taxpayer

The need and desire to collect some cash has contributed mightly to the disjointed nature of this years schedule. I still don't understand why we don't play South Carolina in Hawaii instead of flying to Columbia, SC to play. Both teams are in hotels near a neutral court, players could have had a day off, practiced one day, played the game, then fly home. I would love to hear the story behind this one.

Last year our defense was very good with the exceptions of AA and NH. This year is beginning to look like a different story; the Malone exhibition was just that; an exhibition that this year's Zips aren't playing good defense. The CSU game will better inform us as to whether the Zips want to defend and if they can.

Seriously, did most of you expect the Zips who lost 3 starters and a reliable contributor from last years team to travel across the country, play a top 40 team in their facility at 3am (Zip time) in the morning and come out winners? Seriously? I didn't foresee a victory but I didn't foresee a 20 point loss either. Then the Zips hop on a plane, jet lagged practice for two days and hop another plane and unfortunately have our pg's shoot like they are blind, have Q turn it over 7, yes 7 times and have Tree unbelievably disappear. MTSU was just good enough that those factors had us lose again. I still believe the Zips can be a very good team if and that's a big IF they can stick together during this rough spot and work out their shortcomings during practice and the Malone game and then again in practice for 9 days after Thanksgiving prior to taking on CSU at their place. Last year's team had good internal leadership, this year's version needs the same. You can lead a horse to water but you can't make it drink, KD can push, prod & reason with the guys but it's up to the players to buy into practicing hard & developing an unselfish attitude. It has to develop quickly as C A N T, Toledo and oU seem to be ready to challenge us. The answers are in the locker room. I hope they come out.

D.I.G. thanks for the effort and time to post the MSU summary. As well as the Zips have done recently, I too have been somewhat disappointed with the results of the OCC as well as the NCAA. Some will interpret what follows as excuses but the last two years have seen significant events from player suspensions, injuries or sickness hit the Zips at exactly worse moment possible. I believe last years team would have been the most dominant and successful Zips teams ever, if they aren't considered that now, without all the unfortunate things which occurred last year. That's why I still consider beating C A N T and the kitties (with suffocating defense) to be the most impressive performances by the staff and players involved. I still can't believe how they totally took OU's will away; it was fantastic to watch and I imagine the most satisfying victory for the program ever.

More rules = more interpretation/judgement = more fouls called. Let's see if a hand on the hip/back is called two months from now. I believe the ticky tack variety will be whistled until conference play then not so much.

Gives the staff time to coach players and address what they've seen so far. Lots to do.

Has KD earned his money? Are you serious? Akron was a consistent non entity in hoops until the current run KD has produced. I know big Bobby H was here and did well but his run isn't comparable. KD and UA consistent appearance in the MAC title game for 6 or 7 years is ridiculously excellent. It isn't his fault that the MAC can't produce competition beyond 2 or 3 other programs. Plus, KD recruits into the worse facility in the MAC. The only other facilities that could compete for worse is the mess located in Miami, OH. Cants' building is old but they understand that getting students on top of the floor is important. It's old but it's a madhouse to play in. So, has KD earned his money? I'd say he has more than earned it. If he had a better facility with a practice gym to boot he could bring in even higher ranked recruits IMO. UA's sport's marketing program along with some Zip bball players are beginning to get the student population into the gym by developing a "relationship". Figure out a way to get the students closer to the floor and dedicate several sections to them so they not only feel apart of the game but can actually begin to have an effect not only on the opposition but on the Zips as well. Last year, I believed the Zips were getting their 1st NCAA win, then AA's debacle, injury and sickness cost us 2 starters and also cost us the season ending loss to Cant which dropped us in the March Madness selection process resulting in the worse possible opponent we could have drawn with our starting 1 & 2 gone. This year's team will struggle until mid January IMO. A win at MTSU would be a nice boost to the team and supporters but once again, the goal is to win the MAC and win in the tourney. A loss at MTSU will have some of you ready to abandon ship unfortunately but the coaches and team know they've got some improving to do and have the talent to do so but it's a process and that takes time. Go Zips, we got your back!

Zips couldn't have shot the ball worse.....the assists will come, especially from Melo as he is pass first. Nyles makes for a good contrast. St Mary's was not going to be a good experience; neither will MTS if we don't shoot better. I still think we are a below average offensive team due as much to scheme as anything; defensive effort will need to be this teams' calling card. If it is, we will have a decent season, if we get caught up in offensive stats and save ourselves for the offensive end it may be a tough year. I think most anticipated a rough start to the season but come January I believe the Zips will be ready to compete for the MAC championship again. BTW, nice effort by the kitties last night vs the boys from C town.

Melo lacks what AA had in abundance confidence & swag. I believe Melo can and will be the main PG if HE BELIEVES he should be. He feels bad when he has a TO, AA had no conscience. KD allowed AA a very long leash, I think he will have to lengthen Melo's and let him play. Rough in the short term but will pay dividends by January.

I believe 2 Zips will be named but to be honest the list is worthless unless a player or us fans what our ego's stroked. I'd rather see a listing of best "team". Not most talented, most potential but most team oriented. I believe Akron dominated in the MAC because last year they WERE the most TEAM oriented......wanted wins more than stats.

IMO you can't beat the parking garage. It's covered, it's close and it's free! Travel to other venues and you'll pay $10 - $25 for such an option.

Is there a website where UA's master plan for the campus is currently available to review? I'd be very interested to see if the JAR is in the future plans; as a bball facility or for some other purpose.

Spin - no arguing that there are MANY reasons why a new facility is a preferable option. However, I haven't seen nor heard of money being available from the State of Ohio nor from any private source. Therefore, I believe with the current success of the men's program a sit and wait attitude towards the JAR is a mistake. Again, I'm out of town and have read little about the little improvements that will be made in the JAR this year. My attitude is that a new facility is not going to be a reality for at least 5 - 7 years. I'm in the camp that would support a renovated JAR that addresses one of it's obvious shortcomings. Seating. If the UA has a master plan where the JAR remains a facility for volleyball for example, I'd like to see some cost projections for removing the current seating concept and installing FEWER, closer and steeper seats. Chairbacks of course. If some classrooms, offices or concession space is the result of the redesign great. Leaving it the way it is should not be an option.

DIG thanks for the accurate number and I agree with GP1 in that season tickets are a great barometer of fan interest and for planning for the future. The season tickets sold quoted above is very disappointing to me, in light of our recent success. For an area with the population Akron has to sell just over 1,000 season tickets is....disappointing. Especially considering their cost. With that figure in mind, building a new facility with a capacity over 6 0r 7000 is not going to happen. Nor should it. Pitt, Cincy & Xavier aren't coming to the JAR. We'd have a shot at Duquesne & Wright State by agreeing to a home and home but almost all the Zip fan base would complain they aren't "name" programs and not worthy of their attendance. I still contend the best way for the Zips to play "names" is in the made for TV events (PR, Hawaii, etc) or to organize and find funding support for one held at the Q with the Ohio Hoops theme. Then the Zips could play Xavier, Cincy and even OSU if the TV networks deem interest high enough to give programs financial guarantee's.

For sake of this discussion, lets agree the JAR seats 6500. What percentage of the 6000 are "season tickets"; meaning sold for all home games? What percentage of the 6000 are reserved for students?

I would hope that the State of Ohio and City of Akron would agree to a real estate tax elimination, reduction or 10 year abatement so that private money would have incentive to invest/build such a facility. The State & City would benefit from increased economic activity at neighboring businesses that would benefit by gameday crowds and activity. Having a fall/winter attraction across from the summer home of the Aero's might add some life to the business district. Keep it to 7,500 seats max with retail on first level and it might attract some investors. I am sad to see DR. P retire/move on. The next president has some big shoes to fill.

Good reviews and comments. Since I'm out of town and haven't seen the freshman I'm guessing redshirts are in store for at least two of them and three of them if Ibitayo can become consistent and not turn the ball over. If he does, he gives us another athletic defender on the perimeter who can also rebound the ball. PG - From what I'm hearing we've got two dissimilar players - that's a good thing IMO; especially if they can defensively hound the opponent. Nyles will score and Melo will dish; both have to be strong with the ball and tough defensively. 2 - Again, diversity. Q and Reggie and Ibitayo? Need Q to stay out of foul trouble. 3- Harney, Kretzer, Ibitayo - Complete opposites again. We will need better defense from what both displayed last year; especially Harney. Reggie & Jake make for interesting options depending on the opponent. 4 - Tree, Jake & Gladden? - Tree has to avoid fouls period. 5. - PF, Big Dog, Tree? KD has 10 fouls to give w/option of sliding Tree in here if opponent is smaller, slower Summary: We've got big numbers; especially at the 2, 3 & 4. If all stay healthy, the Zips will hopefully wear teams down with their depth. That's the good news. The bad is chemistry.....it will be difficult to keep 10 guys happy. A couple guys are going to have to sacrifice shots and point per game stats to turn up the defensive pressure and wear down opponents. That's going to fall on the internal leadership of this years team. Last years team was mentally very tough. Keys to the season: Unselfish team oriented play and the willingness to play D and rebound at both ends. If we have too many guys more interested in personal stats we could struggle. Tree and Q look to be where the team will get its leadership and direction from inside the locker room. Let's hope we get some new offensive sets as well. This team needs to be a defensive nightmare to their opponents....the offense will be average but the D could be exceptional if all buy in. See you at the JAR.

Zipmeister - you asked good questions and received some interesting responses. Impressive to me that WVU nets $250,000 per home game; this provides us with a little more insight into why the bigger programs do not wish to come to the JAR. If the "net" at home is that much and the chance of getting beat by a mid major is possible, it's easy to see why we play who we play at home. Even at $200,000 net per home game x 18 home games = $3,600,000. That's double the Zips bball budget! I guess that's why preseason and holiday tournaments are so important for us; it's the ONLY way the Zips have a shot at playing with the big boys; at least until the NCAA Tournament. If the Zips return to Morgantown again what type of financial inducement do they receive? Like always......it's all about the money!

Balsy, what would you recommend to the UA admin to make the gameday JAR experience more student friendly as you stated that was true at the soccer games?

I believe zestycoyote hit the nail on the head, fill the JAR on game nights. No one will support a new arena with attendance at the levels it's been. Several of the players went into the dorms to speak and ask the students to turn out for games with some good success. I hope that effort is continued as well as this program being the flagship of men's basketball in the MAC. If the comment about the changed lighting is true I suggest whomever is in charge check out the kitty's pregame show.....it's an intimidating environment for visiting teams and very well done. Did I mention their band being directly across from the visitors bench making communication almost impossible? Or the student section down on the floor?

Morris - thanks for the insight. We know there are tickets available; the point of a ticket exchange program is that "good" seats don't go empty. As far as the NCAA, last years team was positioned to provide Zips Nation with the coveted NCAA tournament win until AA chose cash over ethics and responsibility and others were sick, injured or both during the most important time of the year. Other than AA, it was out of anyone's ability to control. The OCC has been getting better in recent years but we've all got to be realistic. No top 20 team is coming to the JAR voluntarily. From 20 to 40 they don't want to come either as it's a no win situation for them. Win and the critics tell them they should have and if they lose to us it would be considered a bad loss regardless if we are moving up. Most top 20 programs don't even want to schedule us in their arena for the above arena. So what's left? Keep trying to find someone to venture into the JAR who is a top 40 program consistently, agree to play a top 10 program in their building and attempt to keep getting invited to the preseason tournaments like Puerto Rico last year and this years tournament and win. Again, last year if we have Tree we beat Oklahoma State. Quite frankly, we had the ball for the last shot of the game and AA dribbled away the clock and we didn't even get a good shot at the end. We were shorthanded in overtime as Zeke fouled out leaving us with no bigs. Win that game and we are in the winners bracket with a shot to win the tournament. The ending of that game was the biggest disappointment of the season until the events just prior to senior night. The Zips performance in the MAC tourney was an amazing accomplishment considering what the players were dealing with. Best example of willpower overcoming adversity in a very long time. Back on subject Morris, how do you propose the Zips overcome the OCC issue enough to get you to spend $10?

zipsfan38 - thanks for the good news as well. Are they in addition to the lobby improvements shown in another thread? Every little bit helps.

GVH - thanks for the info; with those numbers I'd guess it's already a profit center. I'm glad to hear of such good attendance; especially by those already contributing some large amounts. Trying to spark discussion as to how the JAR could be improved as IMO we won't see a new facility for at least 5 - 10 years. Spectator seating and concessions are areas that could be improved without breaking the bank while KD and his staff try to continue elevating the program to the top of the mid major cateogory we are currently in.

DIG - I to have enjoyed sitting at track level, bad doesn't describe it. My thought was to have the "track" or access from the rear. The corridors would be behind the seats not IN FRONT of them. If this could be accomplished and the seats were actually seats as opposed to bleachers the comfort factor and overall improvement to the gameday fan experience would be well worth the cost IMO. As far as relocating the media, there is plenty of space in the four track level corners for them. I'd guess the Zips media attendance at 8 or fewer. From what I've seen the last 3 or 4 years, there is plenty of room to accomodate the media masses should it ever become an issue. It's all about revenue generation and IMPROVING the fan experience. The JAR does provide an adequate lockerroom, nice lounge, a good floor and average lighting. The trainers room and fan seating is prehistoric as we are all too aware of.

I'm inquiring as that location and "club" seems suited to improve the concession situation at the JAR.