We will be VERY good this year.

[akronzips71]

Coach still has to design the game around the players he has, but it was an impressive outing against the NIT champ at their arena. We have nothing to be ashamed of. GREAT game by Nitro. Euton is going to be a star. Zeke showed some nice bball moves - shooting and some IMPRESSIVE passing.

This is going to be a very good year.

[cms133@uakron.edu]

I think we'll be very good against MAC competition. As far as tough OOC teams like Dayton, Minnesota, and possibly CSU? I think we might end up relying too much on 3's. Three's are what kept us in the Dayton game and that's not something I particularly like. GOD I wish we would have beat them. About midway through the game I started really hoping that the two non qualifiers will come through for us next year. Not to take anything from our guys now because it was a great effort and I liked what I saw from a lot of them but the non qualifiers, as far as what I've heard, seem like they'll make us look more elite.

[akronzips71]

I think we'll be very good against MAC competition. As far as tough OOC teams like Dayton, Minnesota, and possibly CSU? I think we might end up relying too much on 3's. Three's are what kept us in the Dayton game and that's not something I particularly like. GOD I wish we would have beat them. About midway through the game I started really hoping that the two non qualifiers will come through for us next year. Not to take anything from our guys now because it was a great effort and I liked what I saw from a lot of them but the non qualifiers, as far as what I've heard, seem like they'll make us look more elite.

What do you mean by non-qualifiers?

[ZachTheZip]

What do you mean by non-qualifiers?

next year's secret weapons: Nick Harney and Demetrius Treadwell. Both are supposed to be better than anyone on the current team. They don't become eligible until next year.

[Zipmeister]

Finally got to see the Zips live. Great atmosphere. Think Egner's dad was sitting behind the bench wearing Josh's number. Joe Morgan of some pro baseball renown was sitting across the court. Unfortunately, Zeke specialized in picking up fouls tonight. Egner didn't really do much when he was in but looks very athletic. Abeau (sp?) is going to be good. Nik very workman like; seven boards in the first half (don't know how many he wound up with for the game). The people around me were most impressed with McClanahan. Euton was very mechanical/stiff and lofted a couple of threes from the palm of his hand; what do you know, nothing but net on both. The Flyer coach (who could make a living as a Michael J. Fox impersonator because he looks and sounds a LOT like him) gushed about KD and the Zips in the post game interview.

[yazan07]

Ok so first of all I'd like to say that I, like many people, doubted Nitro's abilities. But man, was he on fire tonight. Kudos to you Nitro.

Alright now what happened to McKnight? I KNOW KD said that Euton was red shirting this year, mainly because he and McKnight were similar players. Now tonight Euton burns his redshirt and McKnight is nowhere to be seen. Would KD really waste a year of having Euton around because McKnight was going to be missing for one game? I feel as though there is something more going on here.

[skip-zip]

I think Nitro at least seems to have grown past the point of looking overwhelmed and in a panicked state when he is on the floor. It's nice to see since this is a guy who I think actually took a step backwards between his first and second year here. I hope he continues to improve, and get more confident.

For the original poster who thinks this game is an indication that we'll be a VERY good this year, who knows. If Dayton is a VERY VERY good team, then I think it's fair to make that early assessment. There were times in the first half when they looked like they'd blow us out. Did Dayton just go to sleep in the 2nd half? Or, we're we actually good enough to be that close to beating them? Time will tell.

[Dr Z]

I saw a lot of positive things last night. I think we are better offensively, defensively and talent-wise than last year.

They are going to be an exciting team to watch this year. Hope they peak and play their best ball in March.

[Captain Kangaroo]

I thought the Zips played extremely well last night. The loss of Zeke to a couple ticky-tak fouls really hurt. The game really got away from us when Zeke left, and I don't know why KD stuck with Bardo...who seemed intent on passively watching Dayton players rebound, drive and dunk over him at-will. Dayton's big men moved way too fast for him.

I agree with Dr. Z that this team is light years ahead of last season's edition. Abreu is a much more capable back up PG than Steward or Humpty. Nitro and Roberts seem to be confident, and ready to play this season. Euton can spell Zeke at C if necessary, but can also spot up and hit the three (my new "David Falknor" has arrived!!)

Cventinovic still plays like a bull in a china shop. If he could just learn to finish confident and strong around the rim, he'd score 4 - 6 more points per game. He gets in good position, then throws it up, and hopes. That said, the kid must really have worked on his free throw shooting. I hope it holds up for the rest of the season. To help, I'm making a sign for him -- "Make Free Throws, Not Babies."

Diggs was a step slow on D, and took bad shots. KD's job will be figuring out how to best utilize this kid. He's a player, no doubt.

More Euton and Egner in the paint, less Bardo, and this team should be able to play with about anyone.

Very fun team to watch. Great hustle, and great ball movement all night.

Brett McKnight who?

[GoZips]

For the original poster who thinks this game is an indication that we'll be a VERY good this year, who knows. If Dayton is a VERY VERY good team, then I think it's fair to make that early assessment. There were times in the first half when they looked like they'd blow us out. Did Dayton just go to sleep in the 2nd half? Or, we're we actually good enough to be that close to beating them? Time will tell.

Shaking my head at this comment. Dayton was tough as nails the entire game. There was no sleep

walking, meandering or other such nonsense. Confined to the rafters, us few and very cramped

Zips fans who ventured to Dayton in the stretch limo (I'll NEVER do that again) can attest to the fact

that Dayton never once let up off their go pedal.

Dayton just had way too many bigs for the Zips. Their overall athleticism did the young Zips in.

I read in the Dayton News this morning that one of their star players commented that they

were a young team just learning each other. Baloney, Dayton started three seniors, one a first

team All-American in Chris Wright, and two juniors. If that's youth, I'm a coocoo clock.

[Zipmeister]

For the original poster who thinks this game is an indication that we'll be a VERY good this year, who knows. If Dayton is a VERY VERY good team, then I think it's fair to make that early assessment. There were times in the first half when they looked like they'd blow us out. Did Dayton just go to sleep in the 2nd half? Or, we're we actually good enough to be that close to beating them? Time will tell.

Shaking my head at this comment. Dayton was tough as nails the entire game. There was no sleep

walking, meandering or other such nonsense. Confined to the rafters, us few and very cramped

Zips fans who ventured to Dayton in the stretch limo (I'll NEVER do that again) can attest to the fact

that Dayton never once let up off their go pedal.

Dayton just had way too many bigs for the Zips. Their overall athleticism did the young Zips in.

I read in the Dayton News this morning that one of their star players commented that they

were a young team just learning each other. Baloney, Dayton started three seniors, one a first

team All-American in Chris Wright, and two juniors. If that's youth, I'm a coocoo clock.

If Chris Wright is a first team All-American you're a frisbee.

Edit: you should have come down and sat with the 20 or so Zip fans behind the bench. Several seats were available. Right before the game one guy who I don't believe had a ticket came down, showed his Akron shirt, and joined the group.

[Captain Kangaroo]

For the original poster who thinks this game is an indication that we'll be a VERY good this year, who knows. If Dayton is a VERY VERY good team, then I think it's fair to make that early assessment. There were times in the first half when they looked like they'd blow us out. Did Dayton just go to sleep in the 2nd half? Or, we're we actually good enough to be that close to beating them? Time will tell.

Shaking my head at this comment. Dayton was tough as nails the entire game. There was no sleep

walking, meandering or other such nonsense.

Agreed. Dayton played very well. I don't see how anyone could see it differently?

It was a great basketball game. Dayton finished, and we didn't.

Had we played the same game against an undisciplined team, like Mississippi State or Florida State of BCS, OOC wins of the past, this year's Zips would also have won. I like our chances against Miami FL.

[zippyman23]

I read in the Dayton News this morning that one of their star players commented that they

were a young team just learning each other. Baloney, Dayton started three seniors, one a first

team All-American in Chris Wright, and two juniors. If that's youth, I'm a coocoo clock.

Dayton lost seven seniors from last year's team, so a couple of those guys starting haven't got a whole of PT either. They also started a true freshman at point. Inexperienced may be a better way to describe them.

[Quickzips]

Had we played the same game against an undisciplined team, like Mississippi State or Florida State of BCS, OOC wins of the past, this year's Zips would also have won. I like our chances against Miami FL.

Agreed. If this team builds on last nights performance and continues to play well that signature win (or two) is going to come this season. The opportunities will be there (Miami, Temple, Minnesota). Zips have to figure out how to close.

[GoZips]

Had we played the same game against an undisciplined team, like Mississippi State or Florida State of BCS, OOC wins of the past, this year's Zips would also have won. I like our chances against Miami FL.

Agreed. If this team builds on last nights performance and continues to play well that signature win (or two) is going to come this season. The opportunities will be there (Miami, Temple, Minnesota). Zips have to figure out how to close.

AMEN

[Dr Z]

I know I'm jumping the gun a little. Sue me I'm excited. I remember KD saying something like, I'm paraphrasing here, "we aren't good enough to play a tough schedule yet" I'm wondering if next years schedule will be an indication of how good he thinks our team is.

[Dave in Green]

I would certainly hope that KD believes the Zips will be good enough to play a tougher schedule in Zeke's junior and senior years. KD said after the Millikin game that it's his responsibility to help turn Zeke into an All-American, and he's not going to make any All-American teams playing a weak SOS. I hope that the next two season's schedules are a notch or two tougher than this one, and that the Zips will eventually rise to the challenge.

[zippyman23]

Did Dayton just go to sleep in the 2nd half? Or, we're we actually good enough to be that close to beating them? Time will tell.

We just shot the ball unreal from three to begin to the second half. I agree that there are a lot of questions yet to be answered.

Breaking it down:

First 8-9 Minutes of 2nd half: 8-11 (73%) from 3pt range; Akron +15

Rest of game: 6-25 (24%) from 3pt range; Dayton +23

You can interpret those numbers two different ways. I guess it really just depends on if you are more of glass half full or glass half empty type of person.

[RACER]

i thought our guys played tough.if we get brett back we will be even better.why does kd give bardo pt.give dakota the min.nothing against bardo, but he should not be on the floor.i know zeke

was in foul trouble,but if we don't have anybody better than bardo we are in trouble.

[hafner4430]

i thought our guys played tough.if we get brett back we will be even better.why does kd give bardo pt.give dakota the min.nothing against bardo, but he should not be on the floor.i know zeke

was in foul trouble,but if we don't have anybody better than bardo we are in trouble.

We weren;t planning on playing Euton. He was supposed to be redshirting, but we burned that late in the 1st half when we needed a big man, and couldn;t use the others because of foul trouble. KD really wanted that game.

[jupitertoo]

If the Zips are as good as you predict they will be, they might run away with the East this year. I saw Ohio play Oakland earlier this week and the Bobcats have a ton of work to do to get back to a level even close to where they were at the end of last season. They have serious holes to fill/roles to define. A talented but very, very young team. Could be a rough first month of MAC play.

[Zip Watcher]

If the Zips are as good as you predict they will be, they might run away with the East this year. I saw Ohio play Oakland earlier this week and the Bobcats have a ton of work to do to get back to a level even close to where they were at the end of last season. They have serious holes to fill/roles to define. A talented but very, very young team. Could be a rough first month of MAC play.

Hey Jupiter,

Is anything more known about Coleman & Kellogg (older)? Are they with the team at all? Gone for good?

[jupitertoo]

If the Zips are as good as you predict they will be, they might run away with the East this year. I saw Ohio play Oakland earlier this week and the Bobcats have a ton of work to do to get back to a level even close to where they were at the end of last season. They have serious holes to fill/roles to define. A talented but very, very young team. Could be a rough first month of MAC play.

Hey Jupiter,

Is anything more known about Coleman & Kellogg (older)? Are they with the team at all? Gone for good?

Coleman is definitely gone. It looked like he was reconsidering, but he became enamored with his prospects (cough, cough) for riches as a music artist.

Kellogg (older) is a puzzle. There's some speculation that he saw he wasn't going to get the paying time he had imagined and just decided to end his career. The younger Kellogg seems to be a nice player. Just needs the game to slow down for him a bit.

DJ Cooper is even better this year, from what I've seen. He'll need to be especially good in the early portion of the schedule until some of his young teammates get some experience.

Overall, I don't see the Bobcats as a championship caliber team this year. The next two years could be very special, though.

[Zipmeister]

If the Zips are as good as you predict they will be, they might run away with the East this year. I saw Ohio play Oakland earlier this week and the Bobcats have a ton of work to do to get back to a level even close to where they were at the end of last season. They have serious holes to fill/roles to define. A talented but very, very young team. Could be a rough first month of MAC play.

Hey Jupiter,

Is anything more known about Coleman & Kellogg (older)? Are they with the team at all? Gone for good?

Coleman is definitely gone. It looked like he was reconsidering, but he became enamored with his prospects (cough, cough) for riches as a music artist.

Kellogg (older) is a puzzle. There's some speculation that he saw he wasn't going to get the paying time he had imagined and just decided to end his career. The younger Kellogg seems to be a nice player. Just needs the game to slow down for him a bit.

DJ Cooper is even better this year, from what I've seen. He'll need to be especially good in the early portion of the schedule until some of his young teammates get some experience.

Overall, I don't see the Bobcats as a championship caliber team this year. The next two years could be very special, though.

Freudian slip?

[OZoner]

I have you guys winning the East this year. Don't make me look bad.