Belated thoughts on the season

[zipboy]

Some thoughts that I meant to post over the past few weeks. Hopefully, works starts slowing down.

The Good stuff and there was a lot of it

For me, the best season ever as a Zip fan. My Zip life did not start until 91 when I was a freshman at UA. So I missed out on the glorious 80s. I don't know if I will ever see as tough nosed group as this one. I give this team credit for breaking the me first, not mentally tough, here we go again syndrome from prior years. They actually played like they expected to win and wanted to win. How many times in the past was it hard to actually like our team, that you admired how the other team played the game the right way? Can't say that I had that feeling this year ever.

KD turned out to be a much better game day coach than I expected. My thought going in was this guy will be a great recruiter and motivator, but probably an average game day coach. Whether he or Shaka gets the credit, I don't know. But Akron had an uncanny knack for playing different combinations or different matchups or different tempos that worked. Their flexibility as a team was amazing.

Romeo showed the makings of becoming a superstar in the league. His development from last year to Dec and from Dec to March was amazing. Did he shoot about 75% from the line the 2nd half of the year? Bubba and Middleton also showed that they could play in this league. Who knows how they develop, but they should be contributors.

I like that 10 guys played every night and everyone on the team contributed. Nick Meyers even gave some valuable minutes at the end when I thought that he was dead and buried. Earlier in the year, there were comments on this board about players being disgruntled on playing time. If there ever was a team where no one should have been upset, this was it. In the past 6 guys got about 95% of the minutes. This was about as spread out as you can get. I like not depending on the same guy every night to win it for you.

Question marks

Stating the obvious, next year will be an up and down one for JWood. When Ben Reed came back, his soph year he had a lot of 20 pt games followed by 3 point outings 2 days later. I feel good that JW is a hard worker and he will return to form. But he may not be at full strength until March. Who else steps up to help out inside? Preston is the one guy who is athletic and big enough to really help out.

Joyce was the glue of the team. I always worried if he was out for an extended amount of time. This year also showed that he can't go 35 minutes every night. Hopefully Dials can emerge or Middleton can help out at the point. For Akron to be most effective, Dru needs about 25 minutes per night.

I did not question KD much this year. Why DP did not get more minutes at the end was my biggest surprise. DP was getting his normal minutes until he got the broken nose. Then McFadden had a great streak and it was hard to play both of them at the same time. But when Rick struggled at the end, KD did not seem to have the confidence in DP. He needs to get better defensively because we need him 25-30 minutes per night. He definitely cares so I hope that he rounds himself out in the off season.

Looking ahead

4 exciting new guys in the program including Dials. We lose 3 quality seniors 2 of which made valuable contributions. On paper, this team has to be better next year. KD has started establishing his foundation. It is good to see him starting to beef the schedule as promised, Xavier, some good teams in PR, 2 extra non conference games.

I can't be more excited with both Zip football and basketball than I am right now. 2 years from now the JAR will be too small. Better stop my rambling now. Go Zips!

[Buckzip]

I agree. the future looks bright. If Wood can come back strong, and some of hte other young guys work hard over the summer, this can be a great season.

I feel Dials will turn some heads too.

[zip37]

I had knee surgery in he 70s w/out the advantage of the micro stuff, the secret is

the rhab, all it takes is guts, determination, and a high tolerance for pain. Rehab in those days was AGONY for 4 weeks. I was not expected to walk normally, but I do, so

I don't think JW will have any problem because he was ahead of schedule (I was too).

[JP Morgan]

I can't be more excited with both Zip football and basketball than I am right now. 2 years from now the JAR will be too small.

Couldn't agree more ZB, the only thing that rivals this year for me was the 1997 Zips Basketball season. While it ended prematurely, I was living abd breathing Zips that year. It sounds like we're about the same age so we both have no memory of true success. Hopefully it's right around the corner for both programs.