Has there been an era when the Zips weren't thrilling their fans? There was high scoring Fritz Nagy and Jim Fenton in the 1940's and 50's college division final fours in the 1960's and 70's Joe Jakubick Bob Hugins and an NCAA tournament bid in the 80's a 96-41 record from 2005-06 to '08-'09 . Overlook a dry spell in the 1990's and the answer is no.
Best team:1971-72
Behind lefty big hand Len Paul a Junior who broke 13 school records the Zips advanced to the College Division title where they lost 84-72 to Roanoke. Coach Wyatt Webb's team also featured sophomore playmaker Larry Jenkins and Junior rebounding fiend Harvey Glover.
Best player : G Joe jakubick (1980-'84)
With range that extended to the cheap seats the sweet-stroking guard led the nation with 30.1 ppg in 1983-'84 a season that featured Jordan,Ewing,Olajuwon,and Barkley. He wasn't household name but it wasn't for a lack of trying. To promote him for national awards-and win him more respect- the school put a photo of Jakubick alongside Rodney Dangerfield on its media guide cover.
game for the ages:
To reach the 1972 College Division title game Len Paul and crew had to upend favored Tennessee State in the final four. They needed overtime but they did it 71-69. The Tigers revenge? College Division final four wins Akron in 1973 and '75.
Fiercest rival:
Kent State and Akron have been going at it since the 1915-16 season but it's gotten particularly contentious the past few season as the Zips have challenged the Golden Flashes MAC dominance. The two Ohio foes 14 miles apart have drawn packed houses- and metaphorical blood with Akron knocking Kent State out of the 2007 Mac tournament and the Flashes returning the favor in 2008. Kent State leads the series 66-61.