mes102

It's because they're so desperate to root for a winner, they'll root for anyone that is a winner. Even if that winner is in another corner of the state and takes more than a couple hours to get there.

That was EXACTLY what I put in my message to Wistrcill. To be honest, Porter would probably be laughing but sad. He never liked Wistrcill and I think that sentiment was mutual(which is why Porter eventually left). Caleb Porter wasn't content with the normal standards and set the standards higher. That's why I get on Dambrot so much. I just don't see that in him. I don't see that in Bowden either. We need people in the university, athletic department, coaches, players, alumni, and community to set the standards higher at Akron. We can't do that when we keep conceding to Ohio State.

I was the first to comment on that sickening post and after that, I left Wistrcill a ranting email. Let's just say it wasn't PG nor PG-13. I am disgusted with this right now. K.e.n.t. people laughing at us on twitter even right now. I was hoping for Ohio State to lose, but now I'm rooting for Oregon like they're Akron tonight!!!! Go Ducks!!!!!

They're a young team. They just have to take the better shots. If it's not a good shot, don't take it(unless there's under 5 seconds on the shot clock.That shot may have to happen then). With so many new faces, they need to learn what it takes to win in the MAC. They're starting to figure that out. This is a year where I expect them to have some ups and downs still, but we'll see. Lots of schools that you wouldn't normally see be good are solid this season. Then teams that are down like BG who just lost to K.e.n.t.

Yep. You're not going to win many games when you're 1-17 from behind the arc. Only 9 assists. Also, I left early. I was afraid I was going to be banned from the Beeghly Center for life if I stayed. 25 free throws to 7?!?!?!?!?!? Gibson had two blocking fouls called on her that I for sure knew were charges. Just frustrating. All the other stats were basically even. A lot of growing up tonight for the young ladies. The next three years of this rivalry should be really good tests as our sophomore class(our freshmen class this year) against YSU's freshmen class next year should be a good one for the next couple years. Kest tweeted something out about Sefcik over the weekend. I hope that means we get her on the court for MAC play at some point hopefully!!!!! Get her close to 100%, and I will like this team's chances better than a week or so ago.

They are very similar, but I like the JAR a little better where there is some student seating behind the hoops. But I like the Beeghly Center as there seems to be more back seating than the JAR. Same number of bleacher seating I think. I do like the band being up there though on "2nd level". Makes it easier for the home team to hear what their coach is saying during a timeout. Overall, I like the Beeghly Center better because of the look of their infrastructure. Looks more "modern" than JAR. Anyways, as the game itself, we'll have to rally around ourselves as we're not getting any calls. Gibson took a charge at the end of the half when tied 31-31, but they called it a block and one. I believe the official was going to call it a charge if YSU didn't make the layup. That's my only explanation for it not being a charge. That changed the end of the half, and hopefully not(but could), the game. YSU made the free throw, and is up 34-31 at the half. Anita Brown is playing well in her return home(Warren Harding grad), but others have to step up. Especially the point guards. Finish strong ladies!!!!! #Allin

I don't go there often so I get lost easily...Luckily, I'm already parked!!!

GAME DAY!!!!!! The weather seems to be okay for a trip to Youngstown tonight. Hope people make the short trip. Should be a good game between two programs on the rise. Lady Zips are very young and so are the Penguins. In fact, the Penguins have a top 50(from what i heard) recruiting class in the nation coming in next season. Could be an interesting rivalry in the next few years. Hope people come out and support the Lady Zips in the last non-conference game of the season. For anyone too lazy to drive or don't want to deal with downtown Youngstown , the game can be watched online at ESPN3.com . Let's Go Ladies!!!!! #Allin #11-0

My thoughts on it(post #74): http://zipsnation.org/forums/topic/32446-uab-likely-scuttling-football-program/page-5

Merry Christmas to all ZN.o members and guests!!!! Here's the video stream for Monday's game to those who can't make the trip to Youngstown: http://espn.go.com/watchespn/index/_/id/2188289/Womens-College-Basketball-Akron-vs-Youngstown-State

Since people are talking about it this way, here's my prediction for the remainder of the season. I see 24-5 as a good possibility which is great for a team with only one senior and 7 underclassmen having an impact.

How do people feel about Massey Ratings? This is where they have Akron at right now, and their chances of a win in every upcoming game for the rest of the season. http://www.masseyratings.com/team.php?t=66&s=267616

In case anyone is interested, here's five pages of discussion about YSU's women's basketball on their message board: http://ysupenguins.com/forum/index.php/topic,9841.0.html

Monday, December 29th. I am attempting to go to this game. Should be a great game. Interested to see if they get any better from their lackluster performances the past couple games.

I've been a "KD-backer" for many years. Especially when I believe we had back-to-back losses to EMU and NIU, people were panicking. However, I've been swaying more towards "KD-doubter". I think the reason he has turned down other offers is because he is comfortable. I think the ambition of his job isn't gone, but what he thinks about it is gone. I think his idea of doing any damage in the NCAA tourney with Akron has lost some, if not most, of it's fire. He's still wanting to win the MAC, but I don't think he puts much thought after that goal. You never see him talk about it, even when in the NCAA tourney. That's the way he came across in the speaking appearance in Tressel's class. Personally, I think he feels winning the MAC and/or 20+ games won per season will keep the fans happy and keep giving him more contract extensions, which means more comfort. To add one thing, I would like for KD to keep growing as a coach. That would show me the fire in his belly is still there. Kest has always been a defensive coach. But in 2010, she went to Oregon to learn the WBB offense there. 4-5 yrs later, the team is 9-0, averaging 84.6 PPG, ranked in top 50 in 10 statistical categories in the country, and with only one senior. (Where's the youth excuse? Never mind, not going there...) All this after losing 4000 points, 2000 rebounds, and the all-time leader in assists in program history. You can always learn and be the student of the game. Do we believe KD is? That's where my "doubt" is sneaking in.

just one of her post game interviews. Interested to see how she does because this team is filled with talent.

http://gozips.com/sports/wsoc/2014-15/releases/20141218qnamkg

Listening to the end of the game and then the post-game interview, Coach Kest was not happy with the mentality tonight. The fact we still won this game after allowing 25 offensive rebounds and coughing up 23 turnovers is insane. Can't do that in the MAC and win. I know the non-conference slate isn't the toughest, but going 9-0 after losing the number of points(4,000), rebounds(2,000), and assists(all-time assists leader in program history) to graduation. The freshmen have all stepped up big at one point or another. Ball and Burry played well at times tonight. Can't wait to see how this team will do in the MAC.

Off to best start in program history. Can they keep it going and get to 9-0? I believe the game is a 4:30 start. I can't get off work until 6, so hoping to catch some on the radio before and after I get off work.

Wasn't there a rumor that NIU was looking to leave?

It's official. Pelini is heading to YSU. They preparing to move to the MAC?

First time reading the MAC/C- USA/Other debate, and here's my take on everything said here. -Personally, the MAC is more stable than C-USA. But why is that? I don't think it's necessarily because the MAC is a garbage conference. I think the majority of the schools in the conference are content with where they are as a brand, and are okay with not trying to expand/more national attention. Once schools in the MAC get uncomfortable with their brand in the MAC, the conference will become more unstable. Also, when you have more schools that are of interest to more "powerful" conferences, there tends to be more turnover within that conference(aka Conference-USA). In this case, stability to me isn't that big of an issue with C-USA. - As for strength of C-USA vs MAC, I looked at the RPI's of each conference and took the top 100. Football MAC- 7 (28, 42, 63, 71, 78, 92, 98) C-USA - 8 (23, 46, 62, 69, 75, 79, 84, 88) Men's Soccer MAC- 3 (23, 38, 66) C-USA - 6 (6, 24, 30, 32, 34, 49) Women's Soccer MAC- 2 (58, 98) C-USA - 3 (46, 62, 86) Volleyball MAC- 1 (44) C-USA - 3 (35, 73, 84) Men's Basketball Last season MAC- 2 (20,50) C-USA - 3 (12,33,36) This season MAC- 5 (43, 70, 85, 87, 96) C-USA - 3 (29, 54, 64) Women's Basketball Last season MAC- 3 (35, 53, 82) C-USA - 3 (19, 36, 46) This season MAC- 3 ( 43, 69, 71) C-USA - 3 (12, 13, 81) Baseball MAC- 1 (60) C-USA - 8 (14, 43, 64, 74, 78, 88, 90, 99) Softball MAC- 3 (68, 76, 95) C-USA - 5 (23, 40, 51, 75, 92) --- With that in mind, and the fact that recruiting is the backbone to any program, the better conference means better recruiting. The fact that we wouldn't be in the same conference as majority of our fellow Ohio MAC schools would give Akron a "fresh look" to recruits. I think that if we can get it to work out (C-USA North/South divisions), then I would be all for the move to C-USA.

MDZip, They can only work with what they have in front of them. Coach Kest has mentioned that they are having a hard time getting better opponents to come to Akron since programs are starting to notice the offensive style of play, and know it's not a "shoe-in" win for their program on the road. Why do you think Purdue went to Ball State? Or Michigan State playing at Eastern Michigan? They don't see them as much of a threat. Anyways, wins are wins. With a young group, building wins is a huge confidence booster for them. It solidifies what the coaches are telling them and what they're doing in practice, their habits, work ethic, etc. Do I think this team right now is going undefeated through non-conference? No, they still have to prove me wrong @ UCF. If they are undefeated in non-conference, do I think they can run the table in the MAC? Absolutely not. But can they finish in the top 4 in the MAC, and get anywhere from 20-25 wins this regular season? Absolutely. People are forgetting this team only has one senior. Everyone else will be back NEXT season. I would expect more out of next season than this season with the way the freshmen are playing. And the fact that Sefcik will be back from her injury by then. I believe she will be the 2nd best out of this freshmen class behind McMahan.

I think this will be an easy win for them. The only concern I have is that this is their first true road game. Also, the fact they've had 10 days off between games. They played in the Denver Thanksgiving Tournament, but both games were nuetral games. The first game there was their lowest scoring performance of the season to this point. I think they'll be okay though in this one. The games that concern me are @ UCF and @ Youngstown State. Ohio Christian and Bethune-Cookman are locked wins. They'll finish no worse than 9-2 into MAC play. Prediction: Lady Zips 78, Bethune-Cookman 64