsher had me thrown out for watching practice! lol

What's the deal for remote viewing for those across the Pacific Ocean? It's a 7 a.m. game here. Starts while I'm in traffic. Schedule shows something called "Spectrum Sports", but the link was wacky. No Gametracker shown. So, provided we DO win, when do we play Friday, and is it on ESPN? CBSCS?

WOW! I'm sure I'm not the only one who hadn't heard!! https://www.campuspressbox.com/2017/cleveland-state-throws-curve-tabs-mike-thomas-ad/

During last night's ESPN2 broadcast, the color commentator mentioned the name of the person who is apparently Akron basketball's "conduit" for Houston high school basketball recruiting -- Dan Robinson. I Googled during the game and found one blog post apparently written by someone by that name about the Houston hoops scene. He has a relationship with Charles Thomas. I had long wondered how the Houston pipeline was established in the first place, and the only connection I had ever found was the women's bb coach at one of the HS's that we recruit (Cypress Springs, maybe) was a former KSU player. Anyone out there know more about our connection?

Oh, my goodness! May Fred Thomas be blessed in his passage. Fred was deeply committed to those things he believed passionately about -- Zips hoops and those players and staff associated with it. This hits me hard, since Fred was my steadiest contact in the Land of the Zips before this bulletin board came into being. We fell out over politics -- which was not surprising and did not stop our friendship. I had occasional texts or messages from Fred as recently as last bb season. We used to talk about his plans to return to the islands, and his favorite eating places in Honolulu. He would talk about his daughter, who was his closest family. I hope and know the team will give him an appropriate send-off. Aloha, Coach Thomas!