Zips leave their defense at home

Men's basketball
It took a lot of encouragement, but Valparaiso scored 14 points more than its season average against what is supposed to be a smothering defense.
The Crusaders pulled off an upset over the visiting Zips, 74-66. It was a game in which Akron led by 18 in the first half.
Keith Dambrot said his team played without toughness. Homer Drew praised his Crusaders for not quitting.
Akron plays next on Thursday at Buffalo. I will preview the game on Wednesday, but probably talk a little about the MAC sometime before then.
Miscellaneous
Mack Rhoades is one of three finalists for the athletic director job at Rutgers.
Most fans realized Akron was a stepping stone for Rhoades. I didn't think, however, that he would want to move up so soon. Tom Gaffney quotes an anonymous source (hey, that's my game!), who says Rhoades would take the job, if offered.
Also this...
I would have blogged about the Valpo game sooner, but I was out all night celebrating my election as Editor-in-Chief of Akron Law Review. I'm really excited about the job. I have never been more nervous than when I was waiting to get a phone call with my verdict on Saturday afternoon.
Akron Law Review is ranked No. 43 in the nation among law journals. I was completely flattered to accept the prestigious position, but it will mean I won't graduate until May 2010.
In the interview, the current editors asked me if I would continue to blog if I was Editor-in-Chief. My answer was an unequivocal "yes."
And this...
The ABJ's Mark Price featured Crouse Gymnasium in his weekly history column. Apparently, it was "the finest gym west of the Alleghenies."
It was the site to Akron's stunning 36-30 victory over Yale in 1907. Two members of that Akron team went on to found General Tire. Like at Rhodes Arena, UA had a history of building impressive winning streaks at home, until the team outgrew the arena and moved to Memorial Hall. Crouse Gymnasium was demolished in 1965.
Football
The ABJ's Patrick McManamon showed his excitement about the Walt Harris hire and talked to Harris about how his career brought him to Akron.