Blue & Gold

There really is more space there than one would think. I know I was surprised. A year or two ago I Google-Earth'ed the sight, along w/ a few footprints of other arenas and found that the location could comfortably hold either Pitt's Peterson Events Center (a 12,500-seat facility) or the U of St. Louis' Chaifetz Arena (10,600). You could even squeeze the Hartford Civic Center (16,294) or the Providence Dunkin' Donuts Center (12,400) into the sight. Edit: I'm referring to the on-campus sight.

I'm pretty sure there is enough space for an arena there. For years now the city has had plans for an arena on that sight, with the Mayflower still standing (hopefully converted into student housing - not to be mean, but the current Mayflower clientele is not the least bit conducive to an entertainment district). I think the kink that must be worked out will be the hockey -vs- basketball arena conflict. The city really wants a hockey arena on that sight. The U, however, seems to definitely favor a basketball arena. If the U is not down for a hockey arena (which I, personally, hope they are not) the city may not sell them the land. (?) Thus the U may have to build on the Spicer/Exchange sight. In the long run that may be best anyhow. Maybe in a few years the city & county can get together and build a hockey arena across from Canal Park. They are able to host ice capades, arena football & soccer, etc.

I placed a call and they don't yet know where we'll be sitting. I'll probably wait on buying tickets for a few days until they have a better idea of where the Zips' section will be. I don't want to pay $150 for tickets only to later discover I'm in the middle of the K.e.nt (or whoever) section.

Any idea what the Akron sections are going to be for Friday's semifinal game?

I voted Zeke. I was going AA, but in the end, just had to go w/ the Big Fella. Watching Zeke has been educational for me. I'm really starting to be able to see how he gets into everyone's heads on the floor and even if he doesn't block a shot, he really does, like Momma Zeke has witnessed for years, change the entire complexion & strategy of the game. I don't know how many times this year that I've watched one of our guards get beat off the dribble on the perimeter, only to watch the penetrating guard, hesitate, pull the ball back out, throw up a pathetic attempt at a shot, or simply pee down his leg when he sees Zeke rotating down.

Congrats, Zips!

I'm almost 40, and I did hurt my lower back lifting weights in college. But here it is, 9:15 p.m., a full 24-hours after a game at the JAR, and, I kid you not, but my back is still aching from those bleachers. I'm getting old. And we need a new arena.

Speaking of students in General Admission seating, I was sitting in the general admission, center court all the way at the top. There was one guy, who definitely looked to be a student sitting behind me. He was a great fan! Loud, knew all the players names & tendencies. It was funny because his girlfriend was with him, politely minding her own business & reading a book.

It's great seeing Tree's maturation into a leader on this team. He's truly going to be beast for the next 3 years. AA's an established leader & clutch performer now, which is nice to have from your PG. Did AA say they were going to go into the tournament, "balls out"?

I hope you're right. At that point in the game, I thought we should have tried to get the quick 2, but it sure looked like they were looking to launch a 3 the whole time.

I noticed that too. I could be wrong, but I attributed it to the strong student section Buffalo brought to the game. True Blue (right?) really forced the Rowdies to be on top of their game - all game - and the rest of the arena then seemed to echo the Rowdies intensity.

It's almost 11 p.m. and my lower back still aches.

Nice. I'm sure nothing new to ZNO posters was revealed, but how'd the interview go? Too bad it followed the OU beatdown.

Hey Zipwatcher, weren't you going to post some thoughts about how impressed you were by Oral Roberts' gameday (or pregame?) experience hoping that our athletics department could glean some ideas? Did I miss that post? I was looking forward to the reading.

Anything to get more boobtube time. Anything.

Nice! Please give an update after Friday's game, as I'm unable to attend. But I'm interested in following Peters' development.

Didn't much of the team (especially the seniors) lobby for Senderhoff to get the HC job?

@ wadzip, Excellent post!

George Thomas' Akron-vs-BUGS wrap-up, courtesy of the ABJ.

Out of curiosity, but who would you prefer to bump?

We can be hopeful, but let's not get ahead of ourselves. After another 20+ years of equal-or-almost-equal billing with the Cavs, Indians and Browns we'll only begin to start breaking even.

I agree, not shabby!

Zips by 20.

Another excellent segment. Very well produced. I love the fact that Rachel Tecca didn't know she was UA's all-time scoring leader.

K e n t LB has a dream of becoming a Navy Seal!