The sky is NOT falling ... .

[Zip Watcher]

Posting some quick thoughts prior to tonight's WIN against league favorite UB:

Why I think this season is a big opportunity to be successful:

1. KD has bodies. We're going to learn pretty quickly who can and can't play UA basketball. I look for Futch and Preston to gradually step up and fill new roles. Neither are going to be like Wood, but each can do things to help offset the loss a little bit.

2. DP is getting his hoops legs. I think he's on the upswing and things will go through him more and more.

3. The Zips won't always shoot 30% from outside.

4. We've now seen several occassions when the Zips have slammed the door defensively for 8 or more minutes on teams. Usually in the early part of the 2nd half. This tells me 2 things: KD is making adjustments and sound defensive coaching moves and 2: the team has bought into the concept that defense will win them games. Down by 13 at the half & coming back to lead by 6 with 8 to play showed a lot of heart at WMU.

5. Close road losses at UT and WMU. Even with Wood, we would probably hope to split that trip, and they had themselves in good position in both games. Shows some heart. If there has to be a time to get adjusted to losing a key player, a 2 game roadie to the West was probably as good as any. At least it didn't involve dropping a game at Marshall or a winnable home game. They competed in difficult situations and got through some of the adjusting .. now it's down to business w/ 14 league games to play.

6. 10-8 can be had if they continue to rebound and defend hard. That means defending the home court and stealing one more win on the road than they lose at home. I think that 7-2 / 8-1 at home in conference could happen, so they need to steal 2 or 3 road wins. Marshall, OU, CMU, Can't State .. there are wins available. 10-8 means home game.

[Guest ***GUEST_racer]

from reading the mac board one of the western michigan posters thought akron was one of the better teams hes seen them play this year. he was really impressed with our d. thats also without j wood.i dont think most teams could lose their best big man and recover to well. go akron.

[Zip Watcher]

I saw that too .. Motown Bronco has made 2 such comments in the past week. Right after the game, he referred to it this way:

But then Akron's D suddenly became a brick wall and our shots wouldn't fall, and sure enough we were behind by 6 and the game became a nailbiter.

Another poster wrote:

Zips played a great 2nd half and gave us a bit of a scare. They are good. Their skill does not match their record.

I think it will be interesting to read the reviews of Can't State by the Bronco fans after tonights game.