Satisfied -- Complacent?

[Blue & Gold]

We have no patience. Can't we at least wait a year to see whether Dambrot's big plan with the new-look players works out? There's supposed to be high-major talent coming in at multiple positions. The kind needed to compete "beyond the MAC". Can't we wait and see how that looks?

It's dumb to complain at this point. Right now we should be focused on cheering the team and current players to a MAC championship. We can worry about the other crap when the season's over.

+1

I said before this season began that I was already more excited about next year. This year we're still a relatively un-athletic team. True, when we have Zeke, Quincy & AA on the floor we are more athletic than we've been since the Romeo Travis days. But not until next year will we be able to put additional athletes on the floor to supplement those three. Next year we'll most likely be the most athletic team in the MAC. Whether or not our athletes will be able to put the ball in the hoop remains to be seen. But the very real change in KD's philosophy (I appreciate his open-mindedness & seeming flexibility) has me very excited.

This year I'm just cheering for this team to do the best that they can. I think if we're honest with ourselves we'd admit that, even if we do run the MACC table this week & make the NCAA tourney, unless we collectively go into unconscious-hot mode, we're going to get mauled by a team with athletes who can pressure our guards into poor 3-point shooting.

[GP1]

We have no patience. Can't we at least wait a year to see whether Dambrot's big plan with the new-look players works out? There's supposed to be high-major talent coming in at multiple positions. The kind needed to compete "beyond the MAC". Can't we wait and see how that looks?

It's dumb to complain at this point. Right now we should be focused on cheering the team and current players to a MAC championship. We can worry about the other crap when the season's over.

I looked through this entire section and I don't see a single person really complaining. I think all of the comments have been fair and reasonable. The questions Big Zip started this section with were fair and could be asked at any point the last couple of seasons.

Patience? This is his 7th season. He's the highest paid coach in the Athletic Department. Nobody thinks he should be let go. That sounds like we are being patient. With the exception of a small non-blinded minority, this board is a little too apologetic for the underperformance of the program as of late. This is Division I college basketball, not Walsh (although you wouldn't know that from our schedule). This is how people talk about programs at this level.

[Blue & Gold]

We have no patience. Can't we at least wait a year to see whether Dambrot's big plan with the new-look players works out? There's supposed to be high-major talent coming in at multiple positions. The kind needed to compete "beyond the MAC". Can't we wait and see how that looks?

It's dumb to complain at this point. Right now we should be focused on cheering the team and current players to a MAC championship. We can worry about the other crap when the season's over.

I looked through this entire section and I don't see a single person really complaining. I think all of the comments have been fair and reasonable. The questions Big Zip started this section with were fair and could be asked at any point the last couple of seasons.

Patience? This is his 7th season. He's the highest paid coach in the Athletic Department. Nobody thinks he should be let go. That sounds like we are being patient. With the exception of a small non-blinded minority, this board is a little too apologetic for the underperformance of the program as of late. This is Division I college basketball, not Walsh (although you wouldn't know that from our schedule). This is how people talk about programs at this level.

Speaking of Walsh, they have an excellent young coach in Jeff Young. No pun intended, Zipmeister.

[ZachTheZip]

What's all this about our schedule? Our non-conference schedule was in the top 3rd of the MAC when conference play began It was even above average nationally. Will people not be satisfied until we play Miami's schedule, tops in the country, every year? Ten road games against ranked teams with no break inbetween? What do you want? People keep saying that our schedule wasn't tough. It was tougher than most of the MAC's and more than half the country's. And it was supposed to be even tougher but MSU bailed on us.

That's the complaining I'm hearing. And this year, at least, it's unfounded.

[Captain Kangaroo]

Zach I think you miss the point of the entire thread.

It's not the first time....

[Dr Z]

How dare KD not take us to the promised land. If we had a better coach I'm sure that every blue chipper in the country would flock here.

Good point. We won't get blue chippers here, but can KD coach the type of player to get to the sweet 16 like Waters did in '01 with Ken+ with no blue chippers? I want to stand in the ESPN Zone in Times Square and watch my team play in a sweet 16 game instead of watching Ken+ play with every NY fan there rooting for Ken+. I've never been so jealous of a Ken+ team in my life. If KD is the guy to do that great. How long should I wait?.... Is it wrong to want that? So to answer the original post, not satisfied, not complacent.

GP1's analogy of Coach Cowher is a good one. I have had the same thoughts even though it's not apples to apples.

[Blue & Gold]

How dare KD not take us to the promised land. If we had a better coach I'm sure that every blue chipper in the country would flock here.

Good point. We won't get blue chippers here, but can KD coach the type of player to get to the sweet 16 like Waters did in '01 with Ken+ with no blue chippers? I want to stand in the ESPN Zone in Times Square and watch my team play in a sweet 16 game instead of watching Ken+ play with every NY fan there rooting for Ken+. I've never been so jealous of a Ken+ team in my life. If KD is the guy to do that great. How long should I wait?.... Is it wrong to want that? So to answer the original post, not satisfied, not complacent.

GP1's analogy of Coach Cowher is a good one. I have had the same thoughts even though it's not apples to apples.

I've always said that, as a Zips fan, I could die happy if our basketball team got to the Sweet 16 and our football program garnered a Top 25 ranking (25, 24, 23-ish). Of course, it would be great if those weren't one-time occurrences.

[Zip_ME87]

The only problem would be allowing our flunky of an athletic director to hire the next coach. If the hiring decision came down to Coach K or Dan Hip (or some other guy who worked with him somewhere out there), he would pick Hip.

What he said. I don't want to lose to Millikin, Malone, etc. and win only 1 basketball game in a season!

[UAZipster0305]

Could Coach Porter learn basketball? Maybe we just need to play "dominant" basketball too?

That being said, I am satisfied with KD. 4 MACC finals in a row means that even during "rebuilding"years, we are at the top of the conference and competing for a spot in the NCAA's.

[GP1]

4 MACC finals in a row means that even during "rebuilding"years, we are at the top of the conference and competing for a spot in the NCAA's.

When aren't we rebuilding?....... He's been here seven years....how much more rebuilding can we take?

[zippy5]

4 MACC finals in a row means that even during "rebuilding"years, we are at the top of the conference and competing for a spot in the NCAA's.

When aren't we rebuilding?....... He's been here seven years....how much more rebuilding can we take?

I think a better question would be, when are we rebuilding?

[Dr Z]

Could Coach Porter learn basketball? Maybe we just need to play "dominant" basketball too?

I would put odds at 1:1 if KD had 4 picks in the top 5 in the NBA draft, he could win a national title. I think KD has even said something like this. "If I had the players coach Porter did...." Not really a fair comparison IMO.

[Zip Watcher]

4 MACC finals in a row means that even during "rebuilding"years, we are at the top of the conference and competing for a spot in the NCAA's.

When aren't we rebuilding?....... He's been here seven years....how much more rebuilding can we take?

There's no rebuilding going on here.

I appreciate the reality that you see the Zips on a limited basis, with the stupid STO blackout rules and all. In my opinion, the best description of this season is that it has been a bit of a transition year. The Zips are transitioning from more of a half court based execution team to an up tempo offense & defense.

Some of this is actually evidenced by the Zips shots per game count .. I haven't checked, but I'd guess the Zips took more shots in league play than any other team. They have strived to push the ball at most every opportunity the past 6 weeks or so, and the zone D with perimeter pressing has started to come into the game plan. Unlike the NFL, this type of change can't happen overnight with a new coordinator hire & cancelling some player contracts. It does take time to evolve the personnel.

Joyce, Middleton & Dials were a lot of things for the Zips. Big winners, heady guards .. good shooters. But they weren't going to press teams and they were only moderately effective on the break. What we're seeing with guys like Abreu, Diggs, Zeke & Egner is a move to players that can get up and down the court more. Next season appears to bring a couple (maybe as many as 3 or 4) more players who fit that system. We will continue to see a move to more 3/4 court defense & up-tempo offense. It's that type of team that will have the best chance of making and sustaining an impact in the NCAA's. KD knows this, and continues to work to make the Zips into that.

What I think is good about the program is that they can work through a transition like this and remain relevant in the conference race. For arguably the 6th year in a row, the Zips enter the conference tourney as one of the 2 or 3 teams most likely to cut down the nets. Have they done it every year, no. But you can't win the championship if you don't play for it. And play for it they do .. year in and year out.

As the athleticism and size continues to improve .. I think we'll see more separation with the league .. and competitiveness nationally. It simply can't be done at this level without some time to bring in and groom players.

My $.02.

I see big things this week.

B)

Go Zips!

[Big Zip]

Listen Porter took a top national program and made them champs. I don't think KD or anyone can make Akron champs, but the expectation at the very least would be to hang MAC Regular Season and Tournament Champion Banners in the JAR -- every year!

Also, if we are okay with competing in the MAC then I simply have higher expectations. I don't want to be MAC good I want to be much better than MAC good. MAC good isn't too good at all.

[GP1]

There's no rebuilding going on here.

I appreciate the reality that you see the Zips on a limited basis, with the stupid STO blackout rules and all.

I really don't care how often you see them. You're part of the apology train.

Half court execution?....If you mean that "5 Guy Stand Around" offense they used to run, I don't buy it. The party line about KD, and you should know it, is that the defense will turn into offense through transition points. We've been hearing about it for years. I don't have to masochisticly go to game after game to know that. Let's not try to create a new reality about the past. KD has always tried to get points in transition through good defense. His problem is he has trouble developing players who can score on a regular basis.

I do agree that making it to the finals is a good thing. The more you make it, the better chance you have to either win or be remembered as a guy who won one and lost more than his share....Bill Cowher. After a while, the sweet smell of the one victory can overcome the stench of loss after loss.

[Zip Watcher]

There's no rebuilding going on here.

I appreciate the reality that you see the Zips on a limited basis, with the stupid STO blackout rules and all.

I really don't care how often you see them. You're part of the apology train.

I make no apologies for anyone. It's not about how much I see them, it's about how little you see them. You remain uniformed about what is actually happening game over game, year over year on the court.

Half court execution?....If you mean that "5 Guy Stand Around" offense they used to run, I don't buy it. The party line about KD, and you should know it, is that the defense will turn into offense through transition points. We've been hearing about it for years. I don't have to masochisticly go to game after game to know that. Let's not try to create a new reality about the past. KD has always tried to get points in transition through good defense. His problem is he has trouble developing players who can score on a regular basis.

I do agree that making it to the finals is a good thing. The more you make it, the better chance you have to either win or be remembered as a guy who won one and lost more than his share....Bill Cowher. After a while, the sweet smell of the one victory can overcome the stench of loss after loss.

Not so. For the past few years, the offense was not up tempo, not push it. It was set up to go to the beast on the block and work the half court set for open looks. While he's wanted to be up tempo .. I think this year is the closest he's gotten to that. At times.

2010-11: 57 spg

2009-10: 50 spg

2008-09: 54 spg

2007-08: 53 spg

2006-07: 56 spg

Most shots per game this season compared to the last 5. You're the guy who beats the drum that you need to score more to be a better team .. you think it's simple. Well, more chances help you score more, and this team is generating more chances than the past. Significantly more than last season. Next season, I think it continues to go up.

GP1 is the only one calling this re-building. The program is on a sustained run of success. KD & the staff are working to further move the program into sustained excellence.

Go Zips!

B)

[Dave in Green]

This is always an interesting off-season topic of discussion. But since the Zips are in the midst of competing for a MAC tournament championship, I'm going to keep my focus on supporting the Zips players and coaches and refrain from commenting on this subject until after the season is over.

[UAZip0510]

Zach I think you miss the point of the entire thread.

It's not the first time....

Actually, he's spot on. Dambrot changed his ways by taking on transfers and guys with questionable academics for the first time since he has been here in an effort to make the team/program better. Basically, he is doing what you all want him to do - do what he needs to do to take this team to the next level, even if it means changing his ways of recruiting. The problem is - as Zach pointed out - you aren't even waiting to see how these guys pan out. I've liked what I've seen of Diggs, and we have Treadwell, Harney, Gilliam, and Walsh waiting in the wings for 2011-2012. All of these guys are very, very different from most previous KD recruits...how about we wait and see what happens with them?

I've always said that Dambrot does more with less talent than other MAC teams. Let's see what happens when he gets some raw but high-ceiling talent that's taller and more athletic next year.

[Valpo Zip]

This is an absolutely great thread in the absolutely wrong time.

This discussion is a must have one just after the season is over.

[Captain Kangaroo]

Zach I think you miss the point of the entire thread.

It's not the first time....

Actually, he's spot on. Dambrot changed his ways by taking on transfers and guys with questionable academics for the first time since he has been here in an effort to make the team/program better. Basically, he is doing what you all want him to do - do what he needs to do to take this team to the next level, even if it means changing his ways of recruiting. The problem is - as Zach pointed out - you aren't even waiting to see how these guys pan out. I've liked what I've seen of Diggs, and we have Treadwell, Harney, Gilliam, and Walsh waiting in the wings for 2011-2012. All of these guys are very, very different from most previous KD recruits...how about we wait and see what happens with them?

I've always said that Dambrot does more with less talent than other MAC teams. Let's see what happens when he gets some raw but high-ceiling talent that's taller and more athletic next year.

I always enjoy when people paraphrase what I wrote in an original post and act like it is their own thought.

[UAZip0510]

Zach I think you miss the point of the entire thread.

It's not the first time....

Actually, he's spot on. Dambrot changed his ways by taking on transfers and guys with questionable academics for the first time since he has been here in an effort to make the team/program better. Basically, he is doing what you all want him to do - do what he needs to do to take this team to the next level, even if it means changing his ways of recruiting. The problem is - as Zach pointed out - you aren't even waiting to see how these guys pan out. I've liked what I've seen of Diggs, and we have Treadwell, Harney, Gilliam, and Walsh waiting in the wings for 2011-2012. All of these guys are very, very different from most previous KD recruits...how about we wait and see what happens with them?

I've always said that Dambrot does more with less talent than other MAC teams. Let's see what happens when he gets some raw but high-ceiling talent that's taller and more athletic next year.

I always enjoy when people paraphrase what I wrote in an original post and act like it is their own thought.

I always enjoy seeing a person so full of himself that he can't just have someone agree with them and leave it at that...instead, he needs a big pat on the back. I didn't know once you had an idea that others couldn't agree with you and/or have similar ideas lol.

The best thing is you took a swipe at Zach for missing the point of the thread after he basically agreed with your initial, (apparently) copyrighted response. Classic!

[Dave in Green]

OK, with the MAC tournament out of the way, I'm ready to start thinking about whether or not UA should keep KD.

Right now I'm leaning toward giving KD another year to try to prove himself worthy of the head coaching position.

[akronzips71]

OK, with the MAC tournament out of the way, I'm ready to start thinking about whether or not UA should keep KD.

Right now I'm leaning toward giving KD another year to try to prove himself worthy of the head coaching position.

No, he needs to go.

After all these years, only two NCAA bids and what, two to the NIT, and they only won ONE game in post season. That is horrible. We need a real coach.

[MDZip]

OK, with the MAC tournament out of the way, I'm ready to start thinking about whether or not UA should keep KD.

Right now I'm leaning toward giving KD another year to try to prove himself worthy of the head coaching position.

No, he needs to go.

After all these years, only two NCAA bids and what, two to the NIT, and they only won ONE game in post season. That is horrible. We need a real coach.

They have won TWO postseason games. I say give him one more chance.

[UA Fan]

OK, with the MAC tournament out of the way, I'm ready to start thinking about whether or not UA should keep KD.

Right now I'm leaning toward giving KD another year to try to prove himself worthy of the head coaching position.

Careful. Texas Tech & Georgia Tech are in need of head coaches. If KD can pull an upset in the ncaa and get some more notice, they may come looking; he has plenty of career left and no one could begrudge him a move up from the 1-bid mid-major MAC.