Its Basketball Season

[Quickzips]

Well it certainly isn't football season around here anymore, so it must be hoops season for the Zips right? I mean soccer is still going strong, and that is exciting and all, but football and hoops ARE the big two sports across the country. Meet the team is Saturday and practices are starting up. Time to turn to the friendly confines of the JAR for some Zips hoops! Here are ten things to watch for as the Zips hoops season opens up:10.) Is this the year Jimmy Conyers finally lives up to the promise he had coming out of high school? Conyers' career can only be considered a failure at this point. Highly touted out of high school, transcript issues forced him to miss a year and he has never really seemed to recover. An above average defender, his glaring weakness is on offense where he almost looks terrified any time the ball swings around to him. Don't get me wrong, there have been flushes of what he's capable of doing. A spectacular dunk here, a putback there, but never enough to really get himself in a groove. With Nate Linhart graduated, and back problems an issue for Brett McKnight, having Jimmy step up in his senior year would be a really plus for the Zips.9.) How are last season's injuries healing up? Brett McKnight's back, Humpty Hitchen's ankle, Ronnie Steward's compartment syndrome. The Zips got dinged up at the end of the year last year. Although the team is deeper than it ever has been, injuries are never a good thing. Hopefully these guys have healed up properly and get through the season.8.) The second year. No, I don't mean the second year of the Zips winning the MACC and going to the tournament, I mean the second year of playing time for our talented Sophmore class. Humpty Hitchens, Nik Cvetinovic and Brett McClanahan all played important roles in getting us to the promised land last year, but they still have work to do. Can Humpty limit the freshman mistakes and become a true floor general? Can Nik continue to keep his emotions in check and build on his all around game? Can Brett become more than just a big guard with decent outside shooting? 7.) The loss of Jeff Boals. Coach Boals was the right hand man for KD the last couple of years. Now he is playing that role for Thad Matta at Columbus State. KD has done a very good job putting together his coaching staff since he's gotten here. Will there be a step back without Coach Boals or will the staff just keep on plugging away?6.) Which Steve McNees shows up? We've seen both McNees' over the last couple years. There is the Steve that can light up a team like he did against Miami two years ago and throughout this past years MACC run. Then there is the Steve that disappears, turns the ball over, plays poor defense and can't hit the broad side of a barn. We don't necessarily need Steve to be first team all MAC, but a little more of good Steve and a little less bad Steve would certainly be welcome.5.) The McKnight Brothers. Both are great players, and their chemistry on the floor is obvious, but I've always gotten the feeling that they haven't reached their true potential. Neither is what you would consider a defensive stopper, and they both have a tendency to settle for jump shots instead of utilizing their post moves to score. With Chris being one of only two seniors and Brett entering his junior year it is time for these two to take their game to the next level.4.) The guard rotation. Humpty Hitchens, Ronnie Steward, Alex Sullivan, Steve McNees, Daryl Roberts, Brett McClanahan. Those are six guys, any of which would probably start on a majority of teams in this conference. How do we utilize all of them? Are Humpty and Ronnie healthy enough to play major minutes? What can we expect from the redshirt freshman Sullivan? Is Daryl Roberts commited enough after a year and a half with the program and being on scholarship finally? Can McNees and McClanahan find more consistency?3.) Whose team is it? Last year this was clearly Nate Linhart's team. Two years ago you had the talented trio of Nick Dials, Cedrick Middleton and Jeremiah Wood. Three years ago it was Dru and Romeo. The obvious choice is senior starter Chris McKnight, but I've never really looked at him as a true leader. Who steps up and takes control of the team? For that matter, do we need someone to take on that role at all?2.) The loss of Nate Linhart. Nate wasn't always everyone's favorite player. Let's face it, his was a pretty ugly brand of basketball. But damn if it wasn't effective. Maybe the best overall defender in Zips history and a tenacious player at both ends of the floor, Nate often times defined what Akron basketball, and the Akron community in a larger sense is all about. How do we replace him? Can we replace him? Exactly how much does his loss hurt?1.) The addition of Big Zeke Marshall. Really, how could anything else be #1? Zeke is the highest rated player to ever enter the MAC, let alone the Zips. A true 7 footer who runs like a gazelle and can jump out of the gym. There isn't a team in the conference that can boast of a similar player. Up front, he gives us an advantage over every other team, if only in terms of height and athleticism. How much will the coaching staff ask of him? Will he open the season as the starter? Is his offense good enough to compliment his highly touted defensive abilities? All of these questions will hopefully be answered in the coming months. One thing is for sure, there is a lot of excitement over the big guy from McKeesport.It's a great time to be a Zips hoopster. Coming off our first MACC and our first NCAA appearance in a long time. Highly touted Center coming in. Returning almost all of the team that got us to the promised land. Let's hope that this team can live up to the expectations and then some. I have a feeling it is going to be a great winter here in NEOhio.

[tpsjugglerdude]

3.) Whose team is it? Last year this was clearly Nate Linhart's team. Two years ago you had the talented trio of Nick Dials, Cedrick Middleton and Jeremiah Wood. Three years ago it was Dru and Romeo. The obvious choice is senior starter Chris McKnight, but I've never really looked at him as a true leader. Who steps up and takes control of the team? For that matter, do we need someone to take on that role at all?2.) The loss of Nate Linhart. Nate wasn't always everyone's favorite player. Let's face it, his was a pretty ugly brand of basketball. But damn if it wasn't effective. Maybe the best overall defender in Zips history and a tenacious player at both ends of the floor, Nate often times defined what Akron basketball, and the Akron community in a larger sense is all about. How do we replace him? Can we replace him? Exactly how much does his loss hurt?

I feel like the answer to both of these will be Humpty Hitchens. I feel like this will be his team. If you remember during the MACC run when he was injured he was still the heart of the team. He was calling players over to talk to them, he was calming players down, and he was up on his injured ankle the entire game. I also think he will start doing all the intangibles that Nate did--get the steal, get the stop, make the basket, you name it he will do it.

[Dr Z]

10.) Is this the year Jimmy Conyers finally lives up to the promise he had coming out of high school?

Nothing I have seen in the past would indicate the answer being a 'yes'. Here is to hoping he will prove us wrong.

[Quickzips]

10.) Is this the year Jimmy Conyers finally lives up to the promise he had coming out of high school?

Nothing I have seen in the past would indicate the answer being a 'yes'. Here is to hoping he will prove us wrong.

Thats why I put it as #10 on the list.

[Dave in Green]

That's a really thoughtful and inclusive 10-point roundup. One small point jumped out at me:

Can Nik continue to keep his emotions in check and build on his all around game?

While you certainly don't want a player's emotions adversely affecting the player and the rest of the team, it can be tricky trying to fine-tune the chemistry of an emotional player. Some players need to feed off of their emotions for maximum performance. Ideally, you'd want them to focus their emotional intensity on positives, but keep it in check on negatives. I think that Nik's positive emotional drive is a big plus for the team, and I would not want to see it reduced.Point #1 is definitely the game changer. Having a quality true center will have a major effect on every other player on the team. It will help cover some of the weaker areas in other players' games and enhance their strong points. I'm expecting to see major changes in the way we perceive the other players when they're out on the floor with Zeke.

[scottditzen]

Great thread.....it has me excited for basketball.Can't wait to see how our big center affects play in a "small center" league like the MAC. I loved the team's chemistry at the end of the year, this could get really interesting.

[psc2009]

Great thread.....it has me excited for basketball.Can't wait to see how our big center affects play in a "small center" league like the MAC. I loved the team's chemistry at the end of the year, this could get really interesting.

In the past, one good, big center has been able to own MAC competition. That's what I'm expecting for UA this season. Lots of blocks, rebounds and of course easy buckets.

[scottditzen]

Who was that MAC center psc?When I first got to the A-K in 1990 the Zips had a big center named Pete Freeman (I think that was it). These were pre-MAC days of course. But I'm fairly sure he led the nation in FG percentage. That's all I'm asking of Zeke....just lead the nation in FG percentage, okay?

Great thread.....it has me excited for basketball.Can't wait to see how our big center affects play in a "small center" league like the MAC. I loved the team's chemistry at the end of the year, this could get really interesting.

In the past, one good, big center has been able to own MAC competition. That's what I'm expecting for UA this season. Lots of blocks, rebounds and of course easy buckets.

[vmd9]

Not sure if anyone has seen this years lebron shoes for the zips. You can buy them online at Osneaker.com. Set you back about $180 last time i checked.New Kicks

[Blue & Gold]

Thanks vmd! Has anyone seen the new LBJ23 jerseys we're gonna be rockin' this season? If they have them displayed @ Saturday's meet the team night, could someone get some pics & post 'em?

[vmd9]

Thanks vmd! Has anyone seen the new LBJ23 jerseys we're gonna be rockin' this season? If they have them displayed @ Saturday's meet the team night, could someone get some pics & post 'em?

Are they officially getting new ones?

[skip-zip]

Great thread.....it has me excited for basketball.Can't wait to see how our big center affects play in a "small center" league like the MAC. I loved the team's chemistry at the end of the year, this could get really interesting.

In the past, one good, big center has been able to own MAC competition. That's what I'm expecting for UA this season. Lots of blocks, rebounds and of course easy buckets.

Just look how fast that 6'-9" kid from Ball State emerged as a force in our league. From what I've seen of Zeke, if he develops well at this level, he'll at least affect opponents with his defensive presence, and his rebounding and shot blocking. But, if his development goes really well, and he gets some chemistry with his teamates, I think he could eventually figure into the mix in scoring as well. Remember something when talking about "easy baskets". He wasn't a huge point scorer in high school, and was playing against much smaller competition than he will face in the MAC. It all comes down to how quickly and effectively he develops. Dave...good comments on handling an emotional player.

[bigzipguy]

Excellent post Quickzips. I would like to add. PLease KD, we all realize how important, playing tough defense is, BUT DON'T OVER DO IT, TO THE POINT WHERE IT YOU ARE GIVING UP TOO MUCH OFFENSE. EX: Brett M. This guy can really put up big numbers, if you let him. Let his natural abilities take over sometimes.

[Quickzips]

Just a point on Nik real quick.I didn't mean to imply that Nik needs to play like an emotionless robot on the floor. That is clearly never going to be him. What he needs to continue to do is harness his emotion and transfer it into productive minutes on the floor. Early in the season he had a real problem letting his emotions get the best of him which lead to some foul trouble, some bad defensive positioning, some rushed shots, etc. As the year went on he learned not to let his emotions get the better of his play on the floor. Nik is a tremendously talented player, and his emotion is part of that. You never want to take the emotion out of his game, just channel it into the most productive form possible.

[bUAkronG]

Thanks vmd! Has anyone seen the new LBJ23 jerseys we're gonna be rockin' this season? If they have them displayed @ Saturday's meet the team night, could someone get some pics & post 'em?

Are they officially getting new ones?

Based on the all-black, all-matching new (Nike) warmups the team was sporting at the Info this past saturday, I'm pretty sure they are officially getting new ones. I know it was the plan.

[BirdZip]

Just look how fast that 6'-9" kid from Ball State emerged as a force in our league. From what I've seen of Zeke, if he develops well at this level, he'll at least affect opponents with his defensive presence, and his rebounding and shot blocking. But, if his development goes really well, and he gets some chemistry with his teamates, I think he could eventually figure into the mix in scoring as well. Remember something when talking about "easy baskets". He wasn't a huge point scorer in high school, and was playing against much smaller competition than he will face in the MAC. It all comes down to how quickly and effectively he develops. Dave...good comments on handling an emotional player.

High school players are selfish. For Zeke to be an effective scorer they need to pass to him. Otherwise it's all on rebounds. Also, Zeke would seek out his teammates to get them involved rather than take everything himself. (A "Zeke and Destroy" mentality, you might say.) Zeke was also likely double- and triple-teamed routinely in HS. At UA, if they do that, when he kicks it out, our guys will actually make the shots. He doesn't have to score massively--helping others score is just as good. Be effective enough to draw the defense. If they don't collapse, Zeke scores. If they do, kick it out and just as well.Zeke won't be showing up on ESPN every week for his massive stats this year, but he'll be tough. 7 Feet tall, humongous arms, and the guy can move!

[Zip Watcher]

High school players are selfish. For Zeke to be an effective scorer they need to pass to him. Otherwise it's all on rebounds. Also, Zeke would seek out his teammates to get them involved rather than take everything himself. (A "Zeke and Destroy" mentality, you might say.) Zeke was also likely double- and triple-teamed routinely in HS. At UA, if they do that, when he kicks it out, our guys will actually make the shots. He doesn't have to score massively--helping others score is just as good. Be effective enough to draw the defense. If they don't collapse, Zeke scores. If they do, kick it out and just as well.Zeke won't be showing up on ESPN every week for his massive stats this year, but he'll be tough. 7 Feet tall, humongous arms, and the guy can move!

Assuming you'll permit the use of your phrase, I hope the Rowdies make good use of this really good slogan.Of course, I'm still personally hurt that they didn't embrace my "AK Rowdie Pipers" concept from This Thread!gO'Zips! B) B)

[zip37]

There was an inter-squad scrimmage today-- they looked ragged to me but that's just my opinon.