Good news out of Athens

[ksu sucks]

http://www.athensmessenger.com/sports/ohio...1cc4c002e0.html

I don't have a subscription to the "Athens Messenger" but here's the gist of the article according to a bobcat fan:

From the article, it sounds like it is a family financial situation. He is worried about his mom, who works 2 jobs to just survive. She could not take a few days off to travel to where her son was. Being 24 years old, he feels that he needs to start supporting his family. He says that he will talk this over with his family over the spring break and get together with John Groce to make a decision.

So Armon might split early for Europe.

Personally, I would be surprised to see him leave. It just seems too good to be true.

[UAZip0510]

http://www.athensmessenger.com/sports/ohio...1cc4c002e0.html

I don't have a subscription to the "Athens Messenger" but here's the gist of the article according to a bobcat fan:

From the article, it sounds like it is a family financial situation. He is worried about his mom, who works 2 jobs to just survive. She could not take a few days off to travel to where her son was. Being 24 years old, he feels that he needs to start supporting his family. He says that he will talk this over with his family over the spring break and get together with John Groce to make a decision.

So Armon might split early for Europe.

Personally, I would be surprised to see him leave. It just seems to good to be true.

Bassett leaving would, IMO, make Akron the MAC favorite again next year.

[Let'sGoZips94]

http://www.athensmessenger.com/sports/ohio...1cc4c002e0.html

I don't have a subscription to the "Athens Messenger" but here's the gist of the article according to a bobcat fan:

From the article, it sounds like it is a family financial situation. He is worried about his mom, who works 2 jobs to just survive. She could not take a few days off to travel to where her son was. Being 24 years old, he feels that he needs to start supporting his family. He says that he will talk this over with his family over the spring break and get together with John Groce to make a decision.

So Armon might split early for Europe.

Personally, I would be surprised to see him leave. It just seems to good to be true.

Bassett leaving would, IMO, make Akron the MAC favorite again next year.

Agreed. Cooper is good, but let's be honest. Having a partner like Basset really helps you. Plus, they don't have any big men. If he leaves, it's going to be interesting.

[ZachTheZip]

I don't see it happening unless he gets a good guarantee before signing.

[RACER]

i would not be surpised if the coach left before bassett.we have seen this with Can't before.this time it might be ou.

i know some people are not happy with kd, but he is staying at akron.he has said that he had other offers

the year the team won 26 games.the guy is loyal to akron where most coaches would go the first chance

they get.d1 b-ball is not like football.with 330 teams there are plenty of jobs open up every year.

[Zip_ME87]

This thread is pathetic. How can someone's family having financial issues that may force him to leave college early be "good news" in any way? I want Akron to be top of the MAC, but not that way. Also, people may not be happy with KD, but I don't think many, if any, want him to leave...just re-examine his methods.

[Dave in Green]

..... Plus, they don't have any big men. .....

I was actually reasonably impressed with the way DeVaughn Washington (6-8, 225 lbs) performed this year -- 50% from the field, 70% on free throws, 11 points and 5 rebounds per game. He's not a dominator, but I think he will give Ohio a decent inside presence next year in his senior season.

[Let'sGoZips94]

..... Plus, they don't have any big men. .....

I was actually reasonably impressed with the way DeVaughn Washington (6-8, 225 lbs) performed this year -- 50% from the field, 70% on free throws, 11 points and 5 rebounds per game. He's not a dominator, but I think he will give Ohio a decent inside presence next year in his senior season.

No doubt Washington is good inside, but my point was, Zeke tops him in height by 4 inches. Unless he can get bigger and stronger, he's going to have a tough time with players that are 2-4 inches taller than him and his size.

[ksu sucks]

This thread is pathetic. How can someone's family having financial issues that may force him to leave college early be "good news" in any way? I want Akron to be top of the MAC, but not that way. Also, people may not be happy with KD, but I don't think many, if any, want him to leave...just re-examine his methods.

In many ways you could call this thread a compliment to Bassett. If Akron fans think that it's good news he won't be playing then they must think highly of him as a player.

I wish Armon the best of luck with whatever he does(unless he's playing the zips, that is ).

[tpsjugglerdude]

..... Plus, they don't have any big men. .....

I was actually reasonably impressed with the way DeVaughn Washington (6-8, 225 lbs) performed this year -- 50% from the field, 70% on free throws, 11 points and 5 rebounds per game. He's not a dominator, but I think he will give Ohio a decent inside presence next year in his senior season.

No doubt Washington is good inside, but my point was, Zeke tops him in height by 4 inches.

Zeke averaged 16.8 min 5.1 pts 3.9 reb 1.7 blks

Washington averaged 25.6 min 11.3 pts 5.4 reb .4 blks

Zeke averages against Ohio 16.6 min 2.6 pts 3 reb 1 blks

Washington averages against Akron 27.6 min 9.3 pts 6.6 reb .3 blks

Ohio also has a 6' 10" player coming in next year so there goes the height advantage you speak of.

[Valpo Zip]

Every one wants Akron to be top of the mac. The question is: Would you rather see Akron improve and get better than an excellent Ohio U? or do you want Akron to retain the same level while seeing OU become worse? How can you complain about the MAC being so bad and in the same time hate it when a conference team does good? Hypocracy if you ask me.

[ksu sucks]

Every one wants Akron to be top of the mac. The question is: Would you rather see Akron improve and get better than an excellent Ohio U? or do you want Akron to retain the same level while seeing OU become worse? How can you complain about the MAC being so bad and in the same time hate it when a conference team does good? Hypocracy if you ask me.

I could really care less how Ohio fares next season. Akron and only Akron can get themselves in the big dance and it starts with scheduling. I'd like to see the competition in the MAC increase but that automatic bid NCAA bid seems so much more obtainable without Armon playing.

[GP1]

Akron and only Akron can get themselves in the big dance and it starts with scheduling.

I respectfully disagree. It starts with Akron making key shots in key games in the MAC Tournament.

Scheduling improving results is one of those arguments I find hard to buy because too many things can happen between the OOC portion of the schedule and the MAC Tournament. To me, it is no different than saying if we build a new football stadium we should win....the logic is strange. What if we build a stadium and the players play worse?......Wait a minute, they did. What if we schedule stronger and the players play worse?

Players making shots and generally playing better is an argument I find easy to buy. Make shots. Grab rebounds. Make foul shots. Play solid defense. The Zips need to execute better in big games next year. If they execute well in the MAC Tournament, they should win. The success OU experienced is explained that easily.

The PLAYERS need to take responsibility and do whatever they need to do this off season to improve their on court performance.

Before anyone goes insane, I do think they need to schedule better, but that is for financial reasons and not on court performance.

[zippy_ua_00]

This thread is pathetic. How can someone's family having financial issues that may force him to leave college early be "good news" in any way? I want Akron to be top of the MAC, but not that way. Also, people may not be happy with KD, but I don't think many, if any, want him to leave...just re-examine his methods.

agreed. besides to be the best you have to beat the best, everone complains about playing a mediocre scedule, why would we want to add another mediocre team into the equation

[Let'sGoZips94]

This thread is pathetic. How can someone's family having financial issues that may force him to leave college early be "good news" in any way? I want Akron to be top of the MAC, but not that way. Also, people may not be happy with KD, but I don't think many, if any, want him to leave...just re-examine his methods.

agreed. besides to be the best you have to beat the best, everone complains about playing a mediocre scedule, why would we want to add another mediocre team into the equation

Because it's one of our rivals and we have to play them no matter what.

[Dave in Green]

It's a simple question:

Are the Zips better off overall if the MAC is weaker or stronger?

[ZachTheZip]

It's a simple question:

Are the Zips better off overall if the MAC is weaker or stronger?

If the MAC is weaker, nothing changes. We're still a one-bid conference with the only hope of going dancing coming from winning the MAC tournament. If the MAC is stronger, there's still a chance that nothing changes as far as going dancing. To have a good chance at an at-large bid, the MAC would have to pass about seven other conferences.

So, the MAC getting weaker with Akron staying the same would seem to give us a better chance of getting into the NCAA tournament, because if the MAC got stronger it means a harder time through the conference tournament but maybe not a better chance at an at-large bid unless the improvement is extremely dramatic.

[ksu sucks]

Akron and only Akron can get themselves in the big dance and it starts with scheduling.

I respectfully disagree. It starts with Akron making key shots in key games in the MAC Tournament.

Sure, I can agree with that much. But Akron has the talent to play a better OOC teams. I'm going to hold my tongue on this topic until I see our schedule for next season(That, and the fact that Spring break is over so I will no longer have time for ZNO).

Before anyone goes insane, I do think they need to schedule better, but that is for financial reasons and not on court performance.

And as far as Akron playing big name teams on the road(which I assume is what you're referencing to); I say go for it. What's the worst that could happen? If we can't beat a team like Florida State it isn't like we deserve an at large bid in the first place. That is, unless they expand the tourney to 96 teams. That's a whole 'nother can of worms.

[ksu sucks]

It's a simple question:

Are the Zips better off overall if the MAC is weaker or stronger?

If the MAC is weaker, nothing changes. We're still a one-bid conference with the only hope of going dancing coming from winning the MAC tournament. If the MAC is stronger, there's still a chance that nothing changes as far as going dancing. To have a good chance at an at-large bid, the MAC would have to pass about seven other conferences.

So, the MAC getting weaker with Akron staying the same would seem to give us a better chance of getting into the NCAA tournament, because if the MAC got stronger it means a harder time through the conference tournament but maybe not a better chance at an at-large bid unless the improvement is extremely dramatic.

Congratulations, Zach. You have discovered what we call a 'Catch 22'.

[RootforRoo44]

This thread is pathetic. How can someone's family having financial issues that may force him to leave college early be "good news" in any way? I want Akron to be top of the MAC, but not that way. Also, people may not be happy with KD, but I don't think many, if any, want him to leave...just re-examine his methods.

Umm this isn't the pity party forum. It's an Akron Zips sports forum and Bassett possibly leaving to support his family is great news for Zips basketball (as well as an admirable thing for him to do). There is nothing pathetic about it.

[infofan]

It was already reported in Columbus Dispatch that Bassett and Groce had some run ins- and didnt see eye to eye. Leaving early was a distinct possibility and if that happens good luck to that young man. But the negative is like it or not OU's performance in NCAA vs Gtown elevated the MACs respect. Sorry to say no one else has done that since early 2000s . But whether Armond leaves or not- or even if coach Groce leaves or not the foundation is set for OU to be strong for years. Only 1 departing senior and 2 Kelloggs coming in plus a 6'10" big man. we lose C Mcknight, Conyers, and ( the unknown 3rd scholarship player) and it appears add 3 strong reruits. we can be optomistic that our success will continue but OU will be the team to beat next year on paper at least.

[Blue & Gold]

My two cents:

If Basset chooses to I wish him the best and hope he is able to make a nice living playing the game he loves and is able to support his family. Good man.

But, I'm hoping he decides to stick around one more year. I pay for my Zips tickets and I want to see the best competition possible in the JAR. I don't get as much of a thrill watching the Zips beat down lousy competition. I much prefer seeing games against the Rhode Islands, VCU's & strong MAC teams - which there have been fewer and fewer of in recent years. I hope Groce keeps OU at a high level. Whether or not Basset leaves, OU will still be a marquee game @ the JAR next year. I just wish more MAC schools were much stronger. It would make our home schedule much more exciting.

Anyway, good luck Armon.

[Dr Z]

I would hope that OU keeps all it's players and coach, and becomes a better team next year. I hope every team in the MAC follows suit by getting better. I hope Akron plays better and is coached better than every team in the MAC. I hope to someday watch good MAC basketball. I don't want good players to leave the MAC, I want more good players to come to the MAC.

[Dave in Green]

It's a simple question:

Are the Zips better off overall if the MAC is weaker or stronger?

If the MAC is weaker, nothing changes. We're still a one-bid conference with the only hope of going dancing coming from winning the MAC tournament. If the MAC is stronger, there's still a chance that nothing changes as far as going dancing. To have a good chance at an at-large bid, the MAC would have to pass about seven other conferences.

So, the MAC getting weaker with Akron staying the same would seem to give us a better chance of getting into the NCAA tournament, because if the MAC got stronger it means a harder time through the conference tournament but maybe not a better chance at an at-large bid unless the improvement is extremely dramatic.

Congratulations, Zach. You have discovered what we call a 'Catch 22'.

So we have one frequently expressed school of thought on ZN.O that the Zips suffer from playing in a weak conference, and another school of thought expressed in this thread that the Zips benefit if the MAC gets even weaker.

If a weaker conference is good, instead of wishing for bad luck for other teams in the MAC, why not have UA take control of its own destiny and just move to an even weaker conference where the Zips would be more likely to win the conference each year and pick up an automatic NCAA tournament bid?

[g-mann17]

Weaker conference = weaker competition = less desirable to recruits = weaker Zips = even less fan support = "DON"T TEAR DOWN MEMORIAL HALL BECAUSE WE NEED A SMALLER GYM!!!"