The Zips (8-18, 6-12 MAC last season) will return eight lettermen from the 1996-97 squad, including all five starters. Added to the mix will be several new faces that should have immediate impact. If some of the roster additions produce as hoped, it will allow the Akron coaching staff to move several returning players to positions of greater strength.
Newcomer Jami Bosley is a likely candidate for the number-two guard spot. Bosley sat out the 1996-97 season after transferring to Akron from Ohio State. Starting in 18 games for the Buckeyes as a freshman, he averaged 5.6 points per game and 1.3 steals. "We need another consistent scorer and we hope Jami can do that for us," said Hipsher. "He definitely provides a strong physical presence." Sharing time at guard with Bosley will be junior Adam Benton. A transfer from Providence, Benton is relentless on the court and provided a spark for the Zips on several occasions last season.
Senior Scott Gooden, the seventh-leading free-throw shooter in the nation last year, is capable of playing at either guard position, while Ali Kart and Josh Wittensoldner provide experience off the bench.
If Hahn is able to make the move to power forward, George Phillips, a prime candidate for All-MAC honors, will be open to take advantage of his quickness and athletic ability at small forward. The Zips' second-leading scorer and rebounder last season (14.2 ppg, 6.1 rpg), Phillips' perimeter game will stretch opponents' defenses and open up a new threat both inside and out for Akron. Phillips was named second-team pre-season All-MAC by The Sporting News.
The forward positions will be further strengthened by juniors Jawanza Moore, whose passing and unselfish style of play provides countless opportunities for his teammates, and Chad Minor, who is a legitimate three-point threat.
The coaching staff will also look to freshmen Klaas Zollner and Bruce Weinkein. At 6-11, Weinkein can offer the Zips much-needed height, while Zollner offers a wide body at 6-9, 230 pounds. If either one can produce significant minutes, it will allow Hipsher to make several position moves which will give the team greater size and versatility, and increased effectiveness on both ends.
Akron will welcome St. Joseph's (#12 AP), fresh off its "Sweet 16" appearance last season, and Loyola (Chicago), to go with non-conference trips to Florida International and Cleveland State. "I think we have put a nice home schedule together," said Hipsher. "Thirteen games at home and 13 on the road is not an easy thing to do. We have some good teams coming into the JAR. St. Joe's is a top 25 team, and then with Loyola and Duquesne, that is a good non-conference schedule."
"In the MAC we have Eastern Michigan coming in, and I would think that they are the preseason favorite with all five starters coming back."
With two new teams (Marshall and Northern Illinois) entering the league, the Mid-American Conference has introduced a divisional format. "I really liked the old format where everybody played everybody twice," said Hipsher. "With the addition of two new teams to the league, I understand why we have to go with the divisional format, and we will just have to make adjustments just like everyone else."
Akron will compete in the East Division, along with Bowling Green, Marshall, Miami, Kent and Ohio. The West Division will consist of Ball State, Central Michigan, Eastern Michigan, Northern Illinois, Toledo and Western Michigan. Eight teams advance to the MAC Tournament, with the top two in each division being guaranteed a position. The four teams with the next-best records will round out the field. The semifinals are slated for March 3 at the SeaGate Centre in Toledo. The championship game will be televised live the next day by ESPN.