(02-02-2013 11:17 PM)Ozcat Wrote:  So drawing 5,770 will take you to the "next level"? We pull 2,000 more than that on Wednesdays against NIU. If we had you guys on a Saturday we'd hit 11,000.

Typical. I'll leave it at that.

(02-02-2013 11:17 PM)Ozcat Wrote:  I'll tell you what will take you to the "next level": keep playing games like you did today. That's the most complete game I've seen Akron play since Zeke arrived on campus. He and Abreu played lights out. Best game those two have played together ever. If they keep that up, I'll be congratulating you in March on your first ever NCAA tourney win.

If you watched Zeke this season, tonight would not have surprised you. He's a much improved player.

(02-02-2013 11:17 PM)Ozcat Wrote:  Kudos to a great game. The return match should be another great game.

I agree. I'm looking forward to the rematch already.

(02-02-2013 11:17 PM)Ozcat Wrote:  

(02-02-2013 08:13 PM)ksu sucks Wrote:  Tonight was the largest crowd in the Dambrot era: 5,770. (I'm assuming there was record student attendance as well).

Dambrot mentioned that this attendance trend will help "bring this program to the next level".

So drawing 5,770 will take you to the "next level"? We pull 2,000 more than that on Wednesdays against NIU. If we had you guys on a Saturday we'd hit 11,000.

The JAR only holds 5500.

Rebounds...Zeke 12 DJ 2, FWIW.

Elton at the PD had an interesting write up under the following title: "Akron Zips putting together one of best seasons in MAC history: Mid-American Conference Insider"

Respect is earned, not given:

Akron's yen for national attention is starting to border on paranoia, with comparisons to programs like VCU and Butler practically ludicrous. Understand, coach Shaka Smart at VCU and Brad Stevens at Butler inherited programs that won multiple championships in their respective leagues, had multiple NCAA Tournament wins under their belts and Sweet 16 experience long before Smart and Stevens were hired and took their teams to the Final Four.

Akron has been to three NCAA Tournaments and has not won a tournament game.

Akron has won one MAC regular-season title.

The Zips have been to seven Mid-American Conference Tournament championship games, winning two. Both victories came when Akron was considered the underdog, which means they have never won the tournament title as the favorite. Yet they yearn to be recognized.

"We've been flying under the radar for too long," Akron guard Alex Abreu said after the Zips dismantled Ohio University, 86-72, Saturday. "It's finally time for some national recognition. Hopefully it will bring some positive energy around this program, we've been needing it for a while. It's going to be great. We don't plan on losing anytime soon."

But until the Zips actually do something outside of the conference, they will only be recognized as a MAC team. The schedule says . . . Akron's best win this season was a home win over Middle Tennessee State (RPI 32), 82-77 in overtime. Akron's two other wins over teams with top 100 RPIs (No. 87 Western Michigan and No. 90 OU) also came at home. In road games against teams with top 100 RPIs -- Creighton, Detroit, Oklahoma State -- the Zips are winless. Akron's best road win so far is at Kent State, which has an RPI of 192. Akron's RPI after its win over the Bobcats is 57. Last season Akron topped out at No. 55. In what many consider Akron's best season ever, 26-7 in 2007, the Zips had an RPI of 67.

Finally, Miami's 1999 RPI when it was selected as an at-large team was No. 21. Generally, mid-majors are considered "on the bubble" with RPIs of 50 or lower. MAC teams passed over in recent years include No. 36 Kent State in 2000; No 40 Miami and No. 46 Buffalo in 2005; and No. 47 Kent State in 2010. Bracket Bustin': The pairings for BracketBusters games will be announced on ESPNU at 6:30 Monday night. Based on current RPIs, it appears the Zips could be in line to host a game vs. North Dakota State (18-5, RPI 66), or South Dakota State (18-6, 67). Ohio University (15-6) is traveling, and could be headed to Valparaiso (16-6) while Western Michigan (14-7) could be hosting Eastern Kentucky (17-6) or Stephen F. Austin (18-2). Looking for No. 2: Cleveland State (11-12, 3-6 Horizon League) is looking to win two straight games for the first time since defeating Ball State and Toledo on Nov. 28 and Dec. 1, 2012. That was right before center Anton Grady suffered his season-ending knee injury. The Vikings look to get back to .500 Tuesday night when they host Youngstown State (13-9, 5-4) in the Wolstein Center.