I believe

[zipsfan13]

After allowing myself to calm down from tonight's loss, I've realized that even though this team has me extremely worried as of now, I have faith that they will figure things out and turn it around. Many teams run into rough patches throughout the season, and Akron isn't any different. I believe that KD will be able to straighten things out, and that we're going to see the emergence of a true leader on this team. Go ahead and bash me if you want, but I just wanted to take this opportunity to say that I believe in these guys!

[bandzip]

I'll be there Wednesday, cheering loud like I always do. Just like at every other home game and at Buffalo and Can't this year.

[ejcool27]

me as well......losses hurt sure and we all lose games we shouldn't but it's life we move on learn our lesson and BEAT NIU

[Captain Kangaroo]

"It will be a gut check for us. Our fans will all give up on us."Keith Dambrot

Thanks Keith.

[skip-zip]

I'm not happy this morning. But, I have one thing to rely upon for inspiration. For once, I am happy that we are in a weak league like the MAC, because that means that we'll always have a chance.I'll repeat something I said about a week ago. I personally believe that this team just did not improve in the off-season. For the most part, we traded Nate for Zeke. Beyond that, a few returning guys are playing better than last year, some are not, and some flat-out appear to be a disappointment in terms of their development.I have a feeling that some other teams in our league just improved more than we did, and/or added personnel that made them better. But heck, we won the MAC tourney last year as the #5 team in the league. So, don't lose hope. But unfortunately, this does not appear to be the year where we "separate ourselves from the rest of the MAC", like some of us anticipated.

[meatwad]

"It will be a gut check for us. Our fans will all give up on us."Keith Dambrot

Thanks Keith.

Yeah, he really needs to stop banging that drum. It's bothersome to the fans that do not "give up" on the team.

[RowdyZip]

Anyone else realize the strong correlation to the slump and the re-disappearance of one Mr Conyers? Can't blame it on one guy, but he was a HUGE part of the success earlier.

[Dave in Green]

Yeah, where was Conyers last night?He only grabbed 6 rebounds (1 more than any other Zip).He only had 4 steals (3 more than any other Zip).He only scored 9 points on 4 of 6 from the field (second leading scorer for the Zips).He had 1 turnover in 35 minutes.Conyers will make a convenient scapegoat for all the other players who obviously played so much better than him last night.Not.

[ZachTheZip]

Yeah, where was Conyers last night?He only grabbed 6 rebounds (1 more than any other Zip).He only had 4 steals (3 more than any other Zip).He only scored 9 points on 4 of 6 from the field (second leading scorer for the Zips).He had 1 turnover in 35 minutes.Conyers will make a convenient scapegoat for all the other players who obviously played so much better than him last night.Not.

I blame Darryl Roberts' and Ronnie Steward's shooting one good three-pointer per game and then calling it a day on offense. It's like as soon as they make a shot they decide that's enough, no more shots so they'll just pass it from now on.

[Dave in Green]

If the object is to find players to blame for a team loss, there are plenty of options to be found in the stats:Box ScoreIndividual players have up and down games, just like everyone has up and down days at whatever they do. What I saw last night was more than just a few players not playing up to their individual capabilities. What I saw for most of the night was a team breakdown in virtually every aspect of the game.Whatever fans are saying, I trust that KD and his staff understand that this group of individuals is, for whatever reason, not meshing well as a team right now. They're all a half-step off in knowing where their teammates are and where they're going.There are no superstars who can take the rest of the team on their backs and overcome this adversity. This Zips team will only succeed as a close-knit group who all cover each others' backs. If they don't, they will fall apart and lose a lot of games.

[Valpo Zip]

In a bball team, you usually have a rotation with 5 starters, 3-5 substitutes that come in to give the starters a break, and in some teams, the 5 that close the games are not always the 5 starters.The substitutes job is usually to give the starters a break and provide some energy off the bench and they usually get praised for providing "quality minutes".Back to the zips. Can anyone name our 5 starters? 5 closers? We basically play 10 substitutes that are all planning to provide quality minutes and not mess up to stay in the rotation. When you need a basket, who will step up? the starters? we don't have any. When we're closing the game, you need a play, no one wants to be in the spotlight... having a deep rotation is a great thing. Having no rotation is not.

[Dave in Green]

I've always thought that starters are less relevant than closers. So it really doesn't matter to me who the Zips have on the floor to start a game. To close out a game, it really depends on whether the Zips are trailing or leading.As far as the backcourt goes, one absolute is to have Roberts in as a closer at the end of the game when the Zips are nursing a small lead. Keep the ball in Roberts' hands and let him be the player the opponents have to deliberately foul. It's a no brainer. No one else on the team can shoot free throws like Roberts.McNees does the best job of guarding the ball (fewest turnovers), but isn't as reliable on free throws. Still, he's probably the best backcourt mate with Roberts when the Zips have a small lead with the game clock running out.If the Zips are trailing and need a guard to make a big shot in crunch time, Hitchens may be the best option. He's not a high percentage shooter throughout the course of a game, but seems to rise to the occasion when the pressure is on.If Zeke were not a freshman, he'd be a logical player to have on the floor during crunch time at the end of a close game But it's really rare to have a freshman who makes all the right decisions when the pressure is on. So Cvetinovic probably makes more sense at center with his extra year of experience, at least for now.If the Zips need rebounding late in the game, I don't know how you can't have Conyers in the game. He's developed a knack for being in the right place at the right time, and is the most likely Zip to clear the boards on defense or get a putback on offense.I wish the Zips had a reliable clutch shooter at forward who I'd feel confident about in crunch time. But the McKnights are just not consistent enough. Sometimes they're brilliant, and other times not so.I don't know if KD keeps switching players because none of the players has demonstrated that they are clearly superior to their teammates, or if none of the players has had adequate opportunity to demonstrate that they are clearly superior because they keep getting switched around.I suppose a lot comes down to how much confidence we have in the coach.

[RootforRoo44]

I suppose a lot comes down to how much confidence we have in the coach.

Not much...at least not from me.

[BirdZip]

In a bball team, you usually have a rotation with 5 starters, 3-5 substitutes that come in to give the starters a break, and in some teams, the 5 that close the games are not always the 5 starters.The substitutes job is usually to give the starters a break and provide some energy off the bench and they usually get praised for providing "quality minutes".Back to the zips. Can anyone name our 5 starters? 5 closers? We basically play 10 substitutes that are all planning to provide quality minutes and not mess up to stay in the rotation. When you need a basket, who will step up? the starters? we don't have any. When we're closing the game, you need a play, no one wants to be in the spotlight... having a deep rotation is a great thing. Having no rotation is not.

I know facts are sometimes discouraged, but here are some. Make of them what you will. Listed in order of current MAC rank, number of players whose minutes per game are...:Team___>30___>20___>10___>5Ken+--------1----------6----------9--------9CMU---------2----------5----------9--------11Zips---------0----------5----------9--------11Ball----------1----------7----------9--------10Miami--------1---------6-----------9--------9Buff----------3----------3----------9--------11WMU--------1----------5----------7--------12BG-----------3----------5----------7---------9NIU----------1----------4----------10-------13EMU---------3----------5----------9--------10Ohio---------2----------7----------9--------10Tol-----------2----------6----------9--------10

[Dr Z]

Does our deep rotation have to do with KD trying to match up all the time, both offensively and defensively? Is he "out-thinking/over-coaching" himself?I've always wanted to stand next to him during a game and ask "now why are you sending him in right now?" Not to be a smarty, to learn his way of thinking.

[Dave in Green]

I don't think it's so much that facts are discouraged as it is a case of not taking the time to research facts when emotion takes over. One consistent thing on ZN is that whenever the Zips have 2 or more below average games in a row, some fans start going into a funk, lament the demise of the Zips as a winning team and grab at anything that looks like it may be a cause. A little factual research helps point out that many perceived causes are not actual. A couple of good wins generally returns discussion to normal.

[xu9697]

Well then the question is who should be those 1-2 guys? Do you really see anyone that you trust out there?I think Dambrot is working with what he has= a bunch of nice but not spectacular players and a group of guys that cannot create for themselves (beside maybe Humpty and Conyers).If Humpty can get himself straightened out, he made the big shot last year, he is a PG, he is a skilled player. He would seem to be that one guy. One of the McKnights or Conyers as the other...a bit scary. McNees? Very nice player, but he is more of the guy to move the ball around and bail out the "creators" with a long 3 (made hopefully).I hate the saying sometimes, but it fits here..."We are what we are."

[Dr Z]

I think Dambrot is working with what he has= a bunch of nice but not spectacular players and a group of guys that cannot create for themselves

Darn it! Who recruited all these "nice, but not spectacular" players anyways?

[xu9697]

"It will be a gut check for us. Our fans will all give up on us."Keith Dambrot

Thanks Keith.

Where is this quote from? Was he MISQUOTED?!?!?! Was it an intentional alteration (I would not expect that it is..maybe you are trying to get us fired up!!!).PD has him saying:They're a good team, capable of playing well," sixth-year Akron coach Keith Dambrot said of Eastern Michigan. "We never got out of our own way. It'll be a good check for us. Our fans won't give up on us and we're just going to have to rally ourselves. It'll be a good test of character. http://www.cleveland.com/sports/college/in...are_of_mac.html

[Dr Z]

Where is this quote from?

Post game radio. Tune in.

[xu9697]

I think Dambrot is working with what he has= a bunch of nice but not spectacular players and a group of guys that cannot create for themselves

Darn it! Who recruited all these "nice, but not spectacular" players anyways?

Good point, no doubt. Conyers obviously hasn't panned out...a couple of the guys are a bit young. Not sure if McKnights were ever recurited to be the "leaders" of the team.I find it funny that some (not saying YOU Dr. Z) don't realize what UA has in a coach like Dambrot. Many, MANY coaches at progams like UA would have jetted after the success of last year. He is an Akron guy, he can be special here..he can be our "Phil Martelli" as an example (though he and St. Joe's have struggled recently). Don't take him for granted..not yet at least.

[xu9697]

Where is this quote from?

Post game radio. Tune in.

Yikes. Ouch. Did he MEAN to say that, really? Did he misspeak, or was that the tone of things? I'm lucky enough with 2 young ones to find the time to watch the games...can't say I will make time to listen to the postgame show. That is why I have you guys and ZN!!!!

[Dave in Green]

I think Dambrot is working with what he has= a bunch of nice but not spectacular players and a group of guys that cannot create for themselves

Darn it! Who recruited all these "nice, but not spectacular" players anyways?

I think the complete question should be:Who recruited and coached all those "nice, but not spectacular" players who worked together last season to beat out all the favored teams with perhaps slightly more spectacular players in the MAC tournament, and played even with Gonzaga for 75% of an NCAA tournament game?Of course, most of the really spectacular players went to the spectacular universities with the big budget programs.All the coaches of the smaller, lower budget programs had to make do with less spectacular players. Some did better than others. Given comparable resources to those provided by UA, and comparable high personal standards to those required by UA, not many coaches produced better results than KD.

[Dr Z]

I think Dambrot is working with what he has= a bunch of nice but not spectacular players and a group of guys that cannot create for themselves

Darn it! Who recruited all these "nice, but not spectacular" players anyways?

I think the complete question should be:

Sorry, I'm not good at rationalizing.

[Dave in Green]

I think Dambrot is working with what he has= a bunch of nice but not spectacular players and a group of guys that cannot create for themselves

Darn it! Who recruited all these "nice, but not spectacular" players anyways?

I think the complete question should be:

Sorry, I'm not good at rationalizing.

Me neither. Just stating facts.