Z.I.P.

Now we know who to blame!

Interesting: According to our soccer friend Gauchodan from Santa Barbara, on the BigWest Board, Russell Turner is already the coach at New Mexico. I have not seen this independently. http://bigwest.yuku.com/reply/142118#reply-142118

Thanks for that Skip -- I had to check, because I thought Foster Loyer was a UofM Wolverine recruit (Class of 2018). He IS going to be a Spartan Izzo -- and he's a Big Time Player. And he has a brother in 7th grade. Here's a clip of him talking about his upbringing. http://www.freep.com/story/sports/high-school/2017/01/13/foster-loyer-basketball/96521474/ Clarkston HS -- same as the Fife Brothers went to (older bro played with Fab 5) Interesting article from the Bobinski files too! Coleman always talked about finding his "battleship" in the middle, but could never come close. Team played in Hawai'i in 1991, and their starting center was a 6-7 white kid from Salem, Ohio. What a nice kid -- the opponents all agreed!

Sorry -- it was a response to that original tweet (Don't you HATE Twitter!?) Hope below works! Scroll to third tweet: https://twitter.com/weakontheAnswer

I wrote to AD Mike Bobinsky in 1994 (95?) requesting him to give John Loyer -- the candidate most closely associated with the Akron basketball program at the time -- an interview for the head coaching job after the departure of my friend Coleman Crawford. Apparently he was never seriously considered, because a guy named "Hipsher" was so highly recommended by the coach at Indiana, and the UA President IIRC (what was her name?) was a IU BB season ticket holder. Can someone pull up the oft-repeated vid of Knight talking to our prez on his phone from the podium at a banquet or clinic? lol Loyer was the Pistons' interim HC for the end of a season, coaching maybe 20-30 NBA games FWIW. He also is the guy who was pushed out by our beloved former coach at Cincinnati after our BFC committed recruiting violations and needed someone to take the fall for him. He's a winner (Loyer) and high character. However, he has not recruited in MANY years, and likely would command a HEFTY salary, given his pro experience.

Wow! He's gone to Houston per Verbal Commits!

Wow! I just think that's a weak hire. Little MAC success, B1G failure.

Besides the search firm hire, late night tweets indicate none of the departed coaches will be interviewed. So says the rumor mill.

Three of the four are in the Hall of Fame. Whatever happened to Billy Turner? St Louis Hawks?

I don't know that they're 5x MAC champion. But see what one major champion can do for your image? The only MAC team national championship trophy is on display on our campus. Remember Dec 10. 2010? Where'd that emoji go???

This is an interesting issue that you bring up -- practice culture and hierarchy. I have had the opportunity to watch only a couple of Akron practice sessions, here in Hawai'i prior to tournaments. The first occasion was in 2000, I believe, which was the year KD moved from StV/M to be Hipsher's assistant. I sat down at courtside at Blaisdell Arena with my plate lunch just as practice was commencing. I remember how impressed I was that Dambrot was more involved in running players through plays than the head coach was. Then, when the team returned to the U of Hawai'i in 2013 I was at a couple practices, and KD was fully in charge. Other coaches -- and even GAS were on the floor with the players, but Keith was the only one speaking during the drills and play sets. Also, I was on contact with both Brian Walsh and Steve McNees, as that was just a week (actually just 3-4 days) after coach Peters got his cancer diagnosis, and didn't travel with the team. I guess Brian had more experience with the job, and knew what to do, but Steve was really like a puppy and was leaning on Brian for guidance. I really have the most respect for both those young men as they handled the situation very professionally. They shared the job that Dan Peters would have have had. BTW -- I saw just one media person mention Dan's son as a candidate for the opening. Is the son on Ball State's staff?

Well, I could say I just passed him at the Mai Tai Bar, but I don't know anyone who knows what he looks like. Anyone here ever seen that guy in person?

I would like to believe this is all facetious, but fear not. Sacrifice the second-most successful athletic program to cut corners financially? Talk about penny wise and dollar foolish!

I'm interested in finding out about the current coaching survivors. Will they ALL leave for Pitt? I find that hard to believe for some with families, especially Terry. Feel for those screwed by this lack of loyalty. It still makes no sense to me. Hopefully someone will remain, and is already reaching out to ex-Zips Jeff and Lamont.

I wonder if those two offers came from the same # before and after #TheDecision.

Kid was offered by...UB, UA, KSU, Toledo, Detroit , Duquesne? Yep, I see what you mean.

According to the ranking history on 247sports.com he is falling down the recruiting ladder. Not sure why. Has anyone seen him or his stats from this past season? Perhaps Huggins & Co will lose interest -- they have so many horses! Edit: Well Twitter account shows he was 1st Team All-Ohio and District POY. We need this big guy!!

Today's my birthday. Someone's supposed to give ME a present -- not the other way around!

And how many people know Jacksonville State is located in Jacksonville, Alabama, not Jacksonville, Florida??

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!