UofAZIPS.com Blog

LOSS TO UMASS BRINGS SEASON TO AN END

AMHERST, Mass. (AP) — Ricky Harris scored 20 points and Massachusetts went on a 19-5 run to finish the game for a 68-63 win over Akron on Saturday in the second round of the National Invitational Tournament.The Minutemen (23-10) travel to Syracuse on Tuesday for a quarterfinal matchup. Massachusetts beat the Orange 107-100 in November.

Jeremiah Wood led Akron (24-11) with 25, the most points scored by any Zips player this season.

“We played well in the first eight minutes of the game and the last eight minutes,” UMass coach Travis Ford said. “But we were able to make enough plays to win.”

Akron led 58-49 with 8:36 remaining. Chris Lowe, who scored 17 points, started the comeback with a jumper in the lane. UMass pulled within 58-55 with 4:48 left, but Akron’s Cedrick Middleton, who had 14, slowed the momentum with two free throws to make it 60-55.

Drives by Lowe and Harris made it 60-59, then Lowe made four straight free throws to put UMass ahead 63-60 with 2:52 left.The Minutemen made their free throws down the stretch to hold on.”I think guys just realized this was really our last home game.

We couldn’t lose this game and we didn’t want to lose this game, especially the seniors,” said Gary Forbes, who scored 11 and had a team-high nine rebounds.

UMass opened a 27-16 lead with 7:19 remaining in the first half. The Zips cut that to 34-31 at halftime, then opened the second half with a 13-5 run for a 44-39 lead.Wood, who had 18 of his 25 points in the second half, led the way as the Zips stretched their lead to 58-46.

“At the end of the game I thought we were just tired. It was kind of like being caught between a rock and a hard place,” Akron coach Keith Dambrot said.

GAME TOO LONG FOR ZIPS…Akron Beacon Journal

UMASS WINS A WILD ONE…The Republican (Springfield, MA)

REASONS TO FEEL PROUD OF SEASON…The Republican

UMASS TOO MUCH FOR ZIPS…Worcester Telegram & Gazette News

UMASS HIGH ON LOWE…Boston Herald

UMASS SET FOR REMATCH WITH SYRACUSE…UMass Athletics

MINUTEMEN SURGE LATE TO BEAT AKRON…Boston Globe

ZIPS LOSE TO UMASS, END LONG SEASON…UofAZips.com

MEN’S BASKETBALL LOSES TO UMASS…GoZips.com

Akron-UMass Box score

Video replays

UPDATED NIT BRACKETS

COMPLETE NCAA SATURDAY RESULTS

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UNIVERSITY OF AKRON’S DAMBROT TO SPEAK…Canton Repository

Television: ESPN, Radio: Sportsradio1350/Akron

FOR ZIPS, FOCUS IS SIMPLY ON WINNING…Akron Beacon Journal

WHO IS UMass?…Mike Rasor Blogs

GAFFNEY ON ROLL FOR UMASS…Boson Herald

UMASS MUST WIN AT HOME…The Republican (Springfield, MA)

UMASS KEEPS GAME FACE ON…Boson Globe

AKRON-UMASS GAME PREVIEW (VIDEO)…ESPN360

UPDATED NIT BRACKETS

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WAITING FOR THE RING

And in football, the Beacon Journal profiles Domenik Hixon, the former Zip who is a member of the World Champion New York Giants.

Contact Don Olson at: donolson160@yahoo.com

NEXT UP, UMASS

The Zips’ next opponent is UMass, which came in third in the Atlantic 10 behind Xavier and Temple. Their overall record is 22-10, 10-6 in conference play. The Minutemen are impressive. They are led by Senior Gary Forbes, who is averaging 20 points per game and was named Atlantic 10 Player of the Year. UMass has three other starters averaging in double-digit points per game.

GETTING INSIDE

Massachusetts carved through Stephen F. Austin in the first round of the NIT.

The Minutemen scored an 80-60 victory behind 24 points from Dante Milligan. The outburst was just the second 20-point game of the season for Milligan, who averaged eight points per game in the regular season.

The Minutemen spent Sunday evening huddled together waiting for the possibility that they’d snuck into the NCAA Tournament. A week ago, an at-large bid seemed very possible, but with a loss in the quarterfinals of the A-10 tournament to Charlotte, several other bubble teams were able to ease their way into the minds of the selection committee while the Minutemen were forced to play the waiting game.

Their dreams were shattered for the second straight season.

Massachusetts was placed in the same bracket at No. 1 Syracuse, a team the Minutemen beat on the road early in the season. A showdown with the Orange cold make for very entertaining basketball, as both teams love to run and boast extremely athletic talents on the floor.

With seven wins in their last eight games, the Minutemen appear to be one of the clear-cut favorites to win the NIT. Led by Atlantic-10 Player of the Year, Gary Forbes and Most Improved Player, Ricky Harris, UMass could make a major point to the NCAA selection committee that they were overlooked for a bid.

NOTES AND QUOTES

• UMass blew an 18-point halftime lead against Charlotte in the A-10 tournament quarterfinals. It was the biggest lead the Minutemen have blown this season. They are now 15-4 when leading at the half.

• The 69-65 loss to Charlotte snapped a six-game win streak for the Minutemen.

• UMass is 29-27 all-time in the Atlantic 10 tournament, including 9-15 in the quarterfinals

Coach: Travis Ford, two years at school, two years in NIT (including this year).

Last Post-Season Appearance: Second round, 2007 NIT (W. Virginia 90, Massachusetts 77)

THEY’LL ADVANCE IF: UMass lives and dies by the 3-pointer. The Minutemen led the A-10 in 3-point attempts and makes while shooting a mediocre 36.5 percent. If Etienne Brower, Ricky Harris and Gary Forbes are hot, UMass could run the table in the NIT. With Chris Lowe at the point, you won’t find a more athletic group in the tournament.

Strategy and Personnel

If the Minutemen run into a talented, dominant big man, they’re doomed. As witnessed agains Ahmad Nivins and St. Joe’s, UMass has no answer inside for a big body that can finish near the basket. Nivins terrorized the Minutemen for 51 points and 24 rebounds in their two meetings this year.

Game Preview vs. Akron

The Minutemen will run and launch threes in transition. Another performance in the next round like the one Dante Milligan turned in against Stephen F. Austin could propel UMass to the quarter finals. Akron, seeding sixth in the region, comes off an overtime win at Florida State.

What the Zips must to do

The Zips are coming off a big win against Florida State after a disappointing loss to Kent State in the MAC championship game. As much as anything, the Zips needed to recover emotionally, and that’s exactly what they did against FSU. Akron must continue to work inside and out. They must continue to demonstrate their defensive swagger — for example, Florida State missed 10 of its first 11 shots.

(portions from Yahoo Sports)

Game notes from Akron Media Relations

Game notes from UMass Media Relations

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FLASHES MAKE MANY MISTAKES IN NCAA OPENER…Yahoo Sports

Kent State-UNLV Video Highlights

Box Score

Complete NCAA Tournament Scoreboard

NIT 2nd Round Scores

Contact Don Olson at: donolson160@yahoo.com

MIAMI AND CLEVELAND STATE LOSE

Not a good night for Ohio basketball as Miami drops one to Tulsa in the College Basketball Invitational, and Cleveland State loses to Dayton in the NIT.

Other NIT action Wednesday night

Other CBI action Wednesday night

Official NIT Web site

Official CBI Web site

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COMING UP TOMORROW, A SCOUTING REPORT ON UMass

They’re quick and they bomb from the three-point arc. The Minutemen also have the Atlantic 10 player of the year. UMass is tough and they’re playing on their home court.

Our Zips have their work cut out for them. A complete scouting report on the game is coming up on ZipsWire Friday.

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SEMINOLES LICKING THEIR WOUNDS

Interesting reading on the Florida State fan forum, Warchant.com. One poster actually gives Akron some credit. Another fan quips, “Akron wouldn’t come in 12th in the ACC.” Well, if that’s true, I guess FSU would come in 13th! Pinhead!!

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KENT STATE PLAYS UNLV

The Flashes begin round one of the NCAA Tournament today at 2:45 against UNLV. I know, they are the Flushes, but they do represent the MAC, and they really gave it to the Zips this year — three times. So, it is with mixed emotions I say, “Good luck Flush, er ah, Flashes.”

KSU-UNLV Scouting Report

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PHOTO OF THE WEEK

(Photo: Akron Media Relations)

Contact Don Olson at: donolson160@yahoo.com

ZIPS CHALK UP BIG-TIME WIN

This one was for all those Zips fans who suffered through years of Bob Ruppert, Ken Cunningham, Coleman Crawford and Dan Hipsher. Since 1980, UA has played D-I basketball. We’ve scheduled one or two big-time opponents in addition to our Ohio Valley Conference or Mid-American Conference games — but we have never won.

The win against Florida State in the NIT is only the second post-season victory in either the NCAA or NIT in UA’s D-I history. In essence, this is the biggest win in our relatively short D-I basketball experience — outside of conference action.

Congratulations Coach Dambrot and the UA squad!

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AKRON UPSETS FLORIDA STATE IN FIRST ROUND…UOFAZips.com
ZIPS, DIALS RING UP SEMINOLES IN NIT…Akron Beacon Journal

DIALS HAS 13 POINTS IN OT AS AKRON BEATS FLORIDA STATE 65-60…The Plain Dealer

ZIPS SLIP BY ‘NOLES IN OVERTIME…The Plain Dealer

ZIPS TOP FSU IN NIT…Asbury Park (NJ) Press

ZIPS NEED OVERTIME TO OUST NOLES…News Observer (Raleigh, NC)

ZIPS GET FIRST WIN OVER ACC SCHOOL WITH 65-60 VICTORY OVER SEMINOLES…Miami Herald

ZIPS BOUNCE ‘NOLES FROM NIT…Times-Union (Jacksonville, FL)

PESKY AKRON ZIPS FSU OUT OF NIT…WCTV-TV (Tallahassee)

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The Zips next game is against UMASS, Saturday, March 22, at Noon on ESPN.

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UPDATED NIT BRACKET

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Contact Don Olson at: donolson160@yahoo.com

ZIPS VISIT TALLAHASSEE IN ROUND ONE OF NIT

The first thing you notice while reading the Florida State game notes, is that they’re damn-sure-fire high on themselves…

“LOOK FOR FLORIDA STATE TO…
…Defeat Akron and advance to the second round of the post-season NIT for the third consecutive season. The Seminoles defeated Butler in the first round of the 2006 NIT and bet Toledo in the first round of the 2007 NIT;
…Defeat Akron and win its 20th game of the season. It would mark the third consecutive that the Seminoles had won at least 20 games in a season and be the first time since the 1990-91, 1991-92 and 1992-93 seasons that Florida State had won at least 20 games in three consecutive seasons;
…Defeat Akron and win its sixth consecutive opening round game in the NIT. Florida State has never lost a first round game in the NIT.”

Gee, I hope they don’t mind if we show up to play the game.

A look at the Seminole schedule fails to impress. Early in the season, they beat up on non-conference weaklings. Every time they played a quality ACC team, or non-conference foe, they lost…including 69-66 overtime loss to Cleveland State.

The FSU game notes boast that they have never lost a first-round NIT game. Let’s hope the streak ends this year.

The winner of the FSU/Akron game plays the winner of the Stephen F. Austin/UMass contest.

The Akron game will be televised on ESPN Classic.

Go Zips!

MEN’S BASKETBALL READIES FOR FLORIDA STATE IN NIT…GoZips.com

UNDERDOG ZIPS IN NIT TO WIN IT…Akron Beacon Journal

Terry Pluto of The Plain Dealer opines on how much of a relief the NIT bids are for Akron and Cleveland State

In his blog, Mike Rasor asks the musical question, “Who is Florida State?”

Game notes from Akron media relations

Game notes from Florida State media relations

NIT Brackets

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They may be great on the court, but in the classroom, it’s a different story. The Associated Press reports that the top seeds in the NCAA Tournament are not exactly ready for the Dean’s list.

Contact Don Olson at: donolson160@yahoo.com

ZIPS TO PLAY FLORIDA STATE IN FIRST-ROUND NIT ACTION

Righting a wrong from last year, the NIT has awarded the Zips a bid. Akron will play Florida State Tuesday night at 9 p.m. The game will be televised by ESPN Classic.

Funny, the Zips get an NIT bid with a 23-win season, when last year, they were denied a post-season bid with 26 victories. Was this year’s schedule that much better than last year’s? Is the NIT making up for a mistake from 2007? Who knows? Doesn’t really matter now. But it just goes to show you how the NCAA has screwed up the NIT since taking over in 2005.

Now, the Zips are off to Florida. A quick turn-a-round from the MAC Championship game.

Florida State is 19-14. This is the third consecutive year that they have played in the NIT.

ZIPS LAND SPOT IN NIT AFTER LAST YEAR’S REJECTION…The Akron Beacon Journal

AKRON TO FACE SEMINOLES IN NIT…The Plain Dealer

OHIO STATE, AKRON GET NIT BIDS…The Canton Repository

FLORIDA STATE, FLORIDA, EACH OPEN AT HOME…Herald Tribue (Sarasota, FL)

SEMINOLES, GATORS GAIN CONSOLATION WITH NIT INVITES…Sun-Sentinel (Orlando, FL)

MEN’S BASKETBALL EARNS BID TO NIT…GoZips.com

AKRON TO PLAY FLORIDA STATE IN NIT…UofAZips.com

FLORIDA STATE PLAYS HOST TO AKRON IN FIRST ROUND OF NIT…Seminoles.com
NIT Brackets

NIT Web site

KENT STATE DRAWS UNLV IN TOURNEY…Akron Beacon Journal

KENT STATE GOES DANCING…WKYC.COM

KENT STATE WINS SECOND TITLE IN THREE YEARS…C-M Life
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113 DIVISION I POST-SEASON BIDS, AND WESTERN MICHIGAN ISN’T ONE OF THEM

Not the NCAA, not the NIT, not the CBI. The Kalamazoo Gazette reports today that Western Michigan’s basketball team will be sitting on their BUTTS during March Madness.

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QUICK EXIT FOR BRONCOS…Western Herald

Contact Don Olson at: donolson160@yahoo.com

Well, the outcome was obviously not what we wanted, but we had fun anyway. Our AK-OLDIES banner even got on the jumbotron at “The Q” twice! Is it football season yet?

Thanks to all of the AK-OLDIES who showed up at The Q to cheer our Zips on to the MAC Championship game!

AKRON 81 CENTRAL MICHIGAN 60

CLEVELAND (AP) — Jeremiah Wood scored 17 points and had nine rebounds to lead Akron to an 81-60 win over Central Michigan in the quarterfinals of the Mid-American Conference tournament on Thursday.

Central Michigan, which hit 12-of-23 3-pointers in Wednesday’s 83-71 opening-round win over Northern Illinois, was hot from beyond the arc again to start the game.The Chippewas’ first six field goals were 3-pointers, giving them an 18-13 lead, but Akron tightened up its defense. Central Michigan didn’t hit another 3-pointer and ended up 6-of-24.After trailing by five midway through the first half, the Zips (22-9) took the lead for good, 29-27, on Wood’s tip-in at the 1:40 mark.Akron led 34-29 at the half and quickly built on that margin. The lead reached double figures early in the second half and the Zips pulled away.Nate Linhart added 16 points and Brett McKnight scored 12 for Akron.Central Michigan’s Giordan Watson, who scored 20 points Wednesday, was scoreless in the first half. He ended up with 11 points.Chris Kellerman led the Chippewas (14-17) with 14 points.Akron hit 28-of-50 shots while Central Michigan was 20-of-58 from the field.The Zips meet second-seeded Western Michigan in Friday night’s semifinals.

ZIPS DISCOVER RIGHT MIX…The Akron Beacon Journal

RETURN OF WOOD FROM KNEE SURGERY GIVES AKRON LOTS OF ZIP…The Akron Beacon Journal

COMMITTED ZIPS DRIVE CENTRAL MICHIGAN CRAZY…The Plain Dealer

ZIPS TOO MUCH, INSIDE AND OUT…C-M Life

TOUGH DEFENSE LEADS AKRON ZIPS PAST CENTRAL MICHIGAN IN MAC TOURNAMENT…

ZIPS CLIP CHIPS…The Buchtelite

AKRON PULLS AWAY FROM CHIPPEWAS…CMU Media Relations

Box Score

UofAZips.com

GoZips.com

Men’s Basketball MAC Tournament Diary — Day 1…GoZips.com

Akron pulls away from Chippewas…CMU Athletics

Akron-CMU Running-Game Notes…Mike Rasor’s Blog

NEXT UP — WESTERN MICHIGAN

ZIPS HOPE FOR BETTER VS. WESTERN…The News Herald (Lake Co.)

WESTERN MICH EYES AKRON…Kalamazoo Gazette

Akron (#3) vs. Western Michigan (#2) game notes

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“THE COMMISH SPEAKS”

The Daily Chronicle (DeKalb, IL) sat down with Mid-American Conference Commissioner Rick Chryst, who comments on all things MAC.

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ALL-MAC

The Plain Dealer reports that the All-Mid-American team was announced this week..no Zips.

MAC TOURNAMENT SCORES

Eastern Michigan 61, Western Michigan 70

Central Michigan 60, Akron 81

Toledo 57, Kent State 77

Kent State senior scores 23 in victory over Toledo…The Morning Journal (Lorain, OH) 

Miami 74, Ohio 61

Miami University moves into MAC semi-finals with win over Ohio…WHIO-TV/Dayton

MAC Tournament Round UP…SI.com 

Mid-American Basketball Tournament coverage…Canton Repository 

FRIDAY’S MAC TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE

7 p.m. Akron vs. Western Michigan

9:30 p.m. Kent State vs. Miami

Contact Don Olson at: donolson160@yahoo.com