clarkwgriswold

This one worries me for some reason. I can't put a finger on why.

Big Dog couldn't handle their big men when they went to the perimeter. They shot well enough to make him have to come out on them, but then had the speed to go around him when he came out. Poke is in a much better position athletically to handle that situation. I think Keith also knew Big Dog was he was getting gassed and wanted to save his energy for the offensive end. I honestly couldn't tell you the last team we had that was decent at defending dribble penetration. Maybe it's something the Zips defensive strategy sets them up for. A couple of defensive things I've noticed and would like to see modified. First, we trap the ballhandler every time on a high pick. We never switch it (until after the trap) or just play through the pick. As a result, we're vulnerable to a team that moves the ball finds the big man quickly coming off of the pick. Also, I don't recall seeing a second of zone this year. I'm not a bog fan of the zone, but It is something we ought to trot out occasionally, even for a couple of possessions, for a different look.

Same here. Is it parity or mediocrity?

I sit in the very last row of the GA stands, as close to the middle of floor, for every game. On many occasions during a given game, I stand to cheer on the team in an important point in the game. I'm always amazed at how often there's nobody else standing between me and the distant floor. The only thing that gets the casual UA fan/attendee on their feet is the guy in front of them standing up. Hmmmm, you know what? UA should give me front row seats. I could start the avalanche that gets every up on their feet cheering!

When I first saw him I thought "nice kid, hard worker, too tough on himself, too in love with the three." Our kid has grown into a man.

That was the deepest 3 I have seen in a while.

Time for our run.

We have to lead the ncaa in points given up to dribble penetration.

I am getting the feeling both teams will be in the bonus early.

12/15 on free throws!

My under 4000 bet for the crowd is in peril. I'm guessing......3997.

I'm feeling a big night for Jimond. I see Buffalo fronting Big Dog and bringing backside help when the Zips try to throw it over the front, leaving Ivey open.

Zeke was the ultimate "you don't know what you've got 'til it's gone" for me. He drove me bonkers for 4 years, but the second he wasn't on the floor for the Zips, I realized just how valuable he was. With our perennial inability to stop dribble penetration, he was the perfect solution. He eventually became decent on defense. RIght now, he gets my vote. That may change in the next couple of months, but for now, I vote Zeke.

I was going to vote for Big Dog. but the Bulls have some size. I think we're going to see a lot more of team fronting Big Dog which could cut down on his chances.

Every time we start discussing the tournament a chill goes up my spine and I want to lock all of the ZIps players up in a hidden location to keep them from an outside world of suspicious packages, women and all of the other temptations that can and have taken down seasons...

I am going to be the contrarian and take the under (4,000). I think the fans showed up for OU because of the long term in state rivalry and for EMU because of their record. We might get 4,000 of the Beacon jumps onboard for a couple of days, but I don't see it happening. I still don't enjoy the Buffalo games nearly as much without Bobby Hurley on their bench. I went home hoarse from those games from screaming at him.

I'm not giving back the win, but I'd like to see a killer instinct out of this team. When push comes to shove, polsters want to see good old fashioned @$$ kickings on the schedule.

Hughes was in the warmups Friday night but was moving very gingerly. We're going to need another big this season, so let's hope he's mending quickly.

Wellllll....there's one thing that looks worse that empty blue seats- empty gold seats.

I'm still trying to figure out whether this is a down year in general for the MAC or what we're seeing is a result of parity. With my considerable basketball knowledge, I'm confident that I'll have it figured out by the end of March.

I hear WMU has some killer guards- http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/ncaab/2016/12/12/western-michigan-basketball-player-charged-murder/95350492/

I think we should get blow up dolls for the empty seats, like the auto pilot from Airplane but in Zips gear. The Zips aren't going to let people move into already purchased seats.

Darn, I'm slipping!

I haven't seen an official number but it looked bigger than any other this year. Too many empty blue seats, but the GA crowd was big. My best guess is 3600.