Zips picked second

[Akron1]

Zips picked second, just behind defending conference tournament champion Ohio University

Oct. 27, 2005

CLEVELAND - The University of Akron men's basketball team was picked to finish second in the Mid-American Conference East Division in a poll released Thursday by the MAC News Media Association in conjunction with the MAC Men's Basketball Media Day at the Renaissance Hotel.

Ohio was picked to win the East Division and as the tournament champion, with Miami (Ohio) and Can't State tying for third place, and Buffalo and Bowling Green occupying the fifth- and sixth-place spots, respectively.

The News Media Association chose Toledo as the favorite in the West Division for the second-straight year. Ball State and Western Michigan were selected 2-3, with Northern Illinois, Eastern Michigan and Central Michigan rounding out the group.

Akron, which is led by second-year head coach Keith Dambrot, returns four starters from last season including leading scorer and honorable mention All-MAC choice senior forward Darryl Peterson (Cincinnati,Ohio/Western Hills). Peterson averaged 12.9 points-per-game in helping UA to a second-place tie in the MAC East Division last season, with a 19-10 overall mark and an 11-7 record in league play. The 19 wins are its most since the 1988-89 team posted a 21-8 mark.

Along with Dambrot, UA was represented at Thursday's media day by junior forward Romeo Travis (Akron, Ohio/St. Vincent-St, Mary), who was one of 10 student-athletes selected to the Preseason All-MAC Team. An All-MAC second-team pick last season, Travis ranked second for the Zips in scoring (11.9 ppg) as well as in rebounding (7.4 rebounds-per-game), while his 45 blocks and 35 steals led the team.

The Zips play host to California (Pa.) in an exhibition contest Saturday, Nov. 19 at 7 p.m. EST at Rhodes Arena, and open the regular season at home against Youngstown State on Saturday, Nov. 26 at 5 p.m.

2005-06 Mid-American Conference News Media Association Preseason Poll

East Division

1. Ohio - 153 (14)

2. Akron - 120 (5)

3t. Miami (Ohio) - 85 (2)

3t. Can't State - 85

5. Buffalo - 79

6. Bowling Green - 45

West Division

1. Toledo - 135 (1)

2. Ball State - 127 (4)

3. Western Michigan - 114

4. Northern Illinois - 97

5. Eastern Michigan - 54

6. Central Michigan - 40