Zips creme Bobcats

Men's basketball

Akron beat Ohio today, 76-61. With the win, the Zips grabbed their 20th game and clinched a first-round bye in the MAC Tournament. The contest was a little closer than the final score, but the game never really was in doubt.

Romeo Travis, Nick Dials, Dru Joyce, Rob Preston and Cedrick Middleton each scored more than 10. However, Nate Linhart's dunk in transition late in the second half was the play of the game.

Travis' 12 rebounds make him my player of the game. For the first time this year, it appeared Akron had a go-to player in the post. Middleton also played at a level I haven't seen from him this season.

Leon Williams (14 points, seven rebounds) and Mychal Green (18 points, three steals) played solid for the Bobcats.

Tom Gaffney's game story includes quotes about what the first-round bye means to the team.

I sat in the AK-Rowdies. I must say I was impressed. It definitely is the best place to watch a game if you are a student.

As anyone at the game will tell you, OU's fans are awful. At halftime, a bunch of female students leaned over the student section to let us know Akron sucks. Mind you, the Zips led by nine at this point. It doesn't matter to OU fans. They act like Ohio State fans, but they are missing the victories.

Swimming and diving

Danielle Beland won the 100 butterfly event yesterday. As a team, Akron finished seventh out of eight teams. The finals are tonight.

Track

As announced during the basketball game, the women's team won another MAC Championship today. Beata Rudzinska was the Zips only individual champion, winning the 800 meter event.

The men placed fourth out of six teams. A.J. Oyer, Tomasz Smialek and John Russell each won their individual events.

Coach Dennis Mitchell won Coach of the Year honors for the second-straight year. Mitchell is one of the university's best coaches, and I'm not just saying that because he reads this blog.

In fact, here are my coaching power rankings...

1. J.D. Brookhart - Football


2. Keith Dambrot - Men's basketball


3. Dennis Mitchell - Track


4. Newt Engle - Rifle


5. Scott Jones - Cross country

In case that dirty 50-year-old Ohio fan is paying attention, Ohio's women and men each placed last at the MAC Tournament. Nice work, Bobcats.

Miscellaneous

I'd appreciate it if you guys could keep your comments clean. I love seeing your input. But please use "f---" if you absolutely must drop an f-bomb.