Zips Ranking in Mid-Major Top 25

[Dave in Green]

A little Zips respect from the mid-major coaches:Mid-Major Top 25

[skip-zip]

A little Zips respect from the mid-major coaches:Mid-Major Top 25

It still hurts to be getting less respect than schools like Belmont and Harvard...and of course, Ken+. But if it's true that we haven't appeared on this poll in two years, I guess that's some indication that some people feel as if we might be better than we've been the last 2 seasons.

[MaxZIP]

A little Zips respect from the mid-major coaches:Mid-Major Top 25

It still hurts to be getting less respect than schools like Belmont and Harvard...and of course, Ken+. But if it's true that we haven't appeared on this poll in two years, I guess that's some indication that some people feel as if we might be better than we've been the last 2 seasons.

Akron plays 4 teams on that list. I am very happy with the 2011 schedule.

[Districtballer]

A little Zips respect from the mid-major coaches:Mid-Major Top 25

It still hurts to be getting less respect than schools like Belmont and Harvard...and of course, Ken+. But if it's true that we haven't appeared on this poll in two years, I guess that's some indication that some people feel as if we might be better than we've been the last 2 seasons.

I don't think you understand quite how good those teams are. That's not disrespect to Akron. When you look at the big picture Akron had a great run in the MAAC tournament but still got a #15 seed which reflects how the selection committee viewed the overall season. Belmont won 30 games last year and returns 4 starters from that squad. They are as legit a mid-major team as there is in the country. Tommy Amaker is building a powerhouse in the Ivy over there and has nabbed some 4-star guys as late. They are both legitimate threats to make deep post-season runs this season. That doesn't mean that Akron can't have a great season and prove the prognosticators wrong, but no one outside of an Akron fan is going to put Akron above either of those two squads right now. I personally think both would take VCU to the woodshed at this point of the season.

[GoZips]

I wonder if Jeff Neubauer, head coach at Eastern Kentucky,would change his vote after the shelling EKU took in Akronthis past Sunday.

[Valpo Zip]

Can you tell us a little more about that shelling GoZips? who saw playing time? who scored how much and which players played well together?

[skip-zip]

A little Zips respect from the mid-major coaches:Mid-Major Top 25

It still hurts to be getting less respect than schools like Belmont and Harvard...and of course, Ken+. But if it's true that we haven't appeared on this poll in two years, I guess that's some indication that some people feel as if we might be better than we've been the last 2 seasons.

I don't think you understand quite how good those teams are. That's not disrespect to Akron. When you look at the big picture Akron had a great run in the MAAC tournament but still got a #15 seed which reflects how the selection committee viewed the overall season. Belmont won 30 games last year and returns 4 starters from that squad. They are as legit a mid-major team as there is in the country. Tommy Amaker is building a powerhouse in the Ivy over there and has nabbed some 4-star guys as late. They are both legitimate threats to make deep post-season runs this season. That doesn't mean that Akron can't have a great season and prove the prognosticators wrong, but no one outside of an Akron fan is going to put Akron above either of those two squads right now. I personally think both would take VCU to the woodshed at this point of the season.

I'm not doubting that they are both respectable teams. I guess most of my reaction was just a result of my disappointment that the best MAC teams would not be as highly regarded as the best teams in lame conferences like the Atlantic Sun and Ivy League.

[Districtballer]

A little Zips respect from the mid-major coaches:Mid-Major Top 25

It still hurts to be getting less respect than schools like Belmont and Harvard...and of course, Ken+. But if it's true that we haven't appeared on this poll in two years, I guess that's some indication that some people feel as if we might be better than we've been the last 2 seasons.

I don't think you understand quite how good those teams are. That's not disrespect to Akron. When you look at the big picture Akron had a great run in the MAAC tournament but still got a #15 seed which reflects how the selection committee viewed the overall season. Belmont won 30 games last year and returns 4 starters from that squad. They are as legit a mid-major team as there is in the country. Tommy Amaker is building a powerhouse in the Ivy over there and has nabbed some 4-star guys as late. They are both legitimate threats to make deep post-season runs this season. That doesn't mean that Akron can't have a great season and prove the prognosticators wrong, but no one outside of an Akron fan is going to put Akron above either of those two squads right now. I personally think both would take VCU to the woodshed at this point of the season.

I'm not doubting that they are both respectable teams. I guess most of my reaction was just a result of my disappointment that the best MAC teams would not be as highly regarded as the best teams in lame conferences like the Atlantic Sun and Ivy League.

I can understand that, but don't complain when BCS teams give Akron no respect because they play in the 'lowly' MAC. That's exactly the type of mentality that us mid-majors fight all the time. Ironic that we do exactly the same based on nothing more than a conference label that we perceive to be lower than our own. Belmont would take a whole bunch of BCS squads to school this year, Atlantic Sun or not. They very nearly knocked off Duke in 2008. Ric Byrd has a helluva program out there. Case in point Western Kentucky plays in one of the worst basketball conferences in the Sun Belt but has been one of the most successful mid-majors in college basketball over it's history, all in that conference. I get the whole surface-level disappointment, but if we researched other mids like we wish major schools would us when they dismiss us, we wouldn't be as quick to judge. It is interesting that the MAC has seemingly fallen a bit as far as national perception. I remember the days when Can't State went to the Elite 8 and putting out NBAers like Chris Kaman at Central Michigan. Hopefully Akron can restore some of the MAC's honor with what seems to be a resurgent program this year.

[johnnyzip84]

Districtballer brings up a good point about the need to dig a little deeper before making any judgements. The Ivy has generally been a decent hoops league over the years.Of course I hope Akron can lead the MAC toward greater respectability, but I think the entire MAC East has a shot to do their part this year as well. I'm pretty surprised U@B didn't receive a single vote myself.

[GoZips]

Can you tell us a little more about that shelling GoZips? who saw playing time? who scored how much and which players played well together?

Frankly, NO.I was not there. I previously posted what tidbits I managed to glean.Suffice it to say that the Zips put a hurt on EKU 38-10 in the first half played.The two teams played three halves and three 12 minute periods.I have no stats other than 38-10. All the Zips saw action and all played well.Coach Dambrot was pleased with the performance. The coaches always findthings that need improvement. What these were was not mentioned to me.I talked to coach at ZipsLive radio show. Come join the fun.

[wadszip]

A little Zips respect from the mid-major coaches:Mid-Major Top 25

It still hurts to be getting less respect than schools like Belmont and Harvard...and of course, Ken+. But if it's true that we haven't appeared on this poll in two years, I guess that's some indication that some people feel as if we might be better than we've been the last 2 seasons.

Akron plays 4 teams on that list. I am very happy with the 2011 schedule.

Not only do they play four teams on that list (five games), but when you add in solid major conference opponents in Mississippi State and West Virginia, along with eight other games with "teams receiving votes" in the Mid Major poll, a trip to Marshall (a tourney caliber team that would easily crack the top 10 in the Mid Major poll, if eligible) and a bracket buster game (potentially against a team that could be ranked in the top 10 of the Mid Major poll), this is shaping up to be a real nice schedule, and one that realistically could put the Zips in at-large contention, so long as they win a majority of those games.That's 18 of 30 games against teams that are, in what ever form, expected to be competitive. If you throw in Buffalo, which I'm kind of surprised didn't receive any votes in the MM top 25, that's 2/3 of the schedule against teams with healthy pulses.

[akronzips71]

All pre season polls and ratings are now off the table. They were all done before anyone had stepped onto a bball court for an official game.A couple more like MSU and the Zips will get some respect.

[Dave in Green]

Here's another preseason rating from just yesterday:ESPN Columnist Picks Zips to Win MACNote that he picks the Serb as the MAC's preseason MVP.He also predicts that two of the Zips' mid-major opponents this season, VCU and Detroit, will win their conferences.

[Districtballer]

Here's another preseason rating from just yesterday:ESPN Columnist Picks Zips to Win MACNote that he picks the Serb as the MAC's preseason MVP.He also predicts that two of the Zips' mid-major opponents this season, VCU and Detroit, will win their conferences.

Ha our fans will get a kick out of that one. Shaka wins CAA coach of the year award if we pull that off. Drexel is going to be a b*tch to play. Really tough squad. I'd love to see Akron and Drexel go at it in the Bracketbuster if the pairings work out that way. Having watched you all last night it would be a TREMENDOUS game.

[wadszip]

Here's another preseason rating from just yesterday:

ESPN Columnist Picks Zips to Win MAC

Note that he picks the Serb as the MAC's preseason MVP.

He also predicts that two of the Zips' mid-major opponents this season, VCU and Detroit, will win their conferences.

It's hard to complain about good pub, but if this guy thinks Nik is MAC MVP, somebody should teach him how to pronounce his name right. He butchered it.

[BirdZip]

Anybody know what the highest is we've ever been in this poll?

[Dave in Green]

Zips have just been given a promotion above mid-major status:

Akron proves to be more than mid-major

[Dr Z]

Akron proves to be more than mid-major

My favorite line from that story: Akron coach Keith Dambrot said. "It's fair. Nobody in New York wants to see us."

[Captain Kangaroo]

Akron proves to be more than mid-major

My favorite line from that story: Akron coach Keith Dambrot said. "It's fair. Nobody in New York wants to see us."

I remember...it seems like a lifetime ago...that a Gary Trent-led OU team won the pre-season NIT.

It seems like we'd have had a chance to do similar? Oh well...focus on the Titans, Dukes, Mountaineers, Vikings...plenty of meaningful, high-level games coming up soon.

[ZachTheZip]

Akron proves to be more than mid-major

My favorite line from that story: Akron coach Keith Dambrot said. "It's fair. Nobody in New York wants to see us."

I would say that LeBron could drum up some friends to hang out in MSG, but I don't think it would go over well with the NBA lockout.

[Future Zip]

It kind of stinks i think that were a lot better then Can't. But o well. It will show when we beat wvu.

[Dave in Green]

It still hurts to be getting less respect than schools like Belmont .....

Duke 77, Belmont 76

Duke avoids upset loss

[BirdZip]

Anybody know what the highest is we've ever been in this poll?

Found an answer in the yearbook--#5.

[tpsjugglerdude]

Zips move up 2 spots to #12 and are one of 5 teams to receive a vote.

[Dave in Green]

That one first place vote is a start. Wonder if it was Ernie Zeigler or Steve Hawkins, the MAC's two voting coaches, who was impressed with what he saw on TV?

The main thing, though, is that the Zips are now ranked ABOVE Can't.