Z.I.P.

To stress your incredulity, B&G, allow me to prepare you for the Gonzaga Bulldog team you haven't seen. First --Yes, Creighton is an entirely legitimate Top-10 team -- which played as well against us as Villanova did in 2015 -- and you probably remember what happened to that team. HOWEVER, Gonzaga on their home court is 5-10 points better than Creighton --making them at least a top-3 national team, and possibly #1. They have three seven-footers on the roster, the second one as good as the fantastic frosh Creighton started against us. And the starter, Przemek Karnowski may be the top draft pick and the best collegiate player in the NCAA. After Karnowski they have other All-America caliber athletes like combo guard Josh Perkins who scored 16 in yesterday's Zag win over Arizona and shot over 45% from 3-point range as a freshman last year. Then Nigel Williams-Goss is playing great ball at the other guard spot, and was MVP of the recent tournament where the Zags beat Iowa State for the title. I have followed Mark Few and this program since they surpassed mid-major status so many years ago, and I believe this is the best team Gonzaga has put on the floor, and the one most-likely to reach the Final Four. IF the Zips play their best game, similar to the performance versus Creighton's Blue Jays, the spread will be closer to 20 than the 12 they lost to on Saturday night. But, that quality of Akron team makes them the strong favorite to win another MAC title, and I think our depth in the backcourt means we're more likely to win the last game in Cleveland this year.

If that's the case, then Kwan should be on the bench. However, that is NOT the case, and Kwan Cheatham is proving his role as on - floor leader of this team. If -- no, when this team develops in MAC play into one of Keith Dambrot's best Akron teams it will be because of the depth of guard play and 3-point shooters. I too was cautious in judging Kwan and the team in the preseason, due to his past inconsistency and the loss of Jake and Reggie on the wing. Now I am convinced -- this team will not fall off from last year's in its jump-shooting ability. That is in large part due to the overall maturation of Kwan, not just in shooting the rock, but his remarkable leap forward in steadying the team's offense and his off-ball movement. I will have more to say about the game at Omaha later, and it will begin with words to the effect of "never have I been so impressed with a team that lost by double-figures, as I was by our team yesterday..." And believe me, I have never been one to overindulge in optimism or praise of Akron hoops. I am becoming a believer in this group's all-around potential for excellence.l

Anyone know if there is a game replay available anywhere of last night's game at BMO Field? I missed out. The game in Montreal ended 3-2, but weren't the Impact up 3-0 early?

It is a national broadcast, grad. It shows up on my TV index all the way out here in HA-Waii. I have a question: We defeated Creighton at the JAR in Feb 2011, in the ESPN BracketBuster. Who remembers that game? Doug McDermott was a freshman for the Blue Jays, and according to the CU preview, scored in double figures all 35 games that year -- holy mole'! I looked, but can't find a recap.

While we're suffering through this, Marshall is beating our MAC colleagues from Athens, 42-38 at the half. Did someone pick them to win the league this year?

The game is a homecoming for Big Mike Hughes. Hope all his homies show up.

Skip, I don't know what cable provider you pay to, but I have to guess the expense of upgrading to the top tier of sports packages would be quite inexpensive for you. In my case, I pay Time Warner (or whatever-in-the-Hell they call themselves these days) $8 a month and receive every English language sports network available on their system. That includes something like 30-50 new channels -- 5 Pac-12 channels, about 10 Fox regional and speciality networks (Fox Soccer+), B1G, etc, etc. TWC and ESPN no longer offer their football or basketball "Plus" package -- apparently they want people to use the ESPN3 platform -- even if their favorite school isn't technologically equipped to provide broadcasts. And, as far as Fox college basketball coverage goes, I thought their broadcast of last year's Akron-Villanova game was far better than what UA ever gets from ESPN clowns, where announcers have to make comments like "Wow, that Johnson kid is HUUUGE!" Really looking forward to the Creighton game Sat @ 3:00 I think, HST. We might get the same announcer who called "Throw it Down Jerome".

Alright, we won! . Bring on Adrian! Aaaaaa-Drian!

Hey, Hilltopper! Can you get me Darryl Strawberry's autograph? For the uninitiated in the OC HS basketball wars: http://www.ocvarsity.com/articles/strawberry-36576-one-game.html (He was only a 2-star -- teammate of Elijah Brown, etc. at Mater Dei)

Delay? I get, "This live event will begin in a few moments." 40 mins. late...

Honolulu Star-Advertiser writer.

The Producers. Broadway? That's the re-make of Springtime for Hitler with Zero Mostel. Great film from -- the sixties?

Really looking forward to the gamecast of today's game. I'm torn, as this is the first meeting ever between my undergrad alma mater, and my ex-military force and employer. Oh, Hell, Go Zips! The Falcons' American football team is beating Boise State, so that's enough for one day. Also, back to the subject of our 2/3, Jimond Ivey. Hope he can take the court this p.m! Do you know that Jimond's mother and father have 7 children, every one a male? I calculated the odds of that at about 126-1.

We played the opponent even on their (dirt) pitch. The season is disappointing, but we should be proud of how it finished. Fought hard on the road. Next year is a must-advance season, but don't expect so much drama -- or injuries!

Akron's connection to Radford? In March, 1992 Mark Alberts set the NCAA career 3-point FG record. Within minutes, it was eclipsed by Glen Day of Radford. Radford High School is just a mile from my house in Honolulu. Named for a WWII admiral.

Ben made one nice save, but defense slipped up on CK.

W. VA women playing UCLA in the snow in Morgantown now. Bloomington perfect in comparison.

NCAA.com viewers giving Akron 55% chance of victory. FWIW!

Through 40 minutes, each side has 6 shots. Two of ours on goal to one for IU.

That's very sad and hard to believe, as Armstrong was always one of -- if not the nation's best college facilities in the Yeagley era. Was beautiful when we played there in the 1983 tournament! Last time I was in B'Town.

Come on Akron! We didn't get up at 6 a.m. to fail to beat the Who-sers! Let's get that first one on the board this half.

31-26 Zips lead. Through 18 minutes, Akron has just one turnover!

Could have been 4 or 5 goals for the guys, but good goalkeeping by the Wildcat man in net, and lack of final touches kept it closer than it might have been. Did Villanova ever get that first shot-on-goal? Anyway, nice start to the post-season, and I feel good about heading out to play our biggest rivals on Sunday. Just beat those Hoosers.

Hinds again! Even though we couldn't see it on screen... 2-0 at last!

As much as we're controlling the ball and pace for long stretches, it's sure frustrating that we can't get another ball in the net.