Zip Watcher

The moderators have always censored topics regarding Dambrot. They hate when their beloved coach gets slammed but lets be honest, he did not coach a bad game today. Though i would have personally had Zeke in a lot more in overtime, i cant say he was outcoached. It would be nice if Zipsnation was a little better at not deleting topics that the moderators didnt agree with however. This seems to happen a lot.Keep beating the conspiracy drum .. very little is ever deleted (though you have a knack yourself for off color topics) unless direct personal attacks occur .. or it's really not kid friendly.I say again, nothing's been deleted recently.If you'd like your membership dues refunded, just send me a .... oh wait, never mind.Go Zips!

FYI. Nothing's been deleted in several days.

What about next week's?

So, do you have any advice for Nik and Humpty on how to maintain their composure?

My hero .. now that I'm greedy .. tonight's final seconds could be good also!Go Zips! B) B)

You think you're a fan .. you're a fool. A new worst post for you.Have some coffee & save us all the trouble and skip the title game like you did the NIU game. You missed a beat down then, maybe you will tomorrow. The only one I see crying here is you.They won .. they're in the title game 4 years running. That's pretty good.Go Zips! B) B)

I'm thinking we pull for the Zippers to win tonight first .. then tomorrow .. and then worry about next week.

For us in Cleveland area, I don't remember the number, but it's one of the FSN Alternates .. like FSNB or something. FYI, it did NOT show up in the guide .. which said PAC 10 quarters or something, but the games were there.

I'm hoping Marachino and the Fish have it and play it today at 3 when their show starts.

I really hope someone can find it, and drop it over top of the video. ISP hello!? It would be a phenomenal add to the UA Athletics YouTube channel.

That would be the definition of Clutch.

We just have to hear that.Go Zips!

Apologies for the scarcity of my notes and postings. It's been a hectic season away from the JAR for Watcher & family. I was hoping to comment a few times after the non-con, after the first East swing, the West .. etc, but not all of that happened. In August, I posted this entry where I summed up my perspective of last season's events. I believed then, as I do now, that the 2008-2009 Zips were among the best 2 D1 Zips team to date. Now we enter the second season of 2009-2010. The regular season has ended and the Zips move directly to the MAC Quarters at Quicken Loans Arena on Thursday. I think this is as good a time as any for a step away and look a the season thus far on the whole. Where do the current Zips stack up against the recent teams? In short, I believe there's ample achievable opportunity for this team to assume the mantle of Best D1 Zips Team Ever. It's there for the taking. The Basics: The Zips enter the tournament as the 3 seed. With the second best MAC record @ 12-4, they finished 1 game behind the regular season champion and a full 3 games clear of the rest of the league. This is also 2 games better than a year ago when the Zips finished the RS @ 10-6 and settled for the 5 seed, needing to play an opening round game. So in this fashion, the current Zips are improved over last season. Other recent seasons and tournament seedings / results: 2010: 22-9 OA, 12-4 MAC, #3 Seed, Finish TBD 2009: 19-12 OA, 10-6 MAC, #5 Seed, Won Tournament 2008: 21-9 OA, 11-5 MAC, #3 Seed, Lost Tourney Final 2007: 24-6 OA, 13-3 MAC, #2 Seed, Lost Tourney Final 2006: 21-8 OA, 14-4 MAC, #3 Seed, Lost Tourney Semi-final 2005: 18-9 OA, 11-7 MAC, #6 Seed, Lost Tourney Quarter-final As for overall record, the Zips came into the MAC tourney @ 22-9. A solid, if not spectacular regular season, with few losing streaks, and several runs of multiple wins. Coming into the tournament, these Zips have won 7 of 10 and 10 of 15. Recent trends heading into the MAC tournament (Last 4, Last 10, Last 15): 2010: 2-2, 7-3, 10-5 2009: 2-2, 6-4, 10-5 2008: 2-2, 6-4, 9-6 2007: 4-0, 8-2, 13-2 2006: 2-2, 6-4, 10-5 2005: 2-2, 6-4, 11-4 So looking strictly at standings and records, it can be said that this Zips team has again the opportunity to take the mantle of "best D1 Zips team ever" away from the previous team, with a few more wins in Cleveland. They have finished as strong or stronger down the stretch compared to the title team of 2009, and boast the 3rd best MAC record in KD's tenure. The Statistics: How are the Zips doing by the numbers? We've found new tools to look at individual performances this season, which I like. However, it's interesting to me to look at the offensive and defensive team performances. Defensive Stats (Allowed PPG, FG%, 3PT%, A/T): 2010: 64.2, 41.3, 30.8, 0.74 2009: 60.3, 40.3, 29.1, 0.55 2008: 63.8, 44.6, 32.6, 0.70 2007: 61.0, 40.2, 33.1, 0.70 2006: 66.1, 42.8, 34.1, 0.90 2005: 65.6, 40.4, 34.3, 0.80 Offensive Stats (PPG, FG%, 3PT%, A/T): 2010: 69.9, 43.7, 33.1, 0.99 2009: 66.8, 41.8, 33.2, 0.91 2008: 70.8, 44.1, 38.6, 1.00 2007: 75.3, 48.5, 39.3, 1.20 2006: 72.9, 45.3, 36.6, 1.30 2005: 71.8, 44.5, 37.3, 1.20 Margins (Scoring, Rebounding): 2010: +5.7 ppg, +2.6 rpg 2009: +6.5 ppg, -1.1 rpg 2008: +7.0 ppg, -1.0 rpg 2007: +12.3 ppg, +2.3 rpg 2006: +6.8 ppg, +1 rpg 2005: +6.2 ppg, -2.5 rpg Clearly the best offensive team statistically has been the 2006-07 club, and best defensive team 2008-09. A huge margin of +12.5 ppg was powered by the best offense of KD's tenure, and the 2nd best defense by points (tops in FG% allowed). The common thread for 2009 and 2010 is improved 3PT % defense, down around 30%. The scoring margin this year is the lowest of KD's tenure, bu the defense is in the top half of the era. This has been the best KD Zips team on the glass. So while the seeding and wins situation is among the strongest positions the Zips have ever had coming into the MAC Tournament, this Zips team has been winning closer games than others in the past 6 seasons. Maybe that means they're better closers .. maybe their margin of error is smaller, you can draw your own conclusions. My first take away is that this is a strong team, entering the MAC tournament in a good position, record wise and tournament draw. Stats can't tell the entire picture, as 2007 showed us, but this team is winning many important categories and holds up well against the recent Zips teams on paper. Strategy: I think the Zips have been very successful when they've forced the action to their strengths. In the games when they force teams into jumpshots in the half court, especially from the outside, the defense carries the day. It is the moments in games like vs. Can't State, VCU and URI where the opponent is able to get out and run, getting easy baskets in transition, or early in the shot clock that the Zips struggle. The offense is better than the title team from a year ago. My gut watching the games tells me this, and the numbers appear to bear it out. They're not the juggernaut of 2006-07 offensively, but they have reduced significantly the long 6+ minute scoring droughts that plagued last seasons teams. The exceptions being @ Can't State of course. On the offensive side, things work better when the ball enters the paint. The shots don't need to come from the paint, but the ball needs to get in there. When Nik, Chris, Zeke & Jimmy get touches inside, it opens things up for the outside shooting. It's not a great outside shooting club, but in the games they get the open looks .. they can bury teams from out there. Ultimately the strength of the team lies in the front court with Nik, Jimmy .. and at times Zeke & Chris. Matchups: There are some matchups in the conference that really favor the Zips. Miami is one .. the Redskins just don't have the horses inside to compete for 40 minutes with the Zips. BG, even though they have Polk have also struggled against UA. Mixed results against U@B & OU (2 wins though), and success on the road vs. CMU & WMU. The matchup that hurts the Zips the most is apparently length and quickness in the backcourt. When the Zips struggle to prevent penetration by opposing guards, it puts pressure on the defense and opens up outside shooters. The OU game @ home was a good example of this. On the other end of the court, length at the perimeter can hinder the post entry pass and by doing that alter the Zips effectiveness offensively. I do believe the Zips have shown the ability to circumvent this at times. Going big causes problems for opponents. Fletcher is solid on D for Miami, but he's out there alone somewhat since Mavunga likes less contact. If Can't State is forced to play Parks, that's a big advantage for the Zips. OU and U@B also struggle to defend more than 1 or 2 bigs at a time. In the Can't State title game a couple of years ago, KD got around the perimeter ball pressure by running a point forward offense w/ Linhart at the point, and the guards (Dials & Middleton) down on the corners. This allowed the Zips to initiate the offense from up top, got them good entry passes and really good looks at the rim. Now the Zips shot 6 for 80 in the first half, so the outcome wasn't what we wanted, but they got good looks .. inside 10 feet .. at will. Just didn't hit them or their foul shots that day. I'll be looking for this type of adjustment if the Zips see Can't State again on Saturday. My Gut Predictions: While the Zips had a bad loss at home vs. EMU earlier, I do believe that the matchups & depth favor the Zips in the quarterfinals. Hopefully, they'll shake off last week's game. Come in and execute Akron Basketball, drive the matchups that favor Akron, and I like the Zips to advance. In the second round, the Zips beat both teams on the road, and have had good success recently. It will again be a case of coming out, rebounding well .. forcing the action and defending effectively. Kool can go for 30 and still have the Broncos lose by 20 .. it's happened I think this season. IMHO, the success of this team @ the Q this week will hinge on the paint. If the Zips control the paint, getting the ball there on offense, and preventing post entry on defense, they'll likely be standing as the champs again come Saturday. If they allow consistent ball penetration, and can't get their inside-out post offense running well .. they may struggle to defend the title they still hold. I'm optimistic. Ultimately, the Zips are the most experienced team in this tournament by a wide margin. The past 3 seasons, they're 8-2 at the Q. No Zips player on the roster has lost a Thursday or Friday game @ the Q. All they know is playing for the title on Saturday night. Think about that. They don't know how else to do it. Let's hope they keep that streak going. They've had a nice regular season to put themselves in a favorable draw and position to play for an NCAA birth again. Here's hoping they execute and give themselves a chance to defend on Saturday night. I do like their chances in a third matchup vs. Can't State. Go Zips! B) B) Unrelated: Apparently when it rains in Atlanta, planes throughout the Southeast forget how to fly. Hope I make it home in time to see the games.

Apologies for the scarcity of my notes and postings. It's been a hectic season away from the JAR for Watcher & family. I was hoping to comment a few times after the non-con, after the first East swing, the West .. etc, but not all of that happened.In August, I posted this entry where I summed up my perspective of last season's events. I believed then, as I do now, that the 2008-2009 Zips were among the best 2 D1 Zips team to date.Now we enter the second season of 2009-2010. The regular season has ended and the Zips move directly to the MAC Quarters at Quicken Loans Arena on Thursday. I think this is as good a time as any for a step away and look a the season thus far on the whole. Where do the current Zips stack up against the recent teams?In short, I believe there's ample achievable opportunity for this team to assume the mantle of Best D1 Zips Team Ever. It's there for the taking.The Basics:The Zips enter the tournament as the 3 seed. With the second best MAC record @ 12-4, they finished 1 game behind the regular season champion and a full 3 games clear of the rest of the league. This is also 2 games better than a year ago when the Zips finished the RS @ 10-6 and settled for the 5 seed, needing to play an opening round game. So in this fashion, the current Zips are improved over last season. Other recent seasons and tournament seedings / results:2010: 22-9 OA, 12-4 MAC, #3 Seed, Finish TBD2009: 19-12 OA, 10-6 MAC, #5 Seed, Won Tournament2008: 21-9 OA, 11-5 MAC, #3 Seed, Lost Tourney Final2007: 24-6 OA, 13-3 MAC, #2 Seed, Lost Tourney Final2006: 21-8 OA, 14-4 MAC, #3 Seed, Lost Tourney Semi-final2005: 18-9 OA, 11-7 MAC, #6 Seed, Lost Tourney Quarter-finalAs for overall record, the Zips came into the MAC tourney @ 22-9. A solid, if not spectacular regular season, with few losing streaks, and several runs of multiple wins. Coming into the tournament, these Zips have won 7 of 10 and 10 of 15. Recent trends heading into the MAC tournament (Last 4, Last 10, Last 15):2010: 2-2, 7-3, 10-52009: 2-2, 6-4, 10-52008: 2-2, 6-4, 9-62007: 4-0, 8-2, 13-22006: 2-2, 6-4, 10-52005: 2-2, 6-4, 11-4So looking strictly at standings and records, it can be said that this Zips team has again the opportunity to take the mantle of "best D1 Zips team ever" away from the previous team, with a few more wins in Cleveland. They have finished as strong or stronger down the stretch compared to the title team of 2009, and boast the 3rd best MAC record in KD's tenure.The Statistics:How are the Zips doing by the numbers? We've found new tools to look at individual performances this season, which I like. However, it's interesting to me to look at the offensive and defensive team performances.Defensive Stats (Allowed PPG, FG%, 3PT%, A/T):2010: 64.2, 41.3, 30.8, 0.742009: 60.3, 40.3, 29.1, 0.552008: 63.8, 44.6, 32.6, 0.702007: 61.0, 40.2, 33.1, 0.702006: 66.1, 42.8, 34.1, 0.902005: 65.6, 40.4, 34.3, 0.80Offensive Stats (PPG, FG%, 3PT%, A/T):2010: 69.9, 43.7, 33.1, 0.992009: 66.8, 41.8, 33.2, 0.912008: 70.8, 44.1, 38.6, 1.002007: 75.3, 48.5, 39.3, 1.202006: 72.9, 45.3, 36.6, 1.302005: 71.8, 44.5, 37.3, 1.20Margins (Scoring, Rebounding):2010: +5.7 ppg, +2.6 rpg2009: +6.5 ppg, -1.1 rpg2008: +7.0 ppg, -1.0 rpg2007: +12.3 ppg, +2.3 rpg2006: +6.8 ppg, +1 rpg2005: +6.2 ppg, -2.5 rpgClearly the best offensive team statistically has been the 2006-07 club, and best defensive team 2008-09. A huge margin of +12.5 ppg was powered by the best offense of KD's tenure, and the 2nd best defense by points (tops in FG% allowed). The common thread for 2009 and 2010 is improved 3PT % defense, down around 30%. The scoring margin this year is the lowest of KD's tenure, bu the defense is in the top half of the era. This has been the best KD Zips team on the glass.So while the seeding and wins situation is among the strongest positions the Zips have ever had coming into the MAC Tournament, this Zips team has been winning closer games than others in the past 6 seasons. Maybe that means they're better closers .. maybe their margin of error is smaller, you can draw your own conclusions. My first take away is that this is a strong team, entering the MAC tournament in a good position, record wise and tournament draw.Stats can't tell the entire picture, as 2007 showed us, but this team is winning many important categories and holds up well against the recent Zips teams on paper.Strategy:I think the Zips have been very successful when they've forced the action to their strengths. In the games when they force teams into jumpshots in the half court, especially from the outside, the defense carries the day. It is the moments in games like vs. Can't State, VCU and URI where the opponent is able to get out and run, getting easy baskets in transition, or early in the shot clock that the Zips struggle.The offense is better than the title team from a year ago. My gut watching the games tells me this, and the numbers appear to bear it out. They're not the juggernaut of 2006-07 offensively, but they have reduced significantly the long 6+ minute scoring droughts that plagued last seasons teams. The exceptions being @ Can't State of course.On the offensive side, things work better when the ball enters the paint. The shots don't need to come from the paint, but the ball needs to get in there. When Nik, Chris, Zeke & Jimmy get touches inside, it opens things up for the outside shooting. It's not a great outside shooting club, but in the games they get the open looks .. they can bury teams from out there. Ultimately the strength of the team lies in the front court with Nik, Jimmy .. and at times Zeke & Chris. Matchups:There are some matchups in the conference that really favor the Zips. Miami is one .. the Redskins just don't have the horses inside to compete for 40 minutes with the Zips. BG, even though they have Polk have also struggled against UA. Mixed results against U@B & OU (2 wins though), and success on the road vs. CMU & WMU.The matchup that hurts the Zips the most is apparently length and quickness in the backcourt. When the Zips struggle to prevent penetration by opposing guards, it puts pressure on the defense and opens up outside shooters. The OU game @ home was a good example of this. On the other end of the court, length at the perimeter can hinder the post entry pass and by doing that alter the Zips effectiveness offensively.I do believe the Zips have shown the ability to circumvent this at times. Going big causes problems for opponents. Fletcher is solid on D for Miami, but he's out there alone somewhat since Mavunga likes less contact. If Can't State is forced to play Parks, that's a big advantage for the Zips. OU and U@B also struggle to defend more than 1 or 2 bigs at a time.In the Can't State title game a couple of years ago, KD got around the perimeter ball pressure by running a point forward offense w/ Linhart at the point, and the guards (Dials & Middleton) down on the corners. This allowed the Zips to initiate the offense from up top, got them good entry passes and really good looks at the rim. Now the Zips shot 6 for 80 in the first half, so the outcome wasn't what we wanted, but they got good looks .. inside 10 feet .. at will. Just didn't hit them or their foul shots that day. I'll be looking for this type of adjustment if the Zips see Can't State again on Saturday.My Gut Predictions:While the Zips had a bad loss at home vs. EMU earlier, I do believe that the matchups & depth favor the Zips in the quarterfinals. Hopefully, they'll shake off last week's game. Come in and execute Akron Basketball, drive the matchups that favor Akron, and I like the Zips to advance.In the second round, the Zips beat both teams on the road, and have had good success recently. It will again be a case of coming out, rebounding well .. forcing the action and defending effectively. Kool can go for 30 and still have the Broncos lose by 20 .. it's happened I think this season.IMHO, the success of this team @ the Q this week will hinge on the paint. If the Zips control the paint, getting the ball there on offense, and preventing post entry on defense, they'll likely be standing as the champs again come Saturday. If they allow consistent ball penetration, and can't get their inside-out post offense running well .. they may struggle to defend the title they still hold. I'm optimistic.Ultimately, the Zips are the most experienced team in this tournament by a wide margin. The past 3 seasons, they're 8-2 at the Q. No Zips player on the roster has lost a Thursday or Friday game @ the Q. All they know is playing for the title on Saturday night. Think about that. They don't know how else to do it. Let's hope they keep that streak going.They've had a nice regular season to put themselves in a favorable draw and position to play for an NCAA birth again. Here's hoping they execute and give themselves a chance to defend on Saturday night. I do like their chances in a third matchup vs. Can't State.Go Zips! B) B) Unrelated: Apparently when it rains in Atlanta, planes throughout the Southeast forget how to fly. Hope I make it home in time to see the games.View the full blog post here.

true but I don't see Lebron winning a championship in his last year in cleveland...the Browns on the other hand will win the super bowl this year for sureAre you feeling ok? Spiking a fever? Maybe having a stroke?haha I was being sarcastic NO cleveland team will ever win another championship! the sad part is I'm beginning to think the curse has spread to AkronMy response: Akron AerosMy response: Akron Zips Basketball (it has been less than a year, hasn't it?)

I hope he backs it up by defending Nate's Tourney MVP award also.

+1A concise & on point comment from the Great GP1.Go Zips!!

+10 .. maybe Dave's shortest post this season is his best ?Jimmy is a good example of why I prefer Akron basketball to the NBA and even my alma maters .. you have the opportunity to see players work through challenges, put forth the effort and grow during 4 years on the team. While he has been my son's (5 yr old) favorite player, I kindof wish Jimmy would be around when my boy was a bit older and closer to playing on a team. The example of effort and perseverance that Jimmy provides is IMHO a good one for young players to witness. Well done Jimmy! Congratulations! B) Go Zips

Actually, I think the regional finals in KY feed into the Sweet 16 .. which I do believe is @ Rupp. There may be 2 more rounds before the Final 4 for Dakotah.

Try this corner.

Mythtv via schedules direct is showing that the first 2 quarterfinals are going to be aired on Thursday live on FSN-OH. Thursday and Friday night look to have pro sports on FSN.Go Zips!

My pleasure. But there has to be better example of OU bred sportswriters than Pluto and Mariotti?

Where in the world is Matt Lauer in this fight?

You're right, there were two players on the floor last night that looked like they wanted it and played smart basketball: Ronnie Steward and Nik Cventenivic. Everyone else seemed to fold under the pressure. Nikola is going to be one hell of a player by the time he's a senior.I thought Zeke was solid last night. I'd put him as better than effective. His shots were some of the only ones we got inside, and the lack of inside effectiveness killed the Zips last night.As for Ronnie and Nik, I thought they both played pretty well, but overall, I thought Jimmy flat out brought it and wanted the win more than anyone.Nice game James.Go Zips!

Horrible game last night--no doubt about it. Horrible opinions today--no doubt about it. I'll see your moron and raise you an idiot. Can't has a good team--it's OK to admit it. And KD has done a lot if you look at where the team was when he came and where it is now. You can debate where they're headed but the debate will go nowhere because we don't know now--gotta wait and see.By the way, nobody threw confetti last night so the conference championship is yet to come. The real deal ends Saturday. Pull yourself off the train tracks and get ready for Thursday.+1Great post.