clarkwgriswold

Sayles is the best pick and roll big man they have. He rolls to the basket with a purpose, usually catches the ball when it is passed to him and is aggressive when he gets it. That being said, I have to trust the guys who work with him 7 days a week and see him in every practice and game. He's not that far removed from the kid who often looked lost and tentative on the floor. He can be invaluable in contributing to the Zips shorthanded post game, but he's not going to become the savior. It's going to be interesting to see if the coaching staff rewards him for his play at the Zoo.

No doubt. I think he's a great addition to the team. Plays hard and appears to be a great teammate. Unfortunately, he's in an awful shooting slump. His last 4 games: Western- 1-12 from the field, 0-6 from 3 point Central- 3-11 from the field, 1-7 from 3 point BG- 4-8 from the field, 0-3 from 3 point Eastern- 4-13 from the field, 2-10 from 3 point That works out to 12-44 (27%) from the field and 3-26 (12%) from 3 point range. That's abysmal for a kid of his talent level. I trust he'll find it as he is a hard worker and isn't shutting down like some kids do. A kid like him needs to shoot his way out of it and I trust he will. Another factor in it is that defenses have adjusted and are pressuring him at the 3 point line, but there's no reason he shouldn't be a 35% three point shooter and I trust he'll get it back.

The 10-15 cellar dwelling Miami Redhawks visit the JAR Saturday for a 4:00 p.m. game against the Zips. The Redhawks are 3-9 in the MAC and were on a 4 game losing streak before beating West Division leader NIU at Oxford last Saturday. The win was even more impressive given that the Redhawks’ leading scorers, Nike Sabande and Dalonte Brown were out. Miami held the Huskies to 39.4% (21-of-53) from the floor and allowed just five three-pointers (5-of-16). Sabande continues to lead Redhawk scoring at 13.3 ppg. Brown scores 11 ppg while leading rebounding at 5.7 rpg.

Not giving this one back, but I am getting a little tired of ugly wins. X's shot problems have now gone from mechanics into his head.

This game could go 4 hours with these refs.

Need X and Banks to wake up.

BS call on Tyler.

In New York City we've had a lot of Dennis Celery and Jennifer Garner.

They traded the hot hand for the stone hands.

Cam's looking to lead the MAC in FPM- fouls per minute.

Time to sub out Jayden. He's looking good.

Damn sloppy tonight. Did X make the trip?

About time MAC officials start calling the leg kick out.

Jayden with a nice start. Nice pick and a couple of boards in the same possession.

2 quick dumb fouls for Reece. Grrrrrrr.

If you weren't aware, Deng Riak is "lanky."

Ugly game but I love how the Zips get on the floor for loose balls.

Channel gets to man up on the opposing team's best player again. Flowers doesn't look like a player but he can get buckets. Zips 78-65.

9+3= 10. MAC math.

I think Ali will definitely play some 4, but I think it is a "stretch" to call him a "stretch" 4. My vision of a "stretch" 4 is someone who takes the ball outside and can shoot it thereby stretching the defense. It would not appear he's there at least yet. Some of that may be his hesitance to shoot, but when he has it has I haven't seen much of an outside game. I think we're really going to like Maishe Dailey. He's a nice perimeter defender. I don't think he's the offensive threat or rebounder that X can be, but he can really d up for a large wing. I really like the way he interacts on bench with this year's team. On a non-basketball level, he's just a nice personable kid, just the type of kid you'd want representing your team.

Dear Basketball Gods, please bring us a 6'10" graduate transfer that can bring us 20 minutes, 8 points and five rebounds a game. We've been good fans and we're not greedy.

I'll be happy with a fourth seeded healthy peaking squad over an injured or indicted 1 seed.

The Zips head to Kalamazoo Tuesday to face “Crash” Hawkins’ 11-14 Broncos. They are coming off of losses to the Kittens and the EMUs. West Division Preseason All-MAC Team 6’1” junior guard Michael Flowers continues to lead the Broncos in scoring at 17 ppg. 6’8” junior forward Brandon Johnson is a force inside, averaging 15 ppg and 8 rpg. The Zips beat beat the Broncos 84-79 at the JAR on January 7th led by LCJ’s 26. As I recall, WMU came back a little in the second half but then LCJ hit three straight 3s as the Zips pulled away. The Zips will be looking for their 7th road win!

They'd get awfully rusty by March 12th.

If Reece is to be a starter, he has to play smarter. I love his motor and his effort. While undersized, he generally holds his own down low. However, he commits way too many fouls to be on the floor for extended periods, at the clip of a foul every six minutes. To put that in perspective, Cheese has the same number of fouls (65) and has played a whopping 351 more minutes than Reece. NWAkron is right on in his assessment of Jackie Whindon. Surprised she's still just on the Zips ESPN+ broadcasts.