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However, Marshall said he chose Akron because of its information technology department, along with his ability to connect with Dambrot and his staff. He said Akron was the first school to recruit him in the ninth grade, and even though a number of high majors were recruiting him, he is sticking with his commitment to the Zips. "I would like to be the person that they can build on," Marshall said. Marshall said he didn't even know there was a James connection to the school until he came for his visit. "LeBron didn't make me see it, but when I did get here, I did realize that LeBron was an asset for the school," Marshall said. "I didn't know that he supported the school or that he grew up here." From what I've gathered, Zeke came to Akron because we recruited him early and sold him on our academic programs. Maybe Mama Zeke can chime in on how much LeBron impacted Zeke signing a LOI here. Again, I'm not saying the LeBron connection hurts, so I don't mind it...I just don't think it helps nearly as much as some believe it does.

Michael Jordan was at the JAR? In all seriousness, I don't think it helps or hurts as much as either side argues. Any time you're mentioned in a national publication it's a good thing. At the same time, this stood out to me: "He trained with his first coach at St. Vincent--St. Mary High, Keith Dambrot, who had barely worked with him since he was a rookie." I'm sure they keep in contact, but I don't think LeBron is as close to this program as some would like him to be. He's not calling recruits (and recruits aren't coming because of him), he's not helping with the arena, and he's no longer holding his camp here. That's fine - he didn't go here, and he shouldn't be expected to do any of this. He occasionally tweets something nice about us, shows up a few times over the summer, and that's about it...and that's OK.

I still think Dambrot has coached LeBron the best out of anyone he's ever had. He didn't improve under under Joyce, walked all over Mike Brown, and would be doing the same to Spolstra in Miami if Wade allowed him to.

LINK A few excerpts: He trained with his first coach at St. Vincent--St. Mary High, Keith Dambrot, who had barely worked with him since he was a rookie. "A lot of people are intimidated by LeBron, but he wants the truth," says Dambrot, now the coach at Akron. "He's not too big to take criticism. I told him, 'You have to do more things you don't want to do. You have to do more offensive and defensive rebounding, moving without the ball, all the basics that made you great going back to the beginning.'" ----------------------------------------------------------- When the Heat has won 101--98, James finds Jay-Z's nephew in the courtside seats and slips his headband around the boy's neck. He removes his Nikes and hands those over as well. He tells the Heat's TV announcers he never thought he would hear MVP chants in an opposing arena again. Still, he will receive a text from Dambrot saying he needs to grab more rebounds.

Beat me to it. Dambrot says these things when the chance for an at-large is already gone so his team doesn't view it as a safety net. The Zips' at-large chances faded big time when they hit the stretch where they lost to Valpo, Duquesne, West Virginia, Middle Tennessee State, and Cleveland State. The was a miniscule chance at an at-large prior to the Bracketbuster IF the Zips won out and IF the selection committee went against what they usually do (taking BCS conference schools). I don't think I've ever heard Dambrot talk about ANY game not mattering unless he was doing so for a reason, like the one I've mentioned above.

Player A (Sophomore): 30 MPG, 10 PPG on 6 FG attempts per game, .457 FG%, .430 3PT%, .818 FT%, 3 RPG, 5 APG, 2 SPG, 2.5 TOPG Player B (Junior): 32 MPG, 15 PPG on 13 FG attempts per game, .348 FG%, .307 3PT%, .745 FT%, 4 RPG, 6 APG, 2 SPG, 2.8 TOPG 1) Who would you rather have? 2) How close do you feel the two players are in value?

Anyone go? Curious on details.

Thanks!

Thanks! Please share it and pass it along to fellow Zips fans!

Thanks Kenner! Sergeant Zip - The song is "Your Hand In Mine" by Explosions in the Sky. It was used as the theme for the "Friday Night Lights" TV show.

Thanks!

Thanks! I tried to find as much video as possible. Couldn't find any Akron vs Notre Dame clips for some reason.

Good afternoon Zippers, I created this video to look back at the history of Zips athletics and preview what may be in store for us in the future. I hope you all enjoy it. I certainly enjoyed putting it together. I'm not sure if it will get pulled down because it uses video from other sources...if it does, I'll find a way to re-upload it elsewhere. BACKUP LINK

Does anyone have the a link to ESPN's coverage of the last flurry and then celebration of the national title? Thanks!

One step at a time my friend...

A few thoughts: A. Given his senior status, I don't think anyone really thought he was leaving B. If Cooper really did consider transferring, it's not like his mother was going to say that he did so C. It sounds like someone from OU's program got to DJ and told him to start saying the right things D. Mark my words: the relationship between Cooper and Christian will be a major storyline next year...those two are going to clash. The question is how much, and what the impact on the team will be

They're definitely under similar pressure. I think Christian may have a tad bit more due to the fact that his roster has already proven to be good enough to reach the Sweet Sixteen (and almost Elite Eight).

I'm not sure I'd be so quick to dismiss this. I was shocked when I saw Cooper's tweets. I'm on the record as saying that I don't see Cooper leaving, but I'd be worried that: 1) He indirectly but publicly questioned the hire 2) He missed the first meeting with Christian 3) He seems to only be worried about D.J. Cooper at this time (even more so than normal). 4) He has been non-committal to OU and has even retweeted "jokes" about going to Illinois, while his teammate (Offutt) quickly dismissed any speculation that he'd be leaving. Again, I don't see him leaving...but I can definitely see the makings of a potential rift between Cooper and Christian.

I think it's important to note that Christian took over a program fresh off an Elite 8 run and still didn't really land any great recruits.

2013 recruit Evan Bradds has pulled his commitment from OU..kind of - "I'm going to open it (recruiting) back up and see what happens." I wonder if Missouri transfer Kadeem Green will follow Groce to Illinois or stay with OU.

D.J. Cooper's response:

Cooper is going to return next year and lose to the Zips in a MAC Final rematch. He'll go on to play well in the NIT, which will lead to him getting drafted as a late-round pick...by the Canton Charge.

By the way, I don't buy this at all.

If he leaves, the Zips have zero excuse not to be Dancing next season.

Totally unrelated, but found this hilarious: @djcoop5: Can't wait to I'm finished with this book I'm writing . Giving 500 free to people in Athens I can't wait to he's finished either, should be a great read.