Buffalo Post-Game thoughts.

[Zip Watcher]

I think this was a tough loss for the Zips. Maybe tougher on us fans who have let our expectations race way ahead of where this program currently is. I'm extremely guilty of that today.

Probably the only game in the entire conference slate where they didn't have the opportunity to win late. 16 is certainly their largest margin of defeat this year. Given that Can't, Miami and OU have all suffered 20+ point beatings this year, I have to remind myself that this isn't a terrible thing.

Some thoughts after a little break from the game & reading some other posts:

- I have to say that I didn't really consider the refs a factor in this game. I'm probably a minority in this today and most days. I guess I feel like the refs are pretty much like the dead spots in the old Boston Garden floor: They're a part of the game and good teams will adapt to the environment in which they're playing. Refs are a part of that environment. This isn't to say I think the MAC refs are great .. they're probably pretty average. But to those that think the MAC should spend more, you should be aware that many of these guys are also Big 10 and other larger conference refs. I didn't feel they impacted the outcome of this one.

- My comment in the earlier thread during the game was probably a bit harsh. Basically my observation of the second half is that it's the first time that frustrations took the Zips out of their game, both offensively and defensively. It was clear by about the 16 minute mark that the shooting frustrations were starting to affect the defensive intensity. I think it says a lot about this team that this was the first time this has happened ALL SEASON. The defense simply broke down in the second half.

- In general during this game, the Zips did not take care of the ball well. I agree with another poster (Z-Pouch) that the shot percentage and turnovers weren't necessarily a result of the Bulls D. There were times where passes were just headed nowhere in particular.

- I think the rebounding in the first half was solid and was a big improvement over the past 5 games or so. Given the opponent's size inside, I take that away as a positive from the first half today. When the wheels came off late, the rebounding margin got out of control, but in the 1st half, it was ok.

- Perhaps the sibling thing played a role, but Cedric played a hell of a game today. 6-11 from the floor is a pretty good shooting night for him. I've thought that he's defended well all year, but tonight his shooting came around. The biggest thing I think he brought was that he attacked the basket. This is one weak point I've seen the past few games with our backcourt if there is one: there is much more dribbling on the perimeter now than a couple of weeks ago. The team needs to advance the ball and attack the basket more .. Cedric did that today nicely.

- If you take CM's shots out of the team totals, the Zips shot 12 for 56 as a team. :blink:

- Daryl seems to be coming around. He's still our best scorer & we'll need good nights from him to win a few games this week.

- The passing and TO's were hard to see today. This team has been MUCH better than this all year.

Ultimately, it's a tough loss to a pretty good team. My concerns are only that it's the first time we've seen a chink in the armor of team defense & team attitude. There was some friction evident in the second half. Born of frustration I'm sure. How they respond will be a good indicator of the mental maturity of this young club. I anticipate a good bounce back.

I think the tourney draw is a good one if you have to play on Monday. The last game against Eastern was the tale of two games: In one the Zips blew EMU off the floor for about 30 minutes. In the other, the Zips couldn't get the ball over half court and nearly gave up a 25 point lead. Eastern took UT to 2 OT's today, so they're not to be taken lightly, as even Marshall showed today.

Some good shooting will cure a lot of ills. This makes about a 3 game stretch of struggles from the floor. If they can get some shots to drop, I like our chances against anyone in the league.

Looking forward to a win Monday and a Zips game at the Gund.

Go Zips!!

oh yeah .. and:

[zipboy]

Good post ZW. I don't feel bad about the loss because Buffalo left no doubt who the better team was on Saturday. I enjoyed KD's post game comments. Pretty much said that the past is sunk costs, nothing we can do about the past. This team can only control the future. I don't think that any of us feel EMUwill be a pushover. Zips have very little room for error whether they are playing EMU or Miami. Team D, better rebounding, and good shooting will see us through. I worry abou Joyce being banged up. Hope he is soaking in an ice bath right now. Looking forward to Monday night.

[Z-Pouch]

Some good shooting will cure a lot of ills. This makes about a 3 game stretch of struggles from the floor. If they can get some shots to drop, I like our chances against anyone in the league.

Shooting is the key - I didn't see as much of a breakdown on D as everyone else here. I think CM's brother got hot and sank the ship in what was a fair defensive effort by both teams. We sure seemed to have more life and energy then in the Marshall game and came to play. Had we shot well or even at a 35-40% clip, it's a tight one.

ZW makes a good point though. This has not been just one game but a string of off nights and it is a little concerning going into tournament play. It's not only the jumpers and 3's but layups and wide open lane shots that are not falling. Worst thing about shooting slumps is that you just have to shoot your way thru them and hope that someone finds the mark, ala Cedric at Buffalo, but it's going to take more then one. I hope the good shooters don't get hesitant with their shots when open. I think this has somewhat already started with Romeo (pass first, shoot second when under the hoop ? I loved that Can't game with the dunks -- Maybe he needs Lebron in the stands - Cavs are off on Monday....) and Joyce passing up some threes at critical times. I thought we might see Goddard but maybe he's a little off in practice also.

Noone's mentioned the lineup changes for the Buffalo game --were they good ones, should we keep it, did it hurt Mcfadden or Bubba getting into the flow of the game ? I dont think it really mattered and if anything Cedric came up big. The defense seemed a bit tighter at the start then the past several games. But did it hurt Mcfadden ? I know that lineup was mainly due to matchups with Buffalo (CM) and adding some offensive firepower (DP) but should it stay ?

And I guess I have absolutely no career as a Hypnotist ? My rebounding machine was only able to stay on the floor for 9 minutes....

As for Eastern, this is a little eerie -- I think someone on this board actually thought they were the best team in the league back in December. I don't necessarily buy into such things but would sure like to get this monkey off our back about going to Cleveland. Wouldn't like anything better then a quick start on Monday. FYI - First time around, we outrebounded them but their leading rebounder and second leading scorer was limited most of the game with back problems. The final margin hardly was indicative of a close game as we led by 25pts at one time but remember they were a little shorthanded.

As long as we regroup, come in aggressive and play our defense, we should take care of business. We need to gain some of that confidence back.

Go Zips.

[Kangaroo Craig]

You hit the nail right on the head Z-Pouch. Layups and lane shots have hurt this team all year long. It seems that even when the zips are draining three pointers all over the place, they are still missing the easy bunnies. I have to think that Wood's presence is sorely missed in the middle. Maybe we get more of the bunnies if he is in the line up. Oh well, can't worry about that. He won't be back until next year. As for Buffalo, we've proven that we can beat them at home and I like our chances against any MAC team on a neutral court, although Can't scares me the most. They just seem to have our number. Here's how I see our path to the finals: EMU, WMU, Buffalo, Can't.