Akron @ Winthrop

[RowdyZip]

Well, short turn around after Wyoming on Saturday. This Zips travel to Charlotte to take on the Big South's perennial power, the Winthrop Eagles in what is probably the highest profile non-conference opponent this side of the BracketBuster. The Eagles come into the game with a 4-3, also having last played on Saturday, a lopsided 70-53 loss @ West Virginia. Winthrop will have its struggles this year, after graduating 3 starters, the loss of head coach Gregg Marshall to Wichita State, and the tragic passing of 2006 backup point guard D'Andre Adams. Thus far in 2007, the Eagles own unimpressive victories over Div II Queens University (Charlotte), UIC(3-4), Georgia Tech (3-4) and @Eastern Carolina (3-4). Winthrop has fallen at the hands of Baylor (5-1), Missouri St (4-1), and West Virginia (5-1): all solid teams.Winthrop's 6,100 Seat Coliseum proves to be a tough place to play for opponents. The Eagles were a combined 31-1 at the Coliseum in the 2005 and 2006 seasons. However, this year are just 1-1 after falling to Missouri State on November 25th. The Eagles run a legitimate 9 man rotation, led by Senior guard Michael Jenkins (6'3" 195, 15.0/4.0/3.3) and Senior Forward Taj McCullough (6'7 227, 14.3/5.6/1.6). The Eagles, like the Zips, lack a legitimate big man of talent. The most interesting matchup of this game will be at the center position with Jeremiah Wood matching up with McCullough. The scales tip into the favor more so for the Zips at the 1 and 2 position with talented seniors Nick Dials and Cedrick Middleton (Or Cadrick Middletown if you go by the AP wire report from the Wyoming game). With consistent guard play from these two and Freshman Steve McNees, the Zips should prevail. Of course, at this point the Zips are relying MUCH too heavily on one Mr. Jeremiah Wood and without him clogging the middle (i.e. foul trouble), this one could get ugly.Zips 75Eagles 70

[Zip Watcher]

The Eagles, like the Zips, lack a legitimate big man of talent.

Mr. Wood will see you now .... Are you serious!!?? This guy may be the best big man UA has EVER had!Wow ..Kidding aside, it was nice to meet you on Saturday RZ.

[RowdyZip]

The Eagles, like the Zips, lack a legitimate big man of talent.

Mr. Wood will see you now .... Are you serious!!?? This guy may be the best big man UA has EVER had!Wow ..Kidding aside, it was nice to meet you on Saturday RZ.

By "big man" i mean a true center, 6'9"+. We can hope Bardo will fill that role later this year. J Wood is one heck of a PF though.And ditto, it's always nice to put a face with a name with some folks on the board.

[skip-zip]

I agree. Imagine what J. Wood could accomplish if he was playing alongside a legitimate Center.According to my research, Winthrop, at #62 in the Sagarin, represents the highest ranked opponent we will play in our OOC schedule.With this being a road game, and an OOC, we have nothing to lose. But a win would hopefully turn a few heads on the national level.

[ziptrumpet87]

Here's the pregame story from their paper

[Zip Watcher]

My favorite part of the story:

Tonight's game is the last of a brutal four-game stretch against Missouri State, East Carolina, West Virginia and Akron.

[RowdyZip]

Is anyone able to find a line for tonights game? No one seems to have it listed. Sportsline.com predicts a five-point win by Winthrop.Tonights MAC predictions:Illinois State 82EMU 68Indiana State 49Miami 64 Toledo 68Houston 86Air Force 77NIU 72