Livingston on Cleveland.com

[Big Zip]

Not sure if anyone else had an opportunity to read Bill Livingston's column in the PD today. It reads pretty decent -- kind of clunky for a professional sports writer though -- and then the end of the paper sounds insulting to me. Am I reading this too sensitively? One would think I'd be happy for the pub, but man this just seems like a back handed compliment at the best. Nor does the coach have anyone like James, who jumped all the way to the NBA as the top pick in the draft. The Zips are short on athletic ability, except for Middleton. Five years ago, Can't State -- with future NFL Pro Bowler Antonio Gates at power forward and Andrew Mitchell taking turns sinking big shots with Trevor Huffman -- reached the NCAA Tournament's Elite Eight. It's doubtful Joyce, for one, could have gotten on the floor with that team. There are also conditioning issues. Because it is the last time, Dambrot has not played his young players as much as Jim Christian has been able to do at Can't State. Travis has to log more minutes than he can handle comfortably.Dambrot knows expectations are disjointed, compared to the talent on hand. There is great balance in the MAC this season, but it is not one of strength. For that reason, the coach's dreams are not diminished. Dambrot's team goes into the MAC Tournament, when 12 will be on the see-saw, packing more heft than most. His team must win on intelligence and effort.Auld lang syne is helpful, too.

[skip-zip]

I see your point. I think what he's saying is true. But, what was the point of writing an article to point out the weaknesses of a team that is 24-6? Is he a graduate of a school that we will be playing this week, and wants to help them out?

[LosAngelesZipFan]

Livingston either ignores or is generally dismissive in tone of the Zips-- I remember a few years ago he made a jab-- I think in an article about drafting Frye-- that Akron wasn't about to be confused with Toledo's program. It is pleasantly surprising that he has now written 2 whole articles about the Div 1 schools in NEOhio-- but he can't help but damn them with faint praise, particularly the Zips. The only thing that will change that is getting to, and some place, in the tourney and/or notching some wins over BCS schools in football.

[Captain Kangaroo]

I didn't think Livingston's column was all that bad, but you make some good points.The PD printed an excellent 8-page special on the MAC tourney today. If your local news stand still had a copy, it is well worth the 50 cents.