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Do IT this week: Layering
Zips end years of frustration, downing Buffalo to win MAC
By Tom Gaffney
Beacon Journal sports writer
POSTED: 11:10 p.m. EDT, Mar 14, 2009
CLEVELAND: This sentence might be a semi-privilege to read since it hasn't been written in 23 years: The University of Akron basketball team has qualified for the NCAA Tournament.
UA (23-12), undervalued all season after losing its top three scorers, believed in itself when others didn't and proved to be a team of destiny.
With a lineup that has three freshmen and three sophomores in the 10-player rotation, the Zips hustled and swarmed their way to the field of 65 national-title contenders that will be announced today.
The fifth-seeded Zips earned that right by taking a big lead and then holding off third-seeded Buffalo 65-53 Saturday night in the Mid-American Conference championship game at Quicken Loans Arena.
With the victory, UA earned the automatic NCAA berth that goes to the MAC winner, after losing in the title game in 2007 and 2008.
''The one year people discounted us, we made it. I am so happy right now,'' said senior forward Nate Linhart, who was named the tournament MVP. ''We have an unbelievable belief structure in this program.
''We had so many ups and downs this year, but we never quit.''
The celebration after the game, after two years of watching opponents do it, had the players, coaches and fans staging a hugfest.
''It's an unbelievable feeling. You can't explain it until you go through it,'' said sophomore forward Brett McKnight, who led the Zips in scoring with 16. ''This is everything that we worked for all season.''
It is only the second time in school history that UA has reached the NCAA Tournament in Division I. The other one came in 1985-86 under then-coach Bob Huggins.
The Zips did it having one of their best shooting nights of the season, making 21-of-38 from the field, including 8-of-14 from behind the 3-point arc.
On defense, the UA man-to-man had the Bulls off balance all night. UB made 18-of-49 shots for 36.7 percent. On 3-pointers, the Bulls were 3-of-16 for 18.8 percent.
''We played well when it mattered,'' UA coach Keith Dambrot said. ''We played our best basketball the last three days.
''Our defense has been that way all year, really. We played better offense tonight, which was why we won.''
The Zips, playing their fourth game in five days, had an 18-point lead in the second half, before UB made a run that got the margin to nine (54-45) with 3:13 left. But UA countered that and clinched the title with an 8-0 burst that included 3-pointers by Darryl Roberts and Brett McKnight.
Behind Brett McKnight's 16 points, his brother, Chris McKnight, added 12. Roberts and Anthony ''Humpty'' Hitchens had 10 each. Hitchens gave the Zips a big boost by coming off the bench after missing the semifinal triumph over Bowling Green with a sprained ankle.
In the first half, the Zips were down 5-3 at the 16:03 mark when Hitchens entered and immediately gave his team a spark by hitting a 3-pointer from the key and then converting a layup after his steal to make it 8-5.
During the next eight minutes, 3-pointers by Brett McKnight, Roberts and Steve McNees moved the UA advantage to 20-12.
The Bulls got back to 24-20, when a 3-pointer and jumper by Hitchens, and two mid-range jumpers by Brett McKnight helped the Zips lead 33-25 at the half.
The Zips started the second half on a mission, by scoring inside and outside on an opening 10-2 run that moved the margin to 43-27 with 17:07 left. A long 3-pointer by McNees ended the skein.
The pace slowed somewhat after that, but a Linhart layup gave UA its biggest lead (18) at 47-29.
Tom Gaffney can be reached at tgaffney@thebeaconjournal.com.
CLEVELAND: This sentence might be a semi-privilege to read since it hasn't been written in 23 years: The University of Akron basketball team has qualified for the NCAA Tournament.
UA (23-12), undervalued all season after losing its top three scorers, believed in itself when others didn't and proved to be a team of destiny.
With a lineup that has three freshmen and three sophomores in the 10-player rotation, the Zips hustled and swarmed their way to the field of 65 national-title contenders that will be announced today.
The fifth-seeded Zips earned that right by taking a big lead and then holding off third-seeded Buffalo 65-53 Saturday night in the Mid-American Conference championship game at Quicken Loans Arena.
With the victory, UA earned the automatic NCAA berth that goes to the MAC winner, after losing in the title game in 2007 and 2008.
''The one year people discounted us, we made it. I am so happy right now,'' said senior forward Nate Linhart, who was named the tournament MVP. ''We have an unbelievable belief structure in this program.
''We had so many ups and downs this year, but we never quit.''
The celebration after the game, after two years of watching opponents do it, had the players, coaches and fans staging a hugfest.
''It's an unbelievable feeling. You can't explain it until you go through it,'' said sophomore forward Brett McKnight, who led the Zips in scoring with 16. ''This is everything that we worked for all season.''
It is only the second time in school history that UA has reached the NCAA Tournament in Division I. The other one came in 1985-86 under then-coach Bob Huggins.
The Zips did it having one of their best shooting nights of the season, making 21-of-38 from the field, including 8-of-14 from behind the 3-point arc.
On defense, the UA man-to-man had the Bulls off balance all night. UB made 18-of-49 shots for 36.7 percent. On 3-pointers, the Bulls were 3-of-16 for 18.8 percent.
''We played well when it mattered,'' UA coach Keith Dambrot said. ''We played our best basketball the last three days.
''Our defense has been that way all year, really. We played better offense tonight, which was why we won.''
The Zips, playing their fourth game in five days, had an 18-point lead in the second half, before UB made a run that got the margin to nine (54-45) with 3:13 left. But UA countered that and clinched the title with an 8-0 burst that included 3-pointers by Darryl Roberts and Brett McKnight.
Behind Brett McKnight's 16 points, his brother, Chris McKnight, added 12. Roberts and Anthony ''Humpty'' Hitchens had 10 each. Hitchens gave the Zips a big boost by coming off the bench after missing the semifinal triumph over Bowling Green with a sprained ankle.
In the first half, the Zips were down 5-3 at the 16:03 mark when Hitchens entered and immediately gave his team a spark by hitting a 3-pointer from the key and then converting a layup after his steal to make it 8-5.
During the next eight minutes, 3-pointers by Brett McKnight, Roberts and Steve McNees moved the UA advantage to 20-12.
The Bulls got back to 24-20, when a 3-pointer and jumper by Hitchens, and two mid-range jumpers by Brett McKnight helped the Zips lead 33-25 at the half.
The Zips started the second half on a mission, by scoring inside and outside on an opening 10-2 run that moved the margin to 43-27 with 17:07 left. A long 3-pointer by McNees ended the skein.
The pace slowed somewhat after that, but a Linhart layup gave UA its biggest lead (18) at 47-29.
Tom Gaffney can be reached at tgaffney@thebeaconjournal.com.
Comments
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Akron, OH
Posted 11:13 PM, 03/14/2009
Go Zips!
Suwanee, ga
Posted 11:23 PM, 03/14/2009
Way to go Zips!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Barberton, OH
Posted 11:29 PM, 03/14/2009
It'll be the 11th seed, but it's great to see the Zips in there. Congrats.
Akron, OH
Posted 11:30 PM, 03/14/2009
GO ZIPS!!! We're a force to be reckoned with. Let's put Akron back on the map, boys! Congrats!
Lorain, oh
Posted 11:41 PM, 03/14/2009
put Akron back on the map? When were we on the map? LoL
Posted 12:13 AM, 03/15/2009
kent is at home and the zips are dancing...THERE IS A GOD!!!
North Hill, OH
Posted 12:16 AM, 03/15/2009
GREAT JOB ZIPS! IT'S TIME TO MAKE SOME BIG NOISE! LET'S TURN SOME HEADS, BABY! GO ZIPS!
Uniontown, OH
Posted 12:36 AM, 03/15/2009
Wow this is freaken unbelievable. We loose all our guys from the last two years and thought this was going to be the down year with Nate Linhart being the bright spot of the season. Boy he was the bright spot of the season and led his team to the tourney. Congrats Nate on the MVP you deserve it.
medina, oh
Posted 01:05 AM, 03/15/2009
Win 26 and an NCAA snub...
Lose Travis and Joyce to Graduation.
Win 23 and an NCAA thanks but no thanks vote.
Lose Wood, Dials and Middleton...
Win 21 and go to the big dance with 3 freshman!
What will Coach D do with these guys in 2 years...Elite 8 or maybe more!
Kent, OH
Posted 01:53 AM, 03/15/2009
I agree RowdyZ, I'll be watching at 6pm to see who is the Zips first partner.
And I've got no problem cheering on the Zips in the big dance...I just hope I'm not disappointed.
Akron, OH
Posted 03:43 AM, 03/15/2009
Believe, beezies!
Posted 06:55 AM, 03/15/2009
Thanks Zips! You guys rock and are a joy to watch! Representing A-Town!
Tallmadge, OH
Posted 07:56 AM, 03/15/2009
Wonderful !!! I hope they get seeded properly in the march Madness Tournament so that they have a chance to make it through the first round. Go Zips.
Medina, OH
Posted 08:45 AM, 03/15/2009
This is just an all-around terrific story for the school and community. With the new football stadium this year, an energetic young basketball team, as well as a national powerhouse soccer program, let's hope this is the start of a great long-term turnaround for Akron athletics.
Best part of this story is the Zips took the selection out of the NCAA's hands (elitest scum that use the money raised from college athletics to support their mistresses and New Zealand golf vacations).
Congratulations Zips, thanks so much for providing some good news to the Rubber and Polymer Capital of the World, as well as the City of Invention. Keep up the defensive tenacity and you could shock some folks in the tournament!
Canton, OH
Posted 09:03 AM, 03/15/2009
Props to the Zippers !!!!!!!!! We may make some noise in the Tournament !!!!
Posted 09:12 AM, 03/15/2009
Unbelievable run by the Zips in the MAC Tournament. I can only imagine what this team will be like in the upcoming years with the arrival of Zeke Marshall and probably a few more high level recruits. I hope they draw Ohio State in the NCAA Tournament and bounce them out. That would be icing on the cake to a wonderful season.
Posted 09:21 AM, 03/15/2009
Congrats to the Coaching Staff, Players, and all of "Roo Nation". I see them more of 12-13 seed, because the MAC gets no respect. But it's great for the University and for recruitment. And yes... they are young and hungry and things will only get better from here!
Green, OH
Posted 09:33 AM, 03/15/2009
WOW! Unbelievable!!! You guys are the best!
Posted 11:59 AM, 03/15/2009
I am so proud of the guy's too !!
Go Zips !!
cuyahoga falls, oh
Posted 12:05 PM, 03/15/2009
lets hope for a good showing
Posted 12:46 PM, 03/15/2009
Congrats, Akron. With the players you've lost, you certainly earned this position this year.
Wadsworth, OH
Posted 01:13 PM, 03/15/2009
What a team! Great trapping defense and offense is on fire! GO ZIPs - bury 'em!!!!!!!
Seminole, FL
Posted 03:00 PM, 03/15/2009
5 Ohio teams at least in the tourney. Akron, Cleveland State, OSU, Dayton, and Xavier....that's pretty good (though OSU, Dayton, and Xavier are not official yet, they should get in....)....
Considering the fact I live in Florida, and will have exactly one in the Tourney; Florida State.....
_________, OH
Posted 03:53 PM, 03/15/2009
If any of you have ever been to the JAR and watched these young men you know what an accomplishment this is. These kids play every game like it's the championship. They work so hard for ever point. They take nothing..nothing for granted. They have no "standout" to save the day. They have to work as a team every minute they are on the court. That's what makes this so huge! Huge!Congrats to the whole program. Anything beyond this is icing on the cake!
Akron, OH
Posted 04:46 PM, 03/15/2009
too bad they'll get pounded with no lube first round!
Erie, PA
Posted 05:23 PM, 03/15/2009
too bad your team didn't make it!
Kent, OH
Posted 07:16 PM, 03/15/2009
Akron drew Gonzaga in Oregon...best of luck, the Zips will need it.
North Hill, OH
Posted 07:16 PM, 03/15/2009
LETS GO ZIPS!!! BEAT GONZAGA!!!
akron, oh
Posted 07:24 PM, 03/15/2009
ALTHOUGH I APPLAUD THE ZIPS FOR THIS GREAT ACCOMPLISHMENT ,HOW COME I NOW SEE ALL OF THESE
CAUKRON FANS WITH ALL THIS ZIP LOVE WHERE IT WASN'T BEFORE AS USUAL THEY RESERVE THE RIGHT TO PICK AND CHOOSE.
_________, OH
Posted 08:28 PM, 03/15/2009
Cuddy : my research shows Gonzaga's location to be Spokane Washington it is a Catholic school offering a Jesuit education. And from a quick glance a fierce bb team. Bring it on!
empowermentone1: I've been here all season and I'll be back next season and the next. As I said on here at the begining of the season..(when i was the only one commenting) This team is the best kept secret in Akron. This is great basketball! a great team!
GO ZIPS!
akron, oh
Posted 10:20 PM, 03/15/2009
I RESPECT THAT Z BB FAN ,I,LL BE LOOKING FOR YOUR
COMMENTS OF A GREAT SEASON ,AFTER THE ZIPS LOSE TO
GONZAGA.IT WAS GREAT TO SEE THEM IN THE SPOT LIGHT
FOR THIS SHORT TIME THOUGH.DON'T WORRY CAUKRON FOLKS YOU CAN ALWAYS GO RUNNING TO THE CAVS AND CROWD US REAL FANS FROM THE INDIANS.
Uniontown, OH
Posted 10:23 PM, 03/15/2009
What a great day at the Brewery. The team was very thankful for the fans that showed up and the team personally shook everyone hands and said thank you for the fans support. What a classy organized team from the top down.
Erie, PA
Posted 10:45 PM, 03/15/2009
HEY DO YOU KNOW THAT YOUR CAPS LOCK IS ON? OR ARE YOU FROM CAN'T STATE AND YOU NEVER LEARNED THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN CAPITAL LETTERS AND LOWERCASE. I GUESS IF YOU ARE FROM CAN'T I SHOULD WRITE SO YOU CAN UNDERSTAND...AKRON GOOD, CAN'T BAD. WE WIN GAMES, YOU DON'T. WE NOT GET KICKED OUT IN SECOND ROUND LIKE YOU. WAIT TIL WE GET BIG TALL GUY NEXT YEAR AND HE DO SLAM DUNK OVER ALL OF CANT
Methron, OH
Posted 12:53 AM, 03/16/2009
yeah and we Ak-Mac-Champs can watch Le-Bron-James lead the Cavs to victory from within his hometown..Go Zips, lets make it the Year of the Roo!
Akron, OH
Posted 07:29 AM, 03/16/2009
A day at the brewery? Drinking? Probably not a good idea since you're playing the Zags....get ready for a spanking on national tv!
Posted 09:22 AM, 03/16/2009
STAY HOME
SAVE THE MONEY
HOPE Y'ALL LOSE
BAD LUCK
Erie, PA
Posted 09:36 PM, 03/17/2009
CAN'T LOST TO OAKLAND???
HAHA AND DINGLEBERRY GOT FOULED OUT
GOOD THING THEY STILL SUCK AND DIDN'T EVEN GET 20 WINS
WE WILL PROBABLY LOSE TO GONZAGA BUT OH WELL, THEY ARE A GREAT TEAM AND AT LEAST WE MADE IT
I LIKE CAPS LOCK
