Zip_ME87

I think part of the problem is that the Zips are not fun to watch. Watching iCoach games was absolutely unbearable. TB's offense in 2012 and 2013 made the games somewhat fun, but the 2014 offense, especially 2nd half of the season, was boring. Prior to iCoach (and Infocision), Brookhart and Owens didn't win a lot of games, but many of them were high scoring, which made them fun.

By the way, kudos to the person who stood up at the EOY banquet and asked about the poor performances at the end of last season. That guy was the only person with guts enough to ask a good, thoughtful question rather than stroking egos. Too bad no one took the opportunity to really address the man's question; just take offense to it and move on.

Reading this forum, I don't expect the Zips to ever be better than top of the MAC. A glorious place to be, I guess. Sorry that I believe that Akron could rise above that with the right attitude and drive. I was in no way attacking KD. I pointed out some shortcomings and suggested some "soul searching" is needed. OMG, I guess that means I think Zips Mens Basketball absolutely sucks. It's a shame that so many are so comfortable being near the top of a less than mediocre conference. Next time you complain about the quality of the teams that we play at the JAR and that the MAC only gets the 1 bid to the NCAA Tourney, take a look at your comfortable selves in the mirror. Edit: Sorry, I forgot to prove that the MAC is a less than mediocre conference. I guess I inferred it from the number of bids the MAC gets to the NCAA Tourney. Probably more my opinion rather than fact. Seeing other midmajors get to the Final Four and having experienced a truly driven coach who led us to a Nat'l Championship and who totally believed Akron could be so much more than it is, makes me want more. Not even an alumnus, and he wanted so much more for all of us. He left for bigger things because he didn't like "being comfortable". Oh well...so much for that kind of thinking. Let's all wallow around in pitying ourselves and comforting each other.

If I read some of you correctly, KD is not responsible for Zips Mens Basketball even though he's the Head Coach. It's the MAC. It's the players he's stuck with. It's the JAR. (I'll give you that.) It's "Joe Akron". It's the students. It's our location. It's x. It's y. It's z. But, it's not KD. Seriously? Ken Lolla, Zips Mens Soccer Coach for how many years (11?) ... It cannot be done at Akron... went to Louisville because the grass appeared greener (although much of it is blue). It has yet to be done by UL Head Coach Ken Lolla even though it was done by Akron led by Head Coach Caleb Porter. I know..."It's soccer. That's different."...BS Ask Coach Embick how difficult it is, even in soccer. I'll say it again, I like KD, but he needs to look critically at himself and his program.

KD does a good job with what he has and what he has is a roster full of MAC players and MAC players are players that can't play for the bigger schools. I am not saying there is anything wrong with that in any way, I'm just saying that this is not a KD coaching problem. 1. Who gets KD "what he has"? ... As Head Coach, KD has overall responsibility for recruiting 2. MAC players ... some do get to the NBA, as skip-zip stated. Also, Can't got to the Elite 8 with MAC players; OU got to the Sweet 16 with MAC players. ... Let's not expect more out of "comfortable" KD; we can then forever expect our current attendance and to play in our dump of an arena and a mostly crap OoC schedule 3. Perhaps Zeke never had the determination to get to the NBA. That may have been the issue, but did anyone in the Zips program have a discussion with him and his family on what effort that would really entail? As far as skill set, if he truly had the determination, he might have been able to develop it if the Zips program had the right assistance to offer.

My point about Zeke was that I didn't see any real progression that I think a D1 program should provide. Whether or not he ever would get into the NBA was kind of beside the point, which is why I used the words "opportunity" and "potential". Like some have pointed out that strength and conditioning were lacking in the football program prior to Terry Bowden, I think the Zips Mens Basketball also has similar issues.

I like KD, too, but I can't understand the defensiveness that some of you constantly seem to exhibit. Regardles of who RooYahoo is, I get his point. I was disappointed in the apparent lack of development of our 7-foot center whom we had all hoped would get an opportunity in the NBA. I think the Zips program let Zeke down, not working more closely with him to strengthen him for a potential NBA career. Maybe some of you did, but I didn't really see the progression. It would have benefitted the Zips as well. I can't help but wonder if his development would have been different if Jeff Boals hadn't left.KD said at the EOY banquet last year something to the effect that he wasn't disapponted or some such thing about how the season ended. With the distractions and illnesses, perhaps the Zips had no chance in the Palace, but it didn't appear they had developed any plan whatsoever to deal with the full-court press. It looked like they were just going to play their game with no apparent adjustment for an opponent that we supposedly knew. I wish KD would have said that the distractions were an issue, taken responsibility, and apologized to the fans for what happened. He is the HC, and carries the responsibility.I have other examples, but I don't want this to be a "bitch fest". As I said, I like KD, too, but I think he has become too comfortable. He needs to take a critical look at his program, including himself. It's a cop out to blame all of the program's shortcomings on the shortcomings of players.

Interesting to see Channel 19 talk with Darlington Nagbe (wearing a Cavs jersey) at the Q last night about Johnny Manziel (clip on 10 pm news on Ch 43). Too bad they had no clue to whom they were talking. Just another Cavs fan, not. Moron Cleveland sports media. So caught up in Johnny hype ( ), they don't know much else.

Extremely disappointing to see Virginia win the College Cup with that performance effort in the final. They played to get to PKs. It was awful to watch. So much for the "beautiful game". I also don't understand why the refs are so hesitant to give out red cards in the College Cup. An elbow in the face followed by a punch should have resulted in red cards for both players. I'd have loved to see both teams down to 10. Perhaps it would have livened it up a bit.

I just wish there had been a shot, any shot, rather than time running out.

Best wishes to you Demetrius. I'm glad that Keith and Akron took a chance on you. You were a great contributer. It's sad that you didn't take full advantage of what you had, but I hope you learn from the experience, and I wish you every success. Personally, I'm torn in these situations. This reflects on the university and all of us as alumni, fans, current students, etc. It really bothers me when people don't realize how precious what they have is. Everyone makes mistakes and, in most cases, should be given second chances. However, that can only go so far like in Tree's situation. (I'm referring to the multiple incidents as I don't know the details of any of them.) I understand, also, how Keith could feel "refreshed" with this behind him because he can now concentrate on the guys who are working hard at accomplishing their goals. I just hope that Keith and other coaches at UA never stop giving future players the opportunity. I know it's difficult, but if no one gives them an opportunity to make good, then how are they ever supposed to make anything of themselves. I don't know what UA does for orientation for freshman athletic scholars, but perhaps some words from athletic alumni demonstrating how the opportunity bettered their lives and how grateful they are for it would be worthwhile, if not already being done. Some real world reminder of how precious the opportunity is that they've been given and how they should cherish it.

Agreed. They do represent the university unlike other students and are receiving compensation from it.

http://www.ohio.com/sports/zips/marla-ridenour-zips-basketball-coach-keith-dambrot-feels-refreshed-to-move-past-team-s-off-court-issues-1.549213

I have no inside information on this situation, but in my opinion, the university needs to deal with this situation the same as they would for any Akron student. No special or harsher treatment.

YSU is Division 1. I don't see their athletics budget needing to double to jump to FBS. Also, isn't one of their biggest donors also their President?

Columbus Crew SC Expansion Draft List PROTECTED: Clark Finlay Francis Gall Higuain Jimenez Kamara Meram Parkhurst Pogatetz Tchani EXEMPT: Barson/Lampson/Trapp. Former Zips not protected by their MLS Club: Ben Speas (CCSC) Chris Korb (DCU) Eric Stevenson (NYRB) Michael Nanchoff (PTFC) Bryan Gallego (PTFC)

I'll start this with moves by the Portland Timbers today. Players who were already under contract for the 2015 season are: goalkeeper Donovan Ricketts; defenders Jack Jewsbury, Norberto Paparatto and Liam Ridgewell; midfielders Diego Chara, Will Johnson, Darlington Nagbe and Diego Valeri; and forwards Fanendo Adi, Schillo Tshuma and Maximiliano Urruti. The Timbers have picked up the 2015 contract options on midfielders George Fochive, Michael Nanchoff, Rodney Wallace and Ben Zemanski, defender Taylor Peay and goalkeepers Jake Gleeson and Andrew Weber. The Timbers declined the 2015 contract options on midfielders Kalif Alhassan and Steven Evans, and defenders Bryan Gallego and Pa Modou Kah.

I think the only way for NCAA Soccer to have any relevance is to collaborate with US Soccer and be more a part of player development. I hope NCAA changes the substitution rules. I don't understand why NCAA Baseball follows the pro rules but soccer does not. IMHO, NCAA doesn't need to limit to 3 subs, but at least make it that once a player subs out, the player is out for the match.

@Station14. Thanks for the feedback. I e-mailed them this morning with a few ideas that I had for shirts I would like.

MLS Cup Scott Caldwell clears it at the goal line.

Looking forward to seeing Scott Caldwell and Teal Bunbury in another championship match today. Go Revolution!

2014 Mens College Cup by 11/17/2014 RPI (tourney seed) #1 UCLA (2) #4 Providence (11) #13 Virginia (16) #50 UMBC (unseeded)

Much prefer the ARoo Head logo to the Z. I think the Z is a ZERO (almost fit the last six games). A few more losing seasons and I'll be totally onboard with the black uniforms, Z(ERO) logo and penis head zipper on the helmets as the perfect UA football uniform.

Unseeded UMBC Retrievers advanced to the College Cup on PKs vs Creighton (0-0, 4-3 PKs) Providence just defeated Sparty 3-2 in East Lansing proving they should have been the #4 seed and advancing to the College Cup.

Hilltopper confirmed in another thread that Akron Felt & Chanille can customize.