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mivid12

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Fox Sports national article: MAC schools on outside looking in

I'm afraid the article is right. I think our chances of at-large glory is less a matter of who we have lost to and more of who we have beaten. As the article mentions, weak MAC foes of the likes of BG and Buffalo do not help. WMU has fallen off the map. No real quality away wins, which the committee looks for. Detroit was that opportunity for Akron.

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The Bilastrator, Jay Bilas just picked us as his mid major team to watch in the tournament. The gameday crew is at rupp arena for the UK game tomorrow and they were each asked to puck a team. The three choices were Creighton, Butler, and our Zips! Gave huge props to Zeke and Tree. Even called him Tree.

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zippy i thougnt the same thing.all the people on the mac discussion board said we are making excuses.if it was ohio state,or michigan state they would let them slide because they had two starters out.since it's akron i doubt if it will even be

mentioned.at the same time we are getting more attention now with the win streak.espn had the zeke dunk,and jay talked about us.we just have to keep winning,and hopefully crack the top 25

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NoozeBox says the following in their story, Who Will Be This Year's Tournament Darlings:

Every March during the NCAA tournament, there is a mid-major school that captivates every basketball fan’s imagination. Last year it was the Ohio Bobcats making a run to the elite 8. In 2006, George Mason went all the way to the final four as an 11 seed. So now that we’re closing in on another March, here are five mid-major teams that could potentially bust your 2013 tournament brackets. .....

..... Akron Zips – Last year. it was the Ohio Bobcats that came out of the MAC conference to make a run all the way to the elite 8. This year, it very well could be the Akron Zips representing the MAC conference in the NCAA tournament. The Zips own the nation’s longest winning streak at 18 games and counting. After beating Ohio on Feb. 2, ESPN commentator Dan Dakich said he would take the Zips and their Head Coach Keith Dambrot as his dark horse come tournament time. If they are good enough for a guy like Dakich, then they are good enough to make my list.

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WFNY notes that Jordan Brenner, in an ESPN Insider piece, has Akron Listed Among 10 Likely Cinderellas:

Owning the longest winning streak in the nation, it’s about time the University of Akron Zips earned some national recognition.

Just before the Zips won their 18th straight game (tied for longest in men’s basketball this season) in Friday night’s unfortunate home BracketBuster matchup with North Dakota State, ESPN’s Jordan Brenner listed the team as the 10th most likely Cinderella candidate for March Madness. Brenner’s ranking utilized ESPN’s noted Giant Killer formula which hopes to emphasize key characteristics of mid-major schools that make them likely to upset some major-conference opponent in March. .....

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NoozeBox says the following in their story, Who Will Be This Year's Tournament Darlings:

Every March during the NCAA tournament, there is a mid-major school that captivates every basketball fan’s imagination. Last year it was the Ohio Bobcats making a run to the elite 8. In 2006, George Mason went all the way to the final four as an 11 seed. So now that we’re closing in on another March, here are five mid-major teams that could potentially bust your 2013 tournament brackets. .....

..... Akron Zips – Last year. it was the Ohio Bobcats that came out of the MAC conference to make a run all the way to the elite 8. This year, it very well could be the Akron Zips representing the MAC conference in the NCAA tournament. The Zips own the nation’s longest winning streak at 18 games and counting. After beating Ohio on Feb. 2, ESPN commentator Dan Dakich said he would take the Zips and their Head Coach Keith Dambrot as his dark horse come tournament time. If they are good enough for a guy like Dakich, then they are good enough to make my list.

OU made the elite 8? News to me. Is it really hard for these outlets to get simple facts right...

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I'm afraid the article is right. I think our chances of at-large glory is less a matter of who we have lost to and more of who we have beaten. As the article mentions, weak MAC foes of the likes of BG and Buffalo do not help. WMU has fallen off the map. No real quality away wins, which the committee looks for. Detroit was that opportunity for Akron.

I've said it all along. I think we'll end up 1 or 2 good wins away from an at-large bid. It's possible that Detroit might have been enough to put us in the running.

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I'm guessing he meant that even a Detroit win could have made the difference. Oklahoma State and Creighton would have been even better. By the way, stories about all three of those teams continually mention Akron as a "good win" for them. They are all really pleased to see Akron become a top 25 team, as it may help their at large bids/seedings. :)

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http://news.cincinnati.com/usatoday/articl...atref=sportsmod

Lebron/akron relationship

note Zambrot and Akron University...right there with the Kangaroos

btw, as an aside, I have a feeling this is year 1 of a run that will result at some point the consistent national recognition this program longs for. Which in turn will improve the quality of recruit, new arena, etc etc...

While I've enjoyed the last several years it never resulted in what is bubbling before zips fans eyes. Love it, can't get enough of it, altho my worst nightmare is a first round ncaa tourney flameout.

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Really nice Andy Katz shout-out:

If I had to pick two teams to latch onto from BracketBusters weekend that could make the Sweet 16, I'll go with Wichita State and Akron. The Shockers have found their groove after finally getting healthy and may just win the Missouri Valley outright. Akron has won 18 in a row, has an intimidating defender in Zeke Marshall and is getting zero publicity. That makes this team even more of a surprise come March.

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"Listen, our program would not be what it is today if it wasn't for LeBron James," said Dambrot, who has deep Akron roots, as his mother was a professor at the school. "When I walk into recruits' homes and they know I coached LeBron, they trust I know what I'm talking about. He plays in the summer at Akron, he was here a ton during the (NBA) lockout. And there's no question LeBron helped me become a better coach. I always held him to the highest standard, and I still do today."

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