Akron vs Dayton post game

[Valpo Zip]

I just came back from the game and here are my observations:1 - This game was closer to an NBA game than a college game. The arena is NBA caliber (12,4xx) in "paid" attendance. Great play levels from both teams and a great environment and half time show. Best thing about the arena is its parking lot and the way it is designed. More than 5000 cars were out of the lot in like 20 minutes. Amazing.2 - Basket ball speaking. This is the best zips performance i have ever seen. Perfect coaching, perfect substitutions and perfect dicipline from the players.3 - Dayton fans are some of the nicest people you may see. Very decent people, welcoming and knowledgeable. I had very nice conversations before the game with a lot of educated fans. Even after the game, almost 10 people told me how we have a great team and wished me a great season. Me and my party (5 total) were standing up, yelling and screaming with each zips play. No body behind us complained or reacted. (Try that at OU or Can't).The only thing was when the regulation time ended, we started an "over-rated" chant, i saw one (only one) middle finger from the Dayton fans. 4 - Now our players:* Dials: Amazing general of the floor. Huge at clutch time free throws. great deffender. * J-wood: Struggled in the first 8 minutes but found his rythym and was the go-to guy in the last minutes and both OT periods. He probably scored 70% of our OT points. He was sometimes unable to keep up with his defensive assignment though.* Cedrick: He kept us in the game with his threes in the first half when Dayton seemed to be breaking away. He couldn't get away from his deffender in the second half and he was almost non existing. Too many unnecesary fouls. Was missed in OT.* Linhart: really lived up to his nickname (MVP). He absolutely neutralized Dayton's best player (which i think was the difference tonight). With or without the ball, best player on both sides of the court IMHO.* Mcnees: has grown a lot tonight. Maybe two years. Starting tonight, i think of him as a junior and not a freshman. Excellent decision making with the ball and good shot. His best moment was when he positionned himself to draw a charge right under Dayton's basket.* Bardo: A project in progress. Scored the first bucket of the game. A special coach should spend extra time with him and Sweich in practice.* Quade: Nice athleticism, a couple of block shot. great execution at the end of the half. However, cannot initiate anything on offense and does not have the confidence and the leadership of a senior.* Chris Mcknight: very disappointing, like the only bad thing about tonight.* Brett Mcknight, Connyers and Roberts: Nothing to say... didn't play enough.

[OZoner]

Dayton is generally good people. They support the team well, and they have a great arena.Obviously, they're a very good team. Playing them so well on their own floor is something you guys should take away as a positive, even in a loss. Pitt did not fare so well.We were pulling for you, but that performance is something to hold your head up about.

[Flyer1407]

Glad you had a good time at the Arena. Always nice to hear opposing fans had a good time. I don't know where you guys sat but the group behind Akron's bench was very loud and supported their team great. Usually there are a bunch of 70 year olds who sit on their hands behind the visiting bench.We love the parking at the Arena. We went down to Louisville and it took us an hour and forty five minutes. Looking forward to coming to the Jar next year!

[nbs95]

Yes Akron play thier heart out and my hat is off to them. However. It's still a lost.If the zips don't beat the Dayton, Winthrops that are willing to play them then they will never fill the seatsor get any National recognition.I'm sorry to be so blunt.