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Zips @ NIU 1-21-15


BirdZip

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About 8 hours from tip-off and no game thread yet. Ouch. Interest must be waning.

When asked about the game in Illinois this week, Tom Wistrcill responded, "The Buckeyes will definitely win this one. We're better than Northwestern. Go Team Ohio!"

The rest of us, though, are focused more on DeKalb. Seems that, much as Dambrot owns some teams, NIU at least occasionally rents Dambrot. Never easy there.

Zips 70-60.

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Zips favored by 4. Game on ESPN3.

The Zips' have a seven-game road losing streak dating back to last season.

Akron has hit eight or more 3-pointers in 14 games this season. The Zips are 11-3 when they make at least eight long balls in a contest. Bombs away.

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Vegas says Akron -4. The West has significantly narrowed the gap, if not equalled the east these days. There are no gimmies anymore. Can't miss 15 FTs and win on the road. Can't coast for 30 minutes and still get the W. Thanks to the well-documented FT issues, I'll offer two predictions:

Zips hit 65%+ FTs:

Akron 74

NIU 62

Zips hit <65% FTs:

Akron 63

NIU 62.

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Whether Darrell Bowie plays or not (questionable) for NIU will probably make a big difference in this game. He hasn't played since the 2nd of January.

It'll be interesting to see how Deji performs in front of his close friends and family. I suspect with the way he's handled himself lately, he'll have another fine showing and not let his emotions get the better of him. If he ends up being player of the game in Dekalb, he'll have trouble matching his quote from the interview with French and Dunn earlier in the season: "I wish I was as tall as my arms" - love it!

I'll go Zips 72 Huskies 69

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From an injury report I use:

"Darrell Bowie is downgraded to expected to miss Wednesday vs. Akron ( Shoulder )"

Yes, the Zips seem to be catching a break with Bowie being doubtful. Still though, NIU is an improved team that can rise up and bite anybody that's not playing at their best,

Traditionalists won't like it much but IMO their home floor is one of the best looking in college hoops. Check it out tonight, We should have an ESPN 3 feed so we may actually be able to see it.

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I have a much different slant on this game-best of the east vs worst of the west, Zips 69-58. We can't possibly miss that many free throws down the stretch. We have seen the light- Reggie and Jake are once again part of the offense. On a different front- Cant is a 1 pt favorite over Toledo-But the Flushes haven't really played anybody-I predict Toledo by plenty-say 73-60-any thoughts?

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Reggie has recently been a non factor until his break out game on Saturday. He hit the offensive boards, went inside to score four baskets being 4 of 4 from inside the three line, and was 6 of 9 from the 3 line. There is no way he will keep shooting that high percentage from the 3 line but he can keep scoring. I am hoping to see him hit double figures tonight. The Zips need another consistent scorer and Reggie would fit the bill. We need to win on the road and that is always difficult with a young team. I wonder if KD will shorten the bench to get this victory playing the guys that have experience on the team.

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I think that the young guys always seem to struggle on the road:

Aron Jackson, no defense on the pick and roll, standing still instead of going for a rebound, and then an air ball for a three.

Antino Jackson, Not much except a three without running the offense.

With Big Dog and Pat in at the same time, Pat will struggle. Pat turns into Big Dogs defender. When Pat has the ball Big Dog needs to get out of the paint.

I agree, would like to see more Deji. I like Reggie's hustle attacking the offensive boards and some nice passes inside.

As bad as we played in the first half, only 7 down. It could be a lot worse. Hopefully we can pull things together in the second half.

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I think the game plan is to play 11 and wear them down.

So far, they have played great defense and we are not getting open looks.

But can they do that for another 20 minutes?

Our guys will be reasonably fresh, they may be knocked out after playing that intense defense.

Meanwhile, the lineups have not been to my liking. Not enough Deji or Kwan, Reggie earned the start.

And contrary to what someone said above, we were very effective with Pat and Big Dog in together.

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