Akron Open info

Track

In case you were interested in going to this weekend's Akron Open, coach Dennis Mitchell provides this suggestion. Go to the Field House Saturday at 3:30 p.m. That's when the finals will take place.

John Russell no longer leads the nation in professional pole vaults. Robby Pratt from Brigham Young jumped 18-8.5 at an exhibition, which is the fifth-highest vault in the world.

Russell and high jumpers Tomasz Smialek and Natalie Sako should have strong competition this weekend, Mitchell said.

Men's basketball

The Plain Dealer's Elton Alexander previewed Saturday's Kent State (15-6, 9-1) and Akron (16-4, 9-1) game. Interesting tidbits include...

• MAC commissioner Rick Chryst loves the rivalry because it is geographic, personality-driven and has definite conference implications. Also, it helps solidify the MAC's presence in Northeast Ohio.


• This will be the 12th of the last 18 games between Kent and Akron when one team is in first place.


• Kent State leads the overall count, 61-56.

Tom Gaffney of the ABJ also wrote an interesting story about how Akron probably will need to win the MAC to get into the tournament. Coach Keith Dambrot said he'd love to turn the program into the next Gonzaga.

GoZips.com had some interesting tidbits...

• Akron's 16-4 start is the best start since jumping to Division 1 in 1980.


• It's 9-1 MAC start is the best since entering the MAC in 1992.


• Akron hasn't won at the M.A.C. Center since March 1, 2003.

Football

To capitalize off another successful recruiting class, the athletic program began selling season tickets for 2006. That includes five home games, six if you include the virtual home game against Kent State. The other home games are with Miami, Bowling Green, Buffalo, a yet-to-be-determined MAC West team and an out-of-conference game.

The Blue-Gold Spring Game will be on April 15 at 11 a.m. in the Field House.