skip-zip

Let me just point out a couple of things for all of you.First of all, I think the future looks incredibly bright for our basketball program, but I'd like the see us separate "the future" and the 2008/09 season in our discussions. If we are talking only about the 2008 season, here's my analysis...First of all, it bears mentioning that basketball is NOT football. In college football, it's much, much, MUCH easier for someone to "sneak up" on the rest of the pack and win a title when you only play a handful of divisional games. It only takes a couple of lucky bounces to get that done. Basketball is an entirely different proposition. You don't normally see teams sneak up on somebody over a full conference schedule, when you play every team twice. Other teams have plenty of time to adjust over several months, and are able to keep their eyes on who is in front of them. I would still encourage everyone to look at the nucleus of this team, and not the recruits, when looking at this upcoming season. The chances of someone who has not stepped on a college basketball court in the MAC being an impact player is rare. Sometimes it happens with transfers, but rarely for freshman. Plus, this conference has a long, long history of being decided by good guard play, and we just lost a couple of very solid and experienced guards. I really think that the realistic viewpoint here is to look at what we have right now, and compare it to what others have. Could a couple of freshman come in and help and possibly make us a little better than projected? Sure. But, it surely makes perfect sense to have the mindset at this point that the McKnight brothers, McNees, and Linhart..... our only players who we saw enough in 2007/2008 to predict their future performance......don't appear to stack up well against our competition when talking about the potential to win a MAC championship this year.

JD likely needs a great season to put himself in a position again to get attention from higher-level schools. With that said, he's likely here until we get rid of him, whenever that may be. And money is always an issue (as in, how many years are left on a contract). Some schools don't have those problems, but a school like Akron always has to look at that. We've kept coaches before due to the length of their remaining contract.

Quickzips...I think you might be right about the redshirt. From the people I know who have seen both Sullivan and Hitchens play, they are all pretty unanimous that Hitchens, at least offensively, appears to be more prepared to play at the D-1A level sooner. GoZips...if you noticed in my post, I included myself in referring to those who may have somewhat forgotten about Ronnie, considering all of the hype about the newest incoming class. I agree with you when you indicate that we should all hope that Ronnie never losses that job. That would mean that things are going well.

Good post trimmy10....about a new soccer stadium.First, everyone needs to realize that replacing the Rubber Bowl was a necessity. I don't believe that it was, in any way, the start of a revolution to build new athletic facilities for the rest of our athletic programs. I liken the soccer stadium situation to the JAR. Until we outgrow it, nobody is probably going to move fast to build another facility. I remember a few months ago having a conversation with a friend of mine who is a high school athletic director. I mentioned to him that there was some talk about building a larger Akron basketball arena in the downtown area. And, his first question to me was, "don't you guys only get a few thousand fans for games at the arena you have now?"I think you get the picture.

Better than they've been in recent decades....I agree. But, far from being the nationally ranked programs that could compete for national titles, like they were many years ago. Would Navy or Air Force have drawn a bigger crowd? Not sure.

I just think they saw an opportunity to fill up Browns Stadium with military personnel, people who have been in the Army, have friends or family in the Army, or just overall supporters of the military. I didn't think it was going to work. Actually, my father, who grew up in Cleveland, remembers games between military academies being played years ago at the old municipal stadium, and the place was packed. Of course, those were different times, when the military academies were good.

I just have a problem with people predicting the future growth of a college basketball program, and basing that on players who have not even stepped on campus yet, let alone practice or play in a single game. Zeke appears to be a great recruit for a MAC school. Only time will tell.Speaking of recruits who have not stepped on campus...I was hanging out recently with some old area high school coaching buddies of mine, most of whom are very in touch with what is going on at Akron since they have players that get attention from the Akron staff. They shared a few things with me about what they are hearing, and one of the things that caught my attention was our crop of incoming guards. What surprised me a bit, since I keep hearing so much hype on here about these guys, is that the words "project", "needs development" and "redshirt" are being mentioned with their names. They are telling me to expect to see Ronnie Steward running our offense for the next several years. I guess this is how things are shaking out at this point. We'll see how it all unfolds. I just think that many people on this site (including me) have sort of forgotten about Ronnie, and what a prized recruit he was for us, with all of the hype that has surrounded the successful recruiting of guys like Sullivan and Hitchens the following year.

As it gets closer to football season, I guess I will have to get on here more often again.This Patriot Bowl thing is all rather upsetting to me, after following Zips athletics for 30 years. I mean, lets look at what has happened here.1) Akron appeared to have jumped on the first opportunity to be in this game, which resulted in us playing one of the worst D-1A teams in the country at a location other than our own stadium? How many major college programs do you think would benefit from such an arrangement? We essentially gave the worst team in the country an opportunity to knock us off in our own backyard, without having to play us at our own home stadium.2) Can't State works their way into this game the following year, with an opportunity to knock off a superior opponent by way of playing the game in a location close enough to home to be able to get plenty of fans to the game. AND, against an opponent who is far enough away, and has no following in this area. Kudos to whoever worked this arrangement for them. 3) Toledo getting the Suckeyes to play them at a neutral site? CONGRATS!! Does anyone have any recollection of the last time Ohio State agreed to play a MAC team outside of Columbus? A great opportunity for the Rockets. Things just always seem to work out this way for us.

It certainly has always made sense that CH will become a part of the U. It's been talked about for quite some time. I think that will happen eventually.

Inthezone...and rootforroo.....blunt, but good points on each side. I do indeed, after following Zips football for 30 years, believe that you have to use some of your scholarships on "chances". It's a must for lower level big level schools. But, I will certainly acknowledge that FL has given us more than our share of some bad apples over the years.

Seriously...does anyone (after watching MAC football for decades, as I have) really believe that there is that much of a gap between the top and the bottom of the MAC that just about anything can happen on any given year?Does the Buffalo run last year prove anything?

Good guy. I wish him luck. We all know that asst's don't last long if they are looked upon as good teachers.

Interesting thoughts...I was having dinner last night, on a hot summer night, with my next door neighbor, who is a Buckeyes (or Suckeyes, as we call them) graduate who goes to a lot of games. What he "tried" to say to me was typical, and indicative of the culture of many of Ohio's football fans.I reminded him that the score was 3-2 at halftime in 2007, and his response was "it didn't last". And he appeared to look like that was the end of the conversation, until I pointed out the following,and clearly changed his mind:1) OSU blew out several other "low level" D-1 teams before and after they played us. Does the YSU and Can't State scores ring a bell? So, please retire the argument (if you are a Suckeyes fan) that OSU "let us stay in the game". 2) Akron held OSU to 20 points, despite the offense doing ABSOLUTELY NOTHING. Does anyone know how many "lower level" teams scored more than that against the Zips last year???NINEYes, I said that right. NINE other teams scored more than the Suckeyes against our defense last year. And several of them were in the 30s and 40s. Many of us that have coached know that heart can win games. And although we didn't have their talent, the lowering of scholarships in D-1 a few years back really is closing the gap. With our predicted low finish anticipated by many this year, I really want to see another unexpected outcome. And I really hope that some of the signs we saw in a big game like this last year could carry over to the young guys this year.

Please...just upgrade the schedule, and I will be happy. I'm tired of this 23 year NCAA drought. We must give ourselves a change to get into the tourney without winning the MAC tourney.

Being somewhat sympathtic, these guys had well-established businesses get uprooted. I'm not sure how you put a dollar value on that, but I think their loss should be compensated.I know...some of you younger folks are thinking about how this affects tuition (I was there once). But, they should be compensated for their loss, if the U really wants these parcels (and they do).

No rerouting of Exchange in the plans. But some of that area south of Exchange is projected to be a large, grassy recreation area.

It just puzzles me that a good offensive player was swapped for a good defensive player. Move a RB to DB, and then move a good DB to WR. Sort of seems like a wash to me. I hope they made the right move. Moving Williams to DB was a good INDIVIDUAL move. We're stacked at RB, and need DB help. But then pulling Jones out of the secondary to play WR was the strange part to me.

After a hiatus from this site following the end of basketball season, I have started to think about football. And I did go to the spring game, and want to comment about something that I sure hope has not already been talked about extensively in the last month or so....I welcome anyone's insight or comments.I noticed that Bryan Williams had been moved to DB. As an INDIVIDUAL move, I thought it was very good considering that we lost quite a bit in our secondary last year, and appear to be quite well off at RB.What puzzled me was that we then moved a good DB to WR. I don't know guys. I guess I have to trust the coaching staff that they identified some skills in both of these guys that made them more of a benefit to the team to be somewhere else.But still.....basically swapping a defensive and offensive player, both of whom were well established at their positions, and entering their senior year, seems pretty odd. And it is happening at what appears to be a very critical time in JDs tenture as our coach.Any thoughts?

Big Zip...you and I end up being on the same page on a lot of things, but I don't think I will mind if Can't becomes a weak program now. It really aids our ability to get to the big tournament, which is always the ultimate goal. But, I do sorta see your point about having a strong rival.With all of that said....I would think that the likelihood is that after 10 straight 20 win seasons, their program is now solid enough to withstand a coaching change. They've done it a few times before. In some instances, the reputation of the program means far more than who is the coach. And Can't may very well be to this point.Frankly....I'm surprised that after this string of success that Christian ended up where he did. I would have thought he would be looking much bigger than that. It's probably not a good sign that a MAC coach with a consistent record of success over a decent period of time appears to only be this vaulable on the open market. On the other hand, the Dallas - Ft. Worth area is really huge and growing, and he might be banking of future success, fan support, and a new lush arena in the future. The opportunity to create a great program in the right area is a motivation to some coaches, and this may be the case here.

I haven't seen the numbers....but isn't this a money thing?headaviatorrowdie...your post is hilarious.I even heard someone speak of the crazy amount of money they spent on their trip to the tournament, only to get virtually eliminated in the first 5 minutes of the first game. If that is not a sign that a coach is about to leave for greener pastures, I don't know what is.

Since nobody seems to want to respond to this.....I will agree with you that the early part of next year will likely be a little rough. But, you seem to be thoroughly convinced that the guys coming in have "much more talent" than Dru, Romeo, Jeremiah, Nick, and Cedrick? Those guys might be the best 5, collectively, that I have seen wearing UA jerseys in my 30 years around this program. It's going to take some doin. But like always...I hope you are SO right.

Good points....Zipsrifle....without question, the JAR and the Rubber Bowl are two TOTALLY different situations. Plain and simple...financially, I don't see a MAC school replacing a 25 year old arena, that is in good shape, and only draws 3,000 people to games. You also mention salaries. Why do so many coaches leave MAC schools for big offers? That's simple too. MAC schools do not have the resources to hand out big-time money to keep the best coaches, and that's not going to change anytime soon.Quickzips...I concur. KDs commitment to Akron has not been questioned in front of me, either among fellow fans and alums, or anyone I know that is close to the program. Until I see it, I won't believe it either. I was around for the Huggins era, and we all started seeing the writing on the wall. In this case, I am not even seeing a hint at this point that anything of that nature will happen.

Wow lilroodude. I'm not sure what you've seen, but are you really seeing a comparison in styles between a 5'-8" point guard at the high school level that is going to a MAC school, and a 6'-3" guy who can get his shot off against good D-1 college talent and fill up the hoop for 30-40 points a night? Some of you may not have caught an earlier post, but some of my old coaching buddies watched Hitchens at the state playoffs, and speak highly of the fact that they think he can play quite early in his career at the MAC level. But, I don't recall any comparisons on this kind of level.Heck .....I hope you're right.

a-zip..as far as I am concerned, I will take both sides of the argument for right now. On one side, he has improved the program, and won quite a few games. And his statements that he would like to stay at Akron gives stability to the program, which could help recruiting in the long run. And from my perspective, he does appear to get some true "gutsy" performances from a lot out of his players on many instances. On the other side, some people will point to the fact that we've not won a MAC championship, and have been right on the doorstep twice now, but faltered. And some of the other meltdowns late in big games raise some questions. AND...he just lost basically the 5 guys that have gotten it all done for him over the last few years. So, he appears to have some significant challenges ahead of him.I like to hope and lean towards the top scenario and keep him here. But, I also won't argue that there are some valid points on the other side as well.

For a number of reasons, including some recent information I had gathered from people I know, I really thought this was the year Christain would leave. I just thought he would go to a bigger school. And wasn't the Rhode Island job in the mix?