Dr Z

News Collector at 5 pm

I think that is a pretty good observation. The one thing that I would add is that sometimes a "good" coach gets a great player and that is what helps him win the big one. Cowher never won the big one w/o Ben. Will Zeke be KD's Ben? I hope so.Again, congrats to KD and the boys for a great ride this year. STILL wish we could have rushed the floor at the Q.

I guess they are ahead of schedule on the stadium then. At least its a Saturday game.I like what happens when your cursor hits the bear on their web page.If we continue with the 3-3-5, I put the over/under at 50 yards rushing for CJ7.

Bluto wants Hixon in a pumpkin helmetAccording to Ralph, Hixon was not in the talks

I sure do, I was there. Excellent example. First off, Pitt didn't cover (the spread) against our young Zips. Which I consider not "getting your brains beat in." Secondly, I specifically remember being very impressed with the way Cvetinovic played in that game. He held his own for the 15 minutes he was on the floor. I think that game was INVALUABLE experience that served him well throughout the season and into the MAC tourney and the NCAA tourney. From that game on I posted that Nic's playing time should be increased throughout the season.

Why? I sure would like our returning players to be as experienced as possible at playing quality teams. What's the advantage of Akron playing a weaker opponent early in the year. Confidence?It wouldn't have changed anything even if they got their brains beat in (which I don't think they would have).We made it to the dance the longest way possible anyway. I hate playing cupcakes. B-O-R-I-N-G.Doesn't make me want to get in my car and drive down to the JAR.

Never looked like an NFL QB to me. Now Dan LeFevour on the other hand looks like an NFL QB to me.

The New York Giants have inquired about trading for Browns receiver Braylon Edwards, Ken Palmer of The Giant Insider reported.The report debunks rumors that the Browns had talked about trading Edwards for Giants defensive end Mathias Kiwanuka. Instead, the Giants reportedly offered Cleveland the two draft picks they received from the Saints last year in exchange for tight end Jeremy Shockey: a second and fifth.The Browns asked for receiver Steve Smith instead and were told no. The Giants then offered either of two other receivers, Domenik Hixon of the University of Akron and Mario Manningham, a native of Warren, Ohio. The Browns declined both.Talks ended after that, but could heat up around draft time, the report speculated.The Giants might need a marquee receiver if Plaxico Burress goes to jail, and coach Tom Coughlin told the Newark Star-Ledger at the NFL Combine last month, "it'd be great to have a player, if it's not Plaxico, but with Plaxico's magnitude, on our football team."Edwards had one of his best games of the season last year against the Giants, catching five passes for 154 yards and a touchdown. But he led the NFL with at least 16 drops last season -- some Browns insiders estimated it was more like 22 -- and finished with 55 catches for 873 yards and three touchdowns.Edwards' contract is also up after this season and the Browns might not want to pay him the $8 million-to-$10 million a year he'll undoubtedly be seeking.Edwards has also been vocal about not being liked here because he's from Michigan, and might want a change of scenery. You can bet the bright lights and big city would be attractive to him.Hixon, who burned the Browns for three TDs in preseason last year, finished last season with 43 catches for 596 yards and two TDs despite starting just seven games. Manningham, whom the Giants coaches feel has tremendous potential, didn't play much his first season.Smith, the Giants' second-round pick in 2007 out of USC, started only four games, but caught a team-high 57 passes for 574 yards and one TD.The talks, if true, show that no one on the Browns' roster is untouchable.source

I would like to see him come off the bench like he did in the championship game. 1, it limits his minutes due to injury. 2, he seem to provide a GREAT spark coming off the bench. Super D. It was like he wanted every minute to count when he was in there. Seem to really focus him. I REALLY hope his ankle will not give him problems during the game.

Tournament Diary: Akron's Darryl Robertsby Plain Dealer staffThursday March 19, 2009, 2:54 AMAkron guard Darryl Roberts, a junior from Toledo, is writing a diary for The Plain Dealer during the Zips' NCAA Tournament trip to Portland, Ore.:One thing we have made a conscious effort to do is to get some sleep with the three-hour time difference. Last night I was in bed at 9:30 p.m., which is 12:30 a.m. our time [in Akron]. We were going over to Nike today, but we decided to sleep in. We'll go Friday if we win. We just want to be prepared for the game.We've watched some film on Gonzaga already. One thing we can't let them do is speed us up. And like always, we'll have to rebound.I took the time today to pray and reflect on everything. This is truly something I've dreamed about doing. Now I'm living it. It is definitely surreal. I guess it will all look different a few weeks from now. But right now it is surreal to be in the middle of it.Another thing: To my surprise, the people in Portland have been really supportive for us. I guess the team here has a rivalry with Gonzaga. I was expecting the opposite, so some people here will be cheering for us.-- Darryl Roberts sourceBonus link (I'll hide it here) Andy Staples thinks we'll get smoked!?!

I might have to bet the money line. If the Zips win, you'll never forget a bet like this!For those you that don't understand the money line. If you bet $10 on the Zips to win OUTRIGHT (no points) and they win, you get $75. If you bet $100, you get $750.

With the invention of satellite radio, nobody should have to listen to that dribble anymore.

Akron's freshman point guard Humpty Hitchens is still nursing a sprained ankle. And while he showed no ill effects in his 10-point 10-minute first-half effort in Akron's Mid-American Conference Championship game, he said the ankle is still tender."Before the game I wasn't 100 percent, but I told coach (Keith) Dambrot I wanted to play,'' Hitchens said Sunday. "I felt good in warm-ups. I felt good when the game started. When he called my number I was so excited, I came with a lot of energy."But the more I played on it the more I could feel it throbbing. I kept playing on it saying, 'I'm not hurt.' ''Hitchens, who went through limited practice Monday, said he looks to be at full strength by the time No. 13 Akron plays No. 4 Gonzaga in Portland Thursday night."I'll be ready,'' he said. "I gotta play. I'm ready.'' source

I'm going to guess the money line at 5:1 if it gets to as high as 7:1 (which I doubt) I may bet it.

keep in mind, this was written Friday...The Gonzaga Bulldogs are not my sleeper team. They're my pick to win the whole thing. If you're still talking about the 18-point loss to Memphis, then you obviously haven't seen the Zags play in the last month.Memphis did not expose Gonzaga as inferior. The Tigers gave the Zags focus, a purpose and a chip. Since losing to Memphis, the Zags have been steamrolling opponents, winning by 37, 34, 8, 11, 50, 35 and 25 in their last seven games.You say "weak competition in the West Coast Conference." I say it's no different from Memphis playing in Conference USA. If the Tigers don't fold at the end of regulation last year, they beat Kansas in the national-title game.OK, Gonzaga may not have a Derrick Rose, but have you seen Austin Daye? This kid is 6-foot-11 and can put it on the floor like a guard and pull up on the perimeter like one, too. He's a poor man's Kevin Durant, only with a better understanding of how to win.Senior Josh Heytvelt, also 6-11, is a pro too. So is 6-5 guard Matt Bouldin.Micah Downs, a 6-8 swingman, is the player likely to determine just how far the Zags advance. If he's stroking it from beyond the arc, Gonzaga will win it all. The whole story can be found by clicking hereIf you guys are having a hard time filling out your brackets let this site do it for you. It took me 7 clicks to get Akron to advance.

The MAC does not allow it. They put all the security guards in the building in front of the main group of Akron fans.All the security guards in the building were not in front of the main group. They were EVERYWHERE. I tried several different places to get down, and they had multiple security guards at EVERY turn. I have never seen security so tight at any sporting event. It burns me to watch highlights today of every other conference's students getting to rush the floor.

The Zips played great defense last night. I was most impressed by Humpty, best I've seen him move his feet.The team kept the pressure on the whole night and broke the Bulls.

This is the best team since I've been around the Akron program ('89). They won, plain and simple.I root for a lot of teams in sports and have seen "not the best team" get hot at the right time and win.Getting hot and playing big in the big games is what makes a great team, and that's why this is the best team.PS Why didn't we get to rush the floor last night??? I feel robbed of that experience.

There were enough bad calls last night (both ways), the team of refs doesn't deserve any credit.The better team won.

Tom Gafney article with 11 nice photosMcManamon says the Zips took the hard way to the finalsBill Livingston writes that the Zips have paid their duesEllen Alexander still hates that he has to write about the ZipsToledo Blade tells of Miller's two different halves of basketballCanton Repository quotes KD "We can take a punch"AP story on ESPN quotes KD as saying Miller was one recruit that got away and almost did us inDr Z's player of the gameNic can play in the paint and open up the three for our gunners.

Good game for it to happen. Well done Nate. Don't stop now!

Here is a scan of the magazine in pdf form. I think the magazine did a nice job with the printed layout.The photo of Zeke in front of the lockers is well done. 570k PDF download of the March issue of ESPN Rise Magazine

Another Zeke mention in today's Cleveland Plain Dealer

GZ19, our group is considering it. Don't drink and ride the bull.

MAC Championship is the real tribute. Team awards are the only real judge. Don't mean a thing if you ain't go that ring!