Z.I.P.

Well, if I may borrow from Hollywood, (and football): Dagnabit! As the colorful attorney Henry Drummond, played by Spencer Tracy in Inherit the Wind stated, "I don't swear just for the hell of it. Language is a poor enough means of communication, I think we should use all the words we've got. Besides, there are damn few words that anybody understands." I know it was set in Tennessee, but I think Henry could have gotten along just fine in Ohio.

Without wanting to run afoul (it IS post-Thanksgiving, so no turkey jokes at least) of Gozips corrections, I was informed prior to the start of the season that the University of Hawaii was not the only school trying to schedule extra games with fellow Diamond Head Classic participants. As it ended up, we got games versus both St Mary's AND South Carolina, however on the opponents' terms, not ours. I suppose that St Mary's must now also be a high major, since they were able to finagle a home game in the ESPN 24-Hours of Hoops thingamajig. Sure, we'll dance the Charleston next season, but will we ever get a home game versus either of those road opponents, or anyone similar? A neutral venue would have been better, but I have to guess either $$ or ESPN visibility (does the MAC still have a TV contract including zero dollars?) won out over the advantage of a possible neutral court. As it ends up, if Akron beats Oregon State then loses to Iowa State (or GMU), and St Mary's beats South Carolina but loses to Boise State (or Hawaii), we will get a rematch vs the Gaels on the final day (i.e., Mele Kalikimaka) at Stan Sheriff Center. I'd like to see that -- if we don't make the finals. I just don't want to play the home team.

With Coach Kest we got exactly what we (was it Mike Thomas who hired her?) hoped for: A coach with the reputation for building exciting aggressive offensive ballclubs which will shoot the three ball at every open opportunity -- my original scoop per former Hawaii coach Gavin Peterson who got his start under JK at TAMCC. She never promised to deliver a defensive intensity ala KD's trademark. Maybe she should hire a new defensive coordinator.

The teams that Akron played/lost to over the weekend -- Cal Poly and UC-Davis are anything but power teams -- I watched both last year in Hawaii. Though Poly won the Big West and has one excellent player -- Molly Schlemer -- neither of them is near the caliber of a Dayton, which Akron led at halftime and played tough to the end. I will credit it to the length of the trip. I would expect Kest's ladies to beat both these if they get them at home. Not that there's much of a chance of either heading to NEO anytime soon.

Too bad except for Caleb! I don't think anyone can turn Columbus around right now.

Thank you Mr Ake for speaking for us both -- BTW, that doesn't mean either of us are any less enthused about Coach Embick's team. Go Zips. Get us another star!

Without wanting to psych-analyze our friend Buckzip, I can't help feeling this comment says a lot, and can be applied to his and others' antipathy toward the University of Akron compared to THE Ohio State University. "Class" prejudice does play into the decision about which school's gear one wears, when the felt "superior" school is determined to be the one which wins the most games, or throws the most $$$ at "building" their athletic monstrosity. And that fits MIT as well. I can't remember ever seeing anyone wearing an MIT T-shirt OR collared polo to a football (or "soccer") game recently. I suppose there are more collared Buckeye shirts and more Akron T-shirts. Regarding the original thread, rather than the this same sort of thinking still plays out -- if it didn't you wouldn't have the Charlottes and UTSA's attempting to copy NIU (and EMU for that manner) in pretending to be a "contender".

We've sure had our share in the past... But none since the departure of Porter?

UConn took down UCLA in PKs in the Sweet 16. Another disappointment for Jorge Salcedo's kids. How long before they reach another CC?

The Zips get some support from the TDS 91st Minute blog for the Marquette game. Well, kinda at least -- throwing some doubt into the ref's calls on both Brenes' taking down, and the elbow to Gallego in the box. You be the judge...

Was this game televised anywhere? Disappointing that it didn't get picked up for the Game Plan. That's SO much better than ESPN3!

Not sure whether anyone has seen our opening opponent, Oregon State play yet (was the Maryland game televised?), but I did have an opportunity to see them last night versus a very weak (average D-II caliber) Southern Illinois-Edwardsville team. I think this is SIUE's first year in Division I. The Beavs basically ran away with superior athletic talent over the first 15 minutes, getting up I think by 28 and coasting to a 52-28 halftime lead, but then kind of fell asleep and allowed the slower opponent to cut the lead in half in the second half before securing a 101-81 victory. OSU is a team that can score a lot of points in a hurry -- either from the perimeter or the interior. They have a 6-4 guard Roberto Nelson who's averaging almost 30PPG (games of 36, 24, 31 17 and 24 last nite) and 6-8 PF Devon Collier who's had at least 3 games of +20 pts this year. For the benefit of coaches, I shall provide what is Oregon State's Achilles heel: They play a soft 1-3-1 zone defense, allowing the opponent to shoot over, or to lob the ball down low against what appears a rather lazy defense. I'm looking forward to seeing how Tree handles this set-up, whether we are able to pass the ball both ways, and just how many points we can put up vs the Beavers. Honestly, I feel like we might have to score 90 to win this game -- but am confident of our ability to do so -- or potentially to use our defensive pressure to slow up the river rats and allow us the use of the low post game. Too bad Zeke didn't have a chance to play against this team -- I think a double-double would have been guaranteed.

I have to admit, I'm looking forward to this game, if for no other reason than to discover whether Coach Dambrot has taken GoZips advice, and has his team DISTRIBUTE the ball after a defensive rebound, rather than punting!

Just in time for 'Black Friday" (I DO hate that phrase!): the Caleb Porterland T. Do you think that looks like him?

WOW! How many more Nanchoffs can fall of the tree(s)? We'll take all we can get! Here's a story from Porterland on Jesse.

Damn! I have to wonder if my almost Reagan-like optimism is the result of the 82 degree weather and tradewinds, or if I'm deluding myself about the future of Zips futbol (or if there's a difference!). In any case, I'm fully convinced that this program will continue to be an elite, top-10 program into the future. Now, has anyone heard when the NCAA will announce the 2014 College Cup venue? I'm awaiting with hope that our team will have a chance to play for another championship on the West Coast, where we are unbeatable! Memories of Santa Barbara 2010 can be added to with a new legacy (and star) for our team. Let's get ready to rumble (and tailgate in Isla Vista?) in 2014.

I don't know (or care) who CMU plays that will make them bowl eligible this week. All I know is "bowl eligible" and "going-to-a-bowl" are two very different things. Ohio is also bowl eligible, and like CMU, will be sitting home for the holidays. This is a year where there will be several more 6-win teams than bowl slots, thanks in part to the ACC having 11 of 14 teams awaiting opponents in Dec/Jan.

Has anyone else noticed the Marquette student section next to the right end goal? About ten kids with a couple flags. lol

Regulation completed. Akron was dominant on the ball for final 20-25 minutes. Let's hope that is a sign of things to come...We did have trouble linking up from the attack into the penalty area though. Defensively, our shape looked superb.

All I ca say is -- watching 80 minutes of the Akron Zisp -- Saad is the best player on the field. Not sure where he's been lately...

We are dominating now -- shot off the far post with 16 mins remaining. Keep it up!

Elbow to the chops by MU #10 in the box only gets a yellow! Embellishment.

I'll reveal something: I was in Tressel's class too! I had to teach him the backspin lob. He had nooooo idea. He didn't know who Guillermo Vilas WAS!

When does the video feed go live? I hope it works!!!!

THE Dr. Joe Carr? Pride of the Yakima Junior College basketball team, circa 1972? KD, ya gotta bring the Doc to the DHC to meet one of his ex-teammates!