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That's my thinking. I don't see that an NFL team is going to create a position or change what they are doing to accommodate a middle-round linebacker from Akron. But, there very well could be a team out there that already has a place to plug in a guy with his type of ability and size.

Wow. That would be a major move upward if he got selected in the Top 100, meaning first 3 rounds. It would be great for him, and great for the program. This probably also tells us that, with his tools, we'd probably be looking at Akron first-ever First Round pick if he was just a few inches taller.

Not sure if this comparison has come up yet, but it's worth seeing. Why haven't we looked at another great Zips team. The 2007 team. I recall being disappointed that they couldn't get an NCAA bid, but absolutely shocked that they didn't get to the NIT. Here's how 2007 and 2016 compare: Records: 2007: 26-7 with the MAC tournament finals loss. 2016: 27-6 potential with a MAC tournament finals loss. RPI: 2007: Final RPI #68 2016: Current RPI #45 (will certainly climb much higher if we won 7 and lost 1 through the next month).

A logical voice has returned. You're exactly right. All we can do is build our own credentials with the games we have, look at some past data among tournament entrants, and hope for the best. 1)I felt like this was the target for maximum losses, so we could still end up at 26-5. Really Good. 2)We could also be as good as 8-1 against the Top 100, depending on where some other teams end up. Really Good. 3)We just lack any blockbuster wins. I hope that's still enough. I think it should be. If it's not, then I am going to bitch again next year about why we don't target the types of games in our OOC schedule to enhance that resume. If we don't make it better, then shame on us.

Which explains why Keith finally exploded with 2 min. left in the game, when Noah gets a foul call on a simple box-out at the defensive end on a made basket.

I felt like we could lose 3 conference games, and still be a great shape. That was the 3rd one. And we're still in great shape, both nationally and in the conference. Now it's time to buckle down, close out the final 6 games (4 at home), and see what happens.

I'm pleased to see that we only dropped to #46 in the RPI after the loss. In terms of rankings, I guess with it being a road game, and NIU having a good record, it's possibly considered a "good loss". I just can't get past losing a game to a team that had lost 5 straight. It sure made me realize how much teams in this league love getting Akron at home, and give us their best effort of the year.

I looked at it a couple more times too. I don't think I see a "trip". I just see Jake stepping back into the lane in front of Big Dog, and cutting off the driving lane, then the NIU player simply tries to squeeze through the opening between them anyway and bounces off of Big Dog and losses the ball. The biggest issue I have with the call now is what happens on the next possession. The NIU player sticks his entire leg out to knock Big Dog to the floor as he turns towards the basket. If you are the officials, you can't decide to call a foul on one end, and take a "let them play" stance at the other end when the game is closing out. Let both sequences play out, or call the fouls.

There can't be two of us. And I share and appreciate your comments about having exclusive loyalty, and wishing that everyone else "crash and burn". We need thousands more with that kind of mindset.

The call on Big Dog with 2 seconds left was horrific. Glad they showed it on replay. It looked 10x worse in slow motion. That's a no-call, ball rolls harmlessly across the floor, and time expired. But... That wasn't the worst call of the game. The call that drew the "T" on Keith was after a made basket and they hit Robotham with a foul away from the shot, when all he was doing was a simple box out of a potential rebounder. Unexplainable. It could have resulted in a 6 point trip for NIU. An official cannot blatantly take control of a close game with 2 minutes left like that.

I was thinking exactly the same thing. I'd bet that If this guy was a transfer from a top notch SEC school, it wouldn't have gotten nearly this much attention from him.

No doubt. The best benefit is to give out things that will be used and seen in the community, to promote the Zips. I just felt badly for all of the people walking in there with their little kids VERY EARLY, and being told that everything was gone. My wife and I almost gave up our own hats. Lets face it, we don't have 100,000 fans. But only having hundreds of hats available when you are advertising a "Hat Giveaway" is not going to be anywhere near enough to cover the expectations of the fans attending an Akron football game.

Amen to that. I would have never let anyone call my GI Joe a DOLL.

I'm older than you. And I like collecting all of the Akron bobbleheads. They are nice little conversation pieces when friends and clients see them, and a good way to demonstrate my pride in Zips Athletics. And just a little perk for all of the money I've spent. Call me crazy. I'll make sure I keep my next appointment with my Psychologist. And for the record, I've never owned a "doll".

WOW. So, if you have 8 people in your party, you get one bobblehead. And if you have 1 season ticket, you get 1 bobblehead. I guess asking my friends to get their own tickets might be a good idea from here forward, except that they won't get my seating priority.

I agree. We've played with small lineups with this team, with Kwan down low. It's doable. But I don't know how that would work for us in long stretches. Although, NIU is a guard oriented team, so this might be a good matchup, if we have to play "small".

I hope this doesn't turn into a repeat of the Stocking Cap giveaway.

I provided an update on his status for Saturday right above your post. But, as far as an actual current "injury update", all I can tell you is that he was on crutches yesterday.

Someone had questioned my 4-1 record against the Top 100 the other day. It came from this RPI ranking above. It looks like it's 3-1 now since Arkansas has dropped to #111 in the rankings over the last several days.

WOW. Some of you guys are making me feel old. I feel like the Dru/Romeo era was just yesterday. Most significantly, Dru and Romeo were the Seniors on the team that went 26-7 in 2007 (and infamously got SNUBBED from both tournaments), and began the big run of MAC tournament success. Romeo was also Akron's only ever MAC MVP. Dru holds Akron's all-time assist record. NWAkron...that's Dru's DAD (Dru Sr.) who is the longtime coach at St. V., who succeeded Keith.

It's looking like Josh should be able to go at NIU, but Big Dog is a big question mark.

The big attention-grabbing wins are a problem. That was already determined by the schedule. And I've harped about this many times. But, it doesn't prevent us from talking about what we DO have to sell ourselves to the committee. I'm not sure how many people realize that we're 4-1 right now against teams in the Top 100 of the RPI. And if OU, Kent, and Buffalo can hold on to their Top 100 status, we have a chance to post an impressive 8-1 mark against the Top 100. To some, this might not seem like a really big deal. But compare it to our nemesis down in Cowlumbus, a P5 team who might possibly still be somewhere in the distant discussion for an At-Large. They are currently a horrid 1-8 against the Top 100.

Also, wouldn't a 2nd bid as an At Large say a lot about the increased level of respect from the committee? And the value to us, and every other MAC member, of having 2 teams recognized in the field from our conference?

I've been saying "Top 30" should get is IN, all along. So citing that there's been a #30, another #30, and a #21 who have not gotten a bid in the last 10 years is cause for concern? Three teams that got snubbed? How many teams in the 20's DID get in? About 100 or so? Sometimes, I think those who live on the side of "No MAC team will get an At-Large" even want to acknowledge any logical level of stature that would very likely results in a bid.

With an RPI in the 20's, we'd definitely be IN. The question in your scenario would be....how much would a loss in the MAC tourney drop that number? ESPN's RPI has us at #44 after the win last night.