ZippyforPresident

That was exactly the kind of statement game the Zips needed to make entering conference play, especially after the heart breaker against URI. They bounced back and took care of business in an almost mechanical fashion in the second half.A complete domination like that, especially against a fellow member of the MAC East (Although I'm not sure how good BG is really going to be this year because they did lose some significant talent from last season) is kind of like putting up a big 26 point middle finger and saying "come and get us" to the rest of the conference. You'd better bring all you've got if you want to knock off the defending champions.Now the test is to knock off both solid OU and UB squads on the road. If the Zips can make it 3-0 come sunday evening next weekend (I'm not going to be hoisting a regular season championship banner or anything) but I do think that it is an indication that the rest of the season may prove to be a very enjoyable one for anyone sporting blue and gold.Very nice win tonight Zips! Keep the momentum going and give those "pussies" (as in cats ) a dose of championship basketball! The power of the lasagna compels you!

Because it is very easy to force Malone, St. Francis, and Mount union to commit TOs, much harder when you play Providence, VCU, and OK StateNot sure when we played Mount Union but if you looked at the NC State game (quality opponent) the Zips did force 25 TOs, despite losing by 20. Shoot an average percentage for that game (The Zips shot .309) and the Zips come away with the win. This Zips team has been dominant on the boards lately, and that'll be a key. Should be a fun time tomorrow night...I just wish the students were ALL in town.Oh. And let me ad it sure would be nice to see a story in the Beacon touting this as a big game in TOMORROW'S paper to make more folks aware. (Hint Hint Tom/Beacon)Ask and you shall receive. Zips facing major test

The A-10 is essentially the border between "mid-major" and "major." Kind of depends on how much money you think is expected out of a "mid major" and how much out of a "major" conference. From the figures that I have seen over the past few years the A-10 brings in a hefty amount but there is enough of a drop off between them and the "big six" conferences. Of course, I also believe that after the A-10 there is also a significant drop off between them and the other "mid majors" (someone please correct me if the figures have drastically changed, but I don't believe that to be the case.)But as for no A-10 teams being ranked on the College Insider.com Mid Major Poll: The Mid-Major Poll is made up of teams from the following conferences: America East, Atlantic Sun, Big Sky, Big South, Big West, Colonial, Great West, Horizon, Independents, Ivy, Metro Atlantic, Mid-American, Mid-Eastern, Missouri Valley, Northeast, Ohio Valley, Patriot, Southern, Southland, Southwestern, Summit, Sun Belt, West Coast.You do bring up a good point though, and although the A-10 is not found on the Mid Major poll they still aren't necessarily considered a "power" conference either. In some ways they are kind of like the MAC, in the way that the top teams are very good but the bottom half of the teams, well this year it really seems, (the Zips beat Duquene on the road 3 years ago I believe it was, and now #19 ranked Temple 2 years ago at the JAR, and have been able to go toe to toe with Dayton the last two times they have played but sort of like the MAC west, the bottom half of the A-10 would drop to the top MAC teams)) are weaker, or there is some legitimate drop off between upper echelon A-10 teams and the lower ones.Rhode Island is at the top of the A-10 right now though, and the Zips are going to want to make up for last year in a big way. I love the MAC v. A-10 match ups in the OOC so lets make it a strong showing and knock these guys off of their high early season horse.

Thanks very much for the scouting report Districtballer. I miss the trash talk during the Akron VCU games Rhode Island is undoubtedly a talented team from a very solid conference, but they are hardly Goliath and the Zips are hardly David. Outside of Rhode Island's loss to VCU it looks like their toughest opponents have been Boston College (ACC) and Providence (Big East) and neither of those games were exactly a drubbing of the other team. I think the outcome of the Oklahoma State game is going to tell us a lot about who Rhode Island really is.Akron and Rhode Island have played some similar teams in their schedules: Both Fairfield and Niagra are MAAC teams with similar records. BC and NC State (ACC) have close records also (Although Rhode Island won and the Zips got their tails handed to them). There is also the NEC connection with Rhode Island playing Quinnipiac and The Zips playing St. Francis as well as Southern Conference opponents Davidson, who isn't nearly what they were with Curry, and UNCG who Akron destroyed. Outside of that, Rhode Island has faced Stony Brook, (Amer. East), Holy Cross (Patriot), and Brown (Ivy). With the exception of VCU, Providence, maybe Boston College, and the upcoming OSU game, who has Rhode Island really played? Of course the same can be argued about the Zips.Looking at Rhode Island, it appears that Wyoming actually had a lot more size on their roster and the Cowboys try to play a game that is similar to what Rhode Island tries to do. I think as long as we can break the press that they're going to throw at us this is going to be a really good game. Oklahoma State is going to tell everyone a lot about Rhode Island I think, but before seeing the results of that test, I'm gonna say that because we're at home and have not forgot about the game with the Rams last year, we're going to come ready to play and get that elusive "big" OOC win. We have been right there with some of the best the A-10 has to offer in Dayton and besides, we're just plain freakin' due .

+1. I kind of thought that last year the offense seemed stagnant in that area for much of the season. The back court has been much more aggressive about cutting to the basket lately. Humpty has always sort of had that mentality it seems (no surprise with his quicks), but seeing Daryl and especially Steve taking it to the hoop in certain situations is a good thing. If the opening is there why not go for the easy two? Compared to last year this team has recently been sharing the ball MUCH better and the guards seem to be able to either find openings to cut to the basket or have more experience at seeing the floor and have been able to make that extra pass to the wide open player, either on the wing or in the paint. Especially with Big Z and Brett McKnight drawing double teams down low it gives a lot of open shot opportunities if the spacing is good and that extra pass can be made. As long as the shots are falling, when the offense operates with that sort of mechanical precision, much as the defense has traditionally been able to do, the Zips are gonna win by double digits no matter who's guarding them. Bring on (V)alpo, I'm totally jacked up for the chance to pay those guys back for last year.

I think most would agree Golden Tate is a pretty spectacular receiver? (Ianello recruit)Robert Smith? Lead singer of the Cure? What does he know about american football? Brian Kelly wants his guys, not Rob's guys... Let Rob's guys continue with the blue and gold tradition, only with newer digs. That would probably be okay. As long as they've got true Rubber City grit.

Malone 2-6 (NAIA)AKRON 4-3 (Zips lead the series 4-0 all time)I know it's the gimme game of the season, but it appears that The Pioneers did put up some game against the Div. II defending champion Findlay Oilers (36-0 in the 08'-09' season (majorly impressive feat by the way)) suffering a 70-81 loss.. Findlay did knock off the university of ohio state (a division I program) 70-68 two years ago. Can't blame a guy for trying to give a game a little bit more hype than there would be otherwise...My prediction:Zips 86 Malone College Pioneers 48It will be fun to see Eric Coblentz launching a few threes against his old team. Good luck to Malone in the NAIA..Also, Happy (early) Birthday to the big fella! My prediction is that the big man gets his first collegiate triple double tonight (points, rebounds, blocks) if Coach Dambrot lets him stay in for a while...And if not... He'll get it next game! The big man is having a good season and it's just going to get better from here the more he works with Coach D and the rest of the staff. Can't wait till march, but enjoying every second in between..- Z4P

At first take I was underwhelmed with this hire. After what transpired under Coach Brookhart's tenure here I was very skeptical about the hire of another coach with no experience at the helm. But after taking some time to learn a little bit about Coach Ianello and hearing his press conference I voted good hire (fingers crossed). From what I've read it seems like he's gonna put a little bit of grit and toughness into Akron football, and by that I mean playing a brand of physical, smack em' in the mouth, pone em' football, which always seemed to be lacking with all of Coach Brookhart's schemes (he always seemed like the mad scientist who never quite got the formula quite right to me, like maybe sometimes he just outsmarted himself, or maybe some of his team. sorry guys). i.e. 3-3-5 defense, spread offense/no huddle kind of deal. Whatever happened to the power I and the 34 dive and moving the ball between the tackles? I like that Ianello was talking about running a 4-3 defense. And I agree that in order for us to keep up with the horses that Temple has these days we are gong to have to play a more physical brand of football. Personally, I like the concept of MAC East football turning into a bunch of bruisers. And if Coach Ianello is half the recruiter that I've read about him being I think we may be able to get some bruisers in here. Watching the Browns game last night there was mention of S.A.T. players on NFL Network as far as the only type of players Mangini will play, which if I remember correctly stood for smart, athletic, and tough (Suck it Squealers). Which essentially reads "Notre Dame Football." It seems like Coach Ianello has that sort of mindset and there is no way that he's going to put up with a "Jaquemain" type player on his squad. No rockstars, no quitters, no gimmes, no BS. I like it Coach. Run the 4-3 D, go with the power I, let the damn quarterback line up under center, put some muscle and discipline into this program. Players (all 18-20-something year olds for that matter) crave guidance and leadership, you're the guy. Go get us a MAC championship and help some kids become scholars and mentally tough young men.

Brian Wagner ran the ball pretty well in HS. Not break away speed but 4.5-6 is pretty nice @ 225 pds.He will be too small for the middle linebacker spot in a 4-3 defense and we do have alot of OLB talent. It might make sense.Why on earth would we move Wagner who was are best defensive player to FB. Your talking about a guy who will most likely be a frosh all american and who led the MAC in tackles and was also 6th in the nation overall in tackels. If anything we move him to OLB and move one of the current OLB to fullback.With the motor that kid has I don't care what side of the ball he plays on. Maybe he should play both ways Put him at punter and place kicker too for all I care.

Not 24-0...23-0-1 News to me. Of course, I believe that was my first post in any sort of soccer forum ever. I'm not familiar with these bizarre "futbol" rules. Although I do feel the Akron "futbol" fever.. I always thought a team had to win a game in order to advance in any sort of playoff? Somehow what once was that unscathed zero to the right of that ever increasing number seems cheaper now. Well anyway, all I know it means is that this team is preparing for a national title and that's pretty sensational in my book. Soccer continues to educate me, and that's never a bad thing. Thanks for the heads up OZ.

24-0 on the season. Wow. What a game. I caught the end of it, as I was stuck taking a final exam for most of the duration. Congrats Zips Soccer! The National Championship is in sight! Now bring that baby home!

The basketball team doesn't do this? Basketball and Soccer

Darn. You beat me to it.

Well this thread has sure turned to s**t in a hurry..

Go Conyers! This season is yours for the taking, I hope you torch it up all year. JC's got his chance to see big minutes this year. It's his last season as a Zip and he's taking advantage of it. Which is more than I can say for other members of the senior class, although only temporarily I'm sure. This team is getting close to finding their rhythm I think. Once they start clicking completely it's gonna be a pretty special thing and Jimmy Conyers can play a big part in that success. He's been tough on the boards this year and that was a little bit of a weakness of this team last year. Boards play a big part. And yes, Conyers' shooting touch as of late has been quite excellent. Maybe he can be the glue guy at the 3 this year like Nate was able to do last year. It's all you JC. This year is yours man!

Should have had this one. Turnovers and the free throw discrepancy made the difference tonight.

Hmmm. The link isn't working for me. I'm not sure why..

Yup, you aren't close to the Hipshers at all.I am so close I am Dan's shadow. Dan Hipsher paved the road that the Zips are traveling down now. He gave the Zips the credability that they carry now. Thank You Dan where ever you are right now. Rumor is that he might come back and coach the Football team to a MAC East Title.Are yout a gumshoe Quick? Conf. Conf. Year Coach Record Pct. Record Affiliation1972-73 Wyatt Webb 22-5 .815 Independent1973-74 Wyatt Webb 18-6 .750 Independent1974-75 Wyatt Webb 20-9 .689 Independent1975-76 Alex Adams 10-14 .417 Independent1976-77 Ken Cunningham 13-12 .520 Independent1977-78 Ken Cunningham 9-18 .333 1-6 MCC1978-79 Ken Cunningham 10-17 .370 2-8 MCC1979-80 Ken Cunningham 10-14 .417 Independent1980-81 Bob Rupert 8-18 .308 5-9 OVC1981-82 Bob Rupert 7-19 .269 3-13 OVC1982-83 Bob Rupert 14-15 .483 7-7 OVC1983-84 Bob Rupert 8-19 .296 3-11 OVC1984-85 Bob Huggins 12-14 .462 6-8 OVC1985-86 Bob Huggins 22-8 .733 10-4 OVC1986-87 Bob Huggins 21-9 .700 9-5 OVC1987-88 Bob Huggins 21-7 .750 Independent1988-89 Bob Huggins 21-8 .724 Independent1989-90 Coleman Crawford 16-12 .571 Independent1990-91 Coleman Crawford 15-13 .536 6-10 MCC1991-92 Coleman Crawford 16-12 .571 10-6 MCC1992-93 Coleman Crawford 8-18 .308 3-15 MAC1993-94 Coleman Crawford 8-18 .308 2-16 MAC1994-95 Coleman Crawford 8-18 .308 4-14 MAC1995-96 Dan Hipsher 3-23 .115 0-18 MAC1996-97 Dan Hipsher 8-18 .308 6-12 MAC1997-98 Dan Hipsher 17-10 .629 13-5 MAC1998-99 Dan Hipsher 18-9 .667 12-6 MAC1999-00 Dan Hipsher 17-11 .607 11-7 MAC2000-01 Dan Hipsher 12-16 .429 9-9 MAC2001-02 Dan Hipsher 10-21 .323 5-13 MAC2002-03 Dan Hipsher 14-14 .500 9-9 MAC2003-04 Dan Hipsher 13-15 .464 7-11 MAC2004-05 Keith Dambrot 19-10 .655 11-7 MAC2005-06 Keith Dambrot 23-10 .697 14-4 MAC2006-07 Keith Dambrot 26-7 .788 13-3 MAC2007-08 Keith Dambrot 24-11 .686 11-5 MAC2008-09 Keith Dambrot 23-13 .639 10-6 MACAs you can see, not only did Dan pave the road that the Zips are traveling now, but he paved it with gold. Maybe you have Dan Hipsher confused with Bob Huggins or Keith Dambrot when talking about coaches that have actually given Zips Basketball any sort of credibility in the Division I era? Or maybe you're just in love with Dan Hipsher? Either one is fine with me, but it's obvious that Dan Hipsher doesn't hold a candle to the things that Huggins and Dambrot have done for Akron Basketball. The numbers speak for themselves.

Zips move up to #11

I found some references to schools that turned him down, but not to schools that he turned down. Do you have any specifics on that?In any case, if we are talking the amount of money it would take to get him to UA, that opens a whole new world of potential coaches who would consider UA for the big bucks. But why even consider a big bucks coach if UA doesn't have big bucks to offer?Is this discussion realistic or pie in the sky?That's the conundrum. Either you spend the big bucks and upgrade the candidate pool, or hope you find a diamond n the rough that doesn't mind being payed peanuts for a few years.You want to tell the MAC that you're ready to leapfrog them permanently, you spend the money like Temple and Ohio are doing. You want to stay in the MAC and risk everything that the stadium is supposed to bring just to save a few bucks in the near term, then put away the wallets.I'm all for upgrading our pool of candidates, but let's get this soccer team hooked up first. Spend what you can to get the best coach for that money, but get the soccer team and Porter a new stadium. However, if you have enough money for both, then by all means use it. Let's just keep the soccer team happy while getting this football team back on track at a reasonable price.I'm as much for the soccer team going all the way as anyone else, but when is the last time that a soccer team brought in a crowd of 30k+ (at an American college)? Football is the big ticket, at least in this country anyway. I hope soccer draws awesome crowds, but it's kind of like saying why doesn't the university invest a ton of money into a men's curling program. The money is in football first and men's basketball second. Get the draw for football and the subsequent fall sports like soccer will benefit from the money football brings in. Of course as far as my basketball obsessed brain is concerned, Zips basketball should be getting all the money all the time!

According to what they said on the radio, someone chose to clobber him, rather than just foul. I don't know if he hit the floor, but lets just say UNNECESSARY ROUGHNESS.oops, wrong sport.I was at the game and it looked to me like during the first instance Humpty did have an unnecessarily rough foul made against him where some words were exchanged. But that was not the first instance of an unnecessarily rough foul that uapb made in the game. I believe it may have been towards the end of the first half, but a uapb player threw a ridiculously unnecessary elbow towards someone (I don't recall who it was) and a personal foul was called, but in hindsight it seems like it maybe should have been a flagrant foul. The game got pretty physical at times. As for the scene at the end; It was obviously not a good idea for Humpty to approach uapb after the game like that, but it looked as if he approached a member of the coaching staff, not trying to go over there with violent intentions, but perhaps to ask something or give an explanation of sorts? It seemed to me that uapb was acting the part of a really sore loser. Humpty approaching them obviously didn't help the situation at all, but in seeing the other Zips players backing Humpty up, it seemed as if they were just going over to keep the peace and make sure their teammate wasn't going to get roughed up. (You win with dignity, and you should lose with dignity too). I did notice Sweich going over there with hands in the air trying to calm the situation down.. All I do know is that if I got into a rough situation I'd want big Swiech to be on my side. That coach probably had one or two unnecessary bodily functions when he approached.

Looove the Dambrot! Ala Seinfeld's "The Drake" episode.

Akron OK with Marshall plan's growing painsNot exactly any new concepts here, but a few quotes from Coach D, Zeke, Humpty, and Brett.

They'd better win this one. This season is personal. We've got an amazing lineup with this year's team. For all the potential that these guys have, they should be making a very, very deep run in March. Having said that, you can never look further than next game's opponent. AP is a team that we should make an immediate statement against.I think we work out some kinks in this one but still win in true Akron style.Zips 68 Governors 52 As a sidebar: I think the big guy makes an immediate impact. He's easily the biggest fan favorite since Rome and Dru and I'm convinced he's going to find his way to a quadruple double at some point during his time here. Good luck this season Zips! I know you guys have got what it takes to go up against anybody in the nation. It's all yours for the taking and it's an amazing time to be an Akron hoops junkie. I'll be there for every second of every game..

Watched a bit of the UNC vs NC-Central debacle in ESPN tonight. Yeah, I guess beating the crap out ofhapless D-1 team trumps beating the crap out of a hapless D-3 team. Didn't we pull the same nastyagainst NC-Central a year or two ago?Yes. 2007-2008 season. Zips 96 NC Central 49.