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Hoops at Miami


RootforRoo44

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I don't want to steal Quickzips' thunder but we are about 24 hours away from a huge game. Miami is the MAC East leader right now (along with Can't) and losing this game would put us at 1-3 and two full games behind the leader. That can't happen.

Anyone think KD will make some drastic changes for this game or will it be more of the same?

(oh and here's my preview over at ASN, with tons of stats)

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I don't want to steal Quickzips' thunder but we are about 24 hours away from a huge game. Miami is the MAC East leader right now (along with Can't) and losing this game would put us at 1-3 and two full games behind the leader. That can't happen.

Anyone think KD will make some drastic changes for this game or will it be more of the same?

(oh and here's my preview over at ASN, with tons of stats)

Sorry I've been away for a few days here. Dealing with starting a new job next week, and I'm trying to get all of my ducks in a row for all of that. I don't plan on doing a preview on the next couple games, as time is just not there right now.

I will say this, if there is ever going to be a "must-win" scenario this early in the season, this is it. The Zips can't afford a losing record the first time through the East if they want any chance at a bye going into the tournament. As we've seen the past two seasons, that bye isn't a necessity, but it sure is a nice luxury.

I think right now for the Zips to win games a few things need to happen.

First, they have to stop turning the ball over. They were doing a great job of this earlier in the season, but Ohio and Buffalo turned us over like crazy. With a more aggressive PG like Abreu, you are going to get a few more TO's, but the Zips have to do a better job of protecting the ball. This team isn't built to withstand nights when we turn the ball over 18-20 times or more. We have to get back to protecting the ball and winning the turnover battle.

Second, and maybe even more importantly, Zeke needs to stay out of foul trouble. He is the single biggest matchup problem for opposing teams that we have (and probably the biggest matchup problem in the conference), but the silly fouls are killing his value. At some point he has got to figure out that reaching over a guys back to try and deny an entry pass into the post is an unnecessary move and an almost automatic foul on him. He's getting one or two of them a night, and there is no reason for it.

Third, the transition defense has to get better. Ohio really exposed how to attack us. Play solid defense in the post, wait for us to jack up a 3, secure the rebound, push the ball down the court and you'll get a wide open look at the bucket more often than not. Our guards in particular have to do a better job of getting back in transition.

Finally, we have to stop settling for so many jump shots. We have three guys who are very capable scorers out of the post inside (Cvetinovic, Zeke and McKnight) as well as a few guys who are capable of scoring around the rim off the dribble (Abreu, Diggs and even Cvetinovic and McClanahan). There is no reason what-so-ever that we should be taking nearly 40% of our FG attempts from beyond the arch. It is a big part of what is killing us in transition defense as well, as those long rebounds off missed 3's are leading to too many easy run-outs.

Hopefully the Zips can get some of these things corrected tonight. I know I'll be tunning in with anxious ears. Go Zips!

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No, this is not a must win game on the road, just 4 games into the conference schedule.

In a one bid conference, the only must win games will be played at the Q in March. We 're not winning anything until we begin to defend a whole lot better than we are now. The last two MAC games were perhaps the weakest defensive games that I have seen them play in succession.

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No, this is not a must win game on the road, just 4 games into the conference schedule.

In a one bid conference, the only must win games will be played at the Q in March. We 're not winning anything until we begin to defend a whole lot better than we are now. The last two MAC games were perhaps the weakest defensive games that I have seen them play in succession.

It goes back further than that...we started surrendering huge points on the perimeter last year...guys going for 30+ regularly against the Zips guards (unheard of during KD's first 5 seasons)...and it's still a problem today.

Dials/Middleton/Joyce could get in someone's grill and defend. Abreu/McNees/Roberts don't defend at that level. It puts a ceiling on the level of opponent we can beat.

I don't have a solution...5-year seniors aren't going to change. Abreu will figure it out, but how soon?

There are other issues...but regularly giving up 3's is an absolute killer.

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No idea what that starting lineup was all about, but clearly it hasn't been working. Good free throw shooting is about the only thing keeping us in the game right now. Second half better be a lot better. -11 is something you can come back from with 20 minutes left to play (Buffalo came back from -10 with a lot less time on the clock on Sunday), but the Zips are going to have to break out of this funk, and soon.

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Now we are starting off with Abreu, McNees, McClanahan, McKnight and Nikola to start the second half. KD is searching desperatly for something to work. Not something you want to be doing at this time of the season.

Why not play quick and athletic? I don't see why Egner or Diggs aren't on the floor with McKnight and McClanahan?

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