Dr Z

Highlights from last nights game all across the MAC. Current MAC standings. Jay Bilas Index: Top 68 rankings lack any Mac teams.

I don't expect Charles Barkley to post in this thread. "The NBA is about talent," Barkley continued. "All these guys who run these organizations who talk about analytics, they have one thing in common -- they're a bunch of guys who have never played the game, and they never got the girls in high school, and they just want to get in the game." An NBA coach, speaking to ESPN.com senior writer Ramona Shelburne, said there was value in the use of analytics but that it was limited. "To say they've revolutionized everything about coaching or basketball is just wrong," the coach said. The NBA coach said he used analytics but that a lot of the statistics and formulas have been available for 10 years. "You just had to look it up yourself on a computer," the coach said. "These guys are bright, ambitious and a lot of them have carved out niches for themselves where they take credit for everything," the coach added. "You're taking people with a background in analytics. But they're out evaluating players and making decisions."

He could be, if his superior believes that he has done a good job, and is capable of progressing to where the Akron Zips should be. If not, it's interesting to see what names appear on a list of a school close by.

I'll be interested to see who makes it on the long list. I know one thing Dr Scarborough could boast about if need be. Chicago-based DHR International will assist the committee in identifying and screening potential candidates.

EA makes the point of how many players tonight have not played in this rivalry game. Can't has had some teams with a lot of new faces in the past, but Akron head coach Keith Dambrot admits, this is unique for the Zips. "It's probably never been like this for us,'' he said. "Even when we have lost five guys, we always had eight back that have been through it." This year the Zips have freshmen Noah Robotham, Antino Jackson, B.J. Gladden and Aaron Jackson who have never played in this rivalry, while sophomores Kwan Cheatham and Isaiah Johnson had marginal minutes as freshmen last year. Can't is much the same as sophomore Marquise Lawrence, and junior transfers Gary Akbar and Craig Brown have never played in this atmosphere. Junior Chris Ortiz has seen just marginal minutes in the past.

Illinois.

I sure do. I remember when Luke (with Hixon) and Charlie (with Cherry) were leading Zips offenses. It was pretty awesome to watch. Too many games to type out for you. The game when Byron Leftwich was injured and carried down the Rubber Bowl field was played on ESPN for a month. I remember Dwight Smith dominating a game, and just about winning the game all by himself from the CB position, despite James Harrison's best efforts on a freezing winter day in Portage County. I remember future HOF JT33 making every offense he played adjust to him. Notice every name I mentioned in this post played in the NFL. I'm as big as a coach Bowden fan as the next guy, but if you think entertaining football wasn't played in Akron before, you are shortsighted.

LeBron attends Zips game.

I wish we could bottle Keeners passion for the Zips and put it in the Akron water supply like the Scarecrow did in Batman Begins.

I can't believe it's taken you guys this long. I hardly mention it any more since it will be lasting until 2023. I try to ignore it and take a little nip of the "KD knows best Green Kool-Aid." Aaaaahhhh, yeah, that hits the spot. Go Zips!

Janoris had the same tendency, played for coach Bowden at North Alabama after being "kicked" out of Florida, and now scores TDs on Sunday in the NFL. Apples and oranges maybe? Maybe not. It was interested to hear coach Bowden say at the press conference...the guy that will play QB at Akron next year, will not be the one that turns the ball over. Chapman sure has a lot to prove, I hope he is willing to work hard to do it, because some believe he might just be the guy to put the excitement back in our offense. Is he NFL bound? Seems like he learnt a lesson.

Of the choices given, I voted 'wait and see.' Boring answer, I know. But, from following Akron recruiting for more than two decades, I know one thing by looking at a list of high school kids. I know nothing. For me, it's impossible to judge from looking at a list of kids with some stars next to their names, and some high school football highlights playing against who knows what kind of talent. In my opinion, one of the most important things, is how hard a kid is going to come in and work at his craft. How much muscle, or weight will he put on? Will he take to coaching? Will he understand it? How do you judge that? When I see these kids padded up and playing against similar talent, I can evaluate effectively. Otherwise I'm only guessing. Back in the early 90's I used to cut out the top 100 recruits from the USA Today and put them in a folder. After checking the senior class after four years, I realized it was pretty useless because more than half of those guys weren't contributing to college football in any significant way. I stopped doing it when I realized that some "expert" getting paid to "evaluate" these kids couldn't even get half of them "correct."

The Zips are favored to win by three. The game is onTime Warner Cable SportsChannel & ESPN3. Deji Ibitayo has more double-figure scoring performances in his last 30 games (15) than he had in his previous 60 games (5). Akron is 32-5 at home in league play since the start of the 2011 MAC schedule. A victory will be the eighth-straight win at JAR for the Zips. There have only been two road winning streaks in the series, both posted by Akron (3-0, 1977-78 and 1998). More at go zips dot com.

I really think we beat OU in this category. It was very close though.

I thought it was interesting yesterday that coach Bowden mentioned how Doc Holliday has reached success through his recruiting. Seems both have a little something in common as to the area. I hope we continue to look into playing Marshall and UCF. Seems like former MAC members Marshall and UCF are getting mentions for having a good day yesterday. Here is a list of where our offers ended up. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FXTQ2172zKg&feature=youtu.be

High School Athlete enters the ol' "scientific" Rivals Star Machine

That is a well written perspective. I thought it was funny that coach Bowden referenced the bad call in his press conference yesterday. Reminder, "Three things can happen when you pass the ball, and two of them are bad" --Woody Hayes. Baldwin apologizes to Hilltopper...and Revis.

You need to make your free throws ZipsWin...practice dude!

Box scores, recaps, watch replays, and video highlights of Mid-American games Mid-American basketball standings

Interesting point. I wondered sometimes if I was just wearing down from decades of it. I know I don't enjoy it the way I used to. I think I might have "outgrown" the sophomoric shenanigans. I cringe when it spills over to the fan base.

I like the way they are running the press conference. Good idea whomever was in charge. Lots of ZipsNation members asking good questions. Good job guys! I'll let those members post the answer to their questions.

I'll be interested in this matchup. From the little I've seen, I like Ndour's game. Not sure how the matchup will go, but I do know, of the multiple whistles blown on PF34, most of them will be turri-BULL. #wahref

I think that happens at 3 pm. This is done very well, and is being updated.

Proof that Tom Brady reads ZipsNation.

I wish the Zips could play Columbus State in the first or second round. #TeamOhio If that can't happen, then I want VCU to play Columbus State to see what doofus tweets then.