More Poll Watch

[Dave in Green]

As expected, the Zips fell out of the top 25 in the Coaches Poll, falling to #35 with just 6 votes.

The Zips fell back to #36 in the AP Poll, getting only 4 votes. This time it's Louisiana Tech's turn to get screwed. Despite winning 2 games last week and now having the nation's longest winning streak at 18, Tech fell out of the top 25 to #27 as bigger name schools also won and moved past them.

[Dave in Green]

Better news in the Mid-Major Power Pyramid, where the Zips only fall to #4 after their loss:

4. Akron (23-5).

Why it's here: I can't be expected to downgrade a team because it has a 19-game winning streak come to an end with a road loss in the conference. Akron fell 81-67 at Buffalo on Saturday, possibly taking the Zips out of the at-large picture. Keith Dambrot's team is in the 40s in RPI. If it reaches the MAC title game, the discussion will get interesting. I think if it loses close in the final, it's getting to Dayton for the First Four. And won't that be an interesting scenario. Zips fans will flood the place.

Something you should know: I've got a story on Akron coming to the site later Monday. Figured, instead of a stat to know here, I'd go anecdotal/inside hoops. Dambrot told me this of the streak: when it was 19 games long and before the team lost to Buffalo, there wasn't pressure. He also maintains that his 2006-07 Akron team that missed the NCAAs and went 26-7 was his best. Said this team can pass that but isn't there yet.

Jerry Palm says: A No. 13 seed in the South. (Last week: No. 12 in the East)

[bUAkronG]

Better news in the Mid-Major Power Pyramid, where the Zips only fall to #4 after their loss:

4. Akron (23-5).

Why it's here: I can't be expected to downgrade a team because it has a 19-game winning streak come to an end with a road loss in the conference. Akron fell 81-67 at Buffalo on Saturday, possibly taking the Zips out of the at-large picture. Keith Dambrot's team is in the 40s in RPI. If it reaches the MAC title game, the discussion will get interesting. I think if it loses close in the final, it's getting to Dayton for the First Four. And won't that be an interesting scenario. Zips fans will flood the place.

Something you should know: I've got a story on Akron coming to the site later Monday. Figured, instead of a stat to know here, I'd go anecdotal/inside hoops. Dambrot told me this of the streak: when it was 19 games long and before the team lost to Buffalo, there wasn't pressure. He also maintains that his 2006-07 Akron team that missed the NCAAs and went 26-7 was his best. Said this team can pass that but isn't there yet.

Jerry Palm says: A No. 13 seed in the South. (Last week: No. 12 in the East)

Good stuff, however they think our conference tourney starts friday:

Up next: Tuesday vs. Miami (OH); No. 1 seed in MAC tournament, beginning Friday.

[The Hip Zip]

"Dambrot also maintains that his 2006-07 Akron team that missed the NCAAs and went 26-7 was his best. Said this team can pass that but isn't there yet"

I agree that that was probably the best all around team that I have seen in the JAR over the years. Maybe not quite the size and depth but they were tough.

[odhgibo]

"Dambrot also maintains that his 2006-07 Akron team that missed the NCAAs and went 26-7 was his best. Said this team can pass that but isn't there yet"

I agree that that was probably the best all around team that I have seen in the JAR over the years. Maybe not quite the size and depth but they were tough.

"Best" under what standard?

I think that team at its best couldn't beat this team at its best; I don't remember that team having as much quality depth.

Maybe that team played at/close to its ability more often. That's what a coach wants to see, so maybe that's the standard he's using.

[Dave in Green]

The 2006-2007 Zips team finished the regular season with a 24-6 record (before going 2-1 at the Q). If the current team wins its final two home games, it will finish the regular season at 25-5 while playing a significantly higher SOS. Winning the MAC regular season championship and finishing with a better record while playing a stronger schedule would make this season's team a better regular season team.

What would clearly make this team superior would be adding the MAC tournament championship to the regular season championship, and adding NCAA tournament wins for good measure. But I still fondly remember that 2006-2007 team as a tough and gritty bunch of players. The current team still has things to prove.

[The Hip Zip]

"Best" under what standard?

I think that team at its best couldn't beat this team at its best; I don't remember that team having as much quality depth.

Maybe that team played at/close to its ability more often. That's what a coach wants to see, so maybe that's the standard he's using.

I loved Woody, him and Rome brought it every single night... liked the guard rotation much better with Dru, Dials and Ced. If Ced makes a free throw or two in Cleve. who knows what they could have done......... I thought that they were more consistent and a good defensive team as well. Nate could lock down guys. You are right, not a lot of depth though. Conyers was just getting started but he turned into a hell of a baller.

[RootforRoo44]

Here's this week's edition of "Rankings Roundup" (a list of every major poll/ranking and where the Zips stand with each)

[skip-zip]

"Dambrot also maintains that his 2006-07 Akron team that missed the NCAAs and went 26-7 was his best. Said this team can pass that but isn't there yet"

I agree that that was probably the best all around team that I have seen in the JAR over the years. Maybe not quite the size and depth but they were tough.

The sad thing is that both 2007 and 2013, despite the SOS difference, will have one thing in common in that they both will end up without any chance of an At-Large bid after winning all but a handful of their games.

It's quite a confirmation of my already entrenched beliefs. Even though it's been 6 years, we still haven't made a big enough leap in scheduling philosophy to change our fortunes. We've lost one basketball game since mid-December, yet we're out of the NCAA tournament at-large picture completely. When are we going to take the necessary risks, if we haven't done so already?

[Captain Kangaroo]

I agree that that was probably the best all around team that I have seen in the JAR over the years. Maybe not quite the size and depth but they were tough.

That's why those guys won games in the post-season.

We have become taller, faster, more athletic... but top-to-bottom, not as tough as the Dials (et al)-era.

[RootforRoo44]

That's why those guys won games in the post-season.

We have become taller, faster, more athletic... but top-to-bottom, not as tough as the Dials (et al)-era.

Agreed. While a few of our guys are fairly tough and gritty (Tree, AA), they don't have the leadership that rubs that toughness off on the others. We need someone to step up. I have a good feeling about next year, with Q likely returning. That dude gets it.

[Dave in Green]

@RootforRoo44, Bleacher Report has been updating its mid-major top 10 weekly. The link changes, so you can't use the same link. The last one was Feb. 27 (after OU in Athens but before Buffalo), and had the Zips #5. Here's the link for Feb. 27.

[RootforRoo44]

@RootforRoo44, Bleacher Report has been updating its mid-major top 10 weekly. The link changes, so you can't use the same link. The last one was Feb. 27 (after OU in Athens but before Buffalo), and had the Zips #5. Here's the link for Feb. 27.

THANK YOU!

It was a different writer a few of the times, that could be why i was having trouble finding it.