7-footer in middle cleans up on defensive end for Zips
By Tom Gaffney
Beacon Journal sports writer

POSTED: 02:12 p.m. EST, Dec 03, 2009

The University of Akron basketball team is adjusting to a novelty.

The Zips (4-2), who play at nationally ranked Texas A&M (6-1) Friday night, are learning to play with freshman Zeke Marshall, a skilled 7-footer who is slowly but surely making his presence felt, especially on defense.

''We have the ability to crowd up on people now and have that big guy at the basket,'' Zips coach Keith Dambrot said. ''That changes the whole dynamic. It's something we have never had.

''You don't have to sink in when the ball hits in the post. That's a big deal. And he is only about 40 percent of where he is going to be.''

The Zips' traditional defensive philosophy of the guards and wings helping inside has had to be revamped. In addition, in-game adjustments have to be made when Marshall is resting.

''We still have issues. When he is in the game, you don't want to suck in at all because you are giving up some things outside. When he is not in the game, we have to collapse because we are so small,'' Dambrot said. ''You have to play two different ways, in some respects.''

Marshall, who was ranked as the seventh-best senior center in the country last year by the recruiting Web site Scout.com, has 14 blocked shots in six games, including a school-record six last Sunday in an 80-68 victory over Niagara.

Marshall, with his teammates feeding him in the post, also had his best offensive game with the Zips, making 5-of-10 shots from the floor for 12 points.

''We made the big guy a star,'' Niagara coach Joe Mihalich said in his post-game press conference.

Having Marshall in the lineup has led to some defensive changes for the Zips, but the offensive philosophy of feeding the post remains a UA priority. The difference is that Marshall is not as experienced as the likes of former Zips' Romeo Travis and Jeremiah Wood.

''We need to throw him the ball. One, for his development. Two, so we can shoot the ball from outside,'' Dambrot said. ''He has to work on his passing some more, but he is getting better, and he has to work on receiving the ball better.''

Marshall — and the rest of the Zips — will be facing their biggest challenge of the entire season against Texas A&M, which is ranked No. 19 in the Associated Press media poll and 22nd in the USA Today coaches poll.

Last week, the Aggies defeated two ranked teams in the 76 Classic in Anaheim, Calif., beating No. 19 Clemson 69-60 and No. 16 Minnesota 66-65.

The Aggies are led by guards Donald Sloan, Derrick Roland and B.J. Holmes but also are solid inside with 6-9 Bryan Davis and 6-7 Nathan Walkup.

The Zips then have time off for exams before meeting Malone at home Dec. 12.



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Tom Gaffney can be reached at tgaffney@thebeaconjournal.com.