Blue & Gold

That's him. Sampson's the boy. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that he'll stay home & represent. He's exactly the type of player we need.

1:16 into the Cavs (sans LeBron) - Milwaukee Bucks game and Austin Carr just commented, "You can already see what the Cavs' problem is going to be. They don't have anyone who can take you off of the dribble."Ditto for the Zips. I wonder if it would have taken Mr. Carr any longer than 1:16 to notice that fact about us last night?(Actually, in fairness, I do think Nik does a good job in isolation.)

I also very much appreciated Jimmy's game last night. He, once again, was our best player. He was aggressive all night. I also love Nik's passion. He wasn't intimidated @ all & I'm sure would have loved to play the entire 40-minutes had KD allowed it.And I don't mind Zeke's occassional bad shots. I'd much rather see some bad shots due to being overly agressive, or overly confident, as oppossed to looking like a deer in headlight, afraid to even touch the ball (ironically, much how Jimmy looked his first 3 years in blue & gold.) I thought Zeke played a pretty good game, especially considering Ken+'s senior-ladden lineup.

<br />By what measure is that even remotely the case?<br /><br /><br /><br />I know you're post was more rhetorical than sincere, but 2 of the 3 incoming forwards - Egner excluded - are your Akron-typical earthbound 3-point shooters who don't take the ball to the rim, come swooping down from out of the rafters, have break-ankle first steps, will happily dunk in traffic or create their own shots. I think it's become quite evident this year that our "system players" can't compete at a level higher than the less-than-stellar MAC. Every athletic team that we've faced this year has exposed us; made us look like we've got lead weights in our LBJ's: NC State, Texas A&M, Rhode - The Gang That Couldn't Shoot Straight - Island, Ken+ (twice) and even the slightly athletic EMU squad. Jimmy and Zeke would be the two exceptions. Can Chris McKnight even touch the rim? I kid. The only other players that could hang with Ken+'s athletes were thwarted by Ken+'s length - Ronnie, Humpty & Darryl. Did you see the physical specimen that was Ken+'s PG? (Sherman?) 6-3, broad shoulders, narrow waist, arms that hang down to his knees, pogo sticks for legs. Why can't we get a baller that passes the eye-test like that? Anyhow, I digress.

Focused on what? did you see any defense last night?I didn't say the Zips play great defense every game. I just cited the commonly known reality that KD puts a higher priority on defense than offense.Didn't someone put a stat on the board a couple of weeks ago showing how much more UofA is in high scoring games than low scoring games? The Zips played a really good offensive game last year in the MAC Championship and won. Every time they have attempted to win a low scoring game in the Championship they lose. Focus on offense...offense puts pressure on the other team....pressure makes you do things you aren't good at then you lose.There's another positive for at least some fans when the focus is on offense. It's just plain more fun and entertaining for many fans to see a fast-paced shootout than a plodding defensive battle. Even if the Zips were playing against the same teams on their current schedule and had the same won-lost record, they'd draw more Joe Akrons to the JAR if they were averaging 100 points a game and playing just enough defense to hold their opponents to 99 or less.Stifling defense is only good when it results in more wins. All other things being equal, offensive shootouts are more entertaining to casual fans.Absolutely YES. And we have to remember that athletics are essentially a form of entertainment. Light up the scoreboard & rattle the rim with dunks on the fast break. Otherwise, I might as well go watch a decent high school game.

"Explosive" is going off for 30 points or 14 assists or 20 rebounds. Roberts is anything but explosive, at least this season. Steward is quick, but has yet to show he's anything but a "change-of-pace back" to McNees.If either were on K.e.n.t's roster, they wouldn't see double digit minutes.Nope. In fact, looking down the Zips' roster, IMO only B-Mac, Jimmy & Zeke would get much playing time at all if they played for Ken+, and none of them would start.

Guess you haven't been reading about Josh Egner in the recruiting forum.Actually, that quote of mine was slightly edited by the moderator. And rightly so (thank you). But, sadly, it sounds as if, excluding Zeke, Egner will easily be our most explosive athlete next year. Man, what's that say about the caliber of athlete on the team now? Where are the hops? Where are the rim-rattlers? Where are the players salivating on every fastbreak opportunity?

Ummm... actually they run faster, jump higher and have longer arms. Oh yeah, and almost to a man also have quicker first steps.

I suggest that you carry a barf bag around with you. Whenever players run faster and jump higher than those they're playing against, and use those abilities to make their opponents appear slow and soft, the "A" word will be used frequently by douche bags and non-douche bags alike.The most "A" team doesn't always win. There are other aspects of the game that can compensate for lack of "A." But all other things being equal, the team with the most "A" will usually win.You are allegedly a writer. How would you grade another writer who uses one adjective? How interesting is it to read? If spoken, how interesting is it to listen to?If all one has to say about K.e.n.t.'s basketball team is "they are athletic...they are more athletic than the Zips...they have great athleticism...etc" then that person obviously has a shallow knowledge of the game.I like reading and listening to people that offer depth and insight. If all you bring to the table is "athletic," you're shallow and pedantic.Ahh, then you were simply tired of people stating the obvious. I hope KD sees the obvious that everyone else sees and doesn't try to dismiss the disparity between these two programs (or, for that matter, VCU, or Rhode Island - who can't shoot straight, or Texas A&M, or NC State) by trying to blame this loss (or the previous) on "We just didn't hit shots," or "They just have our number."I hope KD realizes we absolutely must be recruiting a higher caliber... dare I say it... athlete.

I suggest that you carry a barf bag around with you. Whenever players run faster and jump higher than those they're playing against, and use those abilities to make their opponents appear slow and soft, the "A" word will be used frequently by douche bags and non-douche bags alike.The most "A" team doesn't always win. There are other aspects of the game that can compensate for lack of "A." But all other things being equal, the team with the most "A" will usually win.Lol. Precisely. What an odd comment by CK, unless, out of frustration, he was simply weary of people stating the obvious? Ken+'s clearly superior "A" was the overriding decisive factor.It was NOT that the Zips choked.It was NOT that the Zips pissed down thier legs.It was NOT that the Zips didn't want the game.It was NOT that the Zips didn't have heart.It was NOT that the Zips simply took poor shots.It was NOT that the Zips simply missed their shots.It was NOT that the Zips were simply outrebounded.It was NOT that the Zips played poor defense.It was NOT that KD was out-coached (unless you consider recruiting).It WAS that Ken+'s far superior "A" @ nearly every position on the floor made all those things happen or appear to happen.We didn't stand a chance last night. If those two teams would play 10 times, Akron would not win a single game. The only way Akron beats that Can't team is if the stars ALL align and Ken+ turns in an epically poor effort while Akron is lights out. Even then, Ken+ probably beats the Zips by double digits.KD's recruiting efforts and/or philosophy absolutely must be called into question. Isn't it KD who said, "We must think bigger than the MAC"? Well, only one of those two teams is built to contend on a bigger stage than the MAC and it ain't the Zips.And coming next year? 3 unathletic forwards? That just screams "Mid-American Conference."

It is very disappointing that the Rowdies fail to fill those tiny sections. 1000 students for soccer, but less than 100 for basketball? Yeah, that's front-running @ it's best. I shudder to think what soccer attendance would be should we have a down year.But kudos to the Rowdies that do show up. You guys do a great job!

I go to Can't games on occassion with some unenlightened Can't State friends. The only time their student section is filled is for the Akron game.

AMEN!!! Thank you, Tom Gaffney!!!

Athletic teams have hurt Akron for too long now. This year alone we've seen Rhode Island, VCU, Can't State, and (needless to say) NC State & Texas A&M out-athlete us. After 5 years of KD recruiting, we really need to be getting more explosive athletes to don the Zips' blue & gold. I'm tired of seeing forwards lay the ball up. Get guys in here who abuse the rim when they play. Or how about a 2G who can actually dunk the ball on a fast break?

That's not a special ed kid. He's actually a Can't State Honor's College student. Lol

I believe I'll just vent my frustration here as opposed to beginning a new thread.I checked for a fourth time @ 7:30 and there was still no Zips Live on 1350. Coach RI was supposed to be on tonight talking about the recent recruiting class. Dissappointing? Indeed. Surprising? Unfortunately, no.

Metro Burger is very good!So is the OBC opening a new brewpub across from Canal Park, or not?

Specialty foods - This is indeed the home of sauerkraut balls. Well... Barberton, technically. And Barberton Chicken. Lol. But no one outside of the area has really heard of Barberton Chicken.Akron is also the home of the hamburger. The All-American food was invented by two Akronite brothers (the Menche's) @ the world's fair in Hamburg, Germany, what, 80 years ago? Thus there are a ton of great places to get good hamburgs/cheeseburgers around town. Swenson's v. Skyway is, as you can plainly see, a popular debate. Rockne's is one of my favorite joints. There (unfortunately) are about 6-8 Rockne's scattered all over town & in the 'burbs now, but the original Rockne's, if I'm not mistaken, is on Market Street about 1 mile west of downtown near Highland Square. One of my favorite hang outs. GREAT food. Oh yeah, and Menche's Brothers, named after the brothers who invented the hamburger, is a good place for lunch. It's located inside Canal Park baseball stadium.On Market Street, on the very west edge of downtown is the best steakhouse in Ohio. It's called Diamond's. From the outside it looks like a dive, but the interior of the joint is pretty nice. The debate over who has the best steaks in Ohio is between Diamond's and some steakhouse down in Dayton (I don't remember the name of the place.) But be prepared to drop a few dimes @ Diamond's. The Big City Chophouse, if you're looking for steak, is rather pricey too. But very good.As someone mentioned, the BW3's is the lamest B-dubs I've ever seen. But, hey, a sports bar doesn't have to be posh.Speaking of sports bars, this place just opened up Rubber City Grill. It's near the Lux Nightclub & Whiskey Dick's.Oh yeah, and the Lockview is a good place for some very good sandwiches and beer. The LockviewZipstrumpet87 said he didn't care for the Spaghetti Warehouse as much as Luigi's, and no argument from me. But the Spaghetti Warehouse does have absolutely amazing lasagna!

So the credentialed lots are for season pass holders? No worries we'll park in a blue lot. I expect to set up 4 hours prior. Any favorite lot in the blue areas? BTW, we will be bringing over Hoffman Coneys (Offically called Snappys)...they are real tasty and we share. Also, will bring some NY micro beer and would love to exchange for some of that good stuff that comes out of Cleveland I heard about.I read that Lot 34 is happening...is it still that way? Would we be welcomed there or is there a better lot for visitors?Cleveland?! How insulting. This is an AKRON board. Besides, the best microbrew you'll find is straight outta the Rubber City. It's Hoppin' Frog and it's the best beer you'll ever taste. I even enjoy the Frog more than Bell's out of Kalamazoo. However, it's difficult to find. I know that Veggeteranian (sp?) near Luigi's stocks it. I just get mine straight from the micro-brewery on Waterloo near the Rubber Bowl.

I don't know...I don't really agree with this. We should beat Indiana. We should beat 'Cuse. I don't know anything about Kentucky. We may lose all three, but if we're afraid of playing schools like this then we should just drop football.tell us why the zips SHOULD be syracuse...pleaseGood question. Simply, If we don't think this way, we should just mail in the entire season.

Thanks dreal! The whole psyche of ZN's been in the crapper since the CJ incident and the subsequent godawful loss to Indiana last year. It feels good to begin to have that enthusiasm again!

Virginia Tech is exactly the sort of school I do not want to see us playing. No Top 15 teams for me, thank you.The other 3 lower level BCS schools are ideal, IMHO.And Columbus State is a good game too - the only Top 15 team I'd be interested in playing. Unless we get completely drubbed, it's a win-win for us.

I agree. When I read Rasor calling KD "his majesty" it also struck me as being kind of odd. Knowing Rasor is a Zips fan and KD supporter, I figured Rasor must have meant that KD's a very good coach and on top of the MAC mountain (kinda) right now? But it could have easily been taken differently. If someone called me "his majesty" I'd think it was either some sort of back-handed compliment, or that they thought I was an absolute egomaniac. I'd want to know why they called me by that moniker. And I guess KD did ask Rasor what exactly he did mean by it.

I don't know...I don't really agree with this. We should beat Indiana. We should beat 'Cuse. I don't know anything about Kentucky. We may lose all three, but if we're afraid of playing schools like this then we should just drop football.

This year's OOC schedule is ideal. No Top 15 butt whippings. No Wisky's or Penn States, thank you very much.We may go 1-3, but even if we do, this year it's not the schedule's fault.Though I think this season is ideal, I agree with the fact that we MUST STOP scheduling payday games, especially for the first game of the year. No more kicking off the season @ Penn State - heck, if we'd never go back to Penn State or Wisconsin I wouldn't complain. Those essentially unwinnable games just kill all the hope that had been springing eternal since spring football. We need to cultivate a culture of winning within this program (and in the community) and playing Penn State is not going to do that.I like this year's schedule.