GoZips

+1

It is pretty darn tough to get better players to buy into a school that has 1-11 records three straight years. Breaking the mold with a 5-7 record changes the message. The chances of getting better talent to commit has to improve with the better record. Beating Toledo was the best win on the schedule. Quality team, headed to a bowl, got taken down a few pegs. Kudos to the Zips. The future schedule also improves the chances. Having a top quality head coach does not hurt either. Bowden is a great asset to Akron.

Of course Coach Dambrot does NOT sit around criticizing any other coach. KD and I discussed the tactic of kicking the ball away on a restart. This conversation took place BEFORE the game with Marquette. It was not about that specific play that ended the game. It was about the tactic which so often results in an opponent scoring a goal. Thanks for the criticism. I am often criticized because I am so dumb as to point out the obvious.

I discussed my view with Coach Dambrot. He agreed with me. It is a dumb play for the most part. But, what does KD know? He coaches the wrong sport. Pretty well, too, I must add. Oh, btw, I do ask KD about somethings I see. But, that is mostly to learn as I am not a basketball coach.

See how dumb I am? Those "punts", especially into the wind, spelled doom. Pass the ball to the defender next year. Stupid, stupid, stupid. Zips lose 1-0 late in first overtime on a returned punt. Idiots.

COST and to a lesser degree they could not fill a bus on short notice. Requires two drivers. That made the trip pricey.

No bus trip. Sorry.

Z.I.P., I am surprised at your comment. You know full well that the University of Hawai'i was looking for a home game. At no time was playing South Carolina even mentioned. The Zips game at South Carolina was brokered by ESPN after negotiations to play at UH fell through. Reason as far as I know was money. ESPN offered the Zips the opportunity to play in the Charleston Classic and a ESPN Tip Off game this year against St. Mary's. A much better deal for Akron than staying in Hawai'i for a couple more days and playing the 'Bows. Tip: Both Akron and South Carolina will suffer the same jet lag as the Zips fly straight to South Carolina with the Gamecocks.

Just an observation: When your keep continually "punts" the ball you are begging for the type of action we saw tonight. Think. When the keep passes the ball out to a defender you are putting the control of the ball in the hands of your defense men. That is nearly a 100% probability that your side controls the ball on the restart. Conversely; when the keep "punts" the ball on a restart such as a goal kick very bad things happen. You have just turned your possession into a 50/50 ball. Well, more like 75/25 in favor of your opponent. Think. The opponent is facing your keep and sees the ball being "punted". They can easily react to the punt. Where as your players have their backs to the ball making seeing the ball rather difficult. Result. The opponent easily attacks your goal by quickly returning the ball up field. This leads to plays in your end of the field. Wallah ...!!! Corner kicks which are converted into scores. When the keep punts the ball you just witnessed the dumbest/stupidest play in soccer. A sure fired way to help your side lose. NEVER, NEVER, EVER PUNT THE BALL. Only a moron does this.

STVM is the abbreviation for Saint Vincent-Saint Mary. STVM is the Catholic high school in Akron that has produced many, many quality players and coaches over the years. Coach Dambrot once coached basketball at STVM and had a young player affectionately nicknamed "the King" or LBJ who now plays for the Miami Heat in the NBA. Capice?

Frankly, Cap'n Kangaroo wrote his best and most incisive post ever today. DIG's response also hits it on the head. I just read the News Collector article about the women signing five players. They signed a point guard that on paper reads like a more knowledgeable and capable point guard than the two men the men have. And, she is taller, sigh. In fact, one point about the signees: they all are excellent shooters and ball handlers. Ahem. It sickened me to hear the TV announcer repeatedly describe Evans passes as "lazy". Because they were. There is no snap to his passes. They were repeatedly intercepted. Akron was turnover city. I thought I was in a bakery with all those turnovers. Perhaps it is not in the cards, but, for my money, I would love for Quincy Diggs to be Akron's point guard. Yes, I realize that Q is a departing senior. That creates a huge hole next season as Joshua Williams will still be in high school. Now where could the Zips find a point guard for next season? Well, the Zips still have one open scholarship for 2014. I think I'd spend it on a JUCO. That would also give Josh a year to learn the college game without throwing him to the wolves.

Kacie Cassell had nine assists and one turn over in twenty-three minutes. But, then, Coach Kest looks for gym rats. Sadly, I get the impression that Betancourt and Evans are more of the lounge lizard variety.

Old man up at five AM watching his beloved Zips play gawd awful. Bright spots (a few): Demetrius Treadwell played his kester off. Great game Tree. Big Dog shows he can play. Kwan earned his minutes. The down side (many): Most of the team is out of playing condition. Zero excuse for that. Failure to execute offense or defense as taught. "heros" trying to take over the game. Horrible point guard play from both the point guards. Horrible, horrible, horrible. Hurried shots repeatedly. Why? Other factors: Three AM start time is a killer. Midnight was bad enough for the Gaels. Horrid officiating. They made sure St. Mary's got the breaks. For the unbelievers: Quincy called for fouling a three ball shot. He NEVER touched the guy. Q looked pained by the phantom call. You think being a Catholic school that St. Mary's would have some integrity (coach responsible for this). Well, St. Mary's is on probation for of all things, cheating.

Honestly, the logistics probably will not be taken care of until late next Summer. But, I'll ask.

The Lady Zips opened their season with a "cream" puff; blowing them out 98-69 (Florida Atlantic). Our neighbors to the south choked on this tough cookie, barely escaping with a 91-88 win. Yep, the Buckeyes flattened Florida Atlantic, the same Florida Atlantic, by three points. You still think the Lady Zips aren't worth your time and a few shekels?

Look, I do not desire to offend you. That said, just where on a depth chart would you classify Cheatam? Twelfth of thirteenth? Kwan is going to see limited minutes most of the time. You badly under estimate Pat Forsythe. Pat had a pretty darn good game against Coastal. Tree is not alone in the front court. As for last year; its gone; kaput; done; fini. Let's concentrate on the potential of this really good edition of the Zips. Evans was not on the floor at the end of the game. Nyles fouled out. We are still hurting at the point. We will get by. Best point you made. Jake Kretzer, if healthy, will take the Zips a long way. Cheatam is more insurance regarding Jake than he is for Forsythe. To be that insurance KC has to come up to speed. Kwan will get it done given the experience.

QUOTE(zippy5 @ Nov 9 2013, 12:34 AM) * Is Big Dog hurt? Surely someone that hyped up didn't get 0 minutes on opening night. Right? Expect that both Cheatam and Johnson will not be red shirted. Neither played in the second half as Coach wanted a victory more than unveiling the red shirts. Kwan was disappointing in his first real time experience and was quickly yanked. If the score had permitted it, both Freshmen would have seen the floor in the second half. I got this evaluation from a coach. Actually all four Freshmen are fairly close in abilities. All could contribute this season. Then, of course, there would be a huge logjam. I realize that most of the posters believe they are far more knowledgeable and better equipped to evaluate the Freshmen than the coaches are.

Obviously you were not at the game as in, in the arena. For if you were, you would have quickly noticed that the entire overheard lighting was completely replaced with fast acting blue-white LEDs. No more dull yellow under tone. The new lighting is far superior to the old incandescent bulb and bell shaped reflectors. I do not know how many lumens better this new system is, however, I can state that it is brighter and easier on your eyes. The little light displays used during player introductions are not the new lighting system. Also, the new lighting was a gift to the university.

I had the opportunity to watch the last five minutes of last year's game this evening. Can you say "homer"? The Zips got "homered" by the officials; including a MAC official. Oh, btw, I watched this in one of the coach's office. Fair calls, Zips win. You figure it out. Remember, the Zips did not have Treadwell or Harney for that game.

Hilltopper is exactly correct. Between getting a huge payday in either cash or 3 or 4 return games plus that almost slam dunk guarantee, yes, Ole Miss would venture to South Carolina. Coaches love to keep their jobs and they are not prone to sticking their head in a vice. Playing Akron on the road is suicidal.

People complaining about the play of Pat or Big Dog keep in mind that Bluffton doubled down in the post nearly every time either Pat of the Dog touched the ball. The height advantage had to be offset by double coverage. Bluffton executed their defense fairly well against the "bigs". Kicking the ball out often resulted in dribble drives or open three ball shots. Pat and and Big Dog did what was expected of them. They filled up the middle and cut off penetration. Its not always how many points a player scores. What points the opponent can not score is also important. On a negative slant, both post players committed too many fouls.

Good post. +1

Treadwell at number four!!!!! Are you freaking kidding me? Are you seriously, freaking kidding me??? I stated in the beginning of this thread that it is biased. This proves it. Either these clowns know little or nothing about evaluating players or they are as crooked as a dog's hind leg.

Am amazed that no one singled out DeJi Ibitayo's play as having an impact on the decision making process. Deji had a surreal, almost Jimmy Conyers deja vu affect on the game. If Deji can continue that level of play the Zips can safely red shirt any or all of the three Freshmen.

Kentucky could not get them to schedule that game for last night. The Transylvania players were getting blood transfusions.