ZippyforPresident

The video of the game is being streamed on channelsurfing.net if anyone didn't know. Go Zips!

Last time I saw Tim on the court was a month or so ago at the Rec ruining the opposition. Just like this John Carroll game, you don't realize how talented Akron basketball is until you watch them play against guys who thought they were hot stuff in high school etc, etc... Yeah, I wasn't close enough to get in on that game... Although, it would be fun to see how one could fare against a legit Div. I basketball player. Tim is an awesome basketball player, just as any players are that can make it on Coach D's squad.

Last time I saw Tim on the court was a month or so ago at the Rec ruining the opposition. Just like this John Carroll game, you don't realize how talented Akron basketball is until you watch them play against guys who thought they were hot stuff in high school etc, etc... Yeah, I wasn't close enough to get in on that game... Although, it would be fun to see how one could fare against a legit Div. I basketball player. Tim is an awesome basketball player, just as any players are that can make it on Coach D's squad.

I was only able to make it to the JAR in time for the second half but, wow... I've never seen a Zips squad push the ball like they did to start the second half tonight. Talk about up tempo, I'm surprised they didn't put up 150 points tonight. That was just plain fun to watch. Of course I'm sure its not all that hard to run on a team like John Carroll but if one half of basketball against an NAIA opponent in a scrimmage that counts towards nothing is any indication (haha) this is a very different looking Zips team. It would be a huge advantage if we can be a balanced team like that. If this team can play great defense and run an effective half court offense and then just push the tempo like that at the drop of hat these guys could really catch some teams sleeping. It was really fun to get to see all of the new faces on the floor at the same time. I thought they all showed some good things. Judging from only being able to see the second half: obviously Abreu won't be redshirting not only because we need another PG but he looked the most polished out of the incoming class. I thought Egner probably looked the best out of the Freshman front court, even w/o a mohawk... (you should bring it back dude!). I never had a chance to watch Green in HS, so I had no idea what to expect. I liked what I saw from him. Maybe #32 is fitting? (only one scrimmage against an NAIA team, I know. . .). Definitely some potential. Looked like he has some range. Euton's a big dude and should be able to be a physical presence inside, especially in conference play. Doesn't hurt that he also has range. As for the transfer Diggs: If he can lock down on defense, I think he'll see a fair amount of playing time. He certainly looks like a really athletic wing but a little raw still. Of course, it is only the second scrimmage of the season. I think this new look team has a lot of upside and potential. It should be an exciting season. If this team can really gel and some of the new guys can make some contributions and start to get it all put together as the season progresses and just trust Coach Dambrot and his system as much as possible, I think we've got the arsenal to cause some upsets this year. I sure hope so, anyway. . .

Ianello Postgame Seems like even rob is starting to get a little frayed with this garbage. There is absolutely no excuse for getting destroyed as bad as we did by a mediocre to bad conference opponent like this. I don't know how you go from being at least competitive in our conference every year to this trash... This team needs to please show a glimpse of pride. If not for yourselves, at least for your teammates.

Mattocks was awesome! And to think he's only a freshman. That one goal off of the corner kick was crazy!

Well, I've really thought long and hard about all of the choices and after weighing each and every one and making an extremely painstaking decision I'm going to go with choice 'D' "Have Fun."

GoZips.com says there is a will call that is open an hour before each soccer game at the southeast gate of Lee Jackson, but I was wondering, as I've been asked a few times today about the game tomorrow, if in addition to the will call area, Soccer has a setup for walk up tickets? I know it probably sounds like a pretty dumb question, but as someone used to getting in for free to games as a student and grad student I never even really thought about walk up tickets for non students for soccer games. So if any ZN members happen to know if there's a place where fans can buy walk up tickets it would be much appreciated by some friends and colleagues of mine and myself as well. Apparently Akron soccer is all the rage these days within the community... Who knew? Thanks!

Emoticon of the year. I'll second that.

Just wanted to say GO ZIPS! I was at the game, DVR'd it, and then watched it again when I got home that night after the game. Just an amazingly awesome dominant performance by the Zips and I LOOOVE IT! tOFU is in for some real fun this week....

I agree as well. Good Post GP. I pretty much stated the exact same stuff in another thread. As long as this squad keeps showing improvement it's a good sign, especially with conference play on the horizon. i.e. we may not be able to beat a crappy big ten team now, but come bowl time we might be able to lay the wood to some big ten impostor if we keep improving each week. Here's to a good showing during MAC play!

In no way is the result of this game pleasing, but on the positive side we were able to move the ball, and especially we were able to run the ball. That is a REALLY good thing. Alex and Nate looked pretty good and they deserve the ZNO "Zipper of the game" award for their play today. I'm glad I can note some positives in this game. The offensive play calling was not terrible, the "wildcat" stuff with G. Pride was a good change that they installed for this game (I thought it showed that we legitimately wanted to win). I thought Nicely could have hit some nice deep passes and still failed on that, but he showed signs of improvement (the kid still has a big arm and no, Matt Rodgers doesn't need to start seeing reps with the first team unless we want to go 0-12). I think our receivers, some of them, had moments but this is a spot that needs BIG IMPROVEMENT. Go up and get the ball, don't wait on it, don't let it hit you in the hands, if it's anywhere in your kitchen go and snare the damn thing. The two biggest problems I had with the game tonight: (1) The secondary needs help! They've been getting eaten alive all season (although to be fair the play calling has sent blitzes that were totally picked up ala lacking coverage which has allowed us to be picked apart). (2) It is more like a 50/50 combination, but P. Nicely has to start putting the ball on target. And when he does, those receivers HAVE TO MAKE THOSE CATCHES. We have had SO MANY opportunities deep for a touchdown in the last two games that we probably should have won at least one of the last two games we've played. Also, I think our coaching staff is starting to learn on the job, although with some of the same plays I think it's easy to see that the execution has just plain been improving to a degree. As long as there is improvement from week to week I'm still holding out hope for a legit winner. But at the same time, Indiana is not a very good team and this was an easily winnable ballgame. NO EXCUSES. I don't care if we're playing an SEC, ACC, or Sun Belt team, we need to start stepping on their necks if we want any respect. I know it's now too late for any type of marquee win this season so lets at least just start punishing the rest of the MAC. Let's go Zips!

Well, he sure needs to do something... Although I was only able to watch the Kentucky game on the Fox Sports South feed that FSO picked up, I thought I saw a Zips team that was fired up in the first few minutes. I'm hoping that somehow that intensity can stay consistent throughout a game. Why not fire it up against the "who's yours?" (lame pun). Even if the team can't get the W on Saturday, it would be very reassuring to see a team that is pumped up for an entire game and has faith in a game plan to such an extent that they genuinely believe that they can win. That would be a very big positive for coach rob ianello if he can keep this team believing. I think that is a huge coup, especially on the verge of conference play. Lets start it up "warriors bold!" I have to believe that there is yet a "fight to behold" with this team. Lets dominate these wimps, afterall, we were favored in this match up but a season ago. Indiana stinks, it's time to grow a pair Zips. You should easily be able to compete with this team with the right focus and mindset. - Lets Go Zips!

Easily a no brainer. Congrats Coach D!

Good win tonight for the Zips. They seemed to pretty much dominate in all facets of the game. Definitely a nice sized crowd on hand tonight. Both reserved and GA stands were just about completely full.

Zach, I think you hit the nail on the head. I agree with you and you said it well. The players play with no leadership or passsion. Only Wagner does. They need leadership and a vision. It must come from the coaching staff. This was a terribly prepared team and that's on the staff. GW made brilliant adjustments in the second quarter, so why can't we? I have stated I will give coach I time, but please show you can coach. Well, at least there is no place to go but up from here (I hope)? Maybe Tommy Boy can make a youtube video to inspire and call all to arms after this disaster... Good luck with that one.

I have to believe that under JD this team would have at least been competitive against Syracuse and would have been able to "pull out" a win vs. GW. I wasn't a huge fan of the Ianello hire, but I tried to be optimistic about it and put a positive spin on it. However, the play calling that I have been witness to these first two games has looked so ridiculously vanilla that it's not hard to see how this guy is just plain getting out coached. Gardner Webb did a great job with the short game spreading the defense out and then tearing it to shreds up the gut or taking it deep at a whim. When the scoreboard showed the comparison of offensive stats at the half, even though the Zips were in the lead we were getting beat in virtually every category. That's when you know something is wrong. How many more damn times do I have to sit and watch the same damn bootleg play or the same moronic screen pass to a wide out with no blockers anywhere in sight? The offensive play calling has been below abhorrent. I'm sure these kids are trying hard, hell, no one wants to lose to Gardner-Webb, but come on robbie, at least try to give this team a chance to show what they can do. YOU ARE GETTING OUT COACHED. In this conference it's about out thinking and out game planning the opponent. We don't have all of the big uglies up front or the horses in the backfield for recruits that they get in the power conferences. Sure there's talent here, but it needs to be utilized properly (I think in some ways JD had a pretty good sense for this (i.e. the postion changes of D. Hixon, A. Jones, J. Arthur, etc). And if you can't come up with a workable strategy, just admit that you are not cut out for this head coaching thing and send in your resignation. I'm sure you can latch on as a recruiter with some BCS AQ conference team. - Or just destroy Kentucky next weekend...?

Awesome. "Johnson, Navin R... Sounds like your typical b@stard."

My question to you lilroodude, when isn't Ceddy working out in some way? As an undergrad I'd see him in the rec just about every day after his eligibility ran out... Although, as a grad student I've seen him there a lot less... Wait... Oh yeah, I've been slacking recently... I'm fine with Memorial going and getting pushed under too though. It was built in the 50's, it's not like it's some precious artifact, heck, my junior high was built in the 20's. Although don't think for a second I didn't grab a set of seats from Memorial, Zips Basketball really does have quite an extended history and I'm glad I have a part of the place that they called home during some of their great moments. It will make a proud piece of my household. Also, I own the book that came out for Zips football, but who is going to compile the pages for Akron's contribution to Dr. Naismith's amazing invention? I wish I had the time to do this one myself because I think if done the right way a book about our hoops history would be a pretty sensational thing (I'd help in the effort any way that I could, however).

He's going to need it. He's really not lighting up the summer league. He would have been a lot better off staying at OU and getting an education and a degree. He was able to showcase his talent nationally twice during the tourney but still, getting into the NBA is a REALLY tough thing to do. Good luck to you Armon. And no, the Zips won't miss you, although it would have been far better to beat OU with you this season than without you. We want the best the MAC has to offer. Guess we'll just have to settle for DJ Cooper and his lingerie... Go Zips! ...what's new pussycats?...

I'm thinking Syracuse is the highest likelihood for a victory as well. But, even with the large home crowd, and the victory two years ago in mind, we all know that we caught the Cuse at a very low point two years ago. And we have first-hand experience of what it's like to play them with even a little sense of confidence after what they did to us last year. I have a good friend who lves in Syracuse. He thinks that they are definitely on the way "up" again. If that's the case, even winning this one is going to take an outstanding effort. So, as far as these 3 games are concerned, and the current state of our own team, I am going to hope for one win, and dream about 2. I think it being the first game of the season might play the biggest factor here. If it were JD's team yet again I might be more inclined to agree with your friend (that Syracuse wins this game). But in this case, no one has game film of the Zips under Ianello. So, I think we might have even more of an advantage at home for this game than we might otherwise (We're the freakin' wildcard here!). That's my best argument after the team we saw last year. My best explanation of last year's squad is that it was just a completely wretched outlier. But as I said before, I still remain optimistic. Go Zips! ... Let's make some orange juice...

I think they've definitely got a shot at Syracuse, we did beat them two years ago at the Carrier Dome after all. This one's at home and it's the opening game of the season, so I think it's a definite possibility that the Zips pull out the W. As for the other two, I won't be holding my breath, but I remain optimistic.

To be honest Uncle NBS, I always thought Steve had a lot more to offer Zips Basketball than Rudy did Notre Dame football.. Even if Steve didn't see a lot of time on the floor one could tell when watching a game that he played a big part on the team. And I think one of the things that is most telling, probably with a lot of Zips fans that brought kids to the games, when I brought my younger cousins to a few games I always pointed out Steve as the sort of guy that is an example of an athlete that they should look up to. Kids learn from what they see, not what they're told, and Steve, I know for a fact, contributed to the template of helping some good kids on their journey to becoming good and honorable men. Thanks Swiech family. Good luck in all of your future endeavors Steve. The Zips family supports you.

Brett McKnight was actually one of the best free throw shooters on the team last season @ 76.5%. Better than both Steve McNees and Brett Mclanahan in fact. I think B. McKnight has been working hard and is going to, like I said, have a very sharp and focused Senior campaign. I don't think we have too much to worry about at the Forward spot this season. I think our front court is pretty deep. Some may be inexperienced, but I think Brett will lead the way. It's the depth of the back court that really seems to be a little bit of a concern (well, at this juncture in the off season anyway). We know the upperclassmen are solid, but the new guys (Abreu and Diggs) are going to have to provide at least some quality minutes. I do agree with your prognosis of Zeke, with all of his talent and upside the MAC Player of the Year is easily ascertainable for him.

Yes, I can honestly say that Lebron has NOT helped us land any recruits. He has never recruited any one, to say that a kid decides to attend the University of Akron because Lebron grew up in Akron is complete stretch and nowhere close to reality. Kids choose Akron over other MAC schools because we have been one of the top teams in the MAC. and getting LBJ's gear a chance to meet the guy have him come to your games and play under one of his coaches wouldn't help at all? I'm not saying it was a huge swing but I could see it being the final little push for a kid on the fence I want kids to come to UofA because they want to help the program carry on a winning tradition, not to wear LBJ stuff. I wholeheartedly agree. It's about Akron basketball, not about the Cavaliers, or about free agency or anything of that nature. College basketball is a really great thing, and doesn't have to be about any of the business that goes along with professional sports whatsoever. In some way its more honest and genuine, well it's at least prima facie more honest and genuine anyway. I have no doubt that Coach Dambrot and anyone else that has any meaningful place in the world of Akron basketball has one thing and one thing only in mind, and that's how to get the Zips to find a way to win another conference championship. If LeBron wants to hold camps at UA or donate money to UA or allow Nike to give UA really cool looking uniforms and top of the line basketball shoes why should the school or the basketball program distance themselves from that? It is a well known fact that Coach Dambrot played a big part of LeBron James development as a basketball player. It's also a well known fact that Coach Dambrot is a hell of a basketball coach who is going to have his team prepared for anything they may face, on the court as well as in life. Coach Dambrot is a great coach and that is evidenced by the performances of his players both on and off the court, of which LeBron James happens to be just one. How many people are honestly thinking about who is donating money to the Z fund or what brand of jersey the basketball team is wearing when the Zips take the floor? I think its great that LeBron wanted to do something for our basketball program. Something that he was capable of doing via his position with Nike. Fact is, this whole fiasco takes place in the sports world. In a month no one will care about anything that happened the month prior, especially with football season on the horizon. The fair weather Cavaliers fans (aka James haters) will be gone (which is the majority of them anyway) and those same people will be crying for a new Browns head coach before the season even begins. In the long run the issue is this: Does it hurt our program to be associated with the best basketball player on the planet? My answer to that question: It sure as hell couldn't hurt. Nothing LeBron James has done has impacted our program negatively and whatever association he does have with UA really isn't the deciding factor for any college athelete, nor should it be. Lets face it, as Zips fans who are we to be so selective about who we get support from? I'm glad we get some extra attention from LeBron's basketball camps and Nike, that's awesome, why are people so quick to criticize? If it doesn't hinder the program, what's the problem? And if UA being associated with LeBron pisses off "joe cleveland" who really cares? He doesn't even know CSU has a basketball team, let alone the Zips. I can think of no way (nor have I read one) that alienating LeBron James is good for Akron Basketball. I've even heard derogatory comments about the city of Akron from the Cleveland news media during this whole ordeal, one from the "sports extra" guy on channel 19/43 about how, when they finally take down and rid themselves of the LeBron banner in Cleveland he's sure there's a place for it at a scrap heap in Akron. He really shouldn't do things like that, he might anger the Don . But my point is, "joe cleveland" is the only demographic that is angry about LeBron leaving and "joe cleveland" for the most part knows nothing of UA or even CSU. "Joe Cleveland" watches the buckeyes and the browns and the cavs when lebron james played for them, or the indians when they were winners. If UA basketball makes it to the final four or even the sweet 16, "joe cleveland" will be sure to glob on. Until then, none of this really matters with respect to Akron Basketball. Coach D works hard to put the best team on the floor every season, if LeBron wants to help that's awesome, if not, Coach D is going to work just as hard at putting the best Zips team on the floor that he possibly can. PS. There's no need for the immature and juvenile name calling STZ. How old are you anyway? Some of that stuff is below the belt. Let's remember, this is a guy who not only grew up alongside some people on this board and some of their friends (and is from the hometown of many on here) but he's also someone's son and someone's father. Have a little class, after all, that is one major factor that separates us from Can't fans. I know I've been just as guilty of these things as much as many others have, but I'll leave you with these thoughts, from a John Wooden book nonetheless; Why is it easier to criticize than to compliment? Why is it easier to give others blame than to give them credit? Why is it that so many who are quick to make suggestions find it so difficult to make decisions? Why does the person with the least to say usually take the longest to say it? And lastly, why is it so much easier to allow emotions rather than reason to control our decisions?