The University of Akron Athletics
Zippy's Top 10 Countdown: No. 2
July 21 | Men's Basketball
Hey Zips Fans!
I hope everyone is staying cool and hydrated during this heat wave.
We are almost to the end of my top 10 countdown. Coming in at No. 2 in the countdown is the men's basketball team's run through the Mid-American Conference Tournament to earn a trip to the NCAA Tournament.
The 2010-11 season was a rollercoaster ride for the Zips. Entering February with a 12-10 mark, our players hit the trail to the "Big Dance" by rattling off seven-straight victories.
That's when things got exciting.
Entering the tournament as the No. 6 seed, the Zips dispatched Eastern Michigan at the JAR before heading to Cleveland and Quicken Loans Arena. As you all know, in the past few years, Quicken Loans Arena has become our home away from home.
Did you know that the Zips have won 14 of their last 18 games at the Q?
In the quarterfinals, Akron sent Miami (Ohio) packing in double overtime in yet another instant classic between the two teams. The Zips followed that up by defeating Western Michigan to earn a spot in their fifth-consecutive MAC title game and a meeting with archrival Kent State.
I was so nervous during that back-and-forth game as 40 minutes was not enough, with the game going into overtime. It was during those five minutes that Brett McKnight sank two of the biggest free throws of his Akron career and Zeke Marshall and Steve McNees teamed up to block Kent State's final two shots to punch our ticket to Chicago and the NCAA Tournament with a 66-65 win.
I will never forget rushing the court and celebrating that victory.
The trip to Chicago and the game in The United Center were great. The Zips gave the Big East's Notre Dame everything they had, but would come up short in the end, falling 69-56.
Overall, I will remember the 2010-11 season as one of the toughest, but also as one of the most exciting in Akron history!
Make sure to check back tomorrow to find out what UA accomplishment ranked first in my Top 10 Countdown and don't forget to send me your best stories from the 2010-11 season!
I've enjoyed reading the submissions I've received so far and am looking forward to revealing the top entries later this month on GoZips.com! Remember, all fans that have their stories published on GoZips.com will receive a special Akron Zips prize!
Good luck and Go Zips!
Zippy's Top-10 Countdown: No. 6 - Women's golf wins third annual Zippy Invitational
Zippy's Top-10 Countdown: No. 5 - Kara Murphy (Women's Basketball) becomes the school's all-time scoring leader
Zippy's Top-10 Countdown: No. 4 - Men's track and field wins both MAC indoor and outdoor titles for first time in program history
Zippy's Top-10 Countdown: No. 3 - Women's tennis wins first MAC title and earns first bid to NCAA Tournament in program history
