Strength of schedule

[ZipAlumn]

GP-1-- Home and home @ the Q!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!???????????????? Let's see, we play home games in AKRON, and if my geography is correct, the Q is in CLEVELAND. How is that a home game? KD will play anyone home and HOME, no takers except for Winthrop & UD so far.

Why would anyone come to the JAR and play in front of 3,000 people. Of course it isn't a home game, but that is the cost of being a low level mid major.If KD wants to continue to schedule the junk he is for home games, he shouldn't complain in post game interviews that nobody goes to the game.I'll say it again, let the players see how good they are. Play one or two bigger teams. The program isn't going to fall apart because of those games.

First obviously a game in the Gund is by no strength of the imagination a "home game". Next if only 3,000 show up for a game at the JAR, why would there be more fans at a game in Cleveland?

[Captain Kangaroo]

First obviously a game in the Gund is by no strength of the imagination a "home game".

You hear the name "Gonzaga" brought up a lot when you hear Univerity people talk about their vision for the Zips basketball future. In Mack's interview in the Beacon the other day he mentioned Gonzaga's 6,000 seat arena. That sounds great...just like the JAR...but when the 'Zags play a marquee game like Tennessee or Georgia, they typically move the game to a bigger, downtown venue. We would need to do the same.The downtown arena makes it more inviting for the opponent because is does negate the home court advantage a bit. And you have a better opportunity to draw a big crowd.

Next if only 3,000 show up for a game at the JAR, why would there be more fans at a game in Cleveland?

Because it would be a marquee opponent, and the Zips would have a great chance of knocking them off.Here are the keys to holding a successful game at the Q:The Zips must be very good. If the Zips suck, like a few years ago when we played Cinci at the Q, then no one will show. I didn't even go to that game, and that says a lot.The opponent must be recognizeable to the NE Ohio fan -- Not Nevada. Pitt...Big 10 school, ACC school, Xavier. Something along those lines.Hold the game while school is in session. Fill busses with students. Don't hold it during break.Pimp the game hard. Partner up with K.e.n.t. to make it a twin-bill. K.e.n.t. and Akron fans would stay to watch one-anothers games against marquee opponents. The place would be packed.There you go. Make it happen Mack.

[GoZips]

Begging your pardon, Cap'n. What you suggested has been done in the past. The original format for the Rock 'n Roll Shootout (now defunct) was a double headerbetween two local MAC schools and two big name opponents. In the beginning it seemed to work, albeit, neither Akron or Cant in those days could put up much of abattle. Soon Bowling Green wanted in on the action. Then Cleveland Sate insisted they be included. Political correctness soon buried the "Shootout"It must be remembered that at best, the Gund is a neutral site. Bring in Ohio State and it becomes a home game for them at 130 miles off campus.Several major-majors are mildly interested in playing in the Gund against the Zips. Properly promoted it could be successful. During Bob Huggins years at Akronthe Zips played Pittsburgh (then ranked #3) in a close hard fought match in front of over 15,000 people. The game was played in Richfield. Which, would be a farbetter venue for the Zips playing off campus.We have the Gund today largely due to the influence of then Boss Hog White a former Cleveland mayor. But, that is another story.Properly promoted, national TV, HUGE name school, bus loads of UA students, yeah, timed right, could be a great lift to the Zips program. Unfortunately, I could be wrong, but I strongly sense the real reason we have not faced Gonzaga is because the coaching staff is reluctant to get the team toasted as part of Gonzaga's annual "Battle In Seattle". The Zags routinely blow out big name schools at this event. The Zips or KD want to play in Spokane, not Seattle.As much as I love and admire KD, his reluctance to sub in younger players in the second half of games shows me that he is far too conservative with scheduling.

[Zipmeister]

Begging your pardon, Cap'n. What you suggested has been done in the past. The original format for the Rock 'n Roll Shootout (now defunct) was a double headerbetween two local MAC schools and two big name opponents. In the beginning it seemed to work, albeit, neither Akron or Cant in those days could put up much of abattle. Soon Bowling Green wanted in on the action. Then Cleveland Sate insisted they be included. Political correctness soon buried the "Shootout"It must be remembered that at best, the Gund is a neutral site. Bring in Ohio State and it becomes a home game for them at 130 miles off campus.Several major-majors are mildly interested in playing in the Gund against the Zips. Properly promoted it could be successful. During Bob Huggins years at Akronthe Zips played Pittsburgh (then ranked #3) in a close hard fought match in front of over 15,000 people. The game was played in Richfield. Which, would be a farbetter venue for the Zips playing off campus.We have the Gund today largely due to the influence of then Boss Hog White a former Cleveland mayor. But, that is another story.Properly promoted, national TV, HUGE name school, bus loads of UA students, yeah, timed right, could be a great lift to the Zips program. Unfortunately, I could be wrong, but I strongly sense the real reason we have not faced Gonzaga is because the coaching staff is reluctant to get the team toasted as part of Gonzaga's annual "Battle In Seattle". The Zags routinely blow out big name schools at this event. The Zips or KD want to play in Spokane, not Seattle.As much as I love and admire KD, his reluctance to sub in younger players in the second half of games shows me that he is far too conservative with scheduling.My nomination for "Nonsequitur of the Year."

[spike1057]

I’m a UIC Fan and found this topic to be really interesting.I think first off that the AD is doing a great job on trying to make everything a home and home series. You can look at teams like Chicago State and watch how they whore themselves out to the nation. It's rather a joke. Sure the kids are getting the chance to play against great teams but who wants to be beaten every night? I hope that we are able to renew a contract with your team for the next few years. You bring a team that is very talented and one who helps our RPI. I think playing YSU is only bringing your SOS down each year. They are the bottom of the bottom in our conference and many of us would love to see them kicked out of the league. Last year they had one of the best players in the league and saw a jump in their play. But like always they are back down in the bottom getting kicked around again.As for playing games at the GUNN, we have a match up with U of I every four years, at the United Center. Each time we play there the other team claims it as a home game. Only problem is there is about an 8-1 ratio of Illinois fans to UIC fans. So playing these games to appease everyone is not always the best idea. I’m not informed with the problems you have had with CSU but I think you would be better trying to get a Butler or Write State match-up. Anyways best of luck to you guys. I am impressed with the program and hope things keep moving up. Should be a tough game on Saturday, not sure if our hot shooting will stick around, but I know you guys are playing well at home and figure to lose this one.Have a good holidayour message board in case you wanted to get an idea of what we are talking about UIC BOARD

[ZipAlumn]

I’m a UIC Fan and found this topic to be really interesting.I think first off that the AD is doing a great job on trying to make everything a home and home series. You can look at teams like Chicago State and watch how they whore themselves out to the nation. It's rather a joke. Sure the kids are getting the chance to play against great teams but who wants to be beaten every night? I hope that we are able to renew a contract with your team for the next few years. You bring a team that is very talented and one who helps our RPI. I think playing YSU is only bringing your SOS down each year. They are the bottom of the bottom in our conference and many of us would love to see them kicked out of the league. Last year they had one of the best players in the league and saw a jump in their play. But like always they are back down in the bottom getting kicked around again.As for playing games at the GUNN, we have a match up with U of I every four years, at the United Center. Each time we play there the other team claims it as a home game. Only problem is there is about an 8-1 ratio of Illinois fans to UIC fans. So playing these games to appease everyone is not always the best idea. I’m not informed with the problems you have had with CSU but I think you would be better trying to get a Butler or Write State match-up. Anyways best of luck to you guys. I am impressed with the program and hope things keep moving up. Should be a tough game on Saturday, not sure if our hot shooting will stick around, but I know you guys are playing well at home and figure to lose this one.Have a good holidayour message board in case you wanted to get an idea of what we are talking about UIC BOARD

i enjoyed your post spike1057. It is nice to get the opinion of somebody outside the Akron community, especially when it is well thought out.

[Valpo Zip]

Thanks spike, well said.I still have bitterness in my mouth from our game last year. We lost a close game to you guys when our best inside player (jeremiah wood) was injured.I strongly feel that losing that game is what kept us out of the NIT in March.I can absolutely relate to what you're saying about playing U of I at united. I am not for playing home games at the Q (formerly known as the gund arena) but even if we do play there, we should be playing an out of state team, not OSU, not cinci, and not even pitt. Any other big ten or big east or butler maybe would be fine.

[nbs95]

It doesn't matter how strong the schedule is if the Zips keep loosing to teams Like Winthrop and the big name schools they played last year. I like one of the post do you imagine what a it will do for the MAC conference if Can't State beats UNC??What about what Akron would do for itself and The MAC conference if the would of one the Top of of the World Tournament and Beat Winthrop and Dayton?? The heck with the other teams in the MAC conference lets worry about ourselves!!

[zipboy]

We have 14 non conference games. In an ideal world3 are at a tournament on a netural site. This is where we have to get better teams, not giving up home games. Miami got 3 good games this way. One top 50, one 50-100, one 100-150.2 games should be bought ala NC Central or A&T8 games should be home and homes with quality mid majors, Winthrop, Temple, UIC, etc one of which is the bracketbuster game1 should be a 2 for 1 with a bigger name school or a 1 for 1 where our "home" game is the Q.In a year where we are a legitimate top 50 program deserving of at large consideration, we win 2 out of 3 netural games, the 4 home mid major games, split the other 4 road games, win the 2 creampuffs. That gives us 10-4 non coference schedule with some quality winsI am sure that is what Dambrot wants and is working toward. I don't see a need to play 1 road game with nothing in return or a 3 for 1 with anyone. I want the schedule to be tougher than now but don't want to give games away. And the bottom line is still we would have trouble getting an at large anyway. If Can't beats UNC and wins 20+ this year and with Lang Kennedy on the committe, they still probably don't get in. They have an argument which is more than we had last year, but the result would be the same I look at this scheduling more as a way to grow the program, get some better wins, get people to show up and go to a better league than gets 2 or 3 teams in.

[LosAngelesZipFan]

Elton's MAC discussion has a bit about Akron's atrocious scheduling. Seems like we tried the v low SOS last year to produce a gawdy record tack last year and got nothing for it (except some press, but I don't think being the only school to win 26 games and not get any post-season action is a recruting plus since it makes us look like a bunch of small-time mokes with no juice anywhere).However, I really do trust KD with this-- the man has a plan. I'm assuming that this is a 3-5 year process to upgrade the schedule as the team upgrades, and over time he will work in perennial top-10 teams that we have a shot of knocking off. I certainly hope it is-- I hate watching Can't play UNC or Duke. I have got to believe that to a recruit, having games like that is far more impressive than NCA&T. We need those "top note" games to point the program in the right direction, IMHO. I'd love to see us get into cycle of playing one top name program a year (UCLA, Duke, etc.). I can accept the schedule now but I hope it really upgrades over the next few years. I like Capn's idea of a tournament, perhaps even with Can't. Could we do a "King James Classic" and have it be a fundraiser for LeBron's foundation? Maybe Akron and Can't each host a game then the championship is at the Q? Couldn't we get top teams in if we paid them?