Zips - Oklahoma State

[akronzips71]

This year is the first time I am saying that I don't want the NIT.

This is also the year there could be two bids to the Dance from the MAC:

If OU has a great season and loses to us at the buzzer in Cleveland, chances are they will get a bid based on their deep run last year. That got a lot of notice.

If we have a great OOC season, which looks possible, win the MAC, and then lose at the buzzer to OU in Cleveland, there is a small chance we also get a bid.

In past years I never though this possible, this year it could happen. We do have the guns, and would have won one and maybe both games with Tree and Harney.

[MaxZIP]

I hope the team is able to pile on the wins movinf forward. They must win in the NIT if not invited to dance.

[Dave in Green]

So what I hear you saying is that if the #6 team lost by 20 to a team we took into OT, we would have beat them also, making us a top 5 team, is that right?

No. My key point was: Don't try to read anything into it.

But, seriously, check out the box score. OSU destroyed NC State with only 6 players. Now, some will say that NC State is overrated. Some will say that this was a fluke. Some will say that OSU has an amazing core of 6 players. Who knows? All we can do is look at data and try to process and interpret it as best we can, and we'll all arrive at slightly different conclusions.

I still don't know exactly how good this Zips team is or how good it can be by the end of the season. But I'm starting to get a little more optimistic. There are still a lot of tests ahead that will help clarify things.

[Dave in Green]

OSU coach Travis Ford respects the Zips after they played his team tougher than any other team in PR. Here's what he said after beating NC State for the tournament championship:

"I thought we played against three teams in this tournament that will be in the NCAA tournament in Akron, Tennessee and NC State," Ford said.

ESPN

[Blue & Gold]

I didn't think OSU looked like a very good team, but apparently the Zips actually did have a lot to do with that.

D@mn those suspensions.

I also watched the NCST -vs- UMass game and thought NCST looked fantastic.

Every game is different, but these results should give the fellas a lot of confidence going forward.

A couple notes:

1) I like Big Z's recent aggressiveness on offense.

2) It was nice seeing Melo looking much more comfortable running the point.

[tpsjugglerdude]

And now Oklahoma State is 20 in the AP.

[akzipper]

And now Oklahoma State is 20 in the AP.

"What could have been" the all to familiar motto of Northeast Ohio sports. But honestly I think that even if we were undefeated and had upset NCState, I'm not sure we would have cracked the top-25. Not because we don't deserve it, but rather because we are a mid-major.

[Dave in Green]

Creighton, a mid-major, is currently ranked #14 in the AP top 25. If the Zips were unbeaten with consecutive wins over Oklahoma State, Tennessee and NC State, they'd be in the top 25.

[bUAkronG]

Creighton, a mid-major, is currently ranked #14 in the AP top 25. If the Zips were unbeaten with consecutive wins over Oklahoma State, Tennessee and NC State, they'd be in the top 25.

I think what he meant was Akron wouldn't be in his top 25. Or probably his top 125....