zipboy Posted July 3, 2006 Report Share Posted July 3, 2006 There is a link on Van Delays site. USA today seemed very bullish about the Zips. AKRONGETTING INSIDEThe monkey's gone.Now, the next step.Akron made it to the postseason last season for the first time since Bob Huggins took the Zips to the NIT way back in 1989. The 2005-06 Zips went two games into the 2006 NIT, and there's every reason in the world to think there's more to come.Just look at what happened to Keith Dambrot's team last season.The Zips went 23-10, the most wins for Akron as a Division I program.The 80-73 overtime win over Temple in the NIT (ending the John Chaney era at the Philly school even though Chaney actually missed that game for family reasons) wad the first D-I postseason win for the Zips.Akron was 13-0 at home last season, running the Zips' home winning streak to 18 games, the third-longest such streak in the country.The season ended with a loss to Creighton, a well-rested team that was sitting around and waiting in Omaha for a team that had won in Philadelphia two nights earlier. Romeo Travis had 25 points in that game, and leads the Zips into the "06-'07 season.Now, the main cogs, led by Travis and Dru Joyce, are back, and the Zips should be, too.NOTES, QUOTESTHE GOOD NEWS: The core of a 23-win team is back, and Keith Dambrot pulled off a coup with the signing of Pennsylvania high school star Steve McNees, who had been released from a commitment at Duquesne.THE BAD NEWS: There really isn't any. The Zips built something strong last season and this should just be the next step.QUOTE TO NOTE: "We made great progress last season, but there are still a number of goals we want to achieve as a program. Earning a spot in the NIT last season and getting the program's first Division-I postseason victory was outstanding, but this year we want to get over the hump and will have our sights set on getting into the NCAA Tournament. We should have one of the deepest lineups in the MAC this season, but it is a fine line you have to walk to win in this league." — Coach Keith Dambrot looking ahead at next season.STRATEGY AND PERSONNELNBA BOUND: No one was taken in the draft.KEY RETURNEES: Romeo Travis and Dru Joyce come in as strong a 1-2 punch as you'll find anywhere in the league. Both used solid all-around games to lead the Zips to the program's first postseason visit since 1989, and they will lead the club again this time around.They won't be alone. Guard Nick Dials was second on the team in scoring last season (10.2 points per game), center Nate Linhart came on as his freshman year wound down, and Dambrot added key recruit Steve McNees.THE COACH: Keith Dambrot had to make one change on his coaching staff — Jeff Boals coming in to replace Shaka Smart, who took an assistant's job at Temple. But Dambrot has something going at Akron and this should be another strong season for the Zips.ROSTER REPORT: Forward Romeo Travis was named All-MAC, leading the team in scoring (13.8 points per game), rebounding (6.8) and field goal percentage (52 percent). He also had 34 steals and 30 blocked shots.Guard Dru Joyce made honorable mention All-MAC, finishing third on the Akron roster in scoring (10.0) while leading the team in assists (5.0 per). Joyce had 165 assists and 79 turnovers while recording 26 steals.Center Nate Linhart came on strong and earned a spot on the MAC's All-Freshman team. He finished at 5.3 points and 3.9 rebounds per game.The Zips pulled off a coup with the signing of Steve McNees to a national letter of intent. McNees averaged 28.4 points and 8.0 assists per game for Shenango (Pa.) High School and was named one of the top 10 players by the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.Another recruit, Darryl Roberts, didn't qualify academically and will not attend the school. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Valpo Zip Posted July 3, 2006 Report Share Posted July 3, 2006 Seems like the writer of the article is not very knowledgeable about the zips situation.All his comments are based on last year's results and statistics. He didn't even mention the return of J. Woods or the new super freshman J. Conyers and he thinks that Nate Linhart is a Center. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hiphop10 Posted July 4, 2006 Report Share Posted July 4, 2006 Just exchanged emails with Shaka the other day -- I wonder if he knows he's supossed to be at Temple and not Clemson? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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