Mac opener - Miami

[w00t]

...and then 11 points in the next two minutes lol.

[w00t]

Typical Miami halftime score... 19-19.

[ziptrumpet87]

Vintage Charlie ColesMiami 39 Akron 36Double Overtime.

So far this looks like the winning prediction.

[RowdyZip]

48-48, OT.At least the winning team will likely score at least 50 points...

[w00t]

Bummer, solid effort though, especially on the defensive end.

[RowdyZip]

:puke:

[Dave in Green]

The seniors took over in OT, and Miami has more of them.

[ejcool27]

Good game for Akron showed they can hang with the big boys...and the close game will help the experience of the freshman...who knows maybe next time Hitchens hits the game winner!

[zipfan 81]

Miami 62 Akron 52

Pretty good, final Miami 64, Akron 51

[RootforRoo44]

This is a bad loss. We cant lose games at the end like this.Now if we beat Buffalo and Can't this month ill be a bit more optimistic but right now it's not looking good.

[johnnyzip84]

Miami 62 Akron 52

Pretty good, final Miami 64, Akron 51

Granted, that's a pretty good prediction. But there is a pretty big difference between a 64-51 loss in regulation, versus a 64-51 loss in OT.It's the old good news/bad news thing once again. Obviously it was a great effort to get it into OT against a program like Miami at there place, BUT the OT collapse was pretty disappointing as well. There's no time to dwell on it though. UB will be hungry for a W after a close loss at BG today. Zips need to get past the Bulls to keep the youngsters believing in themselves.

[skip-zip]

I do hope that our guys get some sort of confidence boost from playing the way they did in regulation, defensively. I still believe that's our only chance to compete this year.....playing defense like that every single night. But some of the reasons why we're going to lose plenty more games this year are still lurking in a major way...1) Field Goal Pct. = 31%2) If we are going to be a bad shooting team, we can't afford to turn the ball over 17 times. 3) We got absolutely annihilated on the boards. Their center had 12 of them, and it's not as if the guy is the next coming of the Round Mound of Rebound.One more observation:If Nate, Humpty, and Brett are going to be the guys we rely on to take the majority of our shots this year, we cannot afford anymore repeats of last night:Nate: 3-11, including 2-6 from 3-point rangeHumpty: 3-11, including 1-6 from 3-point rangeBrett: 4-13, including 1-5 from 3-point rangeCombined: 10-35, including 4-17 from 3-point rangeMeanwhile, McNees takes one shot in 29 minutes of play? The same guy who got hot in our blowout win against Miami early last year? I don't get it.

[RACER]

skip zip you are right.somebody needs to make some baskets.zips will be ok though.we should be able to beat up on the west teams.have to win all the home games though.cannot afford to lose to buffalo.i hate to point to next year,but we will have an inside game.we have nobody on the low post that scares the other mac teams right now.

[Deeustin89]

skip-it seems like guys getting cold in bunches is the theme this year. how many games have we shot in the low 30's as a team? three or four? thats just not acceptable. guys arent finishing well around the basket and i think the percentages are a direct reflection of our approach not fitting the personel. We are a 3 point shooting team with a bunch of mediocre/streak shooters. Humpty seemed to miss alot of shots he usually makes, and definately blew a great chance with the 12 footer to end regulation, Nate has seemingly gone 0-20 on late game crucial situation 3's this year, and Brett earned the nick name "black hole" from the large contingency i was watching the game with. the odds of him receiving the ball within 20 feet of the basket and passing it off are not very good, often resulting in ill advised and heavily contested shots. The shot selection of the team as a whole wasn't where it should be late in the game. Its scary to think of some of the margins of loss for some games this year if it weren't for the defense the Zips have played.

[Dave in Green]

Can't argue with the negatives. I was most upset at the number of shots missed in the paint. The Zips worked the ball in pretty well at times, but just couldn't finish, and were outscored in the paint, 34-16. I'd like to see the forwards more focused on their short-to-mid-range shots and McNees shooting more 3s.There are also some positives that could pay off as the season goes on:Zips made 3 fewer turnovers than Miami and are averaging 6 fewer per game than their opponents.Free throw shooting continues to improve over the past (75% vs. Miami).C McKnight played significant minutes, and appears to be recovering well from his injury.B McKnight continues to work harder on non-shooting aspects, leading the team in rebounds with 7 (Conyers had 6).Steward's return might be the key to taking some pressure off Humpty and freeing up McNees to shoot more and play point less.Overall, it's painful to watch the Zips come so close to upsetting higher ranked teams only to fall short by a few points at the finish. But it's better than being consistently beaten badly. They just need to develop that killer instinct at the end of close games, the one Miami demonstrated so well in OT. The Zips need to learn to believe in themselves, and then execute.

[Valpo Zip]

Can't argue with the negatives. I was most upset at the number of shots missed in the paint. The Zips worked the ball in pretty well at times, but just couldn't finish, and were outscored in the paint, 34-16. I'd like to see the forwards more focused on their short-to-mid-range shots and McNees shooting more 3s.There are also some positives that could pay off as the season goes on:Zips made 3 fewer turnovers than Miami and are averaging 6 fewer per game than their opponents.Free throw shooting continues to improve over the past (75% vs. Miami).C McKnight played significant minutes, and appears to be recovering well from his injury.B McKnight continues to work harder on non-shooting aspects, leading the team in rebounds with 7 (Conyers had 6).Steward's return might be the key to taking some pressure off Humpty and freeing up McNees to shoot more and play point less.Overall, it's painful to watch the Zips come so close to upsetting higher ranked teams only to fall short by a few points at the finish. But it's better than being consistently beaten badly. They just need to develop that killer instinct at the end of close games, the one Miami demonstrated so well in OT. The Zips need to learn to believe in themselves, and then execute.

I agree that there was some positives, i didn't think that we had a chance to take Miami to OT in their arena. I didn't see the game but what i can see from the boxscore is the following:1 - We all knew that we will not shoot very well, we all know about miami's defense, especially on their own court. 2- you can't blame the TOs for the loss when the home team commited 3 more than the away team, that would actually be a positive thing for usWhat is unexplainable is the rebounding margin. 31-46 we had 15 less rebounds, that is 15 less possessions. Even with our 0.316 FG, if we grabbed 3 more rebounds (which would still be (34-43) in miami's favour, we would make one of those 3 balls, we would have won the game in regulation.AS some one mentionned above, miami's center grabbed 12 rebounds, how many did our center grab?

[Captain Kangaroo]

We held Miami to 19 points in the first 20 minutes...then gave up 16 in the 5-minute OT. I wish Brett McClanahan wouldn't have redshirted. We need someone who can score B-A-D.Both McKnights need to step it up if we're going to compete in the MAC this season. I swear they have the ability...but at game's end, their stat lines fall well short what the should be. I'd hoped Roberts would have filled Ced or Dials' shoes as the guy that sticks the "dagger" 3, but Darrel has been very quiet this season. Take away Brett McKnight's performance in the second half vs. Pitt, and maybe one game from Humpty, there's really been no Zips player who's said "I'm taking this game over...try to stop me!" Everyone seems to be waiting on someone else to carry them. Maybe that's just what you get with a bunch of youngsters, but I wish someone would develop an offensive mean-streak. We're too soft - inside and outside.I like Humpty. It'll be fun watching him for four years. Having seen Jimmal Ball expolode on the scene as a freshman, then finish with only a "nice" career...I'll hold back on anointing Humpty "The Next Eric McLaughlin." At least for another year. With 2 minutes to go in OT Miami scores to stretch their lead to 8 points. Steve French *sigh* "Well, that pretty much does it for the Zips." McKnight hit a 3 to cut the lead to five about 10 seconds later. Come on Steve, an 8-point lead with 2 minutes remaining isn't such a monster obstacle to overcome.

[Quickzips]

Two things are apparent to me right now.The MAC is wide open. More than ever this year's MAC is going to be all about who can get hot for four days on a neutral court in Cleveland. Yesterday's game in Miami along with the Buffalo/BG game, Ohio and Can't's rollercoasters and the generally suckitude of the West makes that very apparent. We have just as good a chance to be that team as anyone else. There are two things that this team needs. An inside post presence, and a consistent sharpshooter from the wing. Luckily, we should have both of those coming in next year with Zeke in the middle and McClanahan on the outside. I don't want to give the impression that this year is a lost cause, far from it. And ofcourse Brett and even Zeke aren't sure things (no recruit really is). But we should be able to fill our two most glaring needs within the next year.

[Zips Win!]

We held Miami to 19 points in the first 20 minutes...then gave up 16 in the 5-minute OT. I wish Brett McClanahan wouldn't have redshirted. We need someone who can score B-A-D.Both McKnights need to step it up if we're going to compete in the MAC this season. I swear they have the ability...but at game's end, their stat lines fall well short what the should be. I'd hoped Roberts would have filled Ced or Dials' shoes as the guy that sticks the "dagger" 3, but Darrel has been very quiet this season. Take away Brett McKnight's performance in the second half vs. Pitt, and maybe one game from Humpty, there's really been no Zips player who's said "I'm taking this game over...try to stop me!" Everyone seems to be waiting on someone else to carry them. Maybe that's just what you get with a bunch of youngsters, but I wish someone would develop an offensive mean-streak. We're too soft - inside and outside.I like Humpty. It'll be fun watching him for four years. Having seen Jimmal Ball expolode on the scene as a freshman, then finish with only a "nice" career...I'll hold back on anointing Humpty "The Next Eric McLaughlin." At least for another year. With 2 minutes to go in OT Miami scores to stretch their lead to 8 points. Steve French *sigh* "Well, that pretty much does it for the Zips." McKnight hit a 3 to cut the lead to five about 10 seconds later. Come on Steve, an 8-point lead with 2 minutes remaining isn't such a monster obstacle to overcome.

It's interesting that you bring up the McKnight three in OT. I can honestly say it was the first time that I can ever remember where I became irate over a made bucket by a Zips player. Sure, with the pressure off and the game pretty much over (I have to agree with Frenchy here) McKnight drains the three. Where was that shot at the end of regulation? Where was that shot the first 40 minutes of regulation? Just make one more free throw or one more point blank bunny...and we WIN.I know all the hyper-sensitive Zips hoops fans will take exception, but low scoring or not, Miami's crappy style or not, we were staring down another victory, only to find a way to lose. It's never easy being a Zips fan...

[bigzipguy]

With Can't's loss today at Athens, all three MAC east teams that played on the road this weekend,lost. That is some consolation. BUT TUES GAME AGAINST BUFFALO IS HUGE!!!!!

[RACER]

all good post on the baord about the b-abll tea.the mac is wide open ,and can't appears to be beatable.it really all comes down to the mac tourney now.the mac is one bid league,and this makes the regualar season not that important.i am sure no zips fan wants to losebut what matters is winning the mac tourney.i just wish we had zeke this year.finding solid big men in college b-ball is not easy let alone the mac.hopefully zeke will chage that for akron.

[Dave in Green]

There is one critical factor about the regular season -- to earn a first round bye for the MAC Tournament. Without a first round bye, a team would have to win 4 games on 4 consecutive days to make it to the NCAA tournament. Last year, 3 of the 4 teams that won on the first day of the MAC tournament lost the next day. Only Miami won, and they were beaten on the third day.Winning 3 games in 3 days is already a huge challenge. So the Zips really must win enough conference games not to have to play all 4 days of the tournament.

[GJGood]

I think we need to get Ronnie back. Anybody have any insight as to what is going on with him and his health? It just seems to me, and I'll think the limited statistics from games he's played will back this up, that the team turns the ball over much less when he plays. He may not be the best scorer but he certainly takes care of the ball. That could have made all the difference against Miami and could in many MAC games this year.

[Zip Watcher]

I'm with most of the replies here: sucked to lose this game, given where they were with a few minutes left in regulation.I told my wife with 2 minutes left, that no matter the outcome, I felt it was a good sign. The Zips played terribly in the beginning of each period, yet there they were, leading the *perceived* league favorite on the road down the stretch. Now how the end unfolded made for disappointment, but I still feel vindicated by the fact that the team was in it the whole way, on the road.The East will be a battle. This was one game that historically you count as a loss .. and our young Zippers almost got it. We're right there. All the home teams won, so they're not really off the pace here.General observations:- Nice to see some heart from the McKnights. REALLY nice. We need this type of effort & performance from both guys each night. It makes us a better team .. they're 2 of our better scorers.- Jimmy continues to play well. A good sign. Kindof like having Ben Wallace go 5-10 from the line late helps the CAVS. Having Jimmy with comfort and confidence helps the Zips big time.- Ronnie being out is hurting us. I hurts us a few ways .. Humpty gets tired .. when he's tired, he gets sloppy. So McNees is spelling him at the point (like Dials last year). We need Steve & Daryl shooting the ball .. not running the point. GET WELL SOON RONNIE.- The team still hasn't played a complete game .. coaching and hard work will help this. My unofficial count had the Zips playing 25 minutes of solid hoops Saturday, along with 20 minutes of ... er .. not so solid hoops.From the box score, a few things stood out:- Zips got murdered on the glass, especially on the defensive glass .. Zips got 22 defensive rebounds. Redskins got 14 offensive rebounds. That means the 'skins got the rebound on over 40% of their missed shots!!! Whoa. Translated into 10 second chance points.- The defense was strong. Held MU to a low percentage .. but the second chances killed them.- Here's the one that blew my mind watching the game, and it showed up in the boxscore: Fast Break Points - Miami 8 - Akron ZERO. For them to have 8 more points running the floor .. and the Zips ZERO tells me that Miami did a great job getting back on D .. and the Zips did a bad job getting rebounds and hitting the outlet guy.- Points in Paint .. this has been discussed .. Miami 34 - Akron 16 .. 10 of Miami's were on putbacks off offensive boards, but even so .. it's an illustration that the Zips have a bit of a doughnut offense at the moment. I believe that the McKnights and Conyers can change that. We're going to score more outside .. it's our strategy this year .. but getting doubled up in the paint hurts.Finally .. considering all these things, and the fact the Zips were in position to win on the road, bodes well for the young Zippers. I agree with earlier posts that the bye is the target .. and I think there's reason for optimism that this team will compete for a bye.Sounds like Ball State had another critical season ending injury over the weekend. I expected them to push for the West title .. lots of bad luck in Muncie I guess.Go Zips!!! B)

[skip-zip]

Lots of great comments since I posted earlier....let me add a few more comments...Dave...THANKS for pointing out that the regular season has consequences. Geez...some of you guys think it's fine to just coast along in the regular season, and rest the entire season on 4 games at the end of the season. And like someone pointed out, what are the chances you can actually win 4 games in a row in March if you have not prepared all year? There's plenty to play for. Tournament seeding, byes, recruiting, national ranking, etc. Come on. Zipwatcher...I agree...we need Ronnie back ASAP. An efficient and dependable ball handler late in the game could make a big difference. Please stop with the nonsense that we can consider the MAC West schedule to be 6 wins to add to our resume. Half of those will be road games, which have caused us problems even with some of our best teams over the past couple of years. And even if all of us East teams are to go in there and clean these guys out, it all ends up as a TOTAL WASH. Even if we can say that we turned the ball over less than our opponent, it's still a problem for us. We are a poor shooting team, and need as many cracks at a basket as we can get...especially since we don't get offensive rebounds. To have as many turnovers as we have when we are a perimeter shooting team is really unacceptable. ZipsWin..right on the money. Brett finally hits a key shot when the game is pretty much out of reach. It's just hard for me to argue with the notion that the guy just loves to shoot the basketball. And that doesn't bode well for KDs idea that he could possibly be turned into our low-post workhorse.