WMU

[Hilltopper]

With four MAC home games left, its now or never for the Zips. With road games at Can't and at OU still on the schedule to finish out the season, this game is a must win if we are going to turn things around. Our inability to win on the road makes every home game a must win. I expect to see quite a bit of zone defense on Wednesday night. I hope it makes a difference.

[The Hip Zip]

I predict a close battle. Western is coming in on a bit of a roll. The Broncs have just claimed two road wins vs. Miami and BG. so they are playing very well.

[johnnyzip84]

Will the Zips win a Wednesday MAC game?

[RootforRoo44]

Wow, no one really gives a crap about bball anymore, do they?

Tonight should be a close one if the zips play more of their stupid "dont pass the ball to zeke" offense. But hey there are dollar dogs and a chance to heckle Juwan Howard's son. JH Sr. plays w/ LeBron so there is some ammo for heckling.

[ZachTheZip]

Every single game from here out is a "must win". It has to be. I hope that if Dambrot insists on playing McNees and McKnight that they break out of their shooting slumps. If they can't, please start putting in Egner and Euton for their sakes and for the teams'.

[Dave in Green]

I'll be there tonight as always. Hope the "good" Zips team shows up.

[jjackson123]

Every single game from here out is a "must win". It has to be. I hope that if Dambrot insists on playing McNees and McKnight that they break out of their shooting slumps. If they can't, please start putting in Egner and Euton for their sakes and for the teams'.

False... We only need to win enough games to get us a home game during round 1 of the tournament. The only pure must wins will come at the Q. Sure it would be nice to win but we will play again even if we don't.

[RootforRoo44]

Every single game from here out is a "must win". It has to be. I hope that if Dambrot insists on playing McNees and McKnight that they break out of their shooting slumps. If they can't, please start putting in Egner and Euton for their sakes and for the teams'.

False... We only need to win enough games to get us a home game during round 1 of the tournament. The only pure must wins will come at the Q. Sure it would be nice to win but we will play again even if we don't.

I agree, we are past the must win stuff. Let's just try to get a first round bye (still a chance) or hold or spot for a first round home game.

the MAC tourney is where it matters.

[MDZip]

Excelllent job by the Zips in the first half. Cvetinovic has been playing really well over the last few games, including tonight.

[Quickzips]

Pretty solid game for the Zips tonight. Started a little slow, but didn't let that linger. They had a bit of trouble late when the Broncos started pressuring, but they figured it out relatively quickly. To be honest I wasn't sure that the Zips had an 80+ point game in them. Very nice night for Nikola, Diggs, McKnight and Abreu. Probably the best job of defending the 3 point line that I've seen from the Zips in 3 years. If that team shows up night in and night out we can dig our way back into the MAC race. Unfortunatly if we know one thing about this Zips squad its that inconsistency is the name of the game.

[UAZipster0305]

To me, the box score tells the story of this game. (I was unable to watch or listen.)

The Zips shoot 38% from 3 and well in general from the floor and line. WMU is 0-12 from 3. If those stats are more even, the game is a toss up. We live and die by the 3.

Looks like a good game from Nik and Brett. Zeke's stats are still underwhelming. I hope he gets it going before the MAC Tourney.

[RootforRoo44]

To me, the box score tells the story of this game. (I was unable to watch or listen.)

The Zips shoot 38% from 3 and well in general from the floor and line. WMU is 0-12 from 3. If those stats are more even, the game is a toss up. We live and die by the 3.

Looks like a good game from Nik and Brett. Zeke's stats are still underwhelming. I hope he gets it going before the MAC Tourney.

Don't blame Zeke for the team never working the ball to him. Sure he could be more aggressive but tonight he played defense about 90% of perfect and was in great position to take the ball a dozen times while only getting half that.

[Dave in Green]

It wasn't a great game for the Zips, but it was a good one. No big scoring droughts, and enough good D to build a good final margin. I liked the passing and teamwork better than recent games, and especially the aggressiveness and creativity on the offensive end. If the Zips could play a few more games like this, they'd earn my confidence back. WMU is no powerhouse, but they are probably the second best team in the MAC West behind Ball State. Too bad there weren't more fans there to enjoy the W.

Caught the radio interview with KD on the way home, and he had interesting comments about Diggs. He said he has told Q that he has the potential to be an NBA player if he learns how to put it all together. He's quick, long, can run the break, make good passing decisions and score. I'm developing a real appreciation for Diggs. Game by game he's steadily improving, and has the potential to be a star for the Zips in his junior and senior seasons.

I want to make a special point to credit McNees for changing his game. He's doing a much better job of driving and dishing, which really helps break down the defense and opens up players to pass to. He may not be as good at it as Rico and Q, but he no longer spends so much time dribbling outside the 3-point line. This could pay big dividends in the MAC tournament.

[bandzip]

To me, the box score tells the story of this game. (I was unable to watch or listen.)

The Zips shoot 38% from 3 and well in general from the floor and line. WMU is 0-12 from 3. If those stats are more even, the game is a toss up. We live and die by the 3.

Looks like a good game from Nik and Brett. Zeke's stats are still underwhelming. I hope he gets it going before the MAC Tourney.

Don't blame Zeke for the team never working the ball to him. Sure he could be more aggressive but tonight he played defense about 90% of perfect and was in great position to take the ball a dozen times while only getting half that.

Good game by the Zips tonight! Zeke played some great D but was definitely off offensively and it had nothing to do with the rest of the team. They worked the ball to him almost exclusively the first five minutes and he kept turning it over, was unable to get off a shot or shot it off the bottom of the rim. He also had a couple of silly fouls out by the three point line. When we took him out McKnight and Nik really stepped up in terms of scoring.

The last couple games I think Bardo has been playing really well. I know he isn't really a scoring threat but he sprints down the court every possession and had a nice block when Western was starting to make a run. Honestly I think he gives the most effort of anyone on the team.

As far as consistency there is only one thing you can count on: The refs will suck. I know you aren't supposed to complain about them when you win, but they were absolutely terrible both ways tonight.

[RootforRoo44]

To me, the box score tells the story of this game. (I was unable to watch or listen.)

The Zips shoot 38% from 3 and well in general from the floor and line. WMU is 0-12 from 3. If those stats are more even, the game is a toss up. We live and die by the 3.

Looks like a good game from Nik and Brett. Zeke's stats are still underwhelming. I hope he gets it going before the MAC Tourney.

Don't blame Zeke for the team never working the ball to him. Sure he could be more aggressive but tonight he played defense about 90% of perfect and was in great position to take the ball a dozen times while only getting half that.

Good game by the Zips tonight! Zeke played some great D but was definitely off offensively and it had nothing to do with the rest of the team. They worked the ball to him almost exclusively the first five minutes and he kept turning it over, was unable to get off a shot or shot it off the bottom of the rim. He also had a couple of silly fouls out by the three point line. When we took him out McKnight and Nik really stepped up in terms of scoring.

2 turnovers, no more than seven or eight touches all game. I'm rewatching game right now, but the Zips were pitiful at getting him the ball. I dont know what you were watching.

Don't know about McKnight either, he went 4-of-10 from the field with some TERRIBLE shots and only a few times did he play smart by backing his much smaller man down inside.

[UAZipster0305]

To me, the box score tells the story of this game. (I was unable to watch or listen.)

The Zips shoot 38% from 3 and well in general from the floor and line. WMU is 0-12 from 3. If those stats are more even, the game is a toss up. We live and die by the 3.

Looks like a good game from Nik and Brett. Zeke's stats are still underwhelming. I hope he gets it going before the MAC Tourney.

Don't blame Zeke for the team never working the ball to him. Sure he could be more aggressive but tonight he played defense about 90% of perfect and was in great position to take the ball a dozen times while only getting half that.

I wasn't blaming Zeke for anything. We won.

I was simply saying we need more of a contribution from him to be successful in the MAC Tourney. Whether he needs to step up himself or the team needs to get him more involved, I don't know. I have a feeling it is a combination of the two. When watching recently, I didn't get the sense that he was being assertive in demanding the ball on offense though.

[ejcool27]

The only two things I learned from this game are that Nitro is the purest shooter we have. When he is on he's good for 10+, but when he's off well...lets just hope he is on in Cleveland.

Also that Diggs is the teams x factor, he hustles more then anyone else on the court on offence and defense. When he's on the floor our defense seems more secure.

Congrads to Brett on 1000 it was good to seem him scoring again.

Alex got hurt mid way through the second looked like a sprain in his ankle he did come back but looked a step slower...Steve didn't shoot well but played point guard well 7 assists is a job well done in my book. Some bone head plays but Alex did the same thing.

D.Rob shot was off

Nik looked great if he wouldn't have been scoring at the beginning it would've been another Zips scoring drought, he made some and 1's that were amazing.

Zeke played well on defense, not on so much on offensive, rushed a couple shots on the first couple possessions. Did seem a little more aggressive tonight. Not upset that he didn't have double digit rebounds considering he was considerable outweighed by his defender.

Bring on Ball State!

[johnnyzip84]

It wasn't a great game for the Zips, but it was a good one. No big scoring droughts, and enough good D to build a good final margin. I liked the passing and teamwork better than recent games, and especially the aggressiveness and creativity on the offensive end. If the Zips could play a few more games like this, they'd earn my confidence back. WMU is no powerhouse, but they are probably the second best team in the MAC West behind Ball State. Too bad there weren't more fans there to enjoy the W.

Caught the radio interview with KD on the way home, and he had interesting comments about Diggs. He said he has told Q that he has the potential to be an NBA player if he learns how to put it all together. He's quick, long, can run the break, make good passing decisions and score. I'm developing a real appreciation for Diggs. Game by game he's steadily improving, and has the potential to be a star for the Zips in his junior and senior seasons.

I want to make a special point to credit McNees for changing his game. He's doing a much better job of driving and dishing, which really helps break down the defense and opens up players to pass to. He may not be as good at it as Rico and Q, but he no longer spends so much time dribbling outside the 3-point line. This could pay big dividends in the MAC tournament.

A scheduling conflict prevents me from attending most Wedesday night games, but I watched the 2nd half on STO. On the play where Q took it the length and dished to McNees for the layup, it looked like he (Q) was in a completely different gear than everyone else. If KD can get him to play with consistency, I really like his prospects (perhaps not NBA, but REALLY good MAC player).

Zeke simply needs to get stronger with the ball on offense or we can't run it through him without the contant threat of a turnover.

All in all, I was pretty pleased with the outcome at this point of THIS season.

[The Hip Zip]

Steve McNees

3/7 from the floor

5 boards

7 assists

1 TO

[Blue & Gold]

Quincy Diggs (18 minutes PT)

7 Points (3/6 from the floor, 0/2 from 3)

5 Rebounds (2 offensive, 3 defensive)

4 Assists

0 TO's

Long, athletic & I LOVE the way he pushes the ball up the court.

[Captain Kangaroo]

Big win by the Zips. Nik looks like he's assuming a leadership role. I hope I'm right.

And the crowd chants: "More Diggs. More Diggs. More Diggs."

[Hilltopper]

Good showing by the Zips. One down and one to go. We need to follow this up with a solid win on Saturday against Ball State.

[skip-zip]

Could that be the best game we've played against a quality opponent since we beat Ken+? Sad to say, but it might be true. I hope it's the start of a magical finish.

Diggs getting into the mix might prove to be really helpful to us. KD gave some high praise for his potential during the post game.

As I keep saying, this team needs McNees and McKnight to score points. We did it last night, and you see the results.

Zeke: I keep seeing some people say that he's not producing because we don't get him the ball enough. As someone touched on arelady, it's still a mystery much of the time as to what will happen when he is given the ball. I think we are still seeing too many occassions where he drops passes, gets the ball knocked away, or puts up an awkward shot. It could be a matter of his teammates not having enough confidence in his ability to finish.

[dboze]

I think we are still seeing too many occassions where he drops passes, gets the ball knocked away, or puts up an awkward shot. It could be a matter of his teammates not having enough confidence in his ability to finish.

Confidence in Zeke is not the problem.

He is 3rd in the conference in field goal percentage: 3.MARSHALL, Zeke-UA........ SO .542 (54%). He shot 5-5, 3-4, 2-4, 3-6, 4-5 in the past 7 games. I'd take those stats any day. He shot 5-13 and 2-6 in those other 2 games during that stretch.

Zeke has 13 turnovers in the past 7 games; less than 2 per game. Nik has 11. The numbers speak for themselves.

This issue is that he teammates look at him for 5 dribbles then decides to give him the ball. By that point the defense has made the adjustment.

Better guard play on entry passes, etc. is the answer....

[ZachTheZip]

Does you really think we played well? I don't think we did. WMU handed us the game with a lots of turnovers and poor performance on defense. We took advantage by actually making our shots. We should never allow a team as poor as WMU to have two 20-point scorers.

Zeke doesn't get the ball enough. Some of you say he doesn't do enough when he does get the ball, but how can he learn what to do if he only gets the opportunity to take 6 shots a game?

McNees had a career high in assists. Seven. He's not a PG. But he did change up his game to avoid dribbling 8 feet behind the arc for most of the shot clock and I hope that change wasn't temporary.

Nik has really played well. It's crunch time for him. He only has a few games left to get better and leave to play in Europe.

Brett McKnight got 1000 points, and that's with him missing almost a year of his career from suspensions and sitting out half his freshman year. But it's a case of quantity over quality. Back your man down, Brett. Play like a post player, not some NBA wannabe hoisting up turnaround fadeaway jumpers over players you have a significant size advantage against.

Diggs continues to improve. He's got the potential to really be a top MAC player by the end of the year and a monster talent in the future.

Bardo gives his all, and that's all you can ask for. He's our best defensive player and he's seemingly the only one on the team willing to knock heads with the opposing big men while the rest of our frontcourt dances around them.

I don't know if we can get it together as a team, but it requires improvement individually from certain players. Now's the time to get it going, though. Ball State is next and they lead the West. Luckily it's at home.