Let'sGoZips94

Horrible refereeing... a couple tight sphincter situations... a header off the crossbar... This game has everything but a goal so far.

Holthusen I think.

Come someone more well versed in soccer technique and strategy explain to me why one would want to put that near post, instead of using physics to put a harder shot far post where the goal is wider?

A little over an hour until game time. Starting to get pumped. Let's Go Zips!

With the Heisman more than likely NEVER being awarded to an Akron player, maybe he can market a new Hiesman Award like Jackie Moon marketed the Flint Michigan Mega Bowl?

I didn't necessarily take it as a woe is me quote. Jared called it as it is: Louisville benefited from playing in a better conference. The following quote from the article has yet to be mentioned as well. “You know, that conference kind of gave them the benefit of the doubt, but like I said, at the end of the day, the only way we can prove we’re right is to go out there in the 90 minutes and get it done no matter where the game is at.” In regards to the about Louisville being experienced with losing, it doesn't bother me. Their coach is the same coach that said he left Akron because he couldn't win a championship here, the same here where Caleb Porter won a National Championship 5 years after Lolla left. As far as I'm concerned, Louisville hasn't won a National Championship since Lolla arrived, and lost to AKRON in their best opportunity to do so. Their seasons under Lolla have ALWAYS ended in a LOSS, so their experience IS with LOSING. With that being said, back it up, Embick. Kick some Cardinal ass.

I think this will be a great barometer, as previously stated, for where Akron is as a program early on in this transition. Here are Marshall's schedule & results thus far... vs. UT Martin: 102-91 (W) <------------ We beat UT Martin by 17 vs. Southern: 83-74 (W) @ Morehead St.: 83-86 (L) @ Illinois: 74-91 (L) vs. NC Central: 92-84 (W) @ William & Mary: 104-114 (L) Very average program it seems. I think we are equal if not ahead of them currently, and I hope the result on Saturday proves that. Additionally, they play UT Chattanooga, Toledo, and OU in the 3 games following their match-up with Akron. Their coach is the older brother of former NBA head coach Mike D'Antoni. Looking at their roster, we match-up well size wise. As @clarkwgriswold mentioned, their top 3 scorers are 6'3", 6'4", and 6'9", all of which we can match at those respective positions defensively. They look to be about 9 or 10 deep, which is about where we're at as well. I think it's going to be a great game, hopefully capping off a 4-0, 24 hr period for Zips athletics (Men's Soccer vs. Louisville, Football MAC Championship, Women's Basketball vs. #15 Maryland, Men's Basketball vs. Marshall). I hope we learned how to play on the road with our game at Dayton. Edit: I wonder what sort of recruiting benefits this game will have. The game is in Huntington, the city in which Huntington Prep is located, which Rob Fulford started. Interesting side story/connection.

Somebody strap a 32" TV to his back with a non-stop replay of his 2010 Title goal.

It used to be the Moccasins, but UTC went PC in the late 90s, much like Syracuse did in the early 00s (Orangemen to Orange).

Yep. I actually forgot that Star came against Louisville. Makes it that much sweeter. Let's stay a thorn in Lolla's side, and knock them out on Friday.

I've heard he was an unbelievable player on the fast track to the big leagues before his car accident.

Last night was just what the doctor ordered in my eyes. So far this season, we've had a come from behind win, a wire-to-wire win, a difficult road loss, and a win where we had a double digit lead slip away, but still held on for a tight victory. Talk about getting these young guys experience in multiple scenarios. I can't believe Utomi didn't play more last year. The guy is a pure scorer and all around player. He does it all from defense, to driving to the basket, to jump shots (especially beyond the arc). I think he will be the MAC POY, and will put us in a position to greatly exceed expectations and predictions. Sayles is going to be a stud. He looks so comfortable no matter where he is on the court, and he knows how to finish. A 6'9" 225 lbs freshman with athleticism and poise; I love it. This was Ivey's best game of the season, and he needs to watch, re-watch, replay the tape in his sleep, wake up, and re-watch yet again the replay of this game to see how he let the game come to him. Parrish had his worst game of the season, but that's ok. He's still a contributor and hit a huge 3 from the corner. Patton was quiet but fundamentally sound. Kostelac had a nice game. I think he's starting to get up to speed a bit more. He's definitely more athletic than most freshman big man we've had, it's just a matter of him catching up to DI basketball speed and developing. What I really like is the team's game plan doesn't change when he's in because he can run pretty well. Duvivier is the perfect veteran leader for this team. Cotton plays fundamentally sound defense, and I love it. His offensive game isn't quite there yet, but he'll be just fine. Again, congrats to Lamont Paris for landing this coaching gig with UT Chattanooga. He's going to be good for that program, and I hope we see them on the schedule in future years. Paris is nothing but a class act.

Is he going pro after this season?

- Wichita State cared so much about their conference, they left for a better one. - I bet Embick was rooting for our football program a whole helluva lot more than another MAC school's soccer program. A better football team would make us more appealing to a better conference, which would get our national powerhouse soccer program (which by the way, was built without the success of other MAC schools) out of the MAC. - He used the 1-bid MAC as an excuse and a crutch for plateau mediocrity. Not a strong person to have in your corner.

Ding ding ding! We have a winner. Spot on post. Gonzaga and Wichita State became nationally respected powerhouses by winning games that truly matter in the NCAA tournament. Then they scheduled quality opponents in the OOC portion of their respective schedules, and won a majority of those games, too. I don't care a lick if a directional Michigan school, or Can't, or O-Who loses every single game. I worry about Akron, and Akron only. The MAC as a conference blows, thus so much discussion over the years of getting out of it. The MAC didn't lose to Gonzaga in '09, Notre Dame in '11, and VCU in '13; we did. Just about the only times I have ever rooted for a MAC school was Western Michigan in the Cotton Bowl, and in the NCAA soccer tournament this year.

Notice how they don't mention how many got into the tournament. Let's talk percentages, ACC.

It also needs to be noted that Can't State has dropped 3 in a row to SE Louisiana, Valpo, and Loyola Chicago. By the way, BGSU was 2-4 pts behind Akron in the MAC East pre-season poll, FWIW.

Interesting that 2 of the matches are Friday night. I hope we smoke them. This will be a war. My bulletin board would be one big Lolla quote, saying that he can't win a championship at Akron.

Very happy to see Lamont's team on the schedule this year. He is a great guy and was a fantastic assistant under Dambrot before heading to Wisconsin.

Ivey was much better at making things happen off the ball last year. I think that aspect of his game and roll will come back as chemistry is built. I was surprised to see multiple defenses thrown at Dayton. I think Groce played a 2-3 zone, man to man, and even 1-3-1 at one point. The difference in the game was their most experience player (Jordan Davis I believe) outplayed our most experienced player (Ivey). Dayton did a good job of shutting down Utomi in the second half.

Ivey took us out of this game I feel. He had some wild ball handling and shots when we needed controlled possessions. He needs to find his role on this team. Surprised we haven't seen more plays for Parrish. Free Throw shooting has not been good, but it's our first road game. I'll give them the benefit of the doubt. Hoping we can make a few baskets here and make this more respectable.

4-7 so far. I don't count Olajapoke's attempts; he's our hack-a-Shaq.

He and there other two bigs each have 2 fouls. Keep going inside and that takes care of itself.

SAYLES!

Agreed. What also stood out was Dayton doesn't exactly know what to expect either - both from Akron and themselves. This should be a fun game. Would love to steal one in Dayton!