Students can make trip to OU

Men's basketball

Students have an opportunity to travel to Athens for free Tuesday afternoon to watch the Zips play the Bobcats. Unfortunately, I have class all afternoon. If someone who attends would like to post comments below, I welcome that.

The athletic department keeps doing these little things that it takes to grow a fan base. I've said this before, but it feels more and more like I go to a real university every day. A note to new AD Mack Rhoades, who starts his administration this week: You have some creative, dedicated employees.

• Akron's new RPI is 66th in the nation, according to CBS Sportsline.com. The Zips will need to be top 50 to have a good shot at an at-large NCAA Tournament berth. Beating Ohio and/or Miami this week should really help.

Football

Rivals.com updated its site to include Zips recruit Derron Smith, a linebacker from Pittsburgh. He is 6-foot-1, 210 and runs a 4.5 40. Pretty impressive. Rivals.com does not rank him. Scout.com gives him two stars.

• If you're standing up, sit down. These videos will horrify you. A ZipsNation.org poster found these two highlight videos of quarterback Sean Hakes from Texas, who committed to the Zips earlier this winter. The first video shows what he can do on his feet. He looks like a freaking running back. It also shows some of his plays on defense. The second video shows his Michael Vick-like scrambling and passing. How the University of Texas didn't scoop Hakes is beyond me.

Rifle

In what appeared to be sort of like a split doubleheader, the Zips competed a tournament and match on the same day. They had a strong showing in the first of three weekends of the Palmyra Tournament in Pennsylvania. Then they lost a dual match to the Naval Academy.

Yes, rifle. Akron has a pretty good team. In fact, they nearly qualified for the eight-team national championship last year. Like you saw in the Buchtelite last spring, expect more coverage in the months following up to this year's tournament on March 11.

Miscellaneous

Only three days until the day you have all been waiting for. No, not the Bubba Walther story being published. Jan. 25 is my 21st birthday. It should be a riot. If you see someone starting arguments with Kent State students in downtown Akron on Wednesday, it's probably me.

Song of the moment

Journey - Faith in the Heartland (a newer, yet underrated Journey track)