A newcomer's thoughts on the 2009-2010 Zips team

[jem101]

Hey zipsnation, I thought I'd share some thoughts on this past years Zips' team from a freshman's viewpoint. As a little background, I've never watched to much mid-level conference NCAA basketball. Keep that in mind if you think my critiques might be a bit harsh. I attended around 10 games this year( being a commuter with a 40 minute drive to Akron had a big affect on me not going to more games,) and watched several more on TV.

First off, the most glaring problem I saw with this team was their inconsistent play. It seemed like they never played a full 40 minutes of basketball. They repeatedly seemed to go into 5-10 minute long funks (usually in the beginning of the second half, see game at Can't State.) If you want to win in any sport you need to play hard the whole game. It seems like a lot of people love Dambrot, and this probably has a lot to do with the fact that he's elevated this program to a 20 win program. However, he should be at least partially responsible for the team not giving 100% the whole game.

Second, this team desperately lacks a go to scorer. We saw this time and time again when we'd go into scoring funks and just throw up low percentage jumpers. It was downright infuriating! I think this ties in with my next point that this team didn't have a consistent guy who could take the ball to the hoop. Nik and Humpty showed that they had the potential, but weren't consistent enough.

[Dr Z]

Welcome aboard Jacob, it's good to hear new people's opinions. Keep 'em comin'

[GoZips]

Hey zipsnation, I thought I'd share some thoughts on this past years Zips' team from a freshman's viewpoint. As a little background, I've never watched to much mid-level conference NCAA basketball. Keep that in mind if you think my critiques might be a bit harsh. I attended around 10 games this year( being a commuter with a 40 minute drive to Akron had a big affect on me not going to more games,) and watched several more on TV.

First off, the most glaring problem I saw with this team was their inconsistent play. It seemed like they never played a full 40 minutes of basketball. They repeatedly seemed to go into 5-10 minute long funks (usually in the beginning of the second half, see game at Can't State.) If you want to win in any sport you need to play hard the whole game. It seems like a lot of people love Dambrot, and this probably has a lot to do with the fact that he's elevated this program to a 20 win program. However, he should be at least partially responsible for the team not giving 100% the whole game.

Second, this team desperately lacks a go to scorer. We saw this time and time again when we'd go into scoring funks and just throw up low percentage jumpers. It was downright infuriating! I think this ties in with my next point that this team didn't have a consistent guy who could take the ball to the hoop. Nik and Humpty showed that they had the potential, but weren't consistent enough.

This is a darn savvy introspection. Especially coming from a young person. There is hope for the Zips.

[GP1]

Hey zipsnation, I thought I'd share some thoughts on this past years Zips' team from a freshman's viewpoint. As a little background, I've never watched to much mid-level conference NCAA basketball. Keep that in mind if you think my critiques might be a bit harsh. I attended around 10 games this year( being a commuter with a 40 minute drive to Akron had a big affect on me not going to more games,) and watched several more on TV.

First off, the most glaring problem I saw with this team was their inconsistent play. It seemed like they never played a full 40 minutes of basketball. They repeatedly seemed to go into 5-10 minute long funks (usually in the beginning of the second half, see game at Can't State.) If you want to win in any sport you need to play hard the whole game. It seems like a lot of people love Dambrot, and this probably has a lot to do with the fact that he's elevated this program to a 20 win program. However, he should be at least partially responsible for the team not giving 100% the whole game.

Second, this team desperately lacks a go to scorer. We saw this time and time again when we'd go into scoring funks and just throw up low percentage jumpers. It was downright infuriating! I think this ties in with my next point that this team didn't have a consistent guy who could take the ball to the hoop. Nik and Humpty showed that they had the potential, but weren't consistent enough.

This is a darn savvy introspection. Especially coming from a young person. There is hope for the Zips.

What does the fact that he is young have to do with anything? Some of the more stupid posts I see on this board are from posters who want to relive the 1950s.

[zippy5]

Hey zipsnation, I thought I'd share some thoughts on this past years Zips' team from a freshman's viewpoint. As a little background, I've never watched to much mid-level conference NCAA basketball. Keep that in mind if you think my critiques might be a bit harsh. I attended around 10 games this year( being a commuter with a 40 minute drive to Akron had a big affect on me not going to more games,) and watched several more on TV.

First off, the most glaring problem I saw with this team was their inconsistent play. It seemed like they never played a full 40 minutes of basketball. They repeatedly seemed to go into 5-10 minute long funks (usually in the beginning of the second half, see game at Can't State.) If you want to win in any sport you need to play hard the whole game. It seems like a lot of people love Dambrot, and this probably has a lot to do with the fact that he's elevated this program to a 20 win program. However, he should be at least partially responsible for the team not giving 100% the whole game.

Second, this team desperately lacks a go to scorer. We saw this time and time again when we'd go into scoring funks and just throw up low percentage jumpers. It was downright infuriating! I think this ties in with my next point that this team didn't have a consistent guy who could take the ball to the hoop. Nik and Humpty showed that they had the potential, but weren't consistent enough.

This is a darn savvy introspection. Especially coming from a young person. There is hope for the Zips.

What does the fact that he is young have to do with anything? Some of the more stupid posts I see on this board are from posters who want to relive the 1950s.

+1

[Dave in Green]

Jacob, you have arrived at the same conclusions that many on this forum have also reached. Your conclusions are not at all harsh compared to some of the venting we've seen here. Most of us appreciate how far the Zips have come from the bad old days, but want to see them get even better in the future. Your calm, measured evaluation is much appreciated, and I hope you will continue to post here with suggestions you might have about how to improve the situation.

[Valpo Zip]

My problem with the older posters (some of them, not all) is their attitude of accepting mediocracy. I can't stand reading the following statements anymore:

1 - you can't criticize KD, he's a lot better than Hipsher

2 - Why are you complaining? at least we are not Toledo

3 - You should be proud, we went to the MAC finals 4 years in a row

4 - this is our 5th consecutive 20-win season, shut up and count your blessings

5 - Why can't you appreciate our situation? 10/12 MAC teams would love to be in our place

[zippy5]

My problem with the older posters (some of them, not all) is their attitude of accepting mediocracy. I can't stand reading the following statements anymore:

1 - you can't criticize KD, he's a lot better than Hipsher

2 - Why are you complaining? at least we are not Toledo

3 - You should be proud, we went to the MAC finals 4 years in a row

4 - this is our 5th consecutive 20-win season, shut up and count your blessings

5 - Why can't you appreciate our situation? 10/12 MAC teams would love to be in our place

6- I'm older, my opinion is better than yours.

[Dave in Green]

Well, the extreme positions on any issues are usually off the mark. When people get into arguments on internet forums, they often try to portray their side as all white and the other side as all black. In reality, the world exists mostly in shades of gray, including people's opinions.

I really believe that most forum members here do not hold extreme positions either way, and see the Zips basketball situation in shades of gray. It's absolutely certain that not all dark gray is black and not all light gray is white.

For example, I would never say "You can't criticize KD, he's a lot better than Hipsher." What I would say is that "While it's fair to criticize anyone for their shortcomings, including KD, it's only fair and reasonable to also acknowledge that KD has moved the program forward from the Hipsher years."

Nor would I say "Why are you complaining? At least we are not Toledo." What I would say is that "While it's fair to complain that the Zips are not as good as we would like them to be, it's only fair and reasonable to also acknowledge that the situation could be much worse, like the one in Toledo."

I really don't see anything wrong with people looking at the same data, coming to different conclusions, and expressing themselves differently. I also see no problem in discussing different opinions in a civil and reasonable manner, because we all have much to learn, regardless of our age. Most forum members here do that most of the time.

Problems do tend to crop up when one side mischaracterizes the other side's position in order to advance their own position. None of us should stand for anyone else mischaracterizing the intent of our statements.

[zippy_ua_00]

My problem with the older posters (some of them, not all) is their attitude of accepting mediocracy. I can't stand reading the following statements anymore:

1 - you can't criticize KD, he's a lot better than Hipsher

2 - Why are you complaining? at least we are not Toledo

3 - You should be proud, we went to the MAC finals 4 years in a row

4 - this is our 5th consecutive 20-win season, shut up and count your blessings

5 - Why can't you appreciate our situation? 10/12 MAC teams would love to be in our place

first of all, your point #2, im not old im 29. secondly, it was written as a joke. Also, all the points you just mentioned are facts, especially about being mediocre. We are a middle of the road mac team, that struggled to beat teams, that if we were as good as i think you think we are, should have been dismantled by the zips. Examples you ask? EMU, WMU. shouldnt have lost to EMU, and had mcnees not thrown down a miracle shot we would have been swept by Eastern michigan also. shouldnt have lost to APSU and we most certaintly shouldnt have lost both games to our bitter rival, including a beat down on our home court. if you arent gonna except haveing a mediocre team, please enlighten me as to what it is youre going to do? Are you gonna suit up and play? are you gonna coach the team? probably not. you can be upset about the fact that we are mediocre, but you still have to accept the fact. the only thing you can do is stop attending games or start a petion to fire KD. other than that there isnt much you can do. except come on ZN and complain about how badly we played. seems to be a common trend. even the games the zips won, not many were well played. H

[RootforRoo44]

My problem with the older posters (some of them, not all) is their attitude of accepting mediocracy. I can't stand reading the following statements anymore:

1 - you can't criticize KD, he's a lot better than Hipsher

2 - Why are you complaining? at least we are not Toledo

3 - You should be proud, we went to the MAC finals 4 years in a row

4 - this is our 5th consecutive 20-win season, shut up and count your blessings

5 - Why can't you appreciate our situation? 10/12 MAC teams would love to be in our place

+1

[RACER]

to say these players did not give 100% is wrong.they played hard the entire year.where did you see any player not giving 100%? how did they win 20+ games,and go to the mack finals not trying.they lost some games, but is was not for lack of effort. all i am asking is what player did not try in a certain game? for the people who complain all the time about

kd why do you go to the games.if you don't like him just don't go to the b-ball games.no one is making anyone

go to the games.if you don't like a product just don't buy it.i am not saying you can't post your opinion on here.

i just don't understand why some people complain all the time about the team, but contintue to go to the b-ball games.