Zips vs. WMU

[Quickzips]

Ok, now that this crazy day at the Q is pretty much over with (well, not if you are a Bull or a Redhawk, but...) it is time to move on to tomorow.Western comes in with the player of the year in David Kool who is probably the most consistent and dynamic scorer in the conference. They came back from 14 down in the 2nd half against Central today. They have a little bit of momentum. Can't take this team lightly, even if we beat them early in the season.I think the strategy for this one is pretty simple. Accept that Kool is probably going to score 20+ on you, but don't let his teamates beat you. In the first meeting Kool was 11 for 20 for 30 points, the rest of the team went 13-38 for 40 points. The Zips simply accepted the fact that Kool is going to get his points, didn't throw a lot of double teams at him, didn't try to force the ball out of his hands, and beat Western when nobody else really stepped up for them. What little I saw of the Central game today, the Chip's tried to double Kool a lot, leaving open looks for his teamates which they converted enough to get them the win. Western might be a one man show, but they know what to do when you try to take away their weapon. On offense, the ball has to run through the post. In the first matchup both McKnights, Conyers and Cvetinovic all scored in double digits. Reason? Western is terrible up front. Their frontcourt isn't big enough, strong enough, skilled enough, athletic enough or deep enough to match up with us. If I am KD I am telling my guys not to shoot the 3 unless it A)comes from a pass out of the post following a double team or is so wide open there isn't anyone between you and Lake Erie. Cvetinovic and Chris McKnight in particular should be fresh having not played many minutes tonight, and our guards all had to go major minutes. Gotta play to our strength.Prediction:Zips: 75David Kool: 30WMU: 62

[johnnyzip84]

A balanced attack along with an excellent shooting percentage (53% from floor, 50% in 3's) lead the way the 1st time around in Kalamazoo. The Zips were actually outrebounded pretty handily (30-24) in that game, so hopefully with Zeke getting more than 12 minutes this time those numbers will improve. I agree that the ball must go inside to improve the chances of shooting a high percentage once again. Roberts made some key FT's down the stretch in the previous meeting. Is there any word on how he is physically after the cheat shot yesterday?Link

[meatwad]

Prediction:Zips: 75David Kool: 30WMU: 62

Zips 72WMU 58

[Dave in Green]

The one thing I dread about this game is a repeat of the calls Kool got in the second half from the refs yesterday. As far as the refs were concerned, Kool walked on water, and woe to any defensive player who created so much as a ripple anywhere near him. Add that to the way the refs reacted any time a Zips defender got close to an EMU player yesterday, and there is some really ugly potential here. The Zips will have to be very smart and very careful tonight.

[Hilltopper]

In the second half of the game, Kool would drive towards the basket and lower his shoulder into the defender to either get a foul called or to create space for his shot. If the refs let that happen, the Zips will be in for a long night.

[GoZips88]

In the second half of the game, Kool would drive towards the basket and lower his shoulder into the defender to either get a foul called or to create space for his shot. If the refs let that happen, the Zips will be in for a long night.

... lowered the shoulder AND quite often pushed off with the off arm. I really like the guy but I can't stand it when the refs don't call something so blatant.Akron 72WMU 65Miami 43OU 42Chance for revenge Saturday night.

[Z.I.P.]

In the second half of the game, Kool would drive towards the basket and lower his shoulder into the defender to either get a foul called or to create space for his shot. If the refs let that happen, the Zips will be in for a long night.

... lowered the shoulder AND quite often pushed off with the off arm. I really like the guy but I can't stand it when the refs don't call something so blatant.Akron 72WMU 65Miami 43OU 42Chance for revenge Saturday night.

We'll know how the game will go in warm ups. If the PR system blares, "Celebration" before the game, the Zips are in for a hard time. If the refs are whistling it, just keep walking.Seriously though, I saw this team play thrice early in the season -- Kool only got to double figures once as I recall, but they were a jumper away from beating USC and winning the event. WMU plays much better as a team when they PLAY as a team. It's important to stop the other guards from going off on you from '3'. Wolfe, Brown and McLemore can hurt you if they get hot. Gotta play 'em tight on the perimeter.