Zips Game Plan

[Dr Z]

Writing is not my strong suit, but if I was going to write an article on the Zips this morning, it would go kind of like Ellen's PD article. When I heard Zeke was coming to Akron, I started envisioning an inside game like I haven't seen at Akron. Zeke is now, and will be for the rest of his time here, a game changer. He was always (and still is) my hope of winning a game in the NCAA tourney (that's my goal btw). I thought KD's game plan against ND was a good one, BUT here is my problem with it. This SHOULD have been our game plan more in the regular season. KD made a comment before the game about how if this mid major was going to beat a big boy in this tournament it was going to have to come down low. Why not do that against Eastern Michigan, BG, and other MAC schools? Zeke needed more game time experience with this game plan before going into the tournament against a number two seed. I for one, hope to see that game plan employed more next season. "He's one long guy. I don't know that we played against anybody like that in the Big East." --Mike Brey

"I thought [Marshall] handled that adversity [of missing] better than he ever has," Dambrot said. "I thought he was terrific defensively, and didn't let offense affect his defense. He's going to be good. He's going to get better offensively. He gives you a chance to win in the NCAA Tournament."

KD is right, Zeke is our ticket, now lets get him the necessary game time experience with that game plan in next years regular season.

"I'm not there yet, as we can see tonight," Marshall said. "I can't be 2-for-13 if I'm the game plan."

Zeke is right, but I'm betting on him being more prepared next time.

Other thoughts on the game:

I thought for being younger that Diggs & Abeu looked pretty good against ND. The game wasn't too big for them. Both need to improve on some things, but I think the future is bright for both. I would have to think when they get more comfortable with the penetration that both can get, some easy assists should come Zeke's way.

Speaking of easy assists, I sure would like to see that inside out game with McClanahan next year. He should have the green light on threes. I noticed ND got some easy looks at threes yesterday by working it in and then back out.

My favorite play from yesterday:

PS I thought Zeke's positioning on the floor yesterday was his best. I'm betting this helps him with fouls next year.

I'm as positive as I can be after a loss in the tournament. I think Akron basketball should be fun for the next two years.

[meatwad]

My favorite play from yesterday:

Zeke swatting Ben crybaby Hansbrough made the whole day worth it. Thanks big guy.

[johnnyzip84]

Good points, Dr. Z. No doubt Zeke's block on Hansbrough was the ultimate Zip highlight

Regarding Zeke not getting more experience as a main cog in the offense, there are two reasons why I think that didn't occur to the extent we may have wanted.

First, there were many games when foul trouble severely limited his court time. Some of this was due to poor/inconsistent MAC officiating and some was due to Zeke learning (the hard way) not to waist any fouls in questionable situations. Regardless, it's hard to develop any consistency and confidence in the low post when your playing time comes in short stretches.

Second, when the Zips ran into their rough stretch in the middle of the year KD had a difficult decision to make. He chose to make Nik and Brett McKnight the primary interior options and the Zip offense improved. If he would have had a little more patience with Zeke as the offensive "go to" guy, would the the ship have been righted? Would the Zips have won the MAC tourney? That's hard to say.

Going forward, I don't think there is any doubt that the plan for next year will be the same plan for this year. KD has stated over and over again that his job is to fully develop Zeke, and a large part of that is running the offense through him. Zeke showed tremendous growth in the intangibles at the end of this season. He has learned when to be aggressive and when to show restraint. His positioning improved. Most of all, he is learning to "let go" of the results of a previous play. These changes have mostly manifested themselves on the defensive end, where he's turned himself from a very good defender to a GREAT defender. I believe these improved intangibles will also impact Zeke's (and the Zips') offense in the coming years. This is going to be FUN to watch

[GoZips]

Good points, Dr. Z. No doubt Zeke's block on Hansbrough was the ultimate Zip highlight

Regarding Zeke not getting more experience as a main cog in the offense, there are two reasons why I think that didn't occur to the extent we may have wanted.

First, there were many games when foul trouble severely limited his court time. Some of this was due to poor/inconsistent MAC officiating and some was due to Zeke learning (the hard way) not to waist any fouls in questionable situations. Regardless, it's hard to develop any consistency and confidence in the low post when your playing time comes in short stretches.

Second, when the Zips ran into their rough stretch in the middle of the year KD had a difficult decision to make. He chose to make Nik and Brett McKnight the primary interior options and the Zip offense improved. If he would have had a little more patience with Zeke as the offensive "go to" guy, would the the ship have been righted? Would the Zips have won the MAC tourney? That's hard to say.

Going forward, I don't think there is any doubt that the plan for next year will be the same plan for this year. KD has stated over and over again that his job is to fully develop Zeke, and a large part of that is running the offense through him. Zeke showed tremendous growth in the intangibles at the end of this season. He has learned when to be aggressive and when to show restraint. His positioning improved. Most of all, he is learning to "let go" of the results of a previous play. These changes have mostly manifested themselves on the defensive end, where he's turned himself from a very good defender to a GREAT defender. I believe these improved intangibles will also impact Zeke's (and the Zips') offense in the coming years. This is going to be FUN to watch

Nice, well thought out post.

[Dr Z]

Nice, well thought out post.

One of my thoughts during our rough stretch during the regular season was to let Zeke foul out early a few times. I'm sure KD thought of that and decided against it, but the thought occurred to me.

[Dr Z]

What game plan did Florida St use to destroy the Irish?

[Dave in Green]

Dr Z, judging from the time of your last post, you must have been reading that FSU article at about the same time I was.

I'm sure it does KD's heart good to see that a team with such a ferocious dedication to defense can take out a higher-seeded team noted mainly for its offense. Maybe KD will make this mandatory reading for everyone returning to the team next season.

Actually, the Zips didn't play bad defense against ND. It was the Zips offense that failed to get the ball through the hoop. FSU happened to combine a brilliant defensive game with an above average (for FSU) offensive performance.

That's a pretty tough combination to beat, especially when you're loaded with athletic players like FSU. With more athletic players on the way for the Zips next season, FSU's style might make a good role model.