UAZip0510

Seriously now...what good does an Ohio win do for Akron? Here's the effect of an Ohio win: - OHIO U earns respect nationally - OHIO U gets a recruiting edge - OHIO U gets recognition How does it help AKRON?

Nothing wrong with being bitter about a loss...VMD just has to understand that OU winning is good for the conference and therefore good for Zips. Don't we get a piece of that payout if they win a game in the tournament? To play devil's advocate... Ohio winning helps them in recruiting. Better recruiting = better teams. Better teams = tougher for Akron to win the conference. Besides...does anyone really believe Akron or the MAC will gain respect with a win? They'll be viewed as an exception to an otherwise mediocre conference.

I respectfully disagree. They lost to Miami (14-18, 9-7), Bowling Green (14-16, 6-10), and Buffalo (18-12, 9-7), and then got embarrassed by OU in front of a crowd of mostly Can't State fans. They were a terrible MATCHUP for Akron. The best team in the conference does not lose in the Quarterfinals by 17.

Can't State will be interesting to watch...they'll practically have a brand new team. OU returns everyone important and has some pretty good recruits coming. I just wish KD would be more willing to look at a JUCO/Transfer type...

You can never get rid of at-large bids...otherwise, what's the point of the regular season?

I see it as a four team race right now... (ESPN Recruit Grade in Parentheses) AKRON ZIPS 2009-2010 - 24-11 (12-4) Graduating Seniors: Chris McKnight, Jimmy Conyers Incoming Freshmen: PF-Dakotah Euton (85), PF-Josh Egner (84), SF-Michael Green (80) Can't STATE GOLDEN flushES 2009-2010 - 24-9 (13-3) Graduating Seniors: Tyree Evans, Anthony Simpson, Mike McKee, Frank Henry-Ala, Brandon Parks, Chris Singletary Incoming Freshmen: PF-Kenny Knight (86), SF-DeShawn Clay (85), SG-Eric Gaines (85), PF-Mark Henniger (85) Incoming JUCO/Transfers: SG-Carlton Guyton (84), PF-DeAndre Nealy (40), SG-Mike Porrini (40) OHIO BOBCATS 2009-2010 - 21-14 (7-9) Graduating Seniors: Kenneth Van Kempen Incoming Freshmen: SG-Ricardo Johnson (90), C-Ethan Jacobs (86), PG-Nick Kellogg (86), SF-T.J. Hall (85) MIAMI REDHAWKS 2009-2010 - 14-18 (9-7) Graduating Seniors: Michael Aluise, Kenny Hayes, Adam Fletcher Incoming Freshmen: SF-Josh Sewell (89), SF-Jon Harris (84), PG-Quinten Rollins Thoughts? Early predictions?

From heading towards our 2nd straight NCAA Tournament to sleepwalking through a home loss in the CBI in a matter of days...ugh

Make your own. I have a Carlton Jackson bobblehead. It's a one of a kind and he signed it. Pretty cool, did you do it by yourself? Got a picture? Bobbleheads would be an excellent boost to attendance though

How about a Dambrot or Zippy bobblehead night? Or a bobblehead of former players?

I would totally agree with this idea...heck, just give one section to the students and that'd be an improvement

Did that get taken down?

Already did...we can also discuss ideas here, I know there's plenty of good ones out there

That's OK...let's throw out all ideas

We've heard in the past that players check out ZN...I'm assuming that is no different for our Athletic Director, Tom Wistricill, and his staff. He has told Zips fan/students/alumni that he is listening...so let's give him some of our ideas. This thread won't have discussion scheduling or recruits...just off-court stuff - game presentation, the JAR, ticket sales/deals, marketing ideas, merchandising, etc. I'll throw out the first idea: Throwback and custom jerseys They used to sell custom jerseys (which allows you to put current players names without UA getting into trouble) but for some reason stopped. I've never seen throwbacks. I can't imagine they'd have trouble selling a Jason Taylor Zips throwback, or Travis/Joyce throwbacks...lots of potential here. Let's keep it going guys...what ideas do you have?

True...looking at his profile though, maybe we should make room... I heard at the beginning of this season a few players were threatening to transfer...wouldn't really mind that now (that is as long as their last name isn't Marshall or Hitchens) but some of the bench warmers wouldn't be missed too bad Any names in particular?

True...looking at his profile though, maybe we should make room...

http://insider.espn.go.com/ncb/recruiting/...26season%3d2010 Anyone know anything about him? ESPN lists him as undeclared and considering Akron for 2010.

One of the most disappointing things to me continues to be the lack of Akron Zips merchandise available through the University. There is barely anything online (and 90% of the stuff on there has been on there for 2-3 years), there's a limited selection at the bookstores and the JAR, the football stadium's team shop is still not open. We have a top notch basketball team, a soccer team that's a national power, and an exciting young football team, yet fans wishing to show support by wearing Zips gear have very few options if choosing to do so. This lack of merchandise also hurts the university and the athletic department, as a wider selection would boost sales which would allow for more money coming in to the program. Some items needed: - Basketball, football, and soccer jerseys (custom and throwback if possible) - Jersey shirts - Basketball shorts - Basketball warm-up pants - DVD's (Highlights of last year's Tourney run; complete games (UA vs UB Title Game, Getsy-Hixon Miracle), Year in Review (like what the Indians do) - Novelty items - Wider variety of shirts/hoodies You get the idea. This is one area that is extremely lacking at UA, and it needs to be fixed ASAP. The local Wal-Mart should not have a better selection of items than the University does.

Any team that buys into the CBI is signaling the rest of of the world "Hey look at us; we are desperate for attention." If that were the case, it would mean that people pay attention to the CBI. I don't think that's the case. I like the CBI. More competitive basketball at the JAR is always good. My over/under is 2,900. Quick, tell me three teams that played in the CBI the last two years? Who won it all each year to take home the title of "we're #98 or whatever"? No peaking now. Any game against a good mid-major team (or any good team) is OK by me. It's another game that Marshall, Cvetinovic, McClanahan, Steward, McKnight and others can gain game experience. I don't think any fans here are salivating at the chances of a CBI Title. I think most are just happy to get another game experience for our team, and another game to watch their favorite team. Oh yeah, it's "peeked", not "peaked"...

Not many centers to choose from...

Fixed

While I don't feel at all that these games are fixed, I do think the officiating is terrible. I can't remember many games where I felt like the calls were consistent this year, and didn't think any of the tournament games were. I also feel like the officiating DID affect last night's game (look no further then Chris McKnight being mauled when jumping up for the in-bounds pass at the end of regulation). Unfortunately, the MAC doesn't seem to take issue with it, so until they find a better conference, Akron must adjust from here on out and know what they're dealing with going in. It will be inconsistent, it will be frustrating, and it will make it tough to keep a continuous flow of the game...but they have to deal with it.

It seems as if all of us are a little down, so why not discuss something a little bit more uplifting. Starting with the 2000-2001 season, who would be your 1st and 2nd teams? My Picks: 1st Team C/F-Jeremiah Wood F-Romeo Travis F-Nate Linhart G-Nick Dials G-Dru Joyce 2nd Team C/F-Matt Futch F-Chris McKnight F-Jimmy Conyers G-Cedrick Middleton G-Steve McNees Honorable Mention: Rick McFadden, Rob Preston, Quade Milum Thoughts?

C-Marshall/Bardo/SweichF-Cvetinovic/EutonF-McKnight/McClanahanG-Hitchens/RobertsG-McNees/StewardMy best guess...not sure where Green, Petersen, Sullivan, Egner, and Oldham will fit.

My friends and I were debating on how good they'd be next year...just thought I'd get others' thoughts.