Attitude

[Dave in Green]

"One thing our coaches kept on telling us was, 'Keep on attacking,' no matter how much we were up." (Rodriguez Sherman)Now that's a winning coaching philosophy and a winning player attitude.Imagine if the Flushes had built a lead and then started playing tentatively. It might have opened the door for the Zips to stage a comeback. How many times have we seen the Zips get a lead, start playing tentatively, and fall victim to an opponent's aggressive, attacking comeback?Imagine if the Zips kept attacking all the time, relentlessly, no matter how far ahead or how far behind. Imagine if the Zips went into every game truly believing that the most aggressive, attack-minded team was going to win. Would it motivate them to do to Can't what Can't keeps doing to them?Is this the major difference between the Zips and the Flushes? Are the Flushes simply more confident that when they play aggressively and continually attack that they're going to win, while the Zips are thinking more about trying not to lose?Some Zips fans have expressed hope that they won't have to play the Flushes in the MAC tournament, hoping that another team that's not as good as the Zips will upset the Flushes. I sure hope that no Zips player has that attitude. That's the kind of loser attitude that's likely to get the Zips upset by a lesser team before they even get to the tournament championship game.I want the Zips to really believe that they can beat Can't at the Q, not by just getting lucky but by being more confident and aggressive in attacking every minute of every game. That's the attitude the Zips will need to get past the first round of the NCAA tournament against a better team than Can't, so they might as well start right now or they won't even get that far.

[RootforRoo44]

Point after point is proven that Keith Dambrot is not this amazing great coach that alot of people on here claim him to be.

[Captain Kangaroo]

Point after point is proven that Keith Dambrot is not this amazing great coach that alot of people on here claim him to be.

I've seen worse.

[ZachTheZip]

Below is the transcript of Akron men's basketball head coach Keith Dambrot's discussion with the media on Monday's Mid-American Conference teleconference previewing this week's league tournament at Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland. Third-seeded Akron (22-9, 12-4 MAC) will face sixth-seeded Eastern Michigan (17-14, 8-8 MAC) at 2 p.m. ET on Thursday in the quarterfinal round.Outlook on Thursday's game versus Eastern Michigan:"They came into our building and beat us. They are very physical. They have three really, really, really good players and a bunch of role players. It's going be a challenge for us physically, our biggest thing is rebounding from the whipping we took against Can't State." Looking back to Akron's regular-season loss to Eastern Michigan:"We didn't shoot well, so you can game plan all you want, but if you miss open shots you are not going to win. We know that they are going to play a zone until we can show that we are going to make baskets. That was what they did for about half the game at least here, was play good zone, and we had some open looks and didn't make any."On overcoming last Friday's emotional lost to Can't State and focusing on the tournament:"We lost two of our last three games last year, which cost us the league championship heading into the tournament. That is always going to be our toughest game (versus Can't State in the regular-season finale) and we have to play very well to beat them. But the game on Friday is over with, we can't bring that back. We have to rally ourselves and get ready for the next one. Basically, what we have tried to do is go back to meat and potatoes and that's tough defense and sharing the ball. We had 39 possessions in the first half (against Can't State) and in 26 of those possessions we shot it before 10 seconds had gone off the shot clock, and we are not going to beat anyone doing that." Preparing for the possibility of meeting up with Can't State in Saturday's tournament championship:"I thought early in the game we had a few chances to put some distance between us, but we just couldnt make anything. I thought we took some good shots early on and then just never settled in to make them really have to play defense. Physically, obviously, that hasn't worked two times in a row against them. We are going to have to make them play more defense next time we play them, if we get the chance to play them again. It's a balancing act and takes tremendous discipline and we were undisciplined in that game."

KD and I see on the same page. The difference on Friday was discipline more than anything else.

[Lee Adams]

Point after point is proven that Keith Dambrot is not this amazing great coach that alot of people on here claim him to be.

I've seen worse.

there's any underwhelming endorsement...

[Z.I.P.]

Point after point is proven that Keith Dambrot is not this amazing great coach that alot of people on here claim him to be.

I'd have to suggest that things have improved about 1000% over the Hipsher era. But there is still some work to be done, starting this weekend. There is just one chance for this team to redeem this season. They need senior leadership. They need their "stars" to be as motivated as their opponent's stars. Attitude is right Dave. That is a problem with this team, and it starts at the top. I haven't heard anyone take responsibility. Forget blame, whose willing to take some leadership?

[ZachTheZip]

Point after point is proven that Keith Dambrot is not this amazing great coach that alot of people on here claim him to be.

I'd have to suggest that things have improved about 1000% over the Hipsher era. But there is still some work to be done, starting this weekend. There is just one chance for this team to redeem this season. They need senior leadership. They need their "stars" to be as motivated as their opponent's stars. Attitude is right Dave. That is a problem with this team, and it starts at the top. I haven't heard anyone take responsibility. Forget blame, whose willing to take some leadership?

There is no senior leadership. Conyers plays like a leader but he doesn't act like one. McKnight seems to have disappeared off the map. Neither are verbal on the court, directing things like an experienced leader should.

[Quickzips]

"One thing our coaches kept on telling us was, 'Keep on attacking,' no matter how much we were up." (Rodriguez Sherman)Now that's a winning coaching philosophy and a winning player attitude.Imagine if the Flushes had built a lead and then started playing tentatively. It might have opened the door for the Zips to stage a comeback. How many times have we seen the Zips get a lead, start playing tentatively, and fall victim to an opponent's aggressive, attacking comeback?Imagine if the Zips kept attacking all the time, relentlessly, no matter how far ahead or how far behind. Imagine if the Zips went into every game truly believing that the most aggressive, attack-minded team was going to win. Would it motivate them to do to Can't what Can't keeps doing to them?Is this the major difference between the Zips and the Flushes? Are the Flushes simply more confident that when they play aggressively and continually attack that they're going to win, while the Zips are thinking more about trying not to lose?Some Zips fans have expressed hope that they won't have to play the Flushes in the MAC tournament, hoping that another team that's not as good as the Zips will upset the Flushes. I sure hope that no Zips player has that attitude. That's the kind of loser attitude that's likely to get the Zips upset by a lesser team before they even get to the tournament championship game.I want the Zips to really believe that they can beat Can't at the Q, not by just getting lucky but by being more confident and aggressive in attacking every minute of every game. That's the attitude the Zips will need to get past the first round of the NCAA tournament against a better team than Can't, so they might as well start right now or they won't even get that far.

Those of you looking for an "A" word that accurately describes Can't but not the Zips look no further. I was going to come in here today and post these exact thoughts in one of the myriad "Can't is more athletic than us" threads, but it looks like Dave beat me too it. Can't attacks relentlessly on both ends of the floor for 40 minutes. The Zips want to spend most of their time slowing things down and taking a little more finese approach. Unfortunatly for us the team that attacks has a lot larger margin for error than the team that sits back.

[Dr Z]

"One thing our coaches kept on telling us was, 'Keep on attacking,' no matter how much we were up." (Rodriguez Sherman)Now that's a winning coaching philosophy and a winning player attitude.

That's an easy thing to do when your more talented than the other team. It will take more than quotes to beat Ken+ if we get to face them a third time. We must change. We can go in with the same game plan and hope that everything for us goes right, and everything for them goes wrong, OR, we can try something different. I would love to give coach Belichick the two tapes of the previous games and let him come up with something. The mouse can attack the cat all it wants, it ain't gonna beat it. There is a way though, but we have to change. Good luck staff. If we beat Ken+ in the MAC tourney, it will be because of you. I hope the staff is working tirelessly on that right now. I hope we get the opportunity. I got my DVR set.

[GoZips88]

Point after point is proven that Keith Dambrot is not this amazing great coach that alot of people on here claim him to be.

I'd have to suggest that things have improved about 1000% over the Hipsher era. But there is still some work to be done, starting this weekend. There is just one chance for this team to redeem this season. They need senior leadership. They need their "stars" to be as motivated as their opponent's stars. Attitude is right Dave. That is a problem with this team, and it starts at the top. I haven't heard anyone take responsibility. Forget blame, whose willing to take some leadership?

There is no senior leadership. Conyers plays like a leader but he doesn't act like one. McKnight seems to have disappeared off the map. Neither are verbal on the court, directing things like an experienced leader should.

Ceniors or See Ya's? Come on CMcKnight and Conyers - time to step up and take charge beginning Thursday afternoon.

[Let'sGoZips94]

Point after point is proven that Keith Dambrot is not this amazing great coach that alot of people on here claim him to be.

I'm not exactly sure people are claiming him to be a great coach, I just think people want him to succeed because he's classy. I've ripped on him hard this year for his coaching and I still don't like his coaching, but I will always love how classy his program is.

[Dave in Green]

"One thing our coaches kept on telling us was, 'Keep on attacking,' no matter how much we were up." (Rodriguez Sherman)Now that's a winning coaching philosophy and a winning player attitude.

That's an easy thing to do when your more talented than the other team. It will take more than quotes to beat Ken+ if we get to face them a third time. We must change. We can go in with the same game plan and hope that everything for us goes right, and everything for them goes wrong, OR, we can try something different. I would love to give coach Belichick the two tapes of the previous games and let him come up with something. The mouse can attack the cat all it wants, it ain't gonna beat it. There is a way though, but we have to change. Good luck staff. If we beat Ken+ in the MAC tourney, it will be because of you. I hope the staff is working tirelessly on that right now. I hope we get the opportunity. I got my DVR set.

Really? It will take more than quotes? Darn, I really thought I was on to something there. Just keep repeating "keep on attacking" and the wins automatically follow. ;)Seriously, now, whatever plan of attack the coaching staff comes up with, it must be intelligently thought out and aggressively executed. In The Art of War, Sun Tzu offers much useful advice to military leaders that is also applicable to sports:Military tactics are like unto water; for water in its natural course runs away from high places and hastens downwards. So in war, the way is to avoid what is strong and to strike at what is weak. Water shapes its course according to the nature of the ground over which it flows; the soldier works out his victory in relation to the foe whom he is facing. Therefore, just as water retains no constant shape, so in warfare there are no constant conditions. He who can modify his tactics in relation to his opponent and thereby succeed in winning, may be called a heaven-born captain.

[RootforRoo44]

Point after point is proven that Keith Dambrot is not this amazing great coach that alot of people on here claim him to be.

I'm not exactly sure people are claiming him to be a great coach, I just think people want him to succeed because he's classy. I've ripped on him hard this year for his coaching and I still don't like his coaching, but I will always love how classy his program is.

Sure that's likely. Also, no doubt as other have stated he is a huge improvement over what we used to have. But i dont see him as the one who will take us over the top and into a true powerhouse. Forgive me for using this as an example but he's no Caleb Porter. Porter may have the best players on the field and had a great program to step into but he also has something else. Not sure what it is but he definitely has something.

[johnnyzip84]

I have also called upon KD to rethink his tactics if and when the Zips get another shot at K.E.N.T. But this brings up an interesting dilemma. Because of the nature of tournament basketball, there really is no time for extra or modified preparations aside from the early part of this week. Does he risk losing the team's focus on the game at hand (EMU) by installing special "K.E.N.T. Busting" strategies in these preceding days? Does he leave things alone, hoping for someone else to do the dirty work in eliminating the F.L.A.S.H.E.S.(or hoping for K.E.N.T. to have a poor outing against the Zips)? Or does he try to reinvent the Zips just enough to attempt to handle all comers?

[Dr Z]

I have also called upon KD to rethink his tactics if and when the Zips get another shot at K.E.N.T. But this brings up an interesting dilemma. Because of the nature of tournament basketball, there really is no time for extra or modified preparations aside from the early part of this week. Does he risk losing the team's focus on the game at hand (EMU) by installing special "K.E.N.T. Busting" strategies in these preceding days? Does he leave things alone, hoping for someone else to do the dirty work in eliminating the F.L.A.S.H.E.S.(or hoping for K.E.N.T. to have a poor outing against the Zips)? Or does he try to reinvent the Zips just enough to attempt to handle all comers?

Prepare like Herb Brooks prepared for the soviets.

[GP1]

By this point in the season, everything about the team is settled. KD knows who he has and what he has. They need to go out and play THEIR game and not the other teams game. I think it is really that simple.Luck is important this weekend as well. Everyone needs some luck to win a championship.

[zippy5]

I have also called upon KD to rethink his tactics if and when the Zips get another shot at K.E.N.T. But this brings up an interesting dilemma. Because of the nature of tournament basketball, there really is no time for extra or modified preparations aside from the early part of this week. Does he risk losing the team's focus on the game at hand (EMU) by installing special "K.E.N.T. Busting" strategies in these preceding days? Does he leave things alone, hoping for someone else to do the dirty work in eliminating the F.L.A.S.H.E.S.(or hoping for K.E.N.T. to have a poor outing against the Zips)? Or does he try to reinvent the Zips just enough to attempt to handle all comers?

Prepare like Herb Brooks prepared for the soviets.

Play 6 months of games overseas? we only have 5 days!

[Dr Z]

I have also called upon KD to rethink his tactics if and when the Zips get another shot at K.E.N.T. But this brings up an interesting dilemma. Because of the nature of tournament basketball, there really is no time for extra or modified preparations aside from the early part of this week. Does he risk losing the team's focus on the game at hand (EMU) by installing special "K.E.N.T. Busting" strategies in these preceding days? Does he leave things alone, hoping for someone else to do the dirty work in eliminating the F.L.A.S.H.E.S.(or hoping for K.E.N.T. to have a poor outing against the Zips)? Or does he try to reinvent the Zips just enough to attempt to handle all comers?

Prepare like Herb Brooks prepared for the soviets.

Play 6 months of games overseas? we only have 5 days!

You missed the point, change your style of play to beat the best team in the tournament. If you don't, history is bound to repeat itself. Basketball isn't that difficult that you can't come up with a new game plan in 5 days. The talent difference between USSR & USA (pros vs ametures) may have required 6 months, the difference between Akron & Ken+ (mac team #1 and mac team #2) should only require 5 days. NFL coaches do it with more players in less time. I'm pretty sure it's not going to happen though.I have this kid lined up to speak to the team on Saturday:

[johnnyzip84]

While the prior margins of victory were not quite as severe in comparison (7 and 19 points), perhaps St. Mary's thrashing of Gonzaga last night (the Zags swept the regular season series with the Gaels) can provide some hope for the Zips if they DO happen to get another shot at K.E.N.T. ESPN Link

[Zip Watcher]

By this point in the season, everything about the team is settled. KD knows who he has and what he has. They need to go out and play THEIR game and not the other teams game. I think it is really that simple.Luck is important this weekend as well. Everyone needs some luck to win a championship.

+1A concise & on point comment from the Great GP1.Go Zips!!

[Dave in Green]

While the prior margins of victory were not quite as severe in comparison (7 and 19 points), perhaps St. Mary's thrashing of Gonzaga last night (the Zags swept the regular season series with the Gaels) can provide some hope for the Zips if they DO happen to get another shot at K.E.N.T. ESPN Link

All the Zips need to do is repeat St. Mary's shooting performance:FG Made-Attempted 29-57 (.509)3P Made-Attempted 10-21 (.476)FT Made-Attempted 13-14 (.929) By the way, the game was close through the first half, but St. Mary's pulled away after halftime by shooting 68 percent from the field in the second half.