clarkwgriswold

One area the Zips need to work on is when Amani draws defenders cutting to the basket. With the emphasis on stopping the Zips threes, teams are trapping our guards with the guard and the big man on the screens out top. This is allowing Amani to cut to the basket without the big following and getting an open pass while he cuts. Kent did a nice job of help defense in collapsing other defenders to stop Amani and last night he occasionally unsuccessfully went at the defenders. In those situations, there will be at least one open guy on the baseline, corner or on the wing. One more pass would bring easy uncovered shots.

Tod's internal clock is a month ahead?

The Zips head to Toledo Tuesday night to face the (currently) 16-12/9-6 Rockets. The Rockets are at Buffalo today, which will likely allow them to end their two game losing streak. They've lost 4 of their last 5, with the only win coming in a one point victory over Ball State. Toledo has been a problematic venue for the Zips over the years. 6'1" sophomore guard Sonny Wilson and 6'6" sophomore guard Sam Lewis are each scoring 15.4 ppg. 6'7" sophomore forward Javan Simmons averages 11.5 ppg while leading rebounding at 6.6 rpg.

For most of the game, PCCC out-physicaled the Zips and did things like get all of the odd bounce rebounds and loose balls, buy when it came to crunch time the Zips made the necessary plays while PCCC wilted. One thing overlooked in the win was Seth Wilson's defense on Davis. He really bodied him up and by and large shut him down. Davis ended up with only 9 points for a total of 16 points in two games against the Zips. One thing I again saw and enjoyed was that when the Zips would make their runs the PCCC players would immediately start griping at each other. Is there any more of a beautiful sight than a dejected Mr. Pinky?

Great night to be a Zip.

...and the run came.

If the rhythm of this game continues we are due for a Zips run.

Getting hoarse!

Maybe an irrelevant observation, but Jojo Harris has been the guy that interacts with the players as they're announced. Not tonight. It was Zach, and I haven't seen Harris anywhere.

Way too much pointless dribbling and one man offense for the Zips.

Zips sleepwalking. Some awful possessions.

Amani has to look for the open guy when he gets the pass breaking to the basket and they collapse on him.

No special unis.

Zips in warmups without game jerseys. I suspect we're going to get a surprise.

I think Sharron is the type of defender that can give Sullinger a little grief. He can get up on him and steadily harass him all over the court. Torment him and make him use up shot clock.

I think his defense will be vital also as I could see him matching up against Davis quite a bit. Davis is one of the best all around players in the MAC. Holding him to 6 pointsin the first game went a long way towards the win.

I was using Portage County math. It was a typo.

Mr. Pinky and his squad head into the JAR Friday night at 9:00 p.m. to face the Zips. The Flushes stand at 19-9 after a rough start. Since the loss to the Zips in January 31st, the Flashes have gone on a 6-1 run, losing only to Miami. They are coming off of a 40-point shellacking of Toledo. I'm not a Mr. Pinky fan but I have to admit his teams seem to peak at the end of the season. VonCameron Davis continues to lead scoring at 15.4 ppg. Jaden Sullinger is second in scoring at 14.3 ppg.

Not exactly a confidence inspiring finish with PCCC coming up.

That's twice in recent weeks the Zips have inbounded the ball into the corner and been trapped. That's awful. I taught 5th graders not to do that.

Some awful offense and shot selection by the Zips late.

So Ball has a guy nicknamed "Fat" but it isn't Sparks?

Muncie cuisine catching up?

I like Okonkwo buy he whines too damn much.

29 minutes in and Sparks has played only 16, the least of any starter for Ball. 1 point, one rebound, 0 fouls.