Dr Z Posted March 15, 2011 Report Share Posted March 15, 2011 I'll start with one from the Pittsburgh Post Gazette WPIAL Standouts Help Akron "Everything happens for a reason," McNees said. "Initially, I wanted to be as close to home as I could be and play in Pittsburgh. I would've enjoyed that. But I've had unbelievable success at Akron and really enjoyed things. I'm happy it turned out this way." "Quite honestly, I think I could be a lot better," Marshall said. "I'm still a work in progress. That's how I look at it. It can be a slow process. I have to get better offensively and clean up more things on the defensive end. I just have to get more polished." Marshall has two more seasons of eligibility, and the Zips will have another WPIAL player next year. Former Moon standout guard Brian Walsh is sitting out this season after transferring from Xavier. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zipdiehard Posted March 15, 2011 Report Share Posted March 15, 2011 Saw an ad on ESPN this morning about ways people pick their teams. One part had a little girl with one of those paper flip things, and when she opened it, it said Akron. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blue & Gold Posted March 15, 2011 Report Share Posted March 15, 2011 Saw an ad on ESPN this morning about ways people pick their teams. One part had a little girl with one of those paper flip things, and when she opened it, it said Akron. Of course I hope you are right, but I also saw that commercial and I think it said UConn. Figures. UConn, yeah, there's a stretch, eh? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zipdiehard Posted March 15, 2011 Report Share Posted March 15, 2011 I think you are correct. I saw it this morning, but the one on the internet was easier to read. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mes102 Posted March 15, 2011 Report Share Posted March 15, 2011 I think you are correct. I saw it this morning, but the one on the internet was easier to read. well...if its on the internet...link please? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave in Green Posted March 15, 2011 Report Share Posted March 15, 2011 Story: McClanahan savors NCAA experiences Best Quote: McClanahan locked horns with Coach Keith Dambrot during his first two seasons in the program. While there was never any danger of the former All-State first-team guard leaving, he admittedly didn't have enough "fight" in him for Dambrot's tastes. "Once you start learning how to respond to his style of coaching, you get better, as a player in his program and a person," McClanahan said. "I wasn't ready to play my first couple years here, and he told me that. He respects anybody who can hang tough with him. To be honest, he's similar to Coach Huggins in his coaching ways. He prides himself in breaking people down and making them tougher. He tests our manhood constantly. "You can't lay down and not show any emotion or fight, which is what I did my first couple years." Charleston Daily Mail Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zipdiehard Posted March 15, 2011 Report Share Posted March 15, 2011 hope I do this correctly. never added a link before... Edit: I (Dr Z) fixed it for you. Here is a How To. Other technical support how to's Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zipdiehard Posted March 15, 2011 Report Share Posted March 15, 2011 Thanks. I just used the green "insert link" button. Guess that doesn't work. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
meatwad Posted March 15, 2011 Report Share Posted March 15, 2011 Here is Lunardi's (ESPN "bracketologist") video preview of the Zips. I want to get mad at him, but he is unfortunately right. Link Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr Z Posted March 15, 2011 Author Report Share Posted March 15, 2011 CBS Presents Who Has The EDGE Frontcourt: ND has Moderate edge -- Akron has the size to match Notre Dame, with seven-footer Zeke Marshall blocking shots at the defensive end, and forwards Nikola Cvetinovic and Brett McKnight providing double-figure scoring. It will be interesting to see if Nash can draw Marshall out of the paint, opening up driving lanes for the guards. Backcourt: ND has Significant edge -- Hansbrough was the Big East Player of the Year, carrying the Fighting Irish to a No. 2 seed. Abromaitis took a back seat to Hansbrough this season, but he is unstoppable when he gets hot from deep. Akron has two capable playmakers in Steve McNees and Alex Abreu, while Brett McClanahan is the team's best perimeter scorer. Coaching: ND has Significant edge -- There is a severe disparity in NCAA tournament experience on the sidelines. Notre Dame's Mike Brey has reached the Big Dance four of the last five seasons, and has appeared in nine NCAA tournaments overall. Interestingly, the Fighting Irish have won only one NCAA game since 2003. Intangibles: ND has Moderate edge -- With the game being played at the United Center, Notre Dame will have a heavy home-crowd advantage against Akron. Ultimate Edge: ND has Significant edge -- The key battles in this game will take place in the frontcourt. Tyrone Nash is too versatile for Zeke Marshall, but Marshall could be a factor inside on the offensive end. Nash's ability to drag Marshall to the perimeter will be imperative. Meanwhile, Carleton Scott is too quick for either of the Akron forwards, and his inside-outside ability will be a major factor. On the perimeter, Akron defends the 3-point line effectively, but the Zips have not faced a team who can blitz a man-to-man defense like Notre Dame can. They will need to guard Ben Hansbrough and Tim Abromaitis closely. The Fighting Irish have too much inside and outside, and will also have the crowd on their side. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ziptrumpet87 Posted March 15, 2011 Report Share Posted March 15, 2011 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave in Green Posted March 15, 2011 Report Share Posted March 15, 2011 I did like Lunardi's admission that he underestimated OU against Georgetown last year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UAZipster0305 Posted March 15, 2011 Report Share Posted March 15, 2011 I don't think ND's "home court advantage" will be as big as most expect it to be. South Bend is a tiny town and ND is a national/international school, so it's alumni are scattered throughout the country/world. Sure, there are probably lots in Chicago and some students may travel but this is no way as big for ND as for UA. They have made the Tournament ~ the past four of five years and football is by far more important to them. Also, they will be a small portion of the casual fans and fans from other schools in attendance for other games/sessions. Nationally, there are lots of ND haters too...much like tOSU...very polarizing sports programs. If we are able to make the push for an upset, I think the crowd will favor us. Don't be surprised if most indifferent fans come to our corner. In the early rounds, what makes the Tournament so entertaining is the possibility for upsets. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scottditzen Posted March 15, 2011 Report Share Posted March 15, 2011 Today on WKNR, Reghai and Roda are saying "the best recruiter in the nation" is JEFF BOALS!! Saying he was instrumental in getting the A-K to five straight MAC championships. Thanks Jeff. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
meatwad Posted March 15, 2011 Report Share Posted March 15, 2011 From KenPoms Basketball Prospectus here is a brief preview of the game from a statistical standpoint. The rest of the article is behind a paywall, but the Zips and Irish just slip in before that starts. The relevant part for those who don't care to click through: (15) Akron vs. (2) Notre Dame (Friday in Chicago, 1:40 p.m. on TBS) The Zips entered the MAC Tournament as the sixth seed after going 9-7 in conference play, but a handful of lopsided wins and a decent non-conference slate revealed Akron's true strength; log-5 analysis gave the team the second-best chance of winning in Cleveland, which the Zips did in overtime against Can't State, forcing two misses before the buzzer. Led by sure-handed senior Steve McNees, Akron excels at taking care of the basketball and Notre Dame rarely forces turnovers, so the Zips should get up plenty of shots. Where they will have a tough time is keeping the Irish's crisp offense from executing at the other end of the floor. Notre Dame's deadeye shooters have been held under a point per trip just once since the start of February. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.