wadszip

Well, I nearly followed through on my break from following the team (see post from the Miami thread). I didn't go, instead opting to go to a friend's house to hang out. Funny thing is, when I left, I begrudgingly turned over to 1350 to see how the game was going. When I flipped it on, the Zips were up 59-26 so I was like, OK, I'll listen until I get there. Well, by the time I got there it was 63-41, and I was like, here we go again. They'll slop through the second half and have to hang on for an 8-10 point win. Anyway, just got home and checked the box and saw the final. Maybe I'm the bad-luck charm as the team outscored BG 85-39 when I wasn't listening, lol. On the bright side, there is no way I can make it Tuesday, even if I wanted. So, I'll take one for the team and continue my "break", haha. But if they can beat the Bobcats, not sure I'll be able to stay away from the Kent game, unless it's sold out by that time. One last observation, saw the 4,300 number. I think it's clear how much the Cavs and HS games have killed our first two Friday numbers, which IIR, were both low 3,000 (WMU and Buffalo). The WMU game, the Cavs were @Minnesota that night, but HS was in full swing (though midseason). I'm guessing attendance, due to it being the league opener, was probably at least 1,000 less than if it was on Saturday afternoon. The Buffalo game, the Cavs were at home against Boston and high school basketball was at the end of the regular season (like 5-6 league deciding games in just the Akron area that night). That was a huge game and only low 3,000 (It didn't "help" that Buffalo students canceled their trip due to a bad storm.) Still, that game had sell out written all over it. Then tonight, Cavs were in Toronto, and while there were still quite a few HS games, it was sectional play (meaning alot of mismatches). The Zips were coming off gut-punching b2b losses and playing a horrible team. Yet, 4,300 show up. I'm guessing a Saturday game brings 5,000. Luckily, the Cavs don't play next Friday and it's Kent, so it will still sell out (regardless of Friday vs. Saturday). Still, the four Friday games, IMO, will have probably cost 4,000 in attendance. But I guess it's not all bad considering they will still average nearly 4,000 for those games, and they get the exposure of being on TV. And to be honest, I'm actually stunned that tonight's game got 4,300. I was expecting to see another crowd in the low 3,000 range due to the recent recent losses. Maybe Joe Akron isnt as fickle as in years past (or as fickle as I was after the Miami debacle). In my defense, though, I have either attended/watched on TV/or listened on the radio easily 90 percent of the game's the past 10 years, and that Miami game was easily the low on-court-performance for me, considering what was at stake. And while the Miami game ultimately didn't cost us anything in terms of the league title, it eliminated any, albeit slim to begin with, chances to get an at-large bid, and it realistically slots the Zips in a 13/14 seed if they do get the NCAA bid. Plus, with the way things played out, the Zips would've clinched the regular season title tonight if they didn't lay that egg in Miami. Maybe my expectations are too high, but that crap still sticks with me despite the bounce-back against a team that is like death and taxes to the Zips under KD.

InTheZone is exactly right, it's frustrating. I hope they do well, but I'm done wasting my time following them. I'll check the box score to see how they do from here, but that's the amount of effort I'm going to invest. Anything more just seems like a waste of time. I'm hardly calling for KD's head, but something has to change. This team collapses every year down the stretch, then even when they do make a run in Cleveland, they have played themselves into a 14 seed and have no hope of winning a tournament game since the athlete-deficient Zips run into a team that is superior in athletes and has just as much skill. I was hoping this year would be different, and this team could play it's way to an 11 or 12 seed and get matched up with a team that had some flaws. That is out the window. Even thinking that this team can win the MAC tournament title seems like a pipedream at this point. This is the lowest I've felt since the Abreu arrest. I took a year year off from really investing anytime in this program then. I'm probably going to do the same again. Kudos to those who stick it out once again. BTW, am I the only one who feels the football program's future, and potential, is way higher than the basketball program's? TB hasn't had the same quick turnaround in terms of W/L percentage, but he seems to be building a foundation that can lead the football team to greater relative Heights than what KD seems to be able to do. In four years, TB has the Zips winning a bowl. In 12 years, KD has yet to win a tourney game. To be fair, beating Utah State in the Potato Bowl, is probably akin to KD beating Florida State in the NIT. But I think Akron football is closer to beating a P5 team in a mid-tier bowl than KD is to winning a tournament game (about an equal comparison).

This is heat of the moment and I don't watch CUSA enough to know for sure, but it is impossible to have worse refs than what we have in the MAC. And I'm not going to say the Zips got robbed, even though the calls were horrible in the last 5 seconds. The refs were atrocious all game long on both sides, but what's new. I know CUSA, right now, is no better in football or basketball than the MAC, but if a spot ends up opening, Akron needs to jump on it and get out of this joke of a league. Adding Akron, now that football is competitive, easily pushes CUSA back in front of the MAC. Plus, it would help the soccer program.

I think it's safe to say Ball will be the big back next season. Looking at pictures of him, he is a yoked 225. Not an ounce of fat on him. Even though Ball didn't see much time at OSU, he must have talent as Uban Meyer let him stick around for four years. Usually guys who don't produce are encouraged to find a new school or given a medical hardship to clear a new spot.

I've been crunching some numbers on the mid-major teams who still have at large aspirations (usuing KenPom). The Zips compare pretty well to almost all of them: Valpo, Stony Brook, Chattanooga, Monmouth, UNC-Wilmington, William & Mary, James Madison, Hawaii, UC Irvine, St. Mary's, etc. The problem is there are not many elite teams this year, so the P5 schools are spreading top 50/100 wins around more than usual. Then the A10 and American are really going to squeeze the true mid majors out of a spot or two. Take Temple, they are 15-8, but have 5 top 50 wins. 7 of their losses are to teams ranked in the top 117 (cutoff for top 1/3). While I think Akron is better than Temple, no way can Akron's resume compare to that. Same with Houston, while Akron is closer in resume, the Cougars have 5 top 100 wins (Akron has 1). Even Tulsa probably has a stronger case. Like Temple, they are 15-8. They have 4 top 100 wins. And they also have 7 top 100 losses. Plus, they have three eye-opening wins: Wichita State (11), UConn (22) and @SMU (23). Looks like the American could go from a 2 bid league (Cincy, UConn) to a 3-5 one. Situation is the same in the A10. A couple weeks ago, it looked like just a two bid league (Dayton and VCU). Now, St. Joseph's is definitely in and George Washington and St. Bonaventure have resumes comparable to Akron's. It won't get five, but three is a lock and four is realistic. I went through who I thought was in and came up with 66 schools (every true MM as a one bid league). That would mean only two open spots ... Probably one for Wichita State and Gonzaga if neither win an auto bid. If both win, then those spots are back open, but probably a dozen teams who have pretty similar resumes. This team has played its way closer to an at large than it ever has. But one more loss (before the MAC title game) ends those hopes. Even with just a MAC title game loss, while I think enough of Akron's comps would also falter where the Zips would claim one of the last couple spots, its not a given. Bottom line, its still about winning in Cleveland (like it always is).

That's been the plan all season long. This team shoots very few mid-range shots (which are the lowest percentage shots you can take). They don't get much going to the rim from the guards, but that's because Antino and Noah are small and usually looking to kick to the open shooter (and both are more shooters anyway). But when you have 6-10, 300 (dog), 6-11, 250 (Pat) and even 6-10, 235 (Kwan, now that he playing of the distributer role out of the block), why wouldn't you play like that? The way they are playing right now is exactly how the people who saw the potential (and, of course the coaching staff) envisioned. We knew the 3 point shooters were there. We knew the size in the block was there. It was about meshing it. That is happening. And when this team is clicking, call me a homer, but it is a team that can beat anybody in the country. It's part of why I absolutely hated watching this team from about mid-December to mid-January. You saw the talent, but they played like absolute crap. They luckily out talented everybody but CMU and Toledo in that stretch. But now that they are putting it back together, its a thing of beauty when its clicking. Of course Big Dog has been the biggest key. If he's out any time, this team may have to go back to finding a way to out talent opponents. Luckily, part of Big Dog's emergence was due to Pat being hobbled. Now that Big Dog is hobbled, it appears like Pat is finally back to near 100 percent. He's the one who will have to carry this team (as far as what they are doing offensively) if Dog misses time. Luckily, he's a fifth year senior who has a track record of being able to carry that load (and tonight was the most confident he looked all year). I think everybody on this team has figured out their role. The key now, is getting everybody healthy for when it matters (in Cleveland and the tourney). Of course, this is Akron, nothing is ever that easy. In fact, this team has not been 100 percent all year, but is still sitting at 20-4. That's the bright side. The even brighter side is getting the full potential in March. If they can do that, I don't think it will be a wild ride, but a special ride. I'll hear anybody out, but nobody can convince me that this team, at 100 percent with players buying into their roles, is anything less than a Sweet 16 (or better) type team. Yes, they are that talented, and more importantly, built as that type of team. That's not saying they are a lock to make a run like that (because how many times have you seen a top tier team lose in a one-game scenario). I'm just saying, if they do get to that level, it won't be because of a fluke (if this team is at full strength).

I can't agree with this more. This is easily the most talented team in the KD era (which probably means ever). But this team was flat out bad for a month. Luckily, it only cost them two road wins against two talented teams. But this team is again playing up to their potential (and CMU is a Damn good team). But I feel confident that we will see them (and beat them) again in Cleveland.

I know it's all about TV, but I bet there were at least 500-1,000 people who planned on attending this game, but had Cavs tickets (raises hand) or opted for a local HS game. And there were some big ones in some of UA's biggest areas ... Copley-Highland, Barberton-Tallmadge, Stow-Hudson and all the Federal league teams, I believe, had league games. Personally, I had the Cavs tickets long before this game was moved to Friday night, so no way was I ditching those (though I should've, lol). I'm guessing probably would've been at least 4,500 if not for all that, which is solid for a Friday night. There was just too much basketball going on tonight to sell out between the Cavs and all the high school games. And the Canton Charge were also home tonight (and they draw decent numbers ... 2,500 or so). Then, there was TV. The last four home games should draw big crowds. Buffalo and Ohio, even on Tuesdays will be 4,500-plus (though both are easy sellouts on a Saturday). BG on a Saturday could sell out and Can't on a Friday will sell out. The only H2H left against the Cavs is the Can't game, and that shouldn't matter.

After that frustrating stretch from post Vegas to after the Toledo game, this team is once again starting to show why myself, and many others on here, had/have high expectations from this team. This was a big win in a place where Akron historically struggles (and yes, I know its now 3 of 4 wins at the Convo, but none have been easy). Not to take anything away from Josh Williams' performance, but this is easily Big Dog's team. They will go as far as he can carry him, and with his size and skill advantage he has on 90 percent of college big men, it could be a special run. I said it a month ago that I think he will be an NBA player. I'm now convinced. While the NBA has changed with a focus more on bigs who can stretch the floor, there is always going to be a place for a guy who can overpower people in the paint. And Big Dog's biggest NBA attribute will be how well he reads defenses and make the right pass out of the block to an open man on the perimeter. I'll go as far to say that if he continues to play as well (or even better) than he has in the last month, there is a chance he could be drafted this year (in the second round). But next year (as long as he doesn't make a rash decision .... First vs.second round in the NBA is an absolute game changer in terms of money due to first rounders being guaranteed a 3 year contract), he could be one of the best (if not the best) true centers in college basketball. I can see a 18-10-2 line, which IMO, puts him in the first round discussion. I think we are starting to see a guy who will go down as maybe the best player in Zips history. I don't know about the rest of you, but anytime he has the ball, I get the feeling something positive is going to happen. Now that he is hitting seeming every free throw he takes, just ride the dog and go wherever he takes this team (and it absolutely helps that this team has the shooters to give him room to make the right read).

The 25 max is a soft max. It's all about the 85 limit. As long as you have players that can be back rolled into the previous class (transfers, early enrollees) or moved to the next class (grey shirt, non qualifier), they could sign as many as needed as long as stay at 85. With the way Bowden has constructed this roster, I don't think we'll ever have to worry about a 25 limit. There are a lot of ways he can make the numbers work. Plus, even if they only bring in the 15 "new" players (though guys like Natson, Jones and Smith were on the roster last year), expect to see a bunch of transfers following signing day. That's not a huge surprise, but this year is going to be even more transfer rich than most with all the coaching turnover (10-plus P5 coaching changes). Schools are wrapping up their classes and once those are set, there are going to be a bunch of P5 talent that is going to be processed to make room for guys the new coaches are bringing in. Plus, even schools like Ohio State and Michigan (who don't have new coaches) are both over there 85 limits. They are both going to have to "cut" 2-3 players. Basically, there is going to be a lot of talent come on the market in the next couple of months. Some will be fifth year guys who can play right away. Some will be guys who have to sit, but will have multiple years left. The more spaces Akron is under the 85 on signing day, the more of those guys they can bring in.

I'm hopeful Clark will be in this class. I haven't read that he has committed anywhere. Since he is a JUCO (presumably because he didn't qualify) he is free game to any program despite signing last year. But since he went the JUCO route, he may not have the proper credits to transfer to a FBS school until next year.

Not necessarily, but it sounded like he made a firm decision. I can't find the article I read the other day, but he said he saw what he needed at Arkansas State to end his recruitment.

Cross off Wey-Wey, he committed to Arkansas State tonight.

It's called Akron-Can't playing in November. The 2003 Akron-Can't game was a great atmosphere (but horrible choke job by Akron). It was also the season opener and had 35,000. With so many P5 conferences playing an extra league game, its nearly impossible for the MAC to make that a season opener, but you move it up to September, and a Saturday, and it will sell out again.

I agree with almost everything you posted. And I think getting Jamal Davis is a nice addition. However, I think a 60/40 split between transfers and HS kids is too high. It has worked to make this program competitive, but to make the next jump, I think you still need the bulk of the players to be guys who have been in the system for 4-5 years (even if the PT isn't until later). For example, to make that next jump, Akron has to land guys like Jamal Davis out of HS. It's good that he's here now, but he has spent two years developing in another system. Then sprinkle in the transfers (grad, multiple years guys or JUCO). I'd say that 65 percent HS and 35 percent others is probably the most optimal for a school like Akron. You figure that each class (taking attrition into account) is roughly 25 kids. That means 16 HS and 9 transfers. That still leaves plenty of room to take on transfers, but allows TB to better build repore with HS coaches. That could pay big dividends, especially locally. I'll use your son as an example (but lets pretend he went to Canton McKinley and not Buford ... comparable since both schools have produced a ton of talent). Getting somebody like him, who TB saw something in that others didn't, could down the line lead to some of the "Jamal Davis'" to choose Akron right away over mid tier P5 programs. Obviously, the guys who are being recruited by the elites aren't coming to Akron out of HS, but 9 transfers still leaves the door wide open for some to end up back home (Sevon Pittman). It would also still allow for a couple second-chances like Jamal Marcus, or grads like Darryl Monroe. It also increases the chances of finding the next Jatavis Brown... A guy who could start at any college in the country, who was overlooked. Plus, it could lead to a couple more Tyler Shipman's, you know kids who aren't necessarily at a school you expect to be a feeder, but they have something you see in them and are willing to take a shot on. Who knows what the next couple years will bring with him. But it seems like you are heavily invested in seeing the program succeed, so I'm guessing your son is also 100 percent buying into what direction this is headed. A system kid who excelled in an area like NEO (or Atlanta) can blossom into a very good player if they know the system inside and out and are on board with what some good coaches are preaching. Overall, unless you are Urban Meyer (I'll take 3 4-star prospects today) or Nick Saban (who will probably get three 5 stars to counter), there is definitely more than one way to skin a cat. But I think TB has done a good job of bringing talent in.

I'm not sure if this is serious or sarcasm.Of that list, Boxen is from Western Pa. That isn't local. If you are trying to say that is local, why not include Woodson, Guiser or the other WPa guys? I would agree that WPa, historically, has been Akron's best out of state area. Turfe is from Canton ... Michigan, and a walk on. Lebanon (Wolfe) is outside of Cincinnati. Of the local guys. All are walkons, outside of Ericksen, Hlay, Junius, Lane, Moore and Newman Williams. Obviously, Bowden has been able to make some inroads to get 10 local starters off the school's first ever 8 win and bowl winning team. I'm just a bit perplexed that it hasn't translated to getting even more of the higher tier local kids to buy in. Right now, there are probably 50 HS recruits from NEO committed to FBS schools. Not one is committed to Akron. That is mind boggling. Granted, there are some local transfers who will take up scholarships (and I don't mind that approach, especially since the recent results have been good), but I thought TB would be able to a better job of being able to sell this program to local HS recruits this year. Right now, it appears it is the opposite since there are none, and he has been able to pull in some local kids who has other options in his first 3-4 classes.

That sucks. He looks like he can be a gem that the high majors missed on. If Nelson flips, what is that one HS recruit still committed? At least Bowden has done a good job mining the transfers. And regardless of the pasts of some of the kids he has taken, to my knowledge, none have been in any trouble with the law. Actually, the only problems since TB has taken over was the McDonald's crew, IIR. And they were all Ianello recruits. And it was a relatively minor incident in the grand scheme of college football. But its a bit concerning that TB hasn't been able to make more local inroads in this class despite the program being in better shape than anytime in its D1 era, especially since he has gotten some good local players the past couple years. And for the "we don't need local D2 players" crowd. Let's not forget that about 10 of the starters from last year's team were from the I77 Cleveland/Akron/Canton corridor. And while a bit flawed, Max preps has ranked the Greater Cleveland area (which includes Akron and Canton) as no worse than the No. 7 metro area for football in each of the last three seasons, including No. 3 in 2013. And I'm pretty sure that whatever metric you use judging big metros, Cleveland/Akron/Canton will always make the top 10.

I'm guessing you are a Toledo fan. Seriously, no hate at all. I think you guys are on the verge of being what Akron was 10 years ago, an up and comer capable of putting together some MAC tourney title teams. Hopefully,if you get there, you'll have more success than us. Even without Booth, your program looks like it has a bright future. Can't really say the same thing here. This is a senior dominated team, and the younger guys look like they have no leadership. And I'm not seeing anything special with next year's recruiting class. Really, Akron benefited from the West sucking, and Can't and Ohio (and most recently Buffalo) having major coaching turnover. Things are starting to even up, most notably, the West becoming just as good as the East. On the bright side, as long as the MAC tourney is in Cleveland, Akron has a shot.

Not sure where you are going with this... There was Chandler Kincade, who Bowden got over Pitt (one time commit), Rutgers and Temple. Woodson was a commit to Arizona, but wound up signing with Akron. However, there was the kid from McKeesport who wound up at Indiana University... of Pennsylvania, blanking on the name. Then the Harrison kid from Chaminade-Julienne. While he is now a Navy commit, it's not like he has racked up the offers. His sheet is Air Force and Navy (two option teams). He was quickly replaced by Nelson, who is higher rated and has a better offer list. Hopefully, he sticks. Bowden also got Chapman (though his stock wasn't exactly high when he enrolled, but it pissed off the hometown Can't fans). Who am I missing?

I see former 5 star RB Derrick Green is transferring from Michigan. He's a grad transfer, so would be eligible right away. While he has been a "bust" so far, Akron has an immediate need for an inside runner with the losses of Hundley and Alexander. He's worth a shot if he has any interest. He's from Virginia, so no local connection.

Right now, the goal is to simply keep that all important 21 win streak in tact. Since it has helped elevate the program to new heights. Hopefully, they'll sweep Miami and BG,then eek out 4 more wins somehow. That will keep this program right up there with Gonzaga, Duke and Kansas! I'm not gonna give up on the season, but after tonight, I'm done being emotionally invested in this program. We're simply just another MAC program. And actually, that's all this program has been for three years now. And Im not seeing anything to get excited about in the future. It's looking like this golden era of Zips basketball is going to end up being three NCAA appearances, and three first round blowout losses. Who knows when this program will get back. The MAC has quickly caught up to us.

I think it is scheme more than effort (Robotham and Jackson simply aren't good defenders right now). The 3 point defense has been elite, and that is because like Zippy5 said, this team is still defending like Zeke is in the middle. In theory, the Zips do have two big bodied 6-11 and 6-10 guys on the back end. They should be able to alter shots. Problem is, Big Dog isn't the most fleet of foot and he's not a great shot blocker. Pat has shown flashes of being a solid rim protector, but he hasn't been healthy all year (ribs and now the ankle). Guards don't fear going at either, and most of the times it seems like Big Dog and Pat are late to get in position to alter a shot, or they are the ones being blown by because the Zips do a ton of switching on high screens (because they are taking away the three). I completely understand the philosophy KD and the staff had coming into the season. We'll take away the three even if means giving up some penetration, because with the two big guys back there, it means teams will either have to pull up for a 10-15 footer or go over a 6-10 or 6-11 guy for a contested layup. But we're 16 games in and it hasn't worked out to plan, other than eliminating the three. Granted, I'm not breaking down tape, but from what I've seen, it seems like stubborness on the coaches to switch things up. They are adamant about playing man and either fighting over picks or switching in order to protect the three line. That is, IMO, what is opening up the lane. To be fair, against a team like CMU, its pick your poison. I really don't see a way that the Zips can shut them down because their quick guards are also capable three point shooters. You sag back in a zone or go under picks and they will get some good looks from 3. You fight to take away the three, and they will do what they did on Tuesday. It's a pick your poison with a team like that. And tonight, as much as I want to see some adjustments on defense, the Zips current philosophy is probably best suited for a team like Toledo, who has some very good 3 point shooters. Their guards, Williams and Mosley, can both shoot it. And while both can get to the rim, I don't think either are on the level of Rayson and Fowler (of CMU). Then, like us, Toledo has a couple guys in Stanford and Navigato who pretty much only shoot threes. They also have a skilled big man in Booth who can make their offense go inside out. So, this game may be tailored to the current philosophy, since we have two guys who should be able to make Booth work in one-on-one situations on the block. But overall, especially against teams that aren't good from 3, a little diversity would be beneficial. We'll see, but as stubborn as KD can be, he has made some good adjustments in the past. The Buffalo zone game being one. Moving Harney on DJ Cooper in 2013 was the biggest reason we beat a loaded Ohio team three times in 2013, after he killed us in 2012. I'm sure there are more. Hopefully, he can get something figured out with the personnel he has this year.

Hopefully, this game is a wake-up call for the coaching staff to make some sort of adjustmemts. Whether it is going to zone or going under screens to try to stay in front of defenders on the perimeter. What they are doing isn't working. True, they are leading the nation in 3 point defense, and once again held a (good shooting) team well below its season average. But that doesn't matter if teams are getting to the rim at will. I've never seen a team that gets shredded like this. And it's not just the good teams. The horrible teams like Coppin State and SCSU guards also abused this defense by getting to the rim.

I'm done trying to figure this team out, and I say that as a positive. They are so deep that they can be helter skelter and still beat the teams they should, even if it isn't pretty. Case in point, I was just talking about how Kwan deserves the green light on open threes (as long as they are good shots). He did that tonight, but had his worst shooting night from 3 since the GB game. Go figure. I also said Antino has to calm down his early trigger, and while he played the same way he has all year, it was arguably his best game of the year. The guy hits big shots, so we'll just have to live with the selection. Not saying he's in the same overall realm, but Antino has a bit of Allen Iverson in him. His percentage may not be good, but when you look at the shots he does hit, they seem to come at big points of games. And every once in a while, he will simply win you a game. And I was talking up Big Dog as a potential NBA player due to his touch around the rim and his ability to create offense out of the low post. And he goes on for his worst game in a month. Then Jake and Reggie seem to be trading off big games. Tonight, it was Jake and Reggie was basically non-existent... But there have been games where it is the opposite. All that and we're picking apart a 9 point win. That alone shows how good this team is. And Im not worried about being killed on the glass. That's an aberration. The shooting again was head scratching, but this team continues to get good looks, they are just in a "team" slump. Luckily, a guy or two has been able to get hot and it hasn't cost a win. Even the perimeter defense, which is easily the team's biggest weakness wasn't bad tonight. Wilder just simply hit some tough shots and WMU was in the right place at the right time on about half their 24 offensive rebounds. The MAC is good enough, where this team simply won't go 18-0. In fact, I see 14-4 being an optimistic, but reasonable, expectation. But with that said, this team easily has the highest upside of any Akron team I've seen. I'll put it like this. For the talent they have, so far this year, they have played at about a 5 or 6 level (out of 10) overall, and are still 13-2. If they can kick that up to a 7 or 8, this is a very dangerous team at a national level. If they can put some 9 or 10s together, there is no doubt in my mind that they could beat any team in the country on a given day. It's been frustrating in that they haven't blown out some teams they should have, especially at home, but still it's been fun ride when seeing the best start in school history and adding in the unrealized potential this team has.

I know many (myself included) were frustrated with Kwan's play early this season, but he has done a much better job playing within the offense and not quick-triggering threes. Thee first five games, Kwan was 6 of 24 from three. That's 25 percent on 4.8 attempts per game. Since then, he is a respectable 9 of 24 in nine games. That's 37.5 percent on 2.6 attempts per game. Over the past six games, he's been even better, going 8 of 18. That's a very good 44.4 percent on 3 attempts per game. As long as they come in the flow of the offense and Kwan has an open look, he's shooting well enough now to get the green light. Antino is another story. His shooting has been atrocious, especially for the volume of shots he puts up. His saving grace is that he has hit some big timely shots. But he needs to take a page out of Kwan's boom and start letting the offense come to him. He is forcing way too many bad shots, a lot of times early in the shot clock. Anyway, I'm hoping this will be a get-right game for this team. The offense looks on the cusp of being efficient as I thought they could be. Just need some of the shots to go in. But overall, assists are up, turnovers down and they are getting a lot of good looks.