ZachTheZip

I thought now would be a good time to do an RPI update before the Zips start their MAC West portion of the schedule.MAC East:#73 Ohio | 11-6 (3-2)#99 Akron | 12-4 (4-1)#118 Can't State | 9-8 (3-2)#133 Miami OH | 7-10 (3-2)#180 Buffalo | 9-9 (1-4)#221 Bowling Green | 8-8 (1-4)MAC West:#106 Toledo | 9-8 (5-0)#154 Western Michigan | 7-10 (3-2)#253 Central Michigan | 7-10 (2-3)#259 Ball State | 6-12 (2-3)#270 Eastern Michigan | 7-11 (2-3)#309 Northern Illinois | 3-13 (1-4)As usual, the West is severely holding back the MAC's legitimacy as a good conference. We are about to break into the double digits in the RPI which is a major step in getting respect. Other than Toledo, the western portion of our schedule will kill our SOS, and the only way to rectify it is to sweep the West and hope for a good Bracketbuster to make up for it. I know that none of this matters at this point, but I just thought it was interesting.

Hmm... Maybe they could give away T-shirts at the door, ar have a Romeo Travis Mohawk night. Come on. It's not hard, so why does the Marketing Dept. make it look that way?

If it makes you feel any better, I beleive OSU is breaking in a new D-line, so our O-line won't be that beat up.

The game is at the JAR, so I say we win 87-73. Buffalo cannot defend the 3-pointer at all, and is pretty much the worst shooting team in the MAC. The only thing they have going for them is the offensive rebound. There will be less than 3,000 fans at the game, but hopefully the Rowdies will fill up the lower sections again. I am kind of hoping that if they are rowdy enough, the seats behind the basket will break so the U can buy new ones with more capacity.

I can understand having to work durong the games. That is fine. I understand you love and support Zips athletics too. So why are you guys "anti" other people who also support Zips athletics? I have noticed that the only reason given by the Facebook group is that the Rowdies are an embarassment to the Universtiy. Exactly how is that? How could the first official student cheering group at UA since I don't know how long possibly be an embarassment? I understand wanting to make your own group since you can't join an existing one (I thought about this on many occasions), but don't make it "anti" that group when everyone has the same common goals. The Anti-Rowdies are encouraging division between the students that support the teams, just as the teams are finally ready to make something of themselves. This is not the way to show support toward the Zips.

I noticed that too. Somethings not right here. If they start inviting everyone they know we could have a major problem. I knew they were alienating people. Heck, even I talked about starting a different group a while back because I couldn't join, but I was never all that serious about it. I don't think that the athletes realise that they are in this group but if they did join it on purpose, we have a real big problem.

With this verbal, we moved ahead of Miami in recruiting and now lead the MAC on both Scout.com and Rivals.com. We now have 5 three-stars on Scouts, which is more than we have ever had before. This is great news. Signing day is just 18 days away and I have a hunch we will see a few suprises before it is all over. We'll just have to wait and see. If anyone sees a potential recruit around campus, try to be friendly. You would be amazed by how much bearing friendly students and faculty have on tough decisions when choosing between two schools.

Does anyone know what the deal is with that huge AK-Rowdy facebook group? It has over 3,000 members and is one of the largest UA exclusive student groups on the website. There is only one admin for the group, and he hasn't done anything with it since september. It's possible he doesn't even know that he is the admin, and that someone dumped the group on him when they left. I've ben trying to contact him to ask him to maybe hand over control to the AK-Rowdy leaders or at least share it with them, or even anyone who actually cares. The potential of the group is huge. If we could only get 1/3 of the people in it to go to a game, that's still 1,000 students. Does anybody know the guy in charge of this thing?

Please let UB win... Please let UB win... Please let UB win...

Can't Statecks banner? Uh... I don't get it. K.SUcks banner. You know... It gets messed up by the board's filter.

Oops. My bad. Heh. I guess when I hear that name I automatically think of the radio guy. I only get AM in my car, so that's all I listen to half the time.

I like the idea about giving away UA shirts for one of the games, maybe as a promotion. Pro sports have bobblehead nights and pass out costumes (Varejao Wigs). UA needs a promotion like that to get people to bring kids. Maybe a baseball cap or something, since OSU caps are more common than OSU shirts. Today in my Sociology class of 50 students, there were 5 OSU caps and 3 OSU shirts on different students, plus 3 Ohio U caps. It really bugged me because thats about 1/5 of the class wearing that stuff the day after we beat Can't State. We need pep rallies before home games to increase school spirit, maybe in Memorial hall and all the students can walk to the JAR together for the game. Come on, it's not hard to implement so whats the big deal?I personally have 10 Akron shirts that I don't wear anymore in favor of newer stuff. How's about getting the Rowdies to donate old Akron gear they don't wear anymore and pass it out in the lobby during home games. We could trade them for OSU gear or something. Where's the creativity, the crazy promotions, the gimmicks to get people to the JAR.

I remember hearong KD say on the radio that going 13-3 and winning out at home should be enough to get us a #1 seed in the MAC tourney. The three losses he was referring to may be at Ohio, at Can't State, and at one game we should win but won't. I obviously would like to win out in the MAC, but that is unrealistic.

This has all the makings of a letdown game. We have to win all of our remaining home games and UB is no exception. I will be there cheering on the Zips. I honestly hope UB beats OU tonight, although I know it is a longshot. It wouls give us outright control over the MAC East.

Trivisonno huh? He probably wants to do it just to spite Akron. That guy has it out for UA, although he rarely says so on his show. I know for a fact he was pulling for us to lose the MCB last year because he didn't want a Zips victory to take away anything from the Fiesta Bowl and OSU.

because nestor doesn't work there anymore! He did not exaclty see eye-to-eye with the new administration so they got rid of him... errrr... he knew some people at Maryland and got a job there... He was shown the door. Also, he was not very personable at the spring games and times i have talked to him and seen him. Akron is better for it! Ahh. I didn't realise that. No wonder our media relations are having problems. They should really update that site. Maybe have a weekly update or something just to keep things accurate or something.

Yes, but you still wonder what a Colts fan is doing at a Browns-Ravens game. Frankly, there should have been nothing but blue and gold at that game, because that was both team's colors. I don't want people showing up to games if they aren't going to support one of the teams that are playing. If all they wanted was entertainment, the game was on TV. Please make room for real Zips fans, especially if the game is a sell-out. If they won't support one of the teams, they are just taking up space that could be filled by someone who actually intends to cheer.

I agree with point #1. The Zips students have never stormed the JAR court. Why initiate it vs. a sorry Buffalo team?I disagree with point #2. You storm the court vs. K.e.n.t because they are our #1 rival. You storm the court vs. Ke.n.t. because the K.e.n.t students get to do it every time they beat the Zips at the MACC Center. You do it because it builds a connection between the fans and the team. You do it because we've been K.e.n.t's bitch for the past 8 years and the ship has finally turned. You do it because beating K.e.n.t is a BIG deal for the Zips program. It is a slap in the face to U of A students that they're not allowed to rush the court after such a game, while students across the nation do it every night. They're depriving the students of a great college experience...one that doesn't come along every day in Akron.You're allowed to rush the court after winning the MAC Championship at The Q (K.e.n.t. did last season). But you can't do it at the JAR? Screw the announcer...rush the court when we clinch the MAC East. You guys are right. I just thought it would be a good idea to storm the court on Sunday to make up for the lack of post-game partying yesterday. Maybe we could do it if we win the Bracketbuster and the Ohio game. Bracketbuster is a huge win, and could possibly tip the balance in our favor for an at-large bid if we play a very tough team, and I just plain hate Ohio

Hunter seems like the guy we should e-mail, so I'll get right on that. Oh, and why not e-mail Shawn Nestor and ask why there are no away games on TV, or advertizements in the Media, as that is his department.

Middleton Could Win Starting SpotZips' junior guard hits six 3s, scores career-high 25By Stephanie StormBeacon Journal sportswriterCedrick Middleton could start for most Mid-American Conference basketball teams. Yet this season, the junior guard's primary role for the University of Akron has been as a spark plug off the bench.That may change after Middleton's game- and career-high 25 points helped lead the Zips to a 78-68 win over nearby rival Can't State on Wednesday night.Even Akron coach Keith Dambrot acknowledged it might be time to alter the team's strategy. ``If (Middleton) continues to play that good, I'd have to be an idiot to continue to play him off the bench,'' Dambrot said. ``There's no doubt we have to find more ways to get him out there more often.''In making 6-of-9 3-pointers, Middleton was in the zone from the moment he hit the floor. His first 3-point attempt, with 15:32 left in the first half, tied the game at 11-11.UA's next two shots were also Middleton 3-pointers, keeping the Zips right in the game despite Can't State shooting 48 percent in the first half.``I've always liked (Middleton) as a player,'' Golden flushes coach Jim Christian said. ``He's very explosive. It seemed like every time the shot clock got to 10, he would make a move and put up a shot or take his defender to the basket.''The Zips trailed by two points at halftime, 34-32, but Middleton hit another big 3-pointer to open the second half.Later, his fifth 3-pointer tied the game at 42-42 with 17:42 to go.``The rim looked huge,'' the 6-foot, 185-pounder said with a grin, making a circle with his long arms for emphasis. ``The basket was just wide open every time I took a shot.''Over the last four games -- all in the MAC -- Middleton has averaged 16 points. Last weekend at Bowling Green, he scored 13 of his 15 points in the deciding second half of UA's win.``I've always been a get-to-the-basket type of player,'' he said. ``But I wanted to be more of an all-around player this year, so I really began to work on my shooting.``It's different because I've never been a big 3-point shooter. But now, it's probably my best shot. I mean, I just feel so good with it right now.''In becoming more of a multidimensional player, Middleton has made himself a commodity any team could use.``The thing is,'' Dambrot said, ``if you told him if he could play 34 minutes every night, he wouldn't care if he didn't start. That's the kind of guy he is.''-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Akron Gets its Bench BoostBY Mike Popovich REPOSITORY SPORTS WRITER AKRON Cedrick Middleton gave Akron Head Coach Keith Dambrot something to consider Wednesday night.The junior guard is one of the Zips' top players off the bench. But in the team's biggest game of the season thus far, Middleton looked more like a seasoned starter.Middleton hit six 3-pointers and scored a career-high 25 points to lead the Zips past rival Can't State, 78-68, in front of 5,657 at Rhodes Arena. He helped keep Akron in the game in the first half and was a key contributor during the final eight minutes, when the Zips pulled away to their 12th win. Even though he normally comes off the bench, Middleton has been Akron's top scorer four times this season. After watching him play 34 solid minutes against the Golden flushes, Dambrot realized he has something to think about."If he plays that good, I'd have to be an idiot to continue to play him off the bench," Dambrot said. "The thing about it is if you ask Cedrick if he plays 34 minutes, he wouldn't care if he didn't start. We have to find ways to get him out there more often."hot from 3-point rangeMiddleton hit 6-of-9 3-pointers and finished 8-of-13 from the field. He hit his first three shots from outside the arc to offset some early momentum Can't State was trying to build.When the Zips were ready to take control of the game, Middleton struck again.His layup as he was fouled by Omni Smith and free throw with 8:22 left gave Akron a 61-59 lead. Just more than three minutes later, he sank a wide-open 3 from the right wing that increased the lead to 70-61.Middleton's six 3-pointers also was a personal best."I felt great out there," Middleton said. "I didn't think I was going to miss. When I did miss, I was a little shocked myself."This is the best I've ever felt. Just shooting the ball, releasing it -everything. It happened in a big game. There's no better time than now."Akron (12-4, 3-1) broke a three-way tie atop the Mid-American Conference East Division. The Zips and Golden flushes came in tied for first with Ohio, which hosts Buffalo tonight.The flushes (9-8, 2-2) were trying to hand the Zips just their third home loss in the last three years. They led by as many as 7 in the first half and kept regaining their advantage after Akron caught them a couple of times in the second half.But it was all Akron down the stretch.After Can't State's Mike Scott hit two free throws with 8:39 left to give his team a 59-58 lead, Akron went on a 21-6 run. Nick Dials hit a baseline jumper, Dru Joyce sank two free throws and Middleton added a layup that put the Zips on top 76-63 with just less than three minutes left. Akron led by as many as 14 down the stretch.It all added up to a frustrating final eight minutes for the flushes and Head Coach Jim Christian."Their experienced players stayed solid the whole game, and that was what it was going to take to win this basketball game," Christian said. "We didn't do it."Armon Gates scored 21 points, Julian Sullinger finished with 15 and Scott added 10 for Can't State. Joyce scored 18 points and Romeo Travis had 16 for the Zips.-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I love that sign. It it always appropriate, and always truthful. Someone should bring it to the game at Can't State, even if we have to put it away. The more signs, the better. They get us on the TV, and if done right they can mess with the other teams' heads.

Totally agree with all.We will have to storm the court on Sunday if/when we win. No exceptions.We only need two more 5,000+ crowds at the JAR this season. I see those games being Ohio and the Bracketbuster.Does anyone know if the Rowdies resume sign-ups before or after the game Sunday? I really really really really really want to join now. Pretty please?

They still have some work to do, namely coordination between the two sides. Other than that, they just about put the o-zone to shame. Great Job!

There is not a sell-out yet. You may want to get to the JAR early, like around 6:15 to guarantee a seat, though. I'm sure that the ABJ putting the game on the front page of the sports section will boost attendance quite a bit.

The Captain is right. Rasor only gets paid by UA.Back on topic, all I know is that there will be one heck of a QB battle in the spring, and that someone will undoubtedly transfer out.