RowdyZip

Don't know if it was posted yet, but in the latest Cleveland.com story, Elton Alexander confirms Pat is done. Will be having surgery Tuesday.

Great win, congrats fellas. Don't let up, huge statement game Friday and K-ent will be playing for a bye. Rpiforecast has added conference tournaments to their forecast. According to them, which I'm sure isn't exact as the bracket isn't even set, if the Zips win Friday and take Cleveland, they'll be 16th in rpi. That should...should...translate to a good seed in the Dance. Just win, baby!

I'd take whitford here too, even though not convinced the Cardinals are as good as their record. If the Kent and Miami losses hadn't happened, Dambrot in a landslide.

Slightly OT, but I went up to the UA ticket offices to pick up tickets for Friday (can't make it tonight) and I had to double park in lot 9 to run into the office and purchase. There was not one person in the team shop or ticket off (yeah, that sucks), but all 6-8 spots "reserved" for customers were full with students. It's the little things that are so disappointing. Why do we make it more difficult for people to buy Zips? I took a minute to call parking services (972-7213) to whine and you should do the same if you ever visit either place.

Per the ESPN box score, rebounding was 40-29 in favor of UB. Still not good, but better than almost being doubled up. Speaking of box scores, does anyone have a Cleveland.com ID that can log on to the Elton Alexander story and refute the conspiracy theorist that is posting on multiple stories that the officials helped the Zips win by "putting them at the line" even though Buffalo took 23 free throws to Akron's 21 (and made 17 to our 15).

I have a countdown to the women's game.

For what its worth, I got a quick response from the Zips basketball Twitter thanking me for making them aware and that they're "working on the problem."

Makes you wonder how our espn3 broadcasts will go next year. I sent a tweet to Sidearmsports but their account has been inactive since January 30.

Watching from home and the webcast cut out after the first basket. *sigh*

I'm definitely curious to see how the interest is in the Spring game this year. We ended the season with a lot of positive headlines and the longest winning streak in D-1 in the state of Ohio. We lost a LOT but I'm encouraged by the holes being filled by transfers. Let's hope marketing starts plugging this asap. Gotta let people know it's happening if you want them to show up.

No posts in almost 3 years and this is what you're gonna go with? Good job.

I haven't been this pissed at the end of a game since the "bank." That bailout call was an absolute side effect of the EMU-Ball State debacle. Unreal.

Anyone else not have a working feed on espn3? I have the "beginning soon" logo.

I agree 100%. I'm less worried about Big Dog's status than I am about Pat catching some garbage foul calls. A couple quick fouls landing him on the bench firmly pushes this one to the probable loss column. Iffy calls against key players are always more of a concern if you're thin at the position and/or on the road.

I'd hope we rest him for NIU and Buffalo and have him back a week from today at k-ent. I think we can take care of NIU, and Buffalo minus Bearden is a little easier.

Another missed game for me. My wife works Friday evenings and I'm not venturing out in February with a 2.5 year old and 5 month old.

I would love to see a MAC at-large. To me, the conference has improved to the point that it is deserved again. Unfortunately, the rest of the college basketball world doesn't see it that way. Akron is, without a doubt, the MAC's only chance this year (no matter how slim). We are set up for a chance here to get 3 or 4 top 100 wins (UB, OU, Knt 2x), and make our case. Let's hope we do it and maybe get a 10 or above seed.

Sigh. This makes tonight a little tougher and Saturday more of a question mark.

Going into the season, I figured BG and Buffalo would battle for the basement in the East. Both having new coaches and SIGNIFICANT turnover, I didn't see either competing. In fact, I thought BG was easily headed for a 20 loss season. They've surprised a lot of folks after a quick start (4-1 in the MAC, I believe), but have faded since (1-5, last 6). These guys are the definition of "middle of the pack" and there's no gimmes, especially on the road in a parity-ridden MAC. I think we pull this one out, but it'll be close again. I'll say Zips by 6, but game in doubt up until the last couple minutes. Akron 74 BGSU 68

Knowing what we've dealt with the last couple years, I do feel bad for them. Even though they've had an easy conference schedule to start, I do think they've moved back into the top of the conference this year, which is great for the rivalry.

This team is ridiculously similar to the 26-7 team that got crapped on by the NIT after the Penno loss. I don't see at large happening unless they win the remainder and lose a tight one in the tournament final. I see no way this team wins out, though things have looked more cohesive of late. A gaudy record, top 25 rpi, and likely position in the national polls would be impossible to ignore. But it doesn't matter, because it won't happen.

NIU just inexplicably lost to the undisputed worst team in the league (Miami) , and by double digits no less.

George Thomas tweeted earlier today that Aaron Jackson is done for the year with a separated shoulder and Big Dog, Jake, and Reggie did not practice today for "precautionary" reasons. Tomorrow may be more of a challenge than expected. There are no road gimmes in the MAC this year.

Rose to the top of my list after hearing him speak after the bowl win. Guy is passionate, loves Akron, loves the game, and is so talented. Can't wait to see where he lands.

Just finished watching Ball State win in double OT at EMU. Lots of fouls all game. At the end of the 2nd OT (5 sec to go) , Ball State was down two and Eastern had just got a defensive rebound. Ball State was SLAPPING EMU's forward trying to get a foul to extend the game. I mean 3 guys obviously trying to foul before time expired. All officials swallow their whistles. It was the most ridiculous thing I've ever seen. Anyway, a Ball State player ends up knocking the ball loose and then is slap slap slapped by like 3 EMU players. Again nothing. Ball State's 2 ends up getting loose outside the arc and hits a 3 at the buzzer to win. The problem with calling all these touch fouls is, it makes consistency impossible. I really feel for Eastern there. That was their game and the officials took it away.