The Hip Zip Posted February 23, 2011 Report Share Posted February 23, 2011 This is always one of my favorite home games of the year. Nobody is more surprised than me that the Redhawks have continued to play well without Ballard and pt. guard Rollins who is expected back soon. Miami has been the cardiac kids of the MAC lately by pulling out some very improbable wins after falling far behind early against K>S>U, Eastern Mich and Ball St. They also played pretty well in their bracketbuster game vs. Humpty and James Madison on the Dukes floor Saturday. Thats the same Humpty and James Madison that went into Can't and beat the flushes easily earlier this season. Everybody loves Charlie and he's done one of his best coaching jobs this season. Now he comes in with Nick Dials along side for the most important game of the year for both teams. Lots of subplots here with some still too painful to mention. All things considered, the Miami game always seems to be one of the most entertaining games on the home schedule. The Redhawks have four remaining games 2 at home and 2 on the road vs. us and Buffalo. I have to believe that Miami will win their 2 home games vs. BG and OU. but they are not a good road team at all. They are 4-9 on the road and their best road wins were at BG and CMU. That is going to be a problem for them weds night and moving forward to the Q. Miami is running into a buzz saw with very sharp teeth. The line opened at 8 and lots of people will think that its too many points for the Zips to be laying. I am not of that opinion. Miami has some defensive liabilities and the Zip offense is in very high gear, a bad combination for Charlie to deal with. This is our chance to send Miami a very loud message before we move on to the tourney. We must avoid getting beat on their offensive glass like we did in Oxford and I think we will. The Zips should win this one with relative ease. Akron 78 Miami 65 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Captain Kangaroo Posted February 23, 2011 Report Share Posted February 23, 2011 The Zips seem to really be focused right now...as focused as I've ever seen a Dambrot-coached team in late-February. I would love to know what the hell was said to get this crew to start playing "Akron Basketball?" And who said it. An absolutely amazing 4-week turnaround. Tonight should be a can't-miss war! See you there! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave in Green Posted February 23, 2011 Report Share Posted February 23, 2011 ..... The Zips should win this one with relative ease. ..... I like your thinking on this. The only thing I would add is that "relative ease" for a Zips-Sweaters game means it will still be a relatively close game with nail-biting moments. Zips and Sweaters are both playing good all-around basketball right now. I'm expecting a highly competitive game where both teams are well-prepared and intense. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr Z Posted February 23, 2011 Report Share Posted February 23, 2011 My prediction: 69-65 Zips. Akron is favored by 8. Miami is 4-1 against the spread their last 5 games, Zips are 5-0. Akron is 8-3 against the spread versus Miami since 97. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnnyzip84 Posted February 23, 2011 Report Share Posted February 23, 2011 The Zips have defended the 3-ball very well lately, but it’s probably even more essential that they continue to do this tonight. I seem to have a habit of making predictions that are off by one game. I thought Zeke might roar against Creighton, but it didn’t happen. Maybe this will be the night? Akron 72 Miami 66 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
originalrowdy Posted February 23, 2011 Report Share Posted February 23, 2011 Z FENSE!! (BOOM BOOM) Z FENSE!! (BOOM BOOM). Cryami always D's it up real good against us, even at home. It'll be a close one. Zips prevail at the free throw line to seal it Akron 63 Cryami 60 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zip Watcher Posted February 23, 2011 Report Share Posted February 23, 2011 Zips are having a great run of dining on poultry lately. Tonight is no different. I see a big game coming from Zeke tonight. Opens up the outside for the shooters. Zips dine well on their 4th bird in a row .. cover the spread. Go Zips! B) B) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Hip Zip Posted February 23, 2011 Author Report Share Posted February 23, 2011 ..... The Zips should win this one with relative ease. ..... I like your thinking on this. The only thing I would add is that "relative ease" for a Zips-Sweaters game means it will still be a relatively close game with nail-biting moments. Zips and Sweaters are both playing good all-around basketball right now. I'm expecting a highly competitive game where both teams are well-prepared and intense. That is true, no doubt. Almost all of the Redhack games that I recall were indeed nail biting low scoring grinders where every hoop seemed big. Their stats and scores reflect a total 180 degree different style of play this year. This leads me to think that they lack the ability to defend a good offensive team. Despite all that, a 55-54 game certainly wouldn't shock me. Can't wait, just 6 hours to go..................... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ZachTheZip Posted February 23, 2011 Report Share Posted February 23, 2011 Nick Dials relives a moment we all wish we could forget. Reading this makes me even more pumped to beat Miami. There will NEVER be enough wins against them to make up for what happened. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RootforRoo44 Posted February 23, 2011 Report Share Posted February 23, 2011 Nick Dials relives a moment we all wish we could forget. Reading this makes me even more pumped to beat Miami. There will NEVER be enough wins against them to make up for what happened. **EDITED and picture replaced with happy memories** Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Let'sGoZips94 Posted February 23, 2011 Report Share Posted February 23, 2011 I'm REALLY pumped about this one. Akron's playing the best basketball I've seen them play in a long while. Miami is also playing well, but their games have been close. As long as Akron plays the tenacious D we've seen recently and moves the ball around on offense, they should win this one. Akron 76 Miami 68 LET'S GO ZIPS! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skip-zip Posted February 23, 2011 Report Share Posted February 23, 2011 Nick Dials relives a moment we all wish we could forget. Reading this makes me even more pumped to beat Miami. There will NEVER be enough wins against them to make up for what happened. I'm surprised this hasn't been talked about more leading up to this game. I know I won't enjoy seeing him sitting on the other bench. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr Z Posted February 23, 2011 Report Share Posted February 23, 2011 Never forget? Why? Were you rooting for Miami? My gawd, one of the biggest swings of sporting emotion that left me with a punched in the gut feeling for days. Why would I not want to forget that? Thanks for reminding me. Never forget? You never forget, I want to, except you keep posting one of the horrific moments in Zips fans history. Keep it to yourself. I was having a perfectly fine day. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MDZip Posted February 24, 2011 Report Share Posted February 24, 2011 ..... The Zips should win this one with relative ease. ..... Nice call. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave in Green Posted February 24, 2011 Report Share Posted February 24, 2011 The Zips made it look a lot easier than I expected! I could just say "ditto" from my last few game summaries. The Zips are just playing rock solid consistent team basketball right now, game after game. They don't have long scoring droughts. I think they were about 1 of 10 from the field to start the game, and then shot better than 50% the rest of the way. They played tough defense, they passed well, they rebounded well, they did it all. It goes without saying that if the Zips keep playing like this, it's going to be extremely difficult for any team left on the schedule to beat them. Obviously, the odds could catch up with them and they could lose any of the 3 games left on the regular season schedule. But after what I saw tonight and in the last few games, it wouldn't surprise me if they ran the table. I almost hesitate to point out individual players, because they are all playing solid roles and I don't want to shortchange anyone. But there's no way to ignore the fact that the Serb is the most solid rock of the bunch. He is truly in a zone right now. Nik is the man. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quickzips Posted February 24, 2011 Report Share Posted February 24, 2011 Six in a row baby! Let's keep the good times rollin. As much as anything I think the big key to the Zips success has to do with our newfound ability to switch up defenses. For those who want to complain about KD's lack of adaptability he has gone outside of his comfort zone of "all man to man defense all the time" and has really mixed up his defenses with some 2-3 zone, some 1-3-1 zone and the traditional man to man. The constant switching has bewildered teams the last couple weeks and it really got the best of Miami tonight. They just could not figure out the zone looks that we kept throwing at them. Bring on the Canadians! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RowdyZip Posted February 24, 2011 Report Share Posted February 24, 2011 How about the line from Abreu? 20 min, 3/4 fg (2/2 3pt), 3 reb, 3 ast, ZERO Turnovers, 8 points. What a find with this kid, the next 3 years are bright at PG. It's a shame those two terrible losses against the West took some shine off of this team because they may be playing better than any Zips team during any stretch for the last several years. Lets run the table, 21-10 (11-5) looks good going into the Cleveland. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave in Green Posted February 24, 2011 Report Share Posted February 24, 2011 OU beats BUGS, 70-60, and the Zips are now a game ahead of both of them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2Ball Posted February 24, 2011 Report Share Posted February 24, 2011 Zips are having a great run of dining on poultry lately. Tonight is no different. I see a big game coming from Zeke tonight. Opens up the outside for the shooters. Zips dine well on their 4th bird in a row .. cover the spread. Go Zips! B) B) Another great prediction by Zip Watcher. Just like all of your Conyers double double predictions. Would your predictions get better if you moved to the bleachers? NO But blind squirrels have found nuts. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phil Posted February 24, 2011 Report Share Posted February 24, 2011 A great game by Nik and McNight on the offensive end. Each game he is playing with more confidence. As long as he and McNight keep taking the ball to the basket this team can stay with anyone. I was also glad to see Zeke play with more confidence bringing in 9 rebounds and a couple of blocks. This team is moving the ball well and there was some nice give and goes for easy baskets. We started slow with only 5 points in the first 5 minutes but they did not get down on themselves. Looking forward to the final few games and hoping they can keep up this high level of play. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RootforRoo44 Posted February 24, 2011 Report Share Posted February 24, 2011 Never forget? Why? Were you rooting for Miami? My gawd, one of the biggest swings of sporting emotion that left me with a punched in the gut feeling for days. Why would I not want to forget that? Thanks for reminding me. Never forget? You never forget, I want to, except you keep posting one of the horrific moments in Zips fans history. Keep it to yourself. I was having a perfectly fine day. It means: Dont forget how much we were screwed in that game and that we should hate Miami with everything we have (just like Can't) because of it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skip-zip Posted February 24, 2011 Report Share Posted February 24, 2011 Six in a row baby! Let's keep the good times rollin. As much as anything I think the big key to the Zips success has to do with our newfound ability to switch up defenses. For those who want to complain about KD's lack of adaptability he has gone outside of his comfort zone of "all man to man defense all the time" and has really mixed up his defenses with some 2-3 zone, some 1-3-1 zone and the traditional man to man. The constant switching has bewildered teams the last couple weeks and it really got the best of Miami tonight. They just could not figure out the zone looks that we kept throwing at them. Bring on the Canadians! It's actually normally quite easy for most basketball teams to identify the defense as soon as you move into the half court area. Coaches watch it as well. The problem is whether you have the personnel and offensive sets in place to attack it. I didn't notice if our defensive changes coincided with some of Charlie's surprising time-out calls, but that could have been the case. The switching part is true. I'm actually surprised that KDs teams have not historically switched defenses from time to time. It's such an easy way to throw a little wrench into someone's offensive plans. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Captain Kangaroo Posted February 24, 2011 Report Share Posted February 24, 2011 Never forget? Why? Were you rooting for Miami? My gawd, one of the biggest swings of sporting emotion that left me with a punched in the gut feeling for days. Why would I not want to forget that? Thanks for reminding me. Never forget? You never forget, I want to, except you keep posting one of the horrific moments in Zips fans history. Keep it to yourself. I was having a perfectly fine day. It means: Dont forget how much we were screwed in that game and that we should hate Miami with everything we have (just like Can't) because of it. We didn't get screwed. We choked-away the game. And the Miami kid made a miracle play, and game over. +1 on Dr. Z's comment. That photo, or any related videos, will never again appear on ZipsNation. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zip Watcher Posted February 24, 2011 Report Share Posted February 24, 2011 +1 on Dr. Z's comment. That photo, or any related videos, will never again appear on ZipsNation. +2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MDZip Posted February 24, 2011 Report Share Posted February 24, 2011 I think some credit needs to go to Steve McNees too. Fighting through a season long slump, he had a very good game. 4-7, 14 points 3 assists and only one turnover. Abreu off the bench looks like a brilliant move by Keith. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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