Let'sGoZips94

Wow the MAC is bad. Is this the worst the MAC has ever been? We are the only team in the top 100 RPI, and nobody else is even close. Nothing like some #MACtion to put a damper on your 18-3 start to the season.

Well, they travel to Akron once a year, and NEO 2-3 times a year - if you include Akron, Can't, and the MAC Tourney. I think it would be smart and efficient to combine their game travel obligations with a recruiting trip.

Step 1: Get ranked. Step 2: Back-up the ranking with an NCAA Tourney win... Or 2... Or 3... Etc. You should always strive to get ranked. But that ranking is meaningless if the end result is a laid egg in the NCAA Tourney.

I thought the same exact thing. Our marketing/in-game hype team needs to take a class on when/how to play certain songs to hype the crowd up, and when to leave certain promotions alone. I don't think schools like Kansas, Duke, UNC, etc., interrupt their high energy crowd with an in-game promotion. Willy (the MC) does a TREMENDOUS job at getting people hyped. Also, I was very disappointed in the Rowdies. I don't believe they did a "BUFFALO'S IN CANADA" chant all night. Willy went over to the band towards the end of the game, and started that chant with the band, but the Rowdies were MIA in that regard. Buffalo gave us their best game probably all season. We withstood their hot shooting barrage and still won. That was an impressive win by Akron. They pose matchup problems with their athleticism, but shooting wise that was a special night by them.

Halftime show: LeBron walks to half court and presents the president and AD with a huge check for a new arena. Just an idea... Or maybe more of a dream...

BRUCE! I used to wear a Weinkein jersey my mom made me when I was real little. Ended up staying in touch with Bruce and even Nate Schindewolf a bit throughout the years. I still have a game-worn jersey of Bruce's that will go in the man cave of my new house.

Zeke. Multiple reasons. 1) He's the only TRUE Center on that list. 7'0", long, and a true rim protector. 2) As previously mentioned, he changed the game in so many ways not reflected on the stat sheet. 3) Most importantly, just go watch the final 30 seconds of that MAC Championship Game Overtime WIN against Can't State. Would love to compile a front court of Zeke, JWood, and Big Dog, though. We'd go pretty deep in the NCAA tourney with that Front Court.

Sports are becoming more and more crooked, but I don't mind this. Since the late 1800s/early 1900s, baseball organizations have been using their ballparks' walls and such to advertise for companies like the American Tobacco Company, banks, etc. If a team is privately owned, the owner should be able to open up their business to marketing/advertising profit opportunities such as this (now when these billionaire owners go to the taxpayers for stadium renovation funding, that's where I draw the line, but that's a whole different can of worms). Could you imagine AKRON, scripted on the front of our jerseys in GOODYEAR font or something like that? I think it would be pretty cool, and an excellent way for a college to get funding for sports, since sports should come secondary in funding to academics.

That 2012-13 season also included a much better schedule. Although the end-of-season SOS, according to RealTimeRPI, was 131 (this year we are at 146 currently for comparison, so not a HUGE difference), we played much tougher opponents throughout that season. Here's the Breakdown for 2012-13 Top 50 Opponents: 3. Record was 1-2, with a win against MTSU who finished at 28 (that was a fun home game). Top 100 Opponents: 8. Record was 5-3. This includes the MACCG against OU. Also, that Detroit loss is bad name wise, but they finished #64 in RPI and it was a road game. Our current schedule is crap in comparison (actually, it's crap period, compared to every schedule). Unless EMU and OU win out (minus their contests against Akron), we won't play another Top 100 team all year, and will have only played 4 all season - IF Georgia Southern and Marshall stay in the Top 100. Based on the research provided by MDZip and my findings, this would be good ammunition for anyone arguing against our cupcake, "prestigious" 21-win-guaranteed schedule. The committees seem to reward some success against tougher schedules over more success against weaker competition (duh).

Absolutely. He is very well educated (even says he loves the Zips! - in response to you). The comment wasn't directed at him, but more the perception of "In short: not good." Another topic but one that will continue to warrant more discussion. The P5 schools have automatic exposure due to their conference ranks and conference schedules. They can play 10 DIII schools, but if they go .500 or better in conference play, the committee/media will take notice. Mid-Majors, especially those not in the A-10 and AAC, don't have that luxury. Hence the hundreds or thousands of posts on this board ranting about our Out-of-Conference schedule. My frustration stems from us needing to "up" our level of competition, that next-level competition not being willing to play away from their home gym, and then us scheduling Coppin State instead. It's a perpetuating circle of crap.

The title states "In short: not good," but I would love to know how many of those Top 25/50/100 Losses came on the road against P5 schools that are too prideful and scared to leave the friendly confines of their mother's basement.

For those saying we have no shot at an At-Large, we're top 40 in RPI, could very realistically run the table to get us in the top 20-30ish, and we just had a couple-minute exclusive segment on SportsCenter. Exposure matters when it comes to the committee, because exposure means $$$. If UNC Wilmington finishes near us in the RPI, who are they going to take: UNC Wilmington, or the team closely associated with LeBron James? Monmouth had the exposure last year, they just timed it all wrong; it was a tight year in college basketball with about 20-40 solid teams on top of conference champions. We're talking about the 2nd most corrupt sports association in the world, next to FIFA, in the NCAA. If they turn over a rock and see any resemblance of something that can make them $$$, they'll take advantage of it. On a side note, why aren't teams like UNC Wilmington (recent NCAA tourney success; 4 pt. loss to Duke last year in The Dance), Middle Tennessee State (perennial competitive mid-major; used to be on the schedule, but what happened?), and middle-bottom P5 schools on our schedule every year? Teams like Pittsburgh, Clemson, GTech, Georgia, VaTech, etc., might not be a top 5 team in the country, but they are names and play top competition every year which would help our RPI. Can't played Texas - beat em. Bobkitties played GTech - beat em. Schools like UNC Wilmington and MTSU would give us experience against NCAA tourney-caliber competition. I know this has been but it's frustrating that, at this point each and every season, we have an At-Large discussion that is always brought down by a weak schedule.

"Musical Chairs Night"

Be forewarned... LeBron mentions galore. But still a VERY cool segment.

We must have played with a lot of energy for 13 years then.

Since when did Big Dog become a lefty? That makes him a massive threat, and I don't understand why EMU keeps playing man D on his dribble penetration. I'll take it though. Pretty strong half.

The new hot act is the girl that shoots a bow with her feet, while in a handstand.

Tree wasn't exceptionally talented; he just out-hustled and out-desired everyone. Zeke was good, but he was more tall than naturally talented. Busted his butt to get better and put together an impressive senior year. Also played with a lot of heart. Harney... pretty talented but kind of went through the motions. Abreu was ok. Very streaky player. Played with fire, which I liked. I'd take this team, talent wise, over that team all day every day. I'd take Tree & Zeke's heart and desire, and Abreu's fire over this team's. I'd take a combination of the best attributes from both teams, though.

Agreed. And the #1 reason I agree: I don't see the heart on this team. There is no Kretzer or McAdams to pick up the energy/hustle. There is no Cedrick Middleton to slap the floor to play D, or Dials to pick up the tempo and energy. This team might be the most naturally talented team Dambrot has ever had, but they lack the heart and desire to go out there every game with the goal to leave it all out there and win.

I also think there were some politics involved in him not getting in last year. I think the committee wanted Marvin Harrison and Tony Dungy to go in at the same time. Other than TO and LT, I think Jason Taylor is the only other player that stands out on that list. Then again, I do have my "blue-and-gold" colored glasses on...

To Joe Akron, it looks like Can't beat Texas. That's a quality win. If you play them, wins may come...

That was a fun game to listen to. Sounded like good basketball for the most part. Solid win, despite UCI's record.

How is Chapman available yet not playing? I'd rather take his overthrows, but actual QB experience, than a guy with high school QB experience and that's about it.

Here is a link, talking about next year's field.

"Bang-bang!"