Looking Forward To The Upcoming Season

[GoZips]

Had the pleasure and privilege of watching the Saturday afternoon and Sunday morning practices.Way too early to cull out who is starting, etc.Chris McKnight is displaying Romeo Travis quality play. C-Mac has not yet perfected that patentedNate Linhart reverse lay up. He is most definitely working on the move.The perimeter guys are stroking the ball extremely well. Lots of net and little, if any, rim.Look for double low post options. Zeke paired up with Bardo means shooters on the perimeter.Like in past years, the rotation will be deep and often. KD's philosophy of "play yer arse off 'causeyou ain't going to be on the floor long", appears to be the order of the day.With all the depth the Zips can craft a number of different looks. More than ever before.With only two newcomers (Zeke and 6'-6" C.J. Oldham) the practices are on par with mid-seasonlast year. The two newbies are picking it up quickly.New drill. Lob over the top to the bigs who turn and dunk. Believe that came from tOSU via coach Peters.The tempo and the morale is high. The kids know they will be good and marked as the team to beat.Heard that Northern Illinois will be the second best team in the MAC, east or west. They have loaded up.

[ksu sucks]

Heard that Northern Illinois will be the second best team in the MAC, east or west. They have loaded up.

I'll believe it when I see it.

[Quickzips]

Good to hear that Chris McKnight is stepping up his game. I really think he needs to take his game to the next level this year in order for our team get to the next step. He needs to become more aggressive in the post, on the boards and on defense. Great to hear that our perimeter shooting is picking up. We were shaky at times in that department last year. I'm guessing that some of this can be attributed to the reported development of Brett McClanahan? It would certainly be nice to get back to the Dials, Middleton, Joyce days when leaving a Zip open on the perimeter was a death warrant for opposing defenses.Like Can't State_sucks, I'll believe the NIU comment when I see it. I know they've taken some positive steps the last year or two over there, but they've been a doormat for so long it is hard to see them vaulting into championship consideration. Just can't see them getting past Miami, Can't, Buffalo and OU, let alone Toledo, WMU and CMU. That said, they have probably the best recruting hotbed in the conference right in their own back yard, so a quick turnaround certainly isn't out of the question.

[skip-zip]

Good to hear that Chris McKnight is stepping up his game. I really think he needs to take his game to the next level this year in order for our team get to the next step. He needs to become more aggressive in the post, on the boards and on defense. Great to hear that our perimeter shooting is picking up. We were shaky at times in that department last year. I'm guessing that some of this can be attributed to the reported development of Brett McClanahan? It would certainly be nice to get back to the Dials, Middleton, Joyce days when leaving a Zip open on the perimeter was a death warrant for opposing defenses.Like Can't State_sucks, I'll believe the NIU comment when I see it. I know they've taken some positive steps the last year or two over there, but they've been a doormat for so long it is hard to see them vaulting into championship consideration. Just can't see them getting past Miami, Can't, Buffalo and OU, let alone Toledo, WMU and CMU. That said, they have probably the best recruting hotbed in the conference right in their own back yard, so a quick turnaround certainly isn't out of the question.

I don't want to give NIU any more credit than they deserve, but possibly a couple of people are forgetting that they are very athletic, and they have beaten us the last two times they've faced us, including at home in 2008....when they beat one of the best teams we've ever had. If they recruited well this year, they probably will remain a tough matchup for us....but maybe not for the rest of the league. And much like the last two years, I will again hope that they do not end up on our MAC tournament schedule if they prove to be a tough matchup for us once again.

[Quickzips]

Good to hear that Chris McKnight is stepping up his game. I really think he needs to take his game to the next level this year in order for our team get to the next step. He needs to become more aggressive in the post, on the boards and on defense. Great to hear that our perimeter shooting is picking up. We were shaky at times in that department last year. I'm guessing that some of this can be attributed to the reported development of Brett McClanahan? It would certainly be nice to get back to the Dials, Middleton, Joyce days when leaving a Zip open on the perimeter was a death warrant for opposing defenses.Like Can't State_sucks, I'll believe the NIU comment when I see it. I know they've taken some positive steps the last year or two over there, but they've been a doormat for so long it is hard to see them vaulting into championship consideration. Just can't see them getting past Miami, Can't, Buffalo and OU, let alone Toledo, WMU and CMU. That said, they have probably the best recruting hotbed in the conference right in their own back yard, so a quick turnaround certainly isn't out of the question.

I don't want to give NIU any more credit than they deserve, but possibly a couple of people are forgetting that they are very athletic, and they have beaten us the last two times they've faced us, including at home in 2008....when they beat one of the best teams we've ever had. If they recruited well this year, they probably will remain a tough matchup for us....but maybe not for the rest of the league. And much like the last two years, I will again hope that they do not end up on our MAC tournament schedule if they prove to be a tough matchup for us once again.

They may present some matchup problems for us. Although I would argue that we have one of the more athletic teams this year that we have ever had and shouldn't have as many problems with them this year as in years past. But that hardly qualifies them as the 2nd best team in the conference.

[zip37]

Don't forget Alex Sullivan, he has really hit the weights, and is faster & quicker than last year, you will be pleased.

[skip-zip]

Don't forget Alex Sullivan, he has really hit the weights, and is faster & quicker than last year, you will be pleased.

Saw him play in high school. Looking forward to it.

[zip37]

Skip-- he's got a great attitude, too, I talked to him last season about lazy passes after rhat debacle at Valpo. and he knows what happens to lazy passes!

[skip-zip]

Good to hear that Chris McKnight is stepping up his game. I really think he needs to take his game to the next level this year in order for our team get to the next step. He needs to become more aggressive in the post, on the boards and on defense. Great to hear that our perimeter shooting is picking up. We were shaky at times in that department last year. I'm guessing that some of this can be attributed to the reported development of Brett McClanahan? It would certainly be nice to get back to the Dials, Middleton, Joyce days when leaving a Zip open on the perimeter was a death warrant for opposing defenses.Like Can't State_sucks, I'll believe the NIU comment when I see it. I know they've taken some positive steps the last year or two over there, but they've been a doormat for so long it is hard to see them vaulting into championship consideration. Just can't see them getting past Miami, Can't, Buffalo and OU, let alone Toledo, WMU and CMU. That said, they have probably the best recruting hotbed in the conference right in their own back yard, so a quick turnaround certainly isn't out of the question.

I don't want to give NIU any more credit than they deserve, but possibly a couple of people are forgetting that they are very athletic, and they have beaten us the last two times they've faced us, including at home in 2008....when they beat one of the best teams we've ever had. If they recruited well this year, they probably will remain a tough matchup for us....but maybe not for the rest of the league. And much like the last two years, I will again hope that they do not end up on our MAC tournament schedule if they prove to be a tough matchup for us once again.

They may present some matchup problems for us. Although I would argue that we have one of the more athletic teams this year that we have ever had and shouldn't have as many problems with them this year as in years past. But that hardly qualifies them as the 2nd best team in the conference.

I'm not meaning to challenge your point, but honestly, when exactly did we suddenly become an "athletic" team when we have only added one guy to the roster?

[Quickzips]

Good to hear that Chris McKnight is stepping up his game. I really think he needs to take his game to the next level this year in order for our team get to the next step. He needs to become more aggressive in the post, on the boards and on defense. Great to hear that our perimeter shooting is picking up. We were shaky at times in that department last year. I'm guessing that some of this can be attributed to the reported development of Brett McClanahan? It would certainly be nice to get back to the Dials, Middleton, Joyce days when leaving a Zip open on the perimeter was a death warrant for opposing defenses.Like Can't State_sucks, I'll believe the NIU comment when I see it. I know they've taken some positive steps the last year or two over there, but they've been a doormat for so long it is hard to see them vaulting into championship consideration. Just can't see them getting past Miami, Can't, Buffalo and OU, let alone Toledo, WMU and CMU. That said, they have probably the best recruting hotbed in the conference right in their own back yard, so a quick turnaround certainly isn't out of the question.

I don't want to give NIU any more credit than they deserve, but possibly a couple of people are forgetting that they are very athletic, and they have beaten us the last two times they've faced us, including at home in 2008....when they beat one of the best teams we've ever had. If they recruited well this year, they probably will remain a tough matchup for us....but maybe not for the rest of the league. And much like the last two years, I will again hope that they do not end up on our MAC tournament schedule if they prove to be a tough matchup for us once again.

They may present some matchup problems for us. Although I would argue that we have one of the more athletic teams this year that we have ever had and shouldn't have as many problems with them this year as in years past. But that hardly qualifies them as the 2nd best team in the conference.

I'm not meaning to challenge your point, but honestly, when exactly did we suddenly become an "athletic" team when we have only added one guy to the roster?

It isn't all just about Zeke. Humpty is a great athlete. The McKnight brothers are a pretty athletic duo. Nik Cvetinovic is an athlete. Brett McClanahan's athletic history speaks for itself. We haven't seen a lot of Jimmy Conyers but what we have seen he's a great athlete. Alex Sullivan is supposed to be a pretty good athlete although we haven't seen him on the court yet. Most of these guys have been brought into the program over the last 2-3 years. It's been a building process, but I think we are getting a lot better from the athletic department. The key isn't always finding athletes either. Finding athletes who are also basketball players is a big part of it. I think we all still remember Quade Milum. Easily the most athletic player on the Zips in the last 5 years but not much of a basketball player. I really have no idea where I'm going with this point, but I think we've got some guys who fit the bill of athletic basketball players as opposed to just one or the other.

[Dave in Green]

I don't know at what point you would say that the Zips go from being unathletic to athletic. But they are certainly becoming more athletic with the higher level of players committing in recent years. I don't have any problem with drawing the line at Zeke, and saying that he pushes the Zips over the line into true athletic territory. But, really, it's just a term that sportscasters throw around to describe players who can run a little faster or jump a little higher than average. In the end, the team that scores the most points and holds its opponents to less points still wins.

[skip-zip]

Good to hear that Chris McKnight is stepping up his game. I really think he needs to take his game to the next level this year in order for our team get to the next step. He needs to become more aggressive in the post, on the boards and on defense. Great to hear that our perimeter shooting is picking up. We were shaky at times in that department last year. I'm guessing that some of this can be attributed to the reported development of Brett McClanahan? It would certainly be nice to get back to the Dials, Middleton, Joyce days when leaving a Zip open on the perimeter was a death warrant for opposing defenses.Like Can't State_sucks, I'll believe the NIU comment when I see it. I know they've taken some positive steps the last year or two over there, but they've been a doormat for so long it is hard to see them vaulting into championship consideration. Just can't see them getting past Miami, Can't, Buffalo and OU, let alone Toledo, WMU and CMU. That said, they have probably the best recruting hotbed in the conference right in their own back yard, so a quick turnaround certainly isn't out of the question.

I don't want to give NIU any more credit than they deserve, but possibly a couple of people are forgetting that they are very athletic, and they have beaten us the last two times they've faced us, including at home in 2008....when they beat one of the best teams we've ever had. If they recruited well this year, they probably will remain a tough matchup for us....but maybe not for the rest of the league. And much like the last two years, I will again hope that they do not end up on our MAC tournament schedule if they prove to be a tough matchup for us once again.

They may present some matchup problems for us. Although I would argue that we have one of the more athletic teams this year that we have ever had and shouldn't have as many problems with them this year as in years past. But that hardly qualifies them as the 2nd best team in the conference.

I'm not meaning to challenge your point, but honestly, when exactly did we suddenly become an "athletic" team when we have only added one guy to the roster?

It isn't all just about Zeke. Humpty is a great athlete. The McKnight brothers are a pretty athletic duo. Nik Cvetinovic is an athlete. Brett McClanahan's athletic history speaks for itself. We haven't seen a lot of Jimmy Conyers but what we have seen he's a great athlete. Alex Sullivan is supposed to be a pretty good athlete although we haven't seen him on the court yet. Most of these guys have been brought into the program over the last 2-3 years. It's been a building process, but I think we are getting a lot better from the athletic department. The key isn't always finding athletes either. Finding athletes who are also basketball players is a big part of it. I think we all still remember Quade Milum. Easily the most athletic player on the Zips in the last 5 years but not much of a basketball player. I really have no idea where I'm going with this point, but I think we've got some guys who fit the bill of athletic basketball players as opposed to just one or the other.

I completely agree with you about Quade.I was commenting specifically to the point of our matchup problems the last couple of years with an athletic team like NIU, and that you think we will suddenly become a more athletic team than we were last year, when 14 of the 15 guys on our roster are the same as last year.Honestly, I don't think NIU presents much of a problem for many teams in our league. They've just been a tough matchup for us.