Men's basketball

Toledo center Haris Charalambous died early in a conditioning session Monday morning.

The English-born player collapsed and EMS could not revive him.

In the second round of the MAC Tournament, Charalambous played four minutes in Toledo's win over Akron, pulling down one rebound. Earlier in the season, the 6-10 sophomore logged eight minutes, grabbing one rebound and scoring one point.

From the articles I have read, he was a well-liked person.

• I heard a college basketball magazine ranked Akron at No. 20. Here is confirmation from the ABJ's Tom Gaffney.

Football

As Buchtelite sports editor Dan Kadar looked over my midseason grades, he disputed a few and agreed with many.

I'm interested to see what you guys think. Post your grades below if you have time.

Men's soccer

The Zips should be well rested and ready for Wright State, whom they will play at 7:30 tonight at Lee Jackson Field.

Somehow, Akron is still No. 17 in the soccer polls.

Football

The Buchtelite guys talk about the Zips loss at Cincinnati and whether the team still can salvage the season.

Download podcast_10.mp3

• The Buchtelite's recap tried to identify what happened with Tim Crouch and Chevin Pace, who were suspended, but coach J.D. Brookhart wouldn't say. A poster on ZipsNation.org offers something he heard about the situation. My prayers are with the Crouch family if indeed his mother's home burned down.
• In her weekly diary, the Buchtelite's Amanda Pecota wrote about her experience at the game in Cincinnati.
• My column gives grades to each part of the team. You won't see quarterback listed, mainly because I goofed up. I'll add a grade for Luke Getsy below…

Days after failing the season's sixth exam, the dreaded news comes: It's report card time.

With a 2-4 record, it should be no surprise that many of you underperformed. A few, however, played very well.

Quarterback - Luke Getsy willed the Zips over NC State. He really hasn't done much since. Part of me wants to say he has played himself out of the NFL Draft. The first two drives against Cincinnati should have reminded you of what he is capable of. Grade: C-

Offensive line - With the entire line returning from last year, the line should have gelled by now. Truth is, it has taken several steps back. The most experienced member, Tim Crouch, has also proven to be least effective. The Zips have given up the second-most sacks in the Mid-American Conference. Grade: D

Running backs - Backup Alex Allen blew out his knee in the preseason. When Dennis Kennedy hurt his shoulder, though, Andre Walker filled in nicely. Still, if the Zips offense is to excel, Kennedy needs to be back to full strength, which he showed is untrue against Cincinnati. Grade: B-

Tight ends - This position looked strong with Kris Kasperek and Merce Poindexter being potential NFL prospects. Poindexter has caught important passes, but Kasperek has dropped some. Grade: C

Wide receivers - Freshman David Harvey has become one of the MAC's best receivers. Jermaine Lindsey, another freshman, also has played well at times. If only Jabari Arthur were more consistent… Grade: B

Defensive line - Until the Cincinnati game, teams had trouble running against Akron. That was mainly due to solid play from nose tackle Kiki Gonzalez. It would be nice to see more sacks, but J.D. Brookhart's 3-3-5 defense really doesn't allow for that. Grade: B+

Linebackers - Quietly, this has become the strongest part of the team. The linebackers, Kevin Grant, Brion Stokes and Mark Groza, are making important tackles and forcing turnovers. Grade: A-

Secondary - Lately, the Zips have been getting burnt on too many deep passes. In the beginning of the season, the cornerbacks were knocking them away. With no starting secondary member taller than 5-foot-11, it seems other teams are beginning to exploit a weakness. Tackling is also a concern. Grade: C-

Kickers/punter - At the end of last season, I predicted kicking problems. Jason Swiger and Billy Sullivan were reliable, and we took it for granted. John Stec is statistically the MAC's second-worst punter. The kicking game also has been an abomination. Matt Domonkos has missed three extra points and is 25 percent on field goal attempts. Zips soccer player Jon McClain is flawless so far in taking over for Domonkos. Knock on wood. Grade: F

Coaches - Their performance seems to vary from week to week. The staff's initial game plan is usually effective. Once opposing coaches adjust, however, the Zips don't alter their plan in response. Effort also wavers from game to game. Beating NC State saved the staff from a failing mark. But keep watching this team. Brookhart will prove he's still the MAC's best coach. Grade: C-

Women's soccer

Akron improved to 2-4 in the MAC after beating Bowling Green on Sunday.

The Zips are now 9-4.

Tennis

Akron showed improvement from last year's disappointing record at the Martha Thorn Invitational.

Volleyball

A dominant Bowling Green team shut out the Zips in straight sets, 3-0.

Akron will have a home match against IPFW Wednesday evening.

Football

You have to ask yourself what's wrong with a team that plays with so much inconsistency. I have outlined three possible options…

1. The team's effort varies. If true, it means the coaches and team captains are doing a poor job at motivation. Or it could mean the Zips aren't conditioned properly to play all 60 minutes.
2. The coaching staff is inept. I don't believe this to be true, but you certainly have to consider it. One possible explanation for the inconsistency is the other team adjusts to Akron's strengths, but the Zips coaches are unable to readjust.
3. One player is inconsistent. You might point to Luke Getsy. He threw for more than 150 yards in the first quarter, then finished with 183. Sure, Getsy made no plays the rest of the game, but he also suffered from poor protection and a running game that netted 36 yards.

I predicted Akron would lose 14-17, which wasn't bad. Looking back, if I knew how the Zips would play, my prediction would have been a blow out for the Bearcats. Cincinnati easily could have scored 30.

David Harvey once again was the lone bright spot, although he dropped a touchdown pass from Getsy. When will the offense include more of him?

Cincinnati basically handed Akron this game, and the Zips refused to take it. Looking forward, Akron must win five of the next six to have a sniff at the MAC Championship. Likely, a 6-2 record will win the division, but there is a ton of parity in the MAC East. Here are the standings…

1. Kent State (3-0)
2. Bowling Green (2-1)
3. Ohio (2-1)
4. Miami (0-1)
5. Akron (0-2)
6. Buffalo (0-3)

The Flashes will have another test on Saturday when Toledo comes to Dix Stadium. Akron has a bye before the Homecoming game versus Miami. If you want to watch the RedHawks, they will play Northern Illinois Sunday night at 8 on ESPN.

Men's basketball

After last week's debacle, I talked about the basketball team. I'll do it again.

I spoke briefly with coach Keith Dambrot at tonight's Wine and Gold Scrimmage at Rhodes Arena. Dambrot, aka the nicest guy on campus, said his freshmen are all progressing nicely.

I think one of the main questions this season will be, "Who will get on the floor?" That doesn't seem to worry the coach; he said that usually works itself out.

I confessed to Dambrot one of my deepest secrets: How I nearly ended LeBron James' career before it began.

OK. I'll tell you, too.

Do you remember when James tore down a rim at Stow High School as a senior at St. V's? I played a large role in the reason that rim came down. In gym class, I often grabbed the rim and hung on it. It always seemed like the dumb thing was insecure, but I never thought King James would be the unlucky party.

Long story short, LBJ was OK after landing on his neck. Now he's the NBA's best player.

Football

Maybe Cincinnati made great adjustments, or maybe Luke Getsy and the offense played too conservatively.

The Zips lost 20-14 to the Bearcats. Almost the entire offensive production came in the first quarter, where Akron took a 14-0 lead.

Penalties, missed opportunities and sacks stifled the Zips offense after that.

I'll post more later tonight.

Football

5:17 left in the 3rd, Akron 14, Cincinnati 13

Luke Getsy is a completely different quarterback since the first quarter. His feet are constantly moving and he is throwing without the proper mechanics. Part of that probably is because UC's pass rush has improved and Getsy is running for his life.

The Zips can't only hope to stop the Bearcats on defense. They must put more points on the board.

Football

Halftime, Akron 14, Cincinnati 10

Akron heads into halftime with a four-point lead and will receive the ball starting the third quarter. Overall, I'm pleased that we're seeing the Zips who beat NC State, not the ones whom Kent State obliterated.

I'm heading to Rhodes Arena for the Cavaliers Wine and Gold Scrimmage. I'll try to keep blogging from there.

Football

2:12 left in the 2nd quarter. Akron 14, Cincinnati 10

Jason Nedd is having a great game in Chevin Pace's absence. He has a sack and recovered fumble. Mark Groza also is playing well. He basically picked off two passes on the same drive. The referees ruled the first incomplete. The second he returned about 30 yards.

Now that Cincinnati is blitzing more, Luke Getsy has less time to throw. He isn't making the proper initial reads, so a lot of his balls are flying into double coverage. Getsy threw a perfect pass to David Harvey on fourth-and-long, but he simply dropped it.

Football

6:50 left in 2nd quarter, Akron 14, Cincinnati 10

On a questionable overturn, Cincinnati retained the ball and scored a touchdown. Brent Celek is really good, but Akron is making him look like Kellen Winslow with its poor tackling in the secondary.

Football

Click here to watch the game on your computer.

Thanks to Bleacher Bum on ZipsNation for finding this.