Posted by Ted Miller
PORTLAND, Ore. -- Akron doesn't look like a team that hasn't played in an NCAA tournament since 1986.
The Zips lead 38-35 at the half in a tight affair, the biggest lead before the break being five points (Akron).
Akron has hit 4 of 8 3-pointers -- Gonzaga is 2-of-6 from behind the stripe -- making up for the Zips' 18-11 rebounding deficit.
Also, the Zips, with just two turnovers, are protecting the ball -- Gonzaga has six miscues.
One significant concern: Nate Linhart, the MAC tournament MVP and conference Defensive Player of the Year, has three fouls at the break. His 10 points also leads all scorers.
The Zips, just like Gonzaga coach Mark Few predicted, have the Bulldogs' attention.
The Zips are much smaller, though. Gonzaga figures to keep pounding inside with Josh Heytvelt, with the expectation that the Zips won't continue to hit 50 percent of their treys.
