10 Thoughts on the WIPE-Out

[Captain Kangaroo]

1.) This Zips team is built to win in the MAC. And it does so with great efficiency. This team is not built to win beyond the MAC. K.e.n.t. State, however, is.2.) Kudos to the Athletics Department for pulling off the Wipe...er...White Out. The idea was originally ridiculed on ZN. But like all good quality ridicule, suggestions were offered to actually pull it off. UA listened and got sponsors for the shirts, and also sold white shirts for 5 bucks at the game. Again, nice job.3.) Simpson is cold-blooded. Nick Dials used to be that way. Joyce was that way. We presently have no cold-blooded players on our team. Humpty is as close as we get, and he's too inconsistent to be an assasin.4.) The myth of our home court record continues to be exposed. We build a nice one in the Joyce-Travis years, but we're pretty mortal at home anymore.5.) K.e.n.t. fans pumped up their team. Kudos to them. An excellent showing.6.) Joe Akron is very near an irreversible come. HUGE, HUGE egg laid by the Zips tonight. We never even competed. At home, for the championship, on ESPN2, coverage by all the local news media, sold out arena....and we played like scared little girls.7.) Ke.n.t. is on-par with VCU, Rhode Island, etc. 8.) If I hear some douche bag use the term "athletic" to describe K.e.n.t. one more time, I'll puke. 9.) K.e.n.t. goes strong to the hoop. Our soft players shoot threes and fade-aways. We shy away from contact. K.e.n.t. welcomes it.10.) I'll be at the Q this coming week supporting the Zips. And praying that someone knocks off K.e.n.t. Because if we play K.e.n.t. again, it will be another double-digit beatdown. Oh... One "bonus note" - Thanks to AM 1350 for the ZN shout outs. We appreciate it.

[GP1]

8.) If I hear some douche bag use the term "athletic" to describe K.e.n.t. one more time, I'll puke.

Can't may be more athletic than the Zips, but what they really are is a team with an expectation to win big games.Some teams think they can win big games. Some teams know they can win big games. I think the Zips think they can win big games. Can't knows they can win big games.

[zip37]

Can't won the game by patiently waiting for a Zips bad/lazy pass: bad shot: botched layup or other turnover then shoved the ball up our a$$. I told my son whent they got the 5 pt lead that the game was OVER. The Zips absolutely CHOKED, only Jimmy came to play. I left at the half only because I did not want to disturb the others in the row. An absolutely disgraceful showing ON NATIONWIDE TV!

[Dave in Green]

8.) If I hear some douche bag use the term "athletic" to describe K.e.n.t. one more time, I'll puke.

I suggest that you carry a barf bag around with you. Whenever players run faster and jump higher than those they're playing against, and use those abilities to make their opponents appear slow and soft, the "A" word will be used frequently by douche bags and non-douche bags alike.The most "A" team doesn't always win. There are other aspects of the game that can compensate for lack of "A." But all other things being equal, the team with the most "A" will usually win.

[skip-zip]

8.) If I hear some douche bag use the term "athletic" to describe K.e.n.t. one more time, I'll puke.

I suggest that you carry a barf bag around with you. Whenever players run faster and jump higher than those they're playing against, and use those abilities to make their opponents appear slow and soft, the "A" word will be used frequently by douche bags and non-douche bags alike.The most "A" team doesn't always win. There are other aspects of the game that can compensate for lack of "A." But all other things being equal, the team with the most "A" will usually win.

And unfortunately, that was pretty evident throughout most of the 80 minutes we've played against those guys this year.

[Captain Kangaroo]

8.) If I hear some douche bag use the term "athletic" to describe K.e.n.t. one more time, I'll puke.

I suggest that you carry a barf bag around with you. Whenever players run faster and jump higher than those they're playing against, and use those abilities to make their opponents appear slow and soft, the "A" word will be used frequently by douche bags and non-douche bags alike.The most "A" team doesn't always win. There are other aspects of the game that can compensate for lack of "A." But all other things being equal, the team with the most "A" will usually win.

You are allegedly a writer. How would you grade another writer who uses one adjective? How interesting is it to read? If spoken, how interesting is it to listen to?If all one has to say about K.e.n.t.'s basketball team is "they are athletic...they are more athletic than the Zips...they have great athleticism...etc" then that person obviously has a shallow knowledge of the game.I like reading and listening to people that offer depth and insight. If all you bring to the table is "athletic," you're shallow and pedantic.

[Blue & Gold]

8.) If I hear some douche bag use the term "athletic" to describe K.e.n.t. one more time, I'll puke.

I suggest that you carry a barf bag around with you. Whenever players run faster and jump higher than those they're playing against, and use those abilities to make their opponents appear slow and soft, the "A" word will be used frequently by douche bags and non-douche bags alike.The most "A" team doesn't always win. There are other aspects of the game that can compensate for lack of "A." But all other things being equal, the team with the most "A" will usually win.

Lol. Precisely. What an odd comment by CK, unless, out of frustration, he was simply weary of people stating the obvious? Ken+'s clearly superior "A" was the overriding decisive factor.It was NOT that the Zips choked.It was NOT that the Zips pissed down thier legs.It was NOT that the Zips didn't want the game.It was NOT that the Zips didn't have heart.It was NOT that the Zips simply took poor shots.It was NOT that the Zips simply missed their shots.It was NOT that the Zips were simply outrebounded.It was NOT that the Zips played poor defense.It was NOT that KD was out-coached (unless you consider recruiting).It WAS that Ken+'s far superior "A" @ nearly every position on the floor made all those things happen or appear to happen.We didn't stand a chance last night. If those two teams would play 10 times, Akron would not win a single game. The only way Akron beats that Can't team is if the stars ALL align and Ken+ turns in an epically poor effort while Akron is lights out. Even then, Ken+ probably beats the Zips by double digits.KD's recruiting efforts and/or philosophy absolutely must be called into question. Isn't it KD who said, "We must think bigger than the MAC"? Well, only one of those two teams is built to contend on a bigger stage than the MAC and it ain't the Zips.And coming next year? 3 unathletic forwards? That just screams "Mid-American Conference."

[Blue & Gold]

8.) If I hear some douche bag use the term "athletic" to describe K.e.n.t. one more time, I'll puke.

I suggest that you carry a barf bag around with you. Whenever players run faster and jump higher than those they're playing against, and use those abilities to make their opponents appear slow and soft, the "A" word will be used frequently by douche bags and non-douche bags alike.The most "A" team doesn't always win. There are other aspects of the game that can compensate for lack of "A." But all other things being equal, the team with the most "A" will usually win.

You are allegedly a writer. How would you grade another writer who uses one adjective? How interesting is it to read? If spoken, how interesting is it to listen to?If all one has to say about K.e.n.t.'s basketball team is "they are athletic...they are more athletic than the Zips...they have great athleticism...etc" then that person obviously has a shallow knowledge of the game.I like reading and listening to people that offer depth and insight. If all you bring to the table is "athletic," you're shallow and pedantic.

Ahh, then you were simply tired of people stating the obvious. I hope KD sees the obvious that everyone else sees and doesn't try to dismiss the disparity between these two programs (or, for that matter, VCU, or Rhode Island - who can't shoot straight, or Texas A&M, or NC State) by trying to blame this loss (or the previous) on "We just didn't hit shots," or "They just have our number."I hope KD realizes we absolutely must be recruiting a higher caliber... dare I say it... athlete.

[ZachTheZip]

Can't was not more athletic than Akron. They didn't jump higher or run faster.The difference in that game was discipline. Can't had it and Akron did not. They patiently waited for the Zips to play wild and make a mistake. Akron would chuck up a terrible shot when they should have passed, or they would pass to a defended player when they had an open look, or they would scramble around on defense ignoring their assignments. All Can't did was take advantage of the stupidity of the Akron players.I'm getting tired of these allegedly "high-energy" guys being brought in who can't slow down long enough to see that they're hurting the team. I'm also tired of the guys who throw lazy passes that get picked off because they're not focused on the game. Is it possible to play with lots of energy but be disciplined? That should be KD's biggest priority right now. Find a way to get the team under control without sacrificing too much energy.

[Dave in Green]

8.) If I hear some douche bag use the term "athletic" to describe K.e.n.t. one more time, I'll puke.

I suggest that you carry a barf bag around with you. Whenever players run faster and jump higher than those they're playing against, and use those abilities to make their opponents appear slow and soft, the "A" word will be used frequently by douche bags and non-douche bags alike.The most "A" team doesn't always win. There are other aspects of the game that can compensate for lack of "A." But all other things being equal, the team with the most "A" will usually win.

You are allegedly a writer. How would you grade another writer who uses one adjective? How interesting is it to read? If spoken, how interesting is it to listen to?If all one has to say about K.e.n.t.'s basketball team is "they are athletic...they are more athletic than the Zips...they have great athleticism...etc" then that person obviously has a shallow knowledge of the game.I like reading and listening to people that offer depth and insight. If all you bring to the table is "athletic," you're shallow and pedantic.

Writing tip: If you don't write exactly what you mean, there's a high likelihood that you will be misinterpreted. Heck, on this forum, even when you write exactly what you mean there's a high likelihood of being misinterpreted.What you really meant to say was:8.) If I hear some douche bag use only the term "athletic" to describe K.e.n.t. one more time, I'll puke.OK, back to the regularly scheduled stream of insults.

[Dave in Green]

..... And coming next year? 3 unathletic forwards? That just screams "Mid-American Conference."

Guess you haven't been reading about Josh Egner in the recruiting forum.

[Blue & Gold]

Can't was not more athletic than Akron. They didn't jump higher or run faster.

Ummm... actually they run faster, jump higher and have longer arms. Oh yeah, and almost to a man also have quicker first steps.

[zipboy]

Not much more to add, I am still shellshocked today. I will be at the Q all weekend and having us in the final is a lot better than getting bounced on Thursday. Here is hoping for Buffalo to be on their game who probably has the only shot to knock Can't off.A few other things I thought while watching 1. Singletary seemed so relaxed and together out there. Not that they neeeded him, he only played 15 minutes. 2. In 2 games, they have exploited every weakness we have on D. Does a zone do anything differently?3. KD made a great comment in the postgame - He said what has disappointed him the most is this team is scared to play Can't, same way last year. He said Wood, Travis, Joyce, Dials etc had no fear of Can't, this team does. 4. Even when Akron was outclassed during the Hipsher era, they somehow played balls out at home again Can't. Can't is better, Can't should not be 20 points better on our court which is essentially what the game was.5. As CK said, I am praying for someone else to knock them off before Saturday and the good Zips to show up for the weekend.

[Blue & Gold]

..... And coming next year? 3 unathletic forwards? That just screams "Mid-American Conference."

Guess you haven't been reading about Josh Egner in the recruiting forum.

Actually, that quote of mine was slightly edited by the moderator. And rightly so (thank you). But, sadly, it sounds as if, excluding Zeke, Egner will easily be our most explosive athlete next year. Man, what's that say about the caliber of athlete on the team now? Where are the hops? Where are the rim-rattlers? Where are the players salivating on every fastbreak opportunity?

[GJGood]

What am I missing here? I don't think Can't State is necessarily much better of a team overall than Akron is. Last night Akron didn't hit shots, plain and simple. Granted a lot of that was because they settled for jumpers and long-range shots instead of taking the ball inside. The Zips are used to winning that way though.My main point is that basketball is a game of matchups. Akron does not match up well with a bigger and equally as fast team that likes to take ball inside that also plays quality defense. They haven't been all year. Our opponents last night can be taken out of their game too. They were unable to be very successful when they played games in which the other team controlled the tempo and had a good inside-out game going and was able to hit some key outside shots. I believe if Akron and Can't played 10 times, Can't would win about 7 of those games. However, if both Akron and Can't were to play a team like Miami ten times Akron would have more wins than the flushes. Its about matchups in style and position versus position if not player versus player.Personally I'd like to see the Zips play a few more teams that exhibit that 'A' word in the non-conference slate the next few years so that the defense can learn to play those types of teams more efficiently because if you look around the MAC teams like Ohio, EMU, and Ball State are starting to follow that 'A' model too.For what its worth, I thought Akron played well for the most part when they took the ball inside on offense. Cvet looked inspired underneath and Conyers wasn't bad with the ball in close range either, even Zeke got that little hook shot going late. The problem was they didn't go to that well nearly enough.The goal now is to get to that title game in Cleveland for the fourth straight year and see who we meet there if we make it. If its our arch-rivals again it will be interesting to see if we learned anything from last night. If we did, we can win but the gameplan and strategy must be sound.

[RACER]

all the same guys are back except for nate,but the zips don't know how to win games? the biggest problem is we are getting nothing out of our back court.these were the same guys that led us to a mac champ last year.our fontline guys played good enough to win.when you have steve mcneese throwing up 25 footers,and not make any your in trouble.the guards like roberts,humpty,steward played bad.if the zips can hit the three pointers they can beat anyone in the mac because they did that last year.all kd can do is get them in a postion to win games.he has done that plenty of times.at some point the players themselves have to take on the responsibilty of winning.

[GJGood]

I disagree. Both Roberts and especially Steward can be especially expolsive. I don't know why we haven't seen more of it from Darryl but when he attacks the defense he is as good as anyone on the team. Steward, for all intents and purposes, has the game experience of someone in the second half of their freshman season and has already shown a spark in a number of games despite limited playing time.

[Captain Kangaroo]

I disagree. Both Roberts and especially Steward can be especially expolsive. I don't know why we haven't seen more of it from Darryl but when he attacks the defense he is as good as anyone on the team. Steward, for all intents and purposes, has the game experience of someone in the second half of their freshman season and has already shown a spark in a number of games despite limited playing time.

"Explosive" is going off for 30 points or 14 assists or 20 rebounds. Roberts is anything but explosive, at least this season. Steward is quick, but has yet to show he's anything but a "change-of-pace back" to McNees.If either were on K.e.n.t's roster, they wouldn't see double digit minutes.

[Blue & Gold]

I disagree. Both Roberts and especially Steward can be especially expolsive. I don't know why we haven't seen more of it from Darryl but when he attacks the defense he is as good as anyone on the team. Steward, for all intents and purposes, has the game experience of someone in the second half of their freshman season and has already shown a spark in a number of games despite limited playing time.

"Explosive" is going off for 30 points or 14 assists or 20 rebounds. Roberts is anything but explosive, at least this season. Steward is quick, but has yet to show he's anything but a "change-of-pace back" to McNees.If either were on K.e.n.t's roster, they wouldn't see double digit minutes.

Nope. In fact, looking down the Zips' roster, IMO only B-Mac, Jimmy & Zeke would get much playing time at all if they played for Ken+, and none of them would start.

[Zip Watcher]

And coming next year? 3 unathletic forwards? That just screams "Mid-American Conference."

By what measure is that even remotely the case?

[johnnyzip84]

Put me firmly in the camp that believes K.E.N.T. is more "A". Their size AND quickness in the backcourt consistently forced the Zips into more difficult shots that they typically take. While UA committed quite a few very ugly turnovers, I believe much of this was caused by the size and length of the F.L.A.S.H. defenders. It's pretty simple. Passing lanes are smaller when facing a team like them and the margin of error is smaller as well. Besides being more "A" however, they're also more "T" (tough) and "E" experienced. Nik seemed to stand out as one of the few Zips who actually welcomed the physical challenge. I absolutely loved it (one of the few bright moments) when he goaded Neanderthal Parks into the offensive foul in the 1st half. You could see Nik jawing with him before the ball was put into play, no doubt setting up Mr Brilliant to try to stubbornly force his way into the paint. He also did a nice job guarding Stinkletary when given the assignment. I understand the calls to play Zeke more, but I don't want it to come at the expense of Nik's minutes. He's one of the few Zips that actually causes a defensive match-up problem for the OTHER team.I've been reticent in the past few weeks to get into the KD "hot seat" discussions, because I really thought it was a rash, unreasonable argument at this point in time. Having said that, I do believe that a few of KD's decisions with the rotations did not help things on Friday. One that stood out was Nitro. Having him play the 3 against the average MAC team is one thing. Having him play that spot against K.E.N.T. is unfair to Brett. I thought KD wasn't going to stop riding him after he came out the 1st time after the Zips had given up their early lead (I told my buddy, it almost looked like the beginning of KD trying to "ride him off of scholarship"). Brett DID miss two key defensive box-outs that lead to K.E.N.T. put-backs, but I believe it was because Nitro is simply over-matched in trying to rebound against most any of the K.E.N.T. forwards. For me, the BIG mistake was putting him in the 3 spot at that point in the game. That 14-2 run was largely due to personnel selection, IMHO. Unfortunately, there was really no getting back in the game for the Zips after that.I'm not 100% against Nitro playing the 3. But the match-up needs to be carefully considered ahead of time. In fact, I'm not really hoping for many personnel/rotation moves heading into the early part of he tournament. The Zips have handled the rest of the MAC pretty well this year as is. BUT if we play K.E.N.T. one more time, only the insane or hopelessly head-strong would attempt to beat K.E.N.T. without a change in SOMETHING, be it strategy, rotations, or both.

[Blue & Gold]

<br />

And coming next year? 3 <i>unathletic</i> forwards? That just screams "Mid-American Conference."

<br />By what measure is that even remotely the case?<br />

<br /><br /><br />I know you're post was more rhetorical than sincere, but 2 of the 3 incoming forwards - Egner excluded - are your Akron-typical earthbound 3-point shooters who don't take the ball to the rim, come swooping down from out of the rafters, have break-ankle first steps, will happily dunk in traffic or create their own shots. I think it's become quite evident this year that our "system players" can't compete at a level higher than the less-than-stellar MAC. Every athletic team that we've faced this year has exposed us; made us look like we've got lead weights in our LBJ's: NC State, Texas A&M, Rhode - The Gang That Couldn't Shoot Straight - Island, Ken+ (twice) and even the slightly athletic EMU squad. Jimmy and Zeke would be the two exceptions. Can Chris McKnight even touch the rim? I kid. The only other players that could hang with Ken+'s athletes were thwarted by Ken+'s length - Ronnie, Humpty & Darryl. Did you see the physical specimen that was Ken+'s PG? (Sherman?) 6-3, broad shoulders, narrow waist, arms that hang down to his knees, pogo sticks for legs. Why can't we get a baller that passes the eye-test like that? Anyhow, I digress.

[Dave in Green]

I hate to break this freight train of opinion. But I think we may have reached the point where we have to agree on a definition of "athletic" as it pertains to basketball. Otherwise this discussion could really go around in circles (I know, what else is new?).There are many different defnitions available for "athletic," so agreement may be difficult. Many of the definitions are extremely simplistic, and do not fully define the range of skills required to be proficient in the sport of basketball.We often think of it in simplistic terms of speed or jumping ability. But in basketball it also encompasses such things as hand-eye coordination and other less obvious factors. For purposes of this discussion, I suggest that we use "athletic" to include all of the physical qualities necessary to play the sport at its highest level. In other words, everything outside of the thinking level -- or smarts, or brains, or whatever you want to call that component.If we accept this all-encompassing definition of "athletic" as the sum of all physical attributes that contribute to a superior basketball player, then we have to understand that a perfect physical specimen who's dumb as dirt might not be as big an asset as we might think. Every player is the sum of his physical and mental attributes.Let's be honest up front and admit that the few players who combine the best physical and mental attributes are going to gravitate to the best basketball programs, and everyone else fights over the leftovers. It's up to the coaches of the lesser programs to find the best of the rest, and try to coach players who may be lacking in physical or mental skills to perform at the highest level at which they're capable.Many of the Zips' players have decent levels of athleticism in specific areas and various levels of smarts. But they may be less obvious than the running faster and jumping higher components. So let's try to be fair and honest here in saying that we really don't care if the Zips players do it mostly with athletic ability or mostly with smarts, we just want them to be the best combination we can possibly get at UA.To get even more basic, what we're really looking for here is to have a better combination of athleticism and smarts than Can't. Because, if the Zips can't even be the best team in their own conference, how can we as fans possibly have higher aspirations?At it's most basic level, as Zips fans we're looking for the best possible basketball players we can possibly get, and we're not satisfied that's happening right now because we just got our butts kicked on our home court in the biggest home game of the year.Do we not think that KD is trying to accomplish the same thing? Are there compromises that KD is not willing to make? Would we as fans be willing to make those compromises for the sole purposes of beating Can't and being the best team in the MAC?Crap. I've gone way beyond where I started out to go, and now I have a headache. It's a bitch that every decision in life leads to unintended consequences.

[Blue & Gold]

1:16 into the Cavs (sans LeBron) - Milwaukee Bucks game and Austin Carr just commented, "You can already see what the Cavs' problem is going to be. They don't have anyone who can take you off of the dribble."Ditto for the Zips. I wonder if it would have taken Mr. Carr any longer than 1:16 to notice that fact about us last night?(Actually, in fairness, I do think Nik does a good job in isolation.)

[zipsbandman]

Another douche here.....I'm absolutely disgusted that our arch rival came in here and scalped us. It was sickening watching 100 Can't fans take over our house. I hate losing to that school. But I think we can all agree at least though our season's done if we see that team again.