December not a month to remember for Zips

Akron may be glad later in the season that the Mid-American Conference doesn't start league games until January. Through the first two weeks of December, the Zips are off to one of their worst starts in recent history.At 3-5, the Zips have lost three in a row for the first time since last January when they lost to Ohio, Miami-Ohio and Buffalo. Akron has dropped five of its last six games, its worst stretch since January in 2004, when the Zips lost five of seven games."We had a good chance to win, but we made some bad plays when it mattered." Akron coach Keith Dambrot said after a 69-66 loss to Cleveland State on Dec. 10. "We lack a little bit to win these games. We have been fighting problems with suspensions and injuries. We are just a little bit unsettled in these situations."The Zips have all the makings of another NCAA Tournament team. Akron has a talented frontcourt, but has experienced some problems at the guard spots early in the season that have led to some unsettling finishes, including allowing Cleveland State to score the final five points in the Dec. 10 loss. Thankfully for Akron, the Zips don't start league play until a Jan. 7 game at Miami-Ohio. The Zips don't' have an easy road to cure some of their ills in the next three weeks, but at least they get to open a five-game home stand against Arkansas-Pine Bluff on Dec. 15. The Zips host Florida A&M, Youngstown State, North Carolina A&T and VCU before traveling to Marshall for a Jan. 1 game.The Zips might be able to nurse back to health just by playing some games at home. After opening the season with six of its first eight games on the road, the Zips get an opportunity to rebuild some confidence for conference season. This year was the first time in five seasons that the Zips opened a season with six of their first eight on the road.Akron has relied on a balanced scoring attack so far, with five players averaging 8.2 or more points per game. Perhaps the biggest surprise early in the season has been the play of Nick Harney. The 6-foot-7 sophomore has come off the bench to average a team-high 10.6 points and 4.1 rebounds in 19.9 minutes per game.NOTES, QUOTES--The Zips lost five of their first eight games due mostly to their inability to win close games. Akron is 1-4 on the road and 2-0 at home, while losing its lone game at a neutral site. The Zips lost three games by five points or less.--Akron's showed some good balance with six players averaging between 10.6 to 8.0 points per game. Last year, the Zips rode a collective effort to another NCAA Tournament berth. Reserve forward Nick Harney leads the team with an average of 10.6 points per game.PLAYER TO WATCH: PG Alex Abreu -- The sophomore point guard missed two games earlier this season for violating a team rule. He has started all six games that he's played in this year, contributing 15 steals and averaging 2.5 assists per game. The Zips need his play-making and leadership skills.KEY NON-CONFERENCE GAME: Akron won't play its first Mid-American Conference contest until Jan. 7. In the meantime, the Zips will focus on getting above the .500 mark from their current record of 3-5. Akron plays five straight games at home to end the 2011 calendar season. The Zips end the string by hosting VCU on Dec. 29. Although VCU lost several players from last year's Final Four squad, the Zips can make some national noise with a victory over the Rams.QUOTE TO NOTE: "We had won a lot of those close games over the last seven years, but until we get it right, we are not going to win those games." -- Akron coach Keith Dambrot following a three-point loss to Cleveland State on Dec. 10, the Zips' third loss by five points or less this season.STRATEGY AND PERSONNEL2010-11 CONFERENCE RECORD: 9-7, third place (tie).LINEUP BREAKDOWN: The Zips have one of the most experienced and talented frontcourts in the Mid-American Conference in senior forward Nikola Cvetinovic, Zeke Marshall and Quincy Diggs. The Zips have been somewhat unsettled at the guard spot, with PG Alex Abreu missing two games combined with some injuries at the backup position, forcing some strange combinations early in the season.ROSTER REPORT--G Brett McClanahan played in his 100th game for Akron in a Dec. 10 loss to Cleveland State, joining current senior Nikola Cvetinovic as the only players to appear in 100 games on the current roster.--G Brian Walsh started for the first time in his career against Cleveland State.--F Nick Harney was suspended for the Cleveland State game for a violation of team rules.