Marty McFly

Correct if I am wrong (and I just checked and I am not) - Winthrop has 3 straight NCAA tournement appearances.2007, 11th Seed - Beat 6th seed Notre Dame in the first round 74-64. Lost to 3rd seeded Oregon 75-61 in the second round2006, 15th Seed - Lost to 2nd seed Tennessee 63-612005, 14th Seed - Lost to 3rd seed GonzagaSounds to me like a win over Winthrop would go a long way to the Selection Committee. And since, other than Miami (Oh), this is the only team that made the tourney last year, I think that this was a huge game for Akron.

I think that we are starting to see a trend. The lack of point guard has cost us two games, almost three if include Temple. If you think about it, both losses were games that were lost in the last 5-7 minutes of the game. I don't think that it is conditioning. I think that it is not having a PG to handle the ball against a press. Maybe KD dropped the ball about 2-3 years ago when he didn't recruit a PG. Think about it. Had he done so, he could have been a redshirt frosh or true frosh last year who could have gained some experience while giving Joyce some breaks. Now this year, he would be ready to go to lead this team, and have some experience.We (thus that frequent this board) have put Steward up on a pedastool and the one that is going to save the season and the backcourt. Remind me again how many games in college has this kid played?The other thing that we saw (or heard from Frenchie) was the crowd helped in this game. I bet that the crowd's will help in other places, such as Oxford, Munchie, Can't, Athens, Dayton, Toledo, BG....Oh wait. Everywhere but Akron!

Looks like its up to Frenchie and Mean Joe Dunn to give us the sites and sounds. Just like the old days.

I recently calculated that 90% of the T-shirts tossed land in the lower reserved sections. As sparsely as it is typically filled, I think every season ticket holder down there can already clothe a small Central American country...and we're only in early December! How many more do they need?I must be one of the 10%, but I believe that's b/c I'm in the 2nd to last row in the level level. Too far for the cheerleaders to throw and too close for the shooting cell phone thingy dingy.

Also -- The reason UNC came to NE Ohio wasn't because CSU had some whiz-bang, schedule-making God. UNC makes a deal with any recruit they sign, ensuring UNC will play a game in the kid's home town, in front of his friends and family, at some point during the kid's 4 year stay. Jawad Williams was from Cleveland, so UNC played @ CSU. Go Zips is correct -- It was originally scheduled to be Akron. Jerome Lane had the same arrangement back in the mid-80's, which is why Pitt came to Akron (Richfield).Another thing to keep in mind about UNC coming to the CSU Convo -- The Convo usually hosts a first/second round NCAA tournament games. Not sure if they were hosting that year or not, but I'm sure that was another reason behind it. But...either way, UA will never get a NC or Duke or UCLA to play in the JAR. Yes, maybe at the Q or the Convo.I have been at every home game this year and have been thoughorally disappointed at the attendence. I mean, come on! Walking in at 630 and it was like I was going to a co-worker's mother-in-law's calling hours. Dark and cold and like no one wanted to be there. (Including concession stand workers, which is the least of UA's trouble).Why not pep things up a little bit? I mean, the Athletic Dept obviously spent some money on that cool video that is shown before the Zips come out. Why not dim the lights - Get some explosives (like the Cant game last year) - Maybe more T-Shirt tosses or mini ball tosses. I am sure that you could get some local companies outside of Time Warner Cable to sponsor something like that in exchange from some tickets for their employees.That being said, I look at Temple, which is probably the biggest name on the OOC sked this year, and the attendence, and then I look at the remaining game before the first of the year and the start of MAC play -- I hopped in Doc Brown's DeLorean and this is what I've found...Dec 8, 7 pm - N Carolina Central - Attendence -- 1,891Dec 19, 7 pm - N Carolina A&T - Attendence -- 1,750 (Many people thought that the two teams just played each other 11 days ago, and the students are still studying for finals)Dec 21, 8 pm - Youngstown St - Attendence - 3,200 - Reason - Dambrot offers free hot coccoa, but many show up after an internet rumor surfaces that Jim Tressel is coming to the JAR to watch his old school before hopping a flight on the DeLorean to New Orleans.Dec 29, 7 pm - UCI - Attendence - 2,100 - 2,000 show up just to see what UCI stands for, thinking it was CBS's latest CSI show and a William Peterson sighting.

Some of my thoughts (for what they are worth)Guards played good until it mattered late in the game, and then the lack of a true point guard almost cost us the game…3 point shooting won this game tonight b/c turnovers, free throw shooting and rebounding didn’t. Can’t wait until that night when the 3 pointers don’t save us…Does Nate Linhart ever think that he actually committed a foul? Every time there is a foul called on him, he seems to think that it is a total bogus call. Could come and bite him one night if he gives a cranky ref the wrong look…Jeremiah’s hair - I don’t even know where to begin, other than the old guy in front of me rattingly off this line “If you’re the ref, and you look at this guy with his hair like Mickey Mouse, how can he have any creditibility?” (Although I do think that whoever did laundry actually shrunk his shorts as they only came to mid calf tonight instead of his ankles)…Crowd was somewhat of a disappointment, as were the AK-Rodies (or should we start calling them the Ak-No bodies?). I mean, seriously, how much homework can you have on the first day back after a 4 day layoff???And speaking of lack - What’s with one and a half concessions stands? I say half b/c one side opened up about midway through halftime. The 2 other stands in the main entrance were closed, and the one upstairs must have still been on Thanksgiving break. You mean to tell me that Athletic Dept cant hire some kids at like $6/hr to work 3 hrs a week???I think that we are going to end up falling in love with Steve McNees the same way that we have with Nick Dials. A hard working, guts out, get on the floor type of player. Reason for saying this — The old guys in front of me liking him, and judging by their comments throughout the game, that’s saying something.And in closing, did anyone who was at game notice a certain bench player known for shooting threes upon entering the game pouting throughout much of the second half? Not mentioning names, but his last name begins with a G and ends with a D, and boy did he looked p’d off that his services weren’t going to be needed tonight.On that note, good night!

Was impressed with: McNees offensive shooting, No fear of shooting the three, Run and Gunning, New Uniforms (should I say Jeremiah’s capri’s?), Akron’s run to start the 2nd half that put game away, as Walsh wasn’t out of at the half (and allowed me and my antsy son an early exit), and finally- The balanced attack.Wasn’t impressed with: McNees defensively, No fear of shooting the three (this will win some games, but a cold night could haunt us), defensive rebounding. I think that the front court is going to have to get better on the defensive end rebounding b/c I find it hard to believe that they will be taller than most teams they face, and Finally - McNees’ socks (who authorized that?)Thought the crowd was good for an exhibition game, although I honestly thought that there was more maroon/gold there than blue/gold.Something else I noticed: A new look Ced Middleton? Had to do a double take, as he has lost the braids/corn rows from last season. Former Zip (and former Springfield coach) Ryan Andrick on the coaching sidelines from the Zips.

I do like the Romeo cheer that you guys do

Zippyriffle:I think that is ok with Romeo saying that, but I have to say that it is a correct in statement until Akron first of all beats Can't State, then the flushers are the better team traditionally in the MAC. Second of all, Akron needs to get to at least the MAC Title game before any recognition should be received by Akron. Third of all, they need to beat Nevada before any national recognization should be garnered. Outside of MAC play, they only have the San Jaun Shootout and Duquesne. A win at Nevada tomorrow night will go along way.It kills me to say this, but it the truth. (And yes, I am an Akron Zips fan!)