Zips sports news, features and notes
- UA’s Alexis Cooks wins discus with school-record throw
- Seven KSU baseball players earn All-MAC honors
- Marla Ridenour: From walk-on to champion: UA’s Alex McCune finds his niche
- KSU’s Jennifer Ha struggles to 79 in first round of NCAA Women’s Golf Championships
- Zips notebook: Quincy Diggs back in school; football player arrested
- College baseball/Kent State 4, Akron 1: Flashes top Zips, get help from Bowling Green to win MAC title, earn top seed in tournament
- On the Record — May 18
- College baseball/Kent State 4, Akron 3: Flashes muster enough energy to top Zips, stay alive for top seed in MAC Tournament
- Kent State golf in fifth after two rounds of NCAA Regional
- Kent State-Akron in-game updates: Kent State wins 4-3
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Zips will play without Linhart
Men's basketball
Nate Linhart fractured his thumb and won't play tonight at Duquesne.
He might try to play Sunday against Kent State, however, assistant coach Jeff Boals said.
Dambrot considers at-large bid
Men's basketball
For the first time all season, Keith Dambrot discussed the Selection Committee and Akron's legitimate shot at an at-large bid.
With a recent boost in polls, I think he's starting to understand his team could get gain enough respect to make it to the NCAA Tournament without winning the conference.
¥ In the ABJ's preview, Tom Gaffney points out Akron has a magic number of two to earn a bye in the first-round of the MAC Tournament. ¥ I'll preview tonight's game sometime this afternoon as soon as I can get a spare minute.
Zips play poor defense, still win
Men's basketball
Akron allowed nearly 60 percent shooting, but still won 78-71.
Romeo Travis led the team with 23 points. I'll have more tomorrow.
Football
The final recruit will not be Morgan Williams.
He is heading to Toledo as a prop-48 player, meaning he will have to pay his own way his first year while he establishes his academic eligibility.
I'll have more on recruiting tomorrow, as well.
'Top-10' signing class
Men's soccer
Caleb Porter believes his 2007 recruiting class is top 10 in the nation.
He said so in today's press conference. The five signees each have impressive backgrounds, so I'm inclined to believe him...
¥ Anthony Ampaipitawkong, midfielder, Dallas He's a five-time NSCAA All-American (starting in eighth grade). Double-A also particpated in the Elite Soccer Program, which takes the top 150 kids in the country. "One of the top attacking prospects in the country," Porter said.
¥ Blair Gavin, defensive midfielder, Franklin, Tenn. He starts on the U18 United States national team. Gavin "has all the tools to be a dominant player at Akron," Porter said.
¥ Aaron Henkle, midfielder, Carmel, Ind. He was the captain and leading scorer for the No. 1 high school program in the nation. "Aaron is a flat-out winner and has a tremendous upside," Porter said.
¥ Michael Nanchoff, midfielder, North Royalton, Ohio (Walsh Jesuit High School) First-team all state and NSCAA All-American his senior year. His father and uncle played at Akron and were two-time All-Americans. "His ability to probe defenses with his passing will make him a dangerous player at the next level."
¥ Steven Zakuani, forward, London, England "Steve is a special player that can break the game open at any time," Porter said. He played at the Independent Football Academy, which is probably cool.
Women's soccer Catherine Byrne also announced her eight signees for 2007.
The team started off hot last season. "As a result, we are recruiting and attracting a more complete player," Byrne said.
You can check the list at GoZips.com. Byrne mentioned two players who might contribute right away...
¥ Jordan Baranowski, forward, Gibsonia, Pa. Byrne calls her "a huge threat" in front of the net.
¥ Kyra Petrole, midfield defender, Rochester, N.Y. She led her high school to a state championship and earned first-team all-state. "Kyra has the New York attitude and plays like it," Byrne said.
Men's basketball
Here are some tidbits about today's Zips game against Central Michigan...
¥ My Buchtelite preview talks about point guard Giordan Watson, the Chippewas only weapon, but he's a good one. ¥ Tom Gaffney's ABJ preview says CMU will bring toughness and athleticism to Rhodes Arena tonight. ¥ Akron is a favorite of between 18 and 19.5 points. The over-under is 133.5. ¥ Danny Sheridan says the spread should be 19.5.
My mind is too scattered because of this recruiting craziness to give an intelligent prediction. Obviously Akron will win. How about 77-60?
Prediction: Akron 77, Central Michigan 60
Signing Day list
Football
Here are some additions from list number one below...
¥ Brian Brikowski, LB, Freehold Township, N.J. ¥ Deni Odofin, DL, Endicott, N.Y. ¥ Ryan Simpson, DL, Xenia, Ohio
Rivals.com and Scout.com do not list any of the three. Almondo Sewell and Shane Shead signed, but they weren't listed on the initial press release.
Only one player is missing from list number one...
¥ Jarvis Givins, DT, two stars
Rivals.com said Givins de-committed and chose Florida Atlantic.
There is one more signee that will be announced in the next day or two. It could be Morgan Williams, who has not yet committed to Indiana.
Yes, that means Vincent Hill and Paul Simkovich kept their word and signed a National Letter of Intent.
During J.D. Brookhart's press conference, which concluded about 15 minutes ago, he said he explicitly focused on defensive line. Offensive line was a secondary priority. I think he nailed the o-line and defensive end, but could have used another defensive tackle.
The Buchtelite is going to blow your socks off with recruiting coverage tonight and tomorrow. The men's and women's soccer teams also announced recruits. I'll have more on that soon.
New RB pops onto radar
Football
Akron has offered a scholarship to Carl Robinson, a three-star all-purpose back from Lawrenceville Riverside Military Academy in Georgia.
Robinson is 5-foot-8 and runs a 4.4 in the forty. He holds offers from Central Michigan and Akron, according to Rivals.com. Several other schools, such as Iowa, Wisconsin, N.C. State, Memphis and Georgia, also are interested. Scout.com gives Robinson one star and says he has only one offer -- Kentucky.
Edit: Captain Kangaroo of ZipsNation.org sent me an interesting news story involving Robinson's felony assault arrest on Jan. 26. I imagine that should end most of the interest from college teams.
¥ It's time for another Vincent Hill update. He probably will not sign with either Akron or Virginia on Wednesday. The Maryland receiver looks headed to Milford Academy. Then he would sign with UVa. next year.
