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Is anyone watching 19 Actions News Sports? Some of our boys are LIVE on TV right now.

I don't know a whole heck of a lot about soccer. But, I think the contributions we've gotten from Freshmen the last couple of years has been astounding. So who knows, some of our best players next year may not even be guys that are even on the roster right now. It's a real luxury to have reached that level where incoming guys might be just as good as guys departing to the pros. Losing guys early that were the caliber of Zakuani, Burbury, and Gavin should have had some impact on us, and it didn't. Amazing.

He came off the bench before the suspension, no reason to think he would be a starter now. I could see him moving him into the starting lineup in place of Nitro at some point. It will depend on his attitude and his physical condition when he comes back, but if Nitro continues to struggle like he did last night I could see it happening. He came off the bench against Milliken largely because he hadn't practiced with the team for the entire offseason. I don't think that is necessarily the role KD envisioned for him. If you recall, most on here were talking about him as the starter at SF before all the suspensions came anyways. While I agree that he is probably best served coming off the bench as an instant offense kind of guy, I can also see him getting a starting role before it is all said and done. Most on here may have been, but not the coach. I don't think Brett gives enough on Defense to get the start. He was key to our offense last year as well, but he didn't start. Actually, Brett started 13 games last season spanning from the Texas A&M game through the first Can't State game. We were also much deeper and more experienced at the forward positions last year than we are right now with Chris McKnight, Conyers, Brett and Nikola. As to skip's comments about the qualities Brett brings to this team. I will give you experience and competitiveness, leadership, no. Team leaders don't get themselves suspended for the first 1/3 of the season for violating team rules. Brett isn't a team leader at this point. Right now he is going to be in the same spot he was when he came in in the middle of his freshman year. The rest of these guys have been on the road together playing a tough schedule without him there. McNees, Nikola, Roberts, these are the guys that are team leaders. If Brett is going to come back and contribute here he is going to have to accept that he is a role player at this point in the season. If you've been paying attention the last couple of years, you would clearly see that Brett doesn't perform on the floor like a guy who is just "filling a role". I sure hope he'll be able to deliver far more than that.

More than anything else, at least we'll have a proven player who isn't afraid to make things happen offensively. And we'll have someone at SF with the physical tools to post up defenders. But, I also hope that his experience, competitiveness and leadership give this team an added boost as well. And like everyone else, I pray that he's at least still in decent playing shape.

The thing I was looking for the most was to see how Zeke performed against some "decent" big men. I don't think I need to say how I felt. He was almost non-existent. I think we've seen signs on this already this year, where he just appears tentative, and shows signs that he hasn't made a lot of progress from last year, as we had hoped. His physical development has surely always been a concern, but his mental development isn't progressing as well as I had hoped either. As we approach the middle of his sophomore year, I have to ask myself a couple of honest questions looking forward. Will he end up being a disppointment to us? Unlikely. Do I think he can still be a good MAC player? Absolutely, but he still has a lot of work ahead of him. But, do I really think he will ever be a legitimate NBA prospect? I'm not seeing that happening right now, and I'd be pleasantly surprised if he progresses to that level over the next couple of years.

I appreciated it too, because I've been to California many times, and that water is COLD! It's even cold during the summer, except in the very southern part of the state. Looks like our boys found out the hard way! That was hilarious.

I always make my tough career decisions in front of a captive nationwide audience in primetime. And when I do I make sure I make it as hard as possible on the company I'm leaving. I might even name it something that stirs up old memories for them of heartbreaking moments.... And do you also always make your tough career decisions at a Boys and Girls Club, and donate the proceeds to that charity? I am a LeBron supporter, but I thought the "event" ended up not being a good idea. But, I think you're hanging onto the end of a very long limb if you think that he planned the event with the purpose of sticking it to everyone that he could. Just say you don't like that guy. I can believe that.

So you haven't met any of the people he bought Thanksgiving for, or any of the kids he donated bikes to, or any of the APS faculty or students who he gave new computers to, or any Zips basketball player who he gears up? That's fine. I've met some of all of those people, and they all appreciate what he still does for the city. The hate is strong in this city, but it is temporary. We're still in the break-up stage. But like any difficult relationship, those feelings cool off. And when one side stays devoted even after making a mistake, they eventually get back together. So much for all the LeBron haters who proclaimed that he surely forget about Akron when he went to Miami. The only people I know in Akron who are mad at LeBron are the ones who are die-hard Cavs fans. And I think even those people will come around again when it sinks in that he still loves Akron, and made a tough career decision, just like all the rest of us have to make from time to time.

....and lets hope they don't lose their momentum, and start filling those courtside seats in the basketball venue this winter.

This post is hilarious. I'll be sure to put Miss Corn Herbicide on my parade calendar for next year. I have to agree with you. Honor the soccer team at every opportunity. Not only is it deserving, but it will increase attendance at other sporting events.

Who do you think you are Dave in Green? We must stay negative. We must make untrue broad generalizations like Akron hates the Cavs. We must take every opportunity to rip on things we hate instead of simply enjoying the moment. (sarcasm alert) Actually, the untrue broad generalization is that Akron hates LeBron. It's actually downright laughable. It's fueled by some of the Cleveland loyalists who absolutely CAN'T STAND that LeBron talks about Akron, and that people in Akron still support him. I was at a picnic last summer, and I overheard a group at another table bashing LeBron. Then someone said, "Can you believe those idiots in Akron cheered for him at the Bike-A-Thon?". I almost could not contain my laughter. They are enraged by this. And they are probably some of the same people who engage in highly productive activities such as yelling obscenities as they drive by his house, and tape his old jersey to the side of their car with some derogatory change in his name. In the real world, people change employers every day. You get over it and go out and get new employees to replace them, and you move on.

You are certainly in the minority there. 1) LeBron is NOT honorary alumi 2) Akron Zips was trending on Twitter BEFORE LeBron's tweet...it's not like we were lacking national attention 3) LeBron doesn't give a shit about Akron...don't be fooled Of course you're right. The stories about his participation in bike-a-thon AFTER he signed with Miami, and that story about the hundreds of turkeys he gave to Akron families on Thanksgiving MUST HAVE just been a hoax.

Love it. Thanks LeBron. And thanks for putting all the doubters in their place by maintaining your loyalty to Akron...your home town.

Well said. That was my point. I don't understand why some have to get their stupid, childish digs in when we should all be enjoying this victory. You are right, we have some seriously juveniles here. Meanwhile, engaging in personal attacks, telling people to get a life, and talking about the size of their manhood is taking the mature and grown-up route? It's an AKRON fan board. Expect insulting talk about competing schools. In fact, you just just exclaimed "well said" to a poster who demonstrates his hatred towards a competing school in the very name that they use to post on here. In sticking with the soccer theme.....THIS IS AKRON

Damn you are a small penis syndrome loser. UA just won a NC and you have to bring up OSU. You need to really get a life. If you would go to an OSU board right now, (I know you won't), you would see there are threads on every board congratulating UA and saying great job and asking why OSU can't be like UA in soccer. There has been posts saying everything from great job Akron, to Congrats Zips, to go for the repeat next year, to Akron is a dominant soccer program and more and more good stulf all about UA. There isn't 1 single negative comment. Not 1. Yet people like you have to attack for no reason other than your small penis syndrome. Sure OSU spends more on sports, but they also make a lot more too. Your buying a championship doesn't deserve a response. It shows your lack of character. I'm sure your "friends" are humbled by you rubbing it in that UA won their first ever NC. OSU fans have never felt that joy in any sport. Get over it. Akron won the NC and all you can think of is OSU....Get a freaking life. Which would be a huge and surprising difference from the reactions I normally get from OSWho fans. I'll get right to work on "getting a life" after I enjoy this for a few more days I know that's a bunch of BS. The only way you get any of that is if you talk the same crap to them as you do here. I am sure you bring it all on yourself just like you do here. You start every single talk of smack and then make up lies to try to justify that you didn't start it. FAIL. I'm sorry. I must be the only person that's been badgered or belittled by Cowlumbus State fans, just for wearing Akron gear, and supporting my alma mater. I apologize. It had to be me. OSWho does not only spend a lot of money. They spend more money per athlete than any school in the country, according the the most recent report. However, their soccer team sat at home while we won a NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP. Buying titles isn't working so well for them lately in the "major" sports either, and I am THOROUGHLY enjoying every minute of it.

I always enjoy disecting these coaching situations. Why do you leave one of the most successful programs in the country? In any sport? Was it the school's lack of financial commitment at the time? Lack of facilities? But it is rather difficult for me to question his loyalty when he spent 13 years here. As I said earlier, fortunately we had the history and reputation to attract a replacement.

With all due respect to our team, it's still college soccer. I wish it was headline news all over the country for that matter.

Damn you are a small penis syndrome loser. UA just won a NC and you have to bring up OSU. You need to really get a life. If you would go to an OSU board right now, (I know you won't), you would see there are threads on every board congratulating UA and saying great job and asking why OSU can't be like UA in soccer. There has been posts saying everything from great job Akron, to Congrats Zips, to go for the repeat next year, to Akron is a dominant soccer program and more and more good stulf all about UA. There isn't 1 single negative comment. Not 1. Yet people like you have to attack for no reason other than your small penis syndrome. Sure OSU spends more on sports, but they also make a lot more too. Your buying a championship doesn't deserve a response. It shows your lack of character. I'm sure your "friends" are humbled by you rubbing it in that UA won their first ever NC. OSU fans have never felt that joy in any sport. Get over it. Akron won the NC and all you can think of is OSU....Get a freaking life. Which would be a huge and surprising difference from the reactions I normally get from OSWho fans. I'll get right to work on "getting a life" after I enjoy this for a few more days

I'm rubbing this in the face of every OSWho fan I know. The money we spend on athletics doesn't even compare. And I'm reminding them that we don't need to BUY a national championship. Unfortunately, it's soccer. In the weeks leading up to this championship, most sports fans I know didn't even know what was going on. Heck, many don't even know that Akron even has a soccer team. Therefore, it's up to us to spread the word.

Absolutely. Not only would it gives these guys the praise they've earned, but it will make the Ken+ fans have to sit through it.

I'd bet he doesn't regret it at all. But I can also figure that when you are put in the situation where you left a place for "greener pastures', and you have to face that old team to win a national championship, there's a WHOLE lot of pressure. But he's done a great job. If I recall, Louisville was not very good at all when he arrived there. Lets just feel fortunate that our program had a history that allowed us to attract a replacement, and keep growing.

Zach. I respect your thoughts here. And I hope it's the beginning of a turn in the right direction. I think the negativity you hear from some people is indeed just a display of frustration over the past. I know that I have personally spent a lot of my time getting dressed up in Zips gear and heading out to the bars and restaurants in the Universitiy area over the years, only to feel unwelcome, having to beg to get Akron's game on TV, and watching staff decked out in OSWho gear. And I think many of people feel today as if maybe we are now being welcomed with open arms because it's suddently convenient to covet Zips fans. I love that last sentence. Lets pack the bars tonight and show people that it's worth being a ZIPS establishment.

Akron is NOT a "small school". Nice article though. Thanks.

I disagree with the thought that if we just stop their talented scorers, we'll win the game. I don't see us taking that approach. We scored 7 goals against these guys recently. They obviously can't match up with us around the goal. I see us focusing on attacking offensively, as always, and putting enough points on the board that there's no way they can match us. Akron 5 Michigan 2 Come on guys. Give me some entertainment. I don't want to stay up that late to watch a 1-0 overtime soccer game.

Absolutely.