Z.I.P.

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!

I'M LMAO here in 80-something degree Honolulu. Everyone was crying earlier this week, when it went down to 65 overnight! Wear your long johns and enjoy the trip, Rowdies! And, Go Zips!

Now THAT is a weird sort of photo! Someone explain how both goalkeepers got in the play! The IU keeper is laying in the net -- hoping that he can knock the ball back out before the ref and AR see it cross the line. Then there's an Akron field player standing along the goal line (blocking the AR's view?), and finally, what I assume is Akron's Fenlason running in toward the goal. Was this at the halftime whistle -- or what in the heck was our keeper doing in the opposite penalty area?

Phewwwww! For a while there I was afraid the Tree Giant Head would go unused for the holidays!

Meanwhile, in other games across the nation...Denver and Louisville appear headed to penalty kicks. Good luck (or not?) to Coach Ken.

WOW!!!! You mean the Yeagley Dynasty is OVER -- after just one year??? Now let's bring on the, uh... Second star? Well, at least the quarterfinals (for now)!

I understand they offered to play the game in Honolulu, and Keith chose to play the game in Columbia SC -- for more $$. Comments from insiders welcome?

OR, we could do as the Big West schools did, and foresake American football altogether -- and turn the white elephant stadium into a football pitch -- just knock out the first few rows of seats, how hard can that be? If we are gong to change conferences, the first place to look should be the MVC. Top flight basketball and good futbol competition.

Let me just expand a bit on my opinion on Jorge Salcedo's ballclub. For several years, but especially for the current cadre of Bruins, the team must be considered the top team in the nation -- on paper. On the field, Salcedo's charges have consistently under-performed. This season is the best example of the Jeckyl and Hyde aspect of the team. Of the two teams closest to them in the PAC-12 standings, they beat then #1-ranked UC-Berkeley on the road, and drew with Washington in Seattle, while losing at home to Cal - a game that frankly should have cost them at least the #1 seed. But, if that's not enough, they were badly beaten by two Big West teams, Cal Poly 3-0 and UC-Irvine 4-2. But, more generally, when you have the type of internationally experienced players that UCLA recruits every year, this team should at least be in the College Cup every season. I have actually been a bit surprised that the heat on Salcedo hasn't been stronger. Even with the #1 seed -- perhaps because of it, if they fail to make it to the Final Four, this season has to be a disappointment in Westwood. No one should confuse Jorge Salcedo for Sigi Schmid.

fknbuflobo's first sentence above is correct. The Pac-12 has had an historically strong season, though I believe UCLA is overrated -- #1 overall?? I would put them #4 or 5! For those who haven't seen it, here is the NCAA bracket. It appears that after IU, we will potentially play @Marquette, then possibly vs UVa. Is that right? Honestly, if we had to "get screwed", there's no better way than to face off against our arch-rival in the first round! I'm pretty sure we've never played them in the opening round before, but when did we even play IU in the tournament? I suspect one of Caleb's teams did face-off with his old club. Also, it is really hard to schedule in this sport with the anticipation of who will be strong, in advance. Anyone think UMBC would be up where they are? And FYI -- San Diego State plays in the Pac-12, though they're fifth of six teams. The top five are all pretty good!