The Hip Zip

This team isn't going anywhere until we become a presence in the paint. We need to get so much tougher to play with the big boys. Sure, we can hang with the teams in the MAC but we can't sniff a victory with a top 20 program until we get much more physical. I will hand it to NIK tonight as he was the only guy that had no fear to mix it up a bit near the hoop. I was pleased with Abreu as well. He made some nice plays driving though the paint and kicking to wide open shooters. I can't remember having a point that could drive for a long, long time. Johnny Holingsworth was perhaps the last but we couldn't keep him out of trouble. That was a shame too because the guy had some game. If anybody happens to see Steve McNees could you please ask him to come back ? I miss him. Hey, the Zips covered so all was not lost !

Amen !! Thanks Johnny

That poll is a joke and I'd take Oakland over just about anybody thats ahead of them. Of their 5 losses the only "bad" one was at Wright St, which many would not consider bad at all. The other four were against very high major teams with three of them being highly ranked. Now, with Oakland notching a great road win at #7 Tennessee, I'll take their body of work over the others on that poll any day.

Anybody watch Oakland take down the Vol's tonight ? This was no fluke either as they have played Sparty right down to the wire and also hung around a long time with Illinois. How does a team from the Summit league get so damn good? Not just good but scarry good ! I really think that they can play with just about anybody with the kids they have. I'd kind of like to see some glimpses of that here someday.

I'm there. Snow be damned !

Thanks very much for your warm reception to the Zips and don't discount your support of our team. It was a huge plus to have the Gaucho's in our corner.

I hope that you were not directing that at me for poking a little fun at our ADs physique. Tom is a really a SUPER GOOD GUY and I consider him a good friend of our family. I also become quite upset when he receives much undeserved flak. In time, I am sure that others will appreciate the man as much as we do.

Wow !!! As of now, this has been a once in a lifetime accomplishment by our program and it turns into a petty little cat fight between some of you. Just unreal. Just once, try to be happy !

Sure looked like him. And not a visual that I wish to associate with our National Championship. LOL Thanks Meatwad, Just a priceless video !! Please forgive me if I edit those last couple of seconds out !

Too early to say for sure but I do know that Zeke needs to get mean out there. He's such a good guy, and I love that fact, but he needs to put that on hold when he puts on the uniform.

Thank God for soccer. It's a great day to be a zip !!

A very solid dominant victory. I thought that we left a couple of goals out on the field but all is well that ends well. Still, I about filled my boxers when Michigan banged one off the post.

3:40 AM and I can't get to sleep cause I'm so damned fired up. I want to beat Lolla so bad, I can't even describe it.

I think you took it too seriously; I meant it playfully. Besides, Akron won 2 of 3 from Ohio last year. Easy could've been 3 of 3. Nope, it was all in fun, I was joking as well.

My wife and I have often noted that those around us in the decent seats seem much more interested in being seen in the Tommy Lounge rather than be an active supporter of the team. Just an observation. Speaking of the subject. UA charges way, way too much for the lower reserved seats. Say a family of four zip fans wants to go to a couple of games and get the good seats so they can feel like they are part of the game. Well, after a round of pop corn and pepsi they will have about $150 into two hours of entertainment for the night. That does not translate well in todays economy. We are talking major league bucks, for a lack of a better term, mid major basketball. Most other peple in various types of business have cut prices lately but not good ol' UA. We just seem to roll along, status quo and seemingly do not care if people turn out or not. Another thing that helps is giving, yes giving GA tickets to various youngsters and their parents from the local elemantary schools. We used to notice a lot of kids up there a few years ago and it did wonders for the atmosphere. One more thing, I think that the Rowdies who do come, do a fine job. The student base has to be much larger though. Carry on....

Though a bit premature, I'd like to agree but I think we take some lumps along the way. This, more than any other season, depends highly on the development of our freshmen and Diggs. Now that Brett is gone, we need the newcomers to provide us with some significant depth. If that does not happen, we will be unhappy campers come March. I do suspect that it will happen and we'll be playing good ball late in Feb. and March.

I'm going to have to say it relates to two things: Gavin and Zemanski. Notice this year there is only 1 holding MF (Perry) as compared to those two last year. Our formation is a bit different to be an even more attacking style than last year. I can't say that I think it's a bad idea since it's worked for us so far, but I think Caleb's goal was to be more attack oriented this year. Goals per game year over year are about the same but we have played a tougher schedule this year. Goals against has gone up which is more concerning, but again a tougher schedule might have played a part in that. All this to say I think the formation change has a lot to do with the "quick goals" we've given up. Solid post by someone that understands the game. I very much agree. goals are sexy but that style can often get you beat against the best of the best, Like I said, I'm worried. I think he need to drop back a second MF and keep him there with the exception of catching the opposition deep back the field. Hey, I was a defender and a goalie ! 1-0 is very sexy to me !!

I think that this, above all other accomplishments, is a testament to Caleb and the Uninversity of Akron. Terrific job all, congrats !

Oddly, I believe this is my first post here despite playing soccer for several years on a few levels. I was not good enough to play for the Zips but was good enough to be a live body to practice with under Coach Dowdy back in the '70s. For those that don't date back, we were pretty damn good back then as well. I did play against George and Louie back and HS and knew them a bit from playing both against and with them at different stages from '72 through '76. I'm a bit worried about this years team and much more than last years tourney. I see us giving up some silly and preventable goals that didn't happen last year. I don't know what it is, be it over confidence or getting caught up the field because of being too aggressive on the offensive end but I suspect that both play a part. Whatever, we need to get it fixed right away. W Va's two 2nd half goals really rang the red alert with me and I'm sure with Caleb as well. I can do nothing but have faith in Coach Porter to take care of this and continue to be optimistic. One thing for sure, there is nobody that he'd rather beat than Indiana and he'll have them ready. It's up to the boys to do the rest

The Minny/W. VA. game was perhaps the best game I've seen in this young season. I was very impressed with the Rodents. They are long, can bang, run and match up with most anybody.

Very true. Actually I can see a little in common as both seem a little stiff and mechanical on the floor. Bardo is fine in the role that is defined for him and in the MAC conference play. Against better, he has no chance of defending a quick low post guy or 3s and 4s driving to the hole. We saw a lot of that at Dayton .Euton obviously has tons more upside, esepecially on the offensive end.

I love seeing that so much I took a screen shot ! O'Zoner: I was about to say something snide but I remember a comeback, something like "scoreboard". So... I will refrain for now, but it's coming later.

For those who discount the words of the Penguin fan, I'd be inclined to take a seat. Butler has a lot to deal with in both Detroit and CSU this year. I know that it's easy to remember the plodding Titan teams of the past But McCallum has done a great job of picking up the pieces and rebuilding a good program. Holman is a post player who could play for just about any team and McCallum Jr. is going to be a stud. Their supportng cast of Simon and company are good enough to win with as well. I'd love to see it happen but at this point I don't see us beating either of them this year. Our best shot is catching CSU without D Brown at our place but even without Brown, the Vikes have a very solid backcourt. I just really feel that we will be playing our best ball around the beginning of Feb. rolling all the way through to the end. We will take some losses getting to that point, I think that 's a given. Also just wanted to add how much I was impressed with YSU. This team will win some games this year and certainly should be involved in many close ones. I'm planning to make a few bucks on the Pengs. this season .

Always liked the the Metalica one the best. High energy... Got me pumped up .