GoZips

Reading their thread about the game makes me envision that they are more interested in a post game party and dance. One poster suggested that Zeke is the 25th best player in the MAC. Or, at least, that is how I read it. Wrong. No mention of Pat Forsythe or the rest of the crew. Alex may start Friday, but, rest assured, Alex will not play any more than he is needed. He is still mending. Truth be known; the Zips can play without Alex. Other players beside Melo have been working the point. Speed kills. And, Coastal will be road kill. Team travels Thursday to South Carolina and will hold Thursday practice down there. Go Zips.

Vote DAILY for Scott Caldwell.

Yes, you probably did.

No, that is NOT what I said. Your assessment is unreasonable, inaccurate and nonsensical. If coaches behaved as you are portraying them they would soon be out of a career. Coaches love to teach and develop their players. They almost always do their best to help their charges. The player is a reflection of the coach's choice. After all, the coach offered the player a scholarship. Please remember that scholarship offers are made, in most cases, to seventeen year old boys not yet in their senior year of high school. The player has to do his part and get better as a student, person and player. Shall we saddle coaches with kids who fail to measure up? Instead of criticizing suggest an alternative that makes sense. You make coaches sound like self-serving ogres that do no not care a wit about their players. How wrong you are.

No, I neither said that or even suggested that. You need to realize that athletes tend to be rather competitive individuals. A player usually does not like sitting on the bench. Most especially if he/she realizes that the there are other players who will get the available playing minutes. Thus, when a player realizes that he/she is not going to play, there is a strong drive to go to a school where he can play. Don't you think that you would make the same choice? It does.Again I point out that scholarships are granted one year at a time. If Zeke Marshall was so good, like John Wall at Kentucky, and leaves after one year like Wall did, does the school have to hold his scholarship for the next three years? Contract law does apply. In contracts the obligation goes both ways. The player has to meet the requirements he/she has agreed to. Not being able to play as well as their team mates is not one of the stipulations. Technically, few players chose to "go along for the ride." A couple of years ago Steve Swiech realized that he was not going to play and opted to transfer. Steve excelled at a lower level school even to being named to their all conference time. Steve several times took the time visit his former Akron team mates.

Thanks for your clarification. Scholarships are generally given for one year. A player on scholarship has this year paid for. Not to worry. While it is sometimes necessary to not renew a player's scholarship (multiple reasons) what is happening now is the player realizing that he will not get much, if any, playing time. He elects to transfer to a school where he can get to play in games. Usually for a division one player this means transferring to a division two or three school so he does not have to sit out for a year. So many goofy rules; so little time.

huh?

True story: At the Coaches vs. Cancer Breakfast I approached Michael Reghi about him purchasing a Coaches vs. Cancer wrist band. He wanted me to give him one. Mr. Cheap Buckeye did not buy one. Over hearing this exchange Coach Senderoff asked me how much they cost. I told him the usual spiel ...three bucks, two for five. He took out his wallet and bought two, handing me a sawbuck. I mentioned to him that they say "Go Zips" on them. His reply, no problem its to fight cancer. The man has real class Cant or no Cant.

Time to weigh in. No one, at least at this time, is going to be red shirted. The rotation is at least ten deep. Akron has a lot of talent that can and will contribute. The picture becomes more clear come November 6th; the national Letter Of Intent early signing day. If all four of the young talent verbal-ed to Akron do sign any red shirt this year cutters up future playing time. The incoming class is estimated to be far and away the best talent load ever to come to Akron in a single signing class. As fans we have a limited look into the coaching staff's thinking. They find talent that fits their plan. Recruiting services are opinions. Our coaches make their livings building winners. Trust them. I repeat: No current freshman (McAdams, Kretzer, Forsythe or Betancourt) will be deliberately "red Shirted". Only a medical red shirt would sit anyone down. The up tempo, full court, end-to-end game requires a lot of able bodies. As the season wears on this need will be clear. Not sure if anyone watched Oklahoma State play an exhibition game Thursday evening. The O-state AD cautioned their fans to not take Akron lightly. He stated that Akron is a top fifty program. Coach Travis Ford and his staff know full well what they are going to face in Puerto Rico. Speaking of Rico; Alex was seen shooting baskets during the Thursday morning practice. He is healing nicely.

The final score was 111-72. Or, 183 total points. Those kind of scores do not occur when the ball is walked up the floor.

The Coaches vs. Cancer Breakfast was well attended. Lots of friendly ribbing and well attended by all four schools. Not a whole lot of basketball talk other than all the coaches claiming their team is young and not to expect a lot. Except, of course, KD who actually admitted that his Zips are a good team. At the end of the breakfast the coaches fielded questions. I proposed the idea of letting all 350+ division one teams participate in the NCAA tournament. Actually, the coaches first suggested this. My suggestion was to seed all the teams and have the number one seed play the first round at the lowest seeded team's venue. Do this for each team for all seeds. Then do this again in the second round before determining regional seedings. Same as fans have done before, the fans did not like the suggestion. But, all four of the attending coaches told me it is an excellent idea that they like. Remember tonight and again Saturday there will be three of us Zipsnation posters offering Coaches vs. Cancer wrist bands for three dollars, two for five.

Before getting all jacked out of shape by anyone's RPI consider looking at their home/away results. Notre Dame wins ten at home, but goes 3-3-1 on the road. Review the others. Akron compares favorably. The Zips need to take care of their own business; especially a hot Michigan State team on the road. Win out and there will be a top four seed for the Zips assuring them of home field up to the College Cup. Go Zips ... !!!!

obama speaking at 12:30 PM on a midweek school day. Good luck finding parking, getting to class, etc. Wonder why they are not using the Rubber Bowl with its acres of free parking and easy access to the highways. The Roo Express buses could be rerouted to include the Rubber Bowl for a day. White House advance people were sizing up the JAR during the Saturday morning intra-squad scrimmage. Wondered if they were spying for Oklahoma State. If they were, they got a great look at Pat Forsythe and Jake Kretzer making impact impressions on the coaching staff; not to mention Reggie McAdams taking some turns running the point.

This year's theme of "Think Bigger" does NOT revolve around two players. i.e. Zeke Marshall and Pat Forsythe. Demetrius "Tree" Treadwell has grown to six-nine. Nick Harney checks in at six-eight. Josh Egner is six-eight. Jake Kretzer is six-seven with Reggie McAdams a tad shorter. Ade"deje" Ibitayo has grown to six-five. Add in the four incoming players that range from six-six to six-nine and you have one very tall basketball team. note to LJ ... You wrote an excellent, informative post. The real fans understand the "chemistry" needed, which this group of players seems to possess.

Very interesting. Bold predictions by folks who have yet to attend a single Zips practice. Based on actual observations I would have to disagree with most of the "predictions". This is going to be the best Akron team most of us will have watched in our lifetimes. Several of the newcomers will play important roles in determining the Zips fate. note: I wrote important roles. Get a real look at the future Wednesday, October 31, at 7:30 PM when the Zips host Tiffin in the first of two preseason games. When you attend the Tiffin game be sure to see me on the "track" near the ticket check lady for your coaches vs. cancer wrist bands. They are only three bucks or two for five dollars. All proceeds go to the American Cancer Society. This is your chance to meet GoZips in person. You will recognize me by the "think BIGGER" Zips tee shirt. "think BIGGER" is the theme for this seasons men's basketball Zips.

My bad, I meant to post this earlier. Saturday practice begins at nine AM Sunday practice is tentatively set to begin at ten AM

No practice Monday. Coming week's practice schedule not yet released. But, probably practices Tuesday through Friday beginning at 8:30 AM. Sunday practice was just as intense as Friday and Saturday had been. As hard as Dambrot pushes drills there is little need to run suicides. The competition is fierce. No one has a free pass to a starting spot. As tough as the practices are, the players seem to enjoy being demanded to produce. A lot more chatter and player to player encouragement and applause than ever before. This team is serious. Check out the snow job Hilltopper did over on the MAC boards.

This morning I arrived for basketball practice twenty-five minutes early. Two people were on the court. Zeke Marshall and grad assistant Steve McNees. They were working on several different shots from the foul line in. Zeke shot. Steve rebounded and offered words of encouragement. Slowly others came on to the floor. Zeke and Steve ignored them as they continued their routine. Then practice began. Steve went about checking on different aspects necessary for a smooth running practice session. Steve directed team managers with various tasks. He often does any number of tasks himself. Pleasant, articulate and totally dedicated. A born gym rat. During practice Steve works on the scout team. He presents a formidable foe thanks to his many years of experience. He can still stroke the ball from three ball land. He still crashes the boards. Only, now he also teaches. He enjoys it. One of Steve's ideas has become a reality at Akron. Looking about the JAR Steve realized that there was a lot of space available to conduct mini-practices. Steve convinced coach Dambrot to invest in a back board, hoop and a "gun". The "gun" being a ball return machine. Now players can workout in the JAR when ever they desire (with in reason). This mini-gym is located on the tier just outside of the Tommy Evans lounge. His personal goal is to become a college basketball coach. I think he will succeed. I spent an hour and a half chatting with Steve's father Bill as we watched practice. Bill was a pretty fair high school coach. He has retired from coaching high school basketball while remaining as a teacher. Steve was as usual, one of the last off the court. Since Steve knew his Dad was treating him for dinner that takes a lot of dedication. I imagine they spent a good part of their time talking hoops. You need to come by and watch a team practice if for no more reason than to watch Steve develop his craft; and to just say "hi".

Akron once before had a kid who wore #99. His jersey belongs hanging in the rafters not only at Akron, but at the Dolphins as well.

Z-P, what the heck are you so disappointed about? Is the glass empty? That the Zips are not contending for a BCS bid and a chance at a National Championship? What did you realistically expect? Moonbeams in a jar? The Zips are right where coach Terry Bowden said they would be. They have reached phase two of his plan. You do remember his plan do you not? Phase one ... lose big. Think UCF, Tennessee. Phase two ... lose small. Think Miami of Ohio, Ohio U. Phase three ... win small. Phase four ... win big. Forget Morgan State. They were an FBS program. Phase five ... keep on winning big. It is a tribute to coach and his staff that the Zips have shown glimpses of how good they will be. This is like turning a sow's ear into a silk purse. The talent will come. And, it will come soon. Parents and advisers are telling their kids that they see potential at Akron. That Akron is a good place to play early. A chance to be part of a rebirth. A chance to have a lot of fun. You may not be proud of our kids accomplishments; but, I am. These kids have grown. They will pick up some of phase three this year. Wait and see. They will do Akron proud. Am I cheerleader for Terry Bowden? Yes, I am, a heart felt Go Zips ... !!!!! from me.

Practice was allowed to start at five PM. The first fifteen or twenty minutes was all warmup and stretches. Not likely that coach Dambrot has any interest in NCAA violations. The Zips have a really good team in the making. Reggie McAdams is pushing for lots of playing time. And, so is Pat Forsythe. These two men will quickly alter the look of the Zips. What a pleasure having two genuine and solid point guards in Abreu and Betancourt. The players love the up tempo play. You will see a lot of fast breaks this season. Years ago Houston (University there of) coined the phrase Phi Slamma Jamma. The Zips have resurected this forgotten fraternity. Come see for yourself at noon Saturday or ten AM Sunday.

The start time for this weekend's men's basketball practices have been changed. Friday practice starts at 5 PM (actual start time will be 5:30 per NCAA rules) Saturday practice starts at noon and runs until 4 PM Sunday practice starts at 10 AM and runs until 2 PM The public is invited to watch practice from the upper track area.

Interesting idea. The pre-season workouts were in four man groups. No five man offensive plays were attempted. What was worked on was setting picks; defensive switches and numerous other nuances of good basketball play. Thus, there were no situations where Melo and Alex were teamed up. They were in different four man groups. Even in "open" gym both players were in different player groups. Must point out that since both Alex and Melo are five-ten there is not much to be gained by both of them on the floor together. Based on last season, having a quality point guard on the floor at all times is far more important at this time than an unusual point guard combination. Both players are excellent defenders. Which means that players such as DJ Cooper will find it tough going this year when facing the Zips. Tag team match type play. Therefore, it is not likely that we will see the combination you suggest.

A lot of interesting speculations. No one has yet pointed out the obvious. The Zips lose Walsh, Gilliam and Zeke after this season; and, unfortunately, possibly, Quincy Diggs. While getting Quincy back next season is desirable; that too, has problems. Rust being one of them. The other and more glaring is that unless McAdams and Kretzer get playing time this season the Zips would have two positions that would not have an experienced player. That is bad news. Thus, it is highly unlikely that either McAdams or Kretzer will red shirt. Betancourt cures the problem of not having a back up point guard. Carmelo is already pushing Alex for playing time. McAdams played the point a little in high school. He gives the Zips a very tall (six-six) point for certain situations. Kretzer is showing that he is ready to play college ball. At six-seven he slots in nicely at the wing or small forward. Since this position loses Gilliam after this season, either Harney or Kretzer are the likely future wing forwards. Kretzer has a better three ball than Nick does. Harney goes to the basket better. They are about equal as defenders. Reggie McAdams looks to be the next two guard. McAdams at six-six presents match up problems for Akron opponents at the shooting guard. It is quite possible for Pat Forsythe to play power forward with Zeke on the floor. This gives the Zips both a right handed and a left handed shooter down on the blocks. This is a tough to defend scenario. Finding playing time for Ibitayo, Justice and Egner is a nice problem for coach Dambrot. Keep in mind that the Zips have four verbals from really quality incoming players. They are for the most part taller, more athletic players. Even the "guard" in this mix is six-five and can play the wing as well as the two hole. Doubt if any MAC coach is feeling sorry for Dambrot's problem of finding playing time for his steeds.

First practice is scheduled for Friday evening at 5:30 PM. While technically most Zips basketball practices are open to the public it would be wise to ask coach Dambrot before hand if you may attend. Saturday and Sunday are scheduled practice days at 9 AM. Most of the practice time early on will be drills and reviewing existing plays. There probably will not be any intra-squad scrimmages the first three weeks. You can count on a lot of suicides and other running drills as the Zips are expected to be more up tempo than in the recent past. The players are, for the most part, in excellent shape and already doing a lot of running. A couple players need to shed a few pounds. Come see who they are. I will NOT say who they are. Do not ask.