Any word on Humpty?

[Buckzip]

Is Humpty expected to be healthy enough to contribute on Thursday?To win, we need Humpty..

[Dave in Green]

Since no one seems to have inside info, here's my best guess:* Ankle sprain in 3/10 game* Tried to play 3/12 and lasted 4 minutes before aggravating sprain* Sat out 3/13 game* Played 14 minutes in 3/14 game and made huge contributions, apparently without aggravating sprainAnkle sprains are like snowflakes -- no two are exactly alike. To the best of my knowledge, there's no way of accurately predicting when someone can come back with minimal risk of aggravating the sprain. But I think that if he didn't aggravate the injury on 3/14, it's almost certain that he will be able to contribute on 3/19. He may not be at 100%, and he may not be able to play long minutes. But I can't imagine Humpty not taking the floor and contributing in some way.

[Dr Z]

Akron's freshman point guard Humpty Hitchens is still nursing a sprained ankle. And while he showed no ill effects in his 10-point 10-minute first-half effort in Akron's Mid-American Conference Championship game, he said the ankle is still tender."Before the game I wasn't 100 percent, but I told coach (Keith) Dambrot I wanted to play,'' Hitchens said Sunday. "I felt good in warm-ups. I felt good when the game started. When he called my number I was so excited, I came with a lot of energy."But the more I played on it the more I could feel it throbbing. I kept playing on it saying, 'I'm not hurt.' ''Hitchens, who went through limited practice Monday, said he looks to be at full strength by the time No. 13 Akron plays No. 4 Gonzaga in Portland Thursday night."I'll be ready,'' he said. "I gotta play. I'm ready.'' source

[ksu sucks]

Akron's freshman point guard Humpty Hitchens is still nursing a sprained ankle. And while he showed no ill effects in his 10-point 10-minute first-half effort in Akron's Mid-American Conference Championship game, he said the ankle is still tender."Before the game I wasn't 100 percent, but I told coach (Keith) Dambrot I wanted to play,'' Hitchens said Sunday. "I felt good in warm-ups. I felt good when the game started. When he called my number I was so excited, I came with a lot of energy."But the more I played on it the more I could feel it throbbing. I kept playing on it saying, 'I'm not hurt.' ''Hitchens, who went through limited practice Monday, said he looks to be at full strength by the time No. 13 Akron plays No. 4 Gonzaga in Portland Thursday night."I'll be ready,'' he said. "I gotta play. I'm ready.'' source

Holy crap the next three years look bright. You have to love this guy's attitude.

[Let'sGoZips94]

Akron's freshman point guard Humpty Hitchens is still nursing a sprained ankle. And while he showed no ill effects in his 10-point 10-minute first-half effort in Akron's Mid-American Conference Championship game, he said the ankle is still tender."Before the game I wasn't 100 percent, but I told coach (Keith) Dambrot I wanted to play,'' Hitchens said Sunday. "I felt good in warm-ups. I felt good when the game started. When he called my number I was so excited, I came with a lot of energy."But the more I played on it the more I could feel it throbbing. I kept playing on it saying, 'I'm not hurt.' ''Hitchens, who went through limited practice Monday, said he looks to be at full strength by the time No. 13 Akron plays No. 4 Gonzaga in Portland Thursday night."I'll be ready,'' he said. "I gotta play. I'm ready.'' source

Holy crap the next three years look bright. You have to love this guy's attitude.

His attitude is great now; wait until Zeke gets here next year.

[Zip Watcher]

Anyone else have visions of a slightly trimmed up / quicker Nik taking over Nate's spot at the 3?The BG guys sitting behind us at the Q all weekend left VERY concerned about having to contend with Nik for 3 more years.

[johnnyzip84]

I can also see Nik bulking up (just a little) and becoming a VERY difficult assignment for anyone to guard at the 4 spot. Of course Nik may see himself in the stable of returning PGs, based on that wild dribbling escape from the U@B press in the 2nd half the other night

[ZachTheZip]

Nik at the 3 is a possibility, since Zeke will likely take over his spot as the Center

[Zip Watcher]

I can also see Nik bulking up (just a little) and becoming a VERY difficult assignment for anyone to guard at the 4 spot. Of course Nik may see himself in the stable of returning PGs, based on that wild dribbling escape from the U@B press in the 2nd half the other night

Well, my observation from the MAC was that once he showed he could put the ball down and go by the guy guarding him at the top of the key .. converting either a layup, a pass off or drawing a foul .. that guy defending him was toast. Thinking about Fletcher in particular. Nik showed an increasing variety of moves throughout the weekend. Not sure he's ready to have a green light from 3 range yet .. but if he were to add that to his arsenal .. look out. Good baseline moves, able to post up .. go by bigger guys, and shoot the rock a little bit? There's some upside in this guy.

[Buckzip]

The future looks great. So much of our core is Soph and Freshman. Imagine in 2 years having a soph. Zeke, a Junior Hitchens, A senior McNight, along with Nic, Bardo, McClanahan, McNees, Steward. Wow...

[Quickzips]

Nik has to work a lot on his outside shooting if he wants to be a 3. I think the ideal situation for the Zips works out this way. At the start of next season Nik starts at C while Zeke learns the system and figures out how to play at this level. By the middle of the season Zeke takes over the starting C role and we start to groom Nik as the eventual replacement to C.McKnight at the 4. We have to remember, Chris is a senior next season, and we are going to need someone to fill his role after next year. I really think Nik would be a nice compliment next to Zeke as a 4/5 combonation.

[ziptrumpet87]

Nik has to work a lot on his outside shooting if he wants to be a 3. I think the ideal situation for the Zips works out this way. At the start of next season Nik starts at C while Zeke learns the system and figures out how to play at this level. By the middle of the season Zeke takes over the starting C role and we start to groom Nik as the eventual replacement to C.McKnight at the 4. We have to remember, Chris is a senior next season, and we are going to need someone to fill his role after next year. I really think Nik would be a nice compliment next to Zeke as a 4/5 combonation.

Remember all the damage Wood and Romeo did at the post... BMcK/CMcK/Nikola/Parrish as a 4 with Bardo/Swiech/Marshall at the 5 has all the possibilities of more damage :blink:

[ZippyRulz]

Akron's freshman point guard Humpty Hitchens is still nursing a sprained ankle. And while he showed no ill effects in his 10-point 10-minute first-half effort in Akron's Mid-American Conference Championship game, he said the ankle is still tender."Before the game I wasn't 100 percent, but I told coach (Keith) Dambrot I wanted to play,'' Hitchens said Sunday. "I felt good in warm-ups. I felt good when the game started. When he called my number I was so excited, I came with a lot of energy."But the more I played on it the more I could feel it throbbing. I kept playing on it saying, 'I'm not hurt.' ''Hitchens, who went through limited practice Monday, said he looks to be at full strength by the time No. 13 Akron plays No. 4 Gonzaga in Portland Thursday night."I'll be ready,'' he said. "I gotta play. I'm ready.'' source

With plenty of ankle tape and ibuprofen, I think he'll be fine on Thursday.

[Zippysgotagun]

I like Nik much more at the 4 than the 3. His outside game needs much more work than his inside game. Let him bang around inside, and leave the outside/midrange game to B. McKnight