Fifth Day of Preseaon Men's Basketball Practice

[skip-zip]

And akzipper zooms ahead of skip-zip in the DPI (derating percentage index).

I would say so !!

I just can't even get close to wrapping my arms around the notion that we could make a huge jump to the upper echelon of the college basketball world, suddenly. Especially after a year where we had significant turnover.

To the enthusiastic optimists predicting that we'll jump to the Top-16:

Remember, there's two major challenges, and one of them has to be nearly impossible.

1) Will we have a dramatic improvement in our level of play, right out of the gate, to make us significantly better?

2) Will the pollsters suddenly jump on the Akron bandwagon in large quantities?

Could we have the potential to improve our rebounding with more athletic players?...Yes. Could we now have some personnel that could improve our ability to drive to the basket compared to some of our recent personnel?...Yes. But, one point in which I wholeheartedly agree with AKZipper is this crazy assumption that we could zoom ahead of 80 or so teams that were better than us last year because they won't improve, or will regress. Right now, we're just a very good MAC program that needs to replace 16 years of combined playing experience. And that's enough of a challenge in itself, which makes the notion of passing several dozen other programs who are presently better than Akron a dream-like scenario to me.

I'll say it again....I'll be happy to just see us BEAT a Top Ranked team for the first time in our history. But, BEING a Top Ranked team would require that level of play, every game, right out of the gate. Not just winning games, but winning them all in impressive fashion. And hoping that the sportswriters in places like Los Angeles, and Miami, and Dallas will wake up one morning a few months from now and suddenly decide to turn their attention towards Akron's victory in a MAC game over Central Michigan from the night before.

It's certainly not impossible to think that this could eventually happen for us. It's just nearly impossible to even dream that this kind of change could happen that quickly.

[Dave in Green]

KD pretty much sums up in the ABJ article a balanced first impression of the team that combines optimism with caution:

“We may be more athletic than we have ever been, but that doesn’t mean we are better.”

Summing up everyone's assessments in this thread, it seems to me that:

The optimists are focusing on what the Zips might accomplish if a combination of improvement in the veteran players and rapid development of the athletic new players coincides with the coming together of all the players into a balanced and cohesive team.

The pessimists are focusing on the fact that there's no guarantee that all this will happen, and that the odds are against dramatic improvement over what we've seen the past seven seasons.

At this point in the season, both views are correct. No one really knows how much potential the individual players and team will realize or how far they might go if they realize their potential big time.

[Zipmeister]

And akzipper zooms ahead of skip-zip in the DPI (derating percentage index).

I would say so !!

I just can't even get close to wrapping my arms around the notion that we could make a huge jump to the upper echelon of the college basketball world, suddenly. Especially after a year where we had significant turnover.

To the enthusiastic optimists predicting that we'll jump to the Top-16:

Remember, there's two major challenges, and one of them has to be nearly impossible.

1) Will we have a dramatic improvement in our level of play, right out of the gate, to make us significantly better?

2) Will the pollsters suddenly jump on the Akron bandwagon in large quantities?

Could we have the potential to improve our rebounding with more athletic players?...Yes. Could we now have some personnel that could improve our ability to drive to the basket compared to some of our recent personnel?...Yes. But, one point in which I wholeheartedly agree with AKZipper is this crazy assumption that we could zoom ahead of 80 or so teams that were better than us last year because they won't improve, or will regress. Right now, we're just a very good MAC program that needs to replace 16 years of combined playing experience. And that's enough of a challenge in itself, which makes the notion of passing several dozen other programs who are presently better than Akron a dream-like scenario to me.

I'll say it again....I'll be happy to just see us BEAT a Top Ranked team for the first time in our history. But, BEING a Top Ranked team would require that level of play, every game, right out of the gate. Not just winning games, but winning them all in impressive fashion. And hoping that the sportswriters in places like Los Angeles, and Miami, and Dallas will wake up one morning a few months from now and suddenly decide to turn their attention towards Akron's victory in a MAC game over Central Michigan from the night before.

It's certainly not impossible to think that this could eventually happen for us. It's just nearly impossible to even dream that this kind of change could happen that quickly.

Point of order.

Before you can agree with ak, we should verify that ak agrees with me. What about it zipper?

[Doug Snyder]

And akzipper zooms ahead of skip-zip in the DPI (derating percentage index).

I would say so !!

I just can't even get close to wrapping my arms around the notion that we could make a huge jump to the upper echelon of the college basketball world, suddenly. Especially after a year where we had significant turnover.

To the enthusiastic optimists predicting that we'll jump to the Top-16:

Remember, there's two major challenges, and one of them has to be nearly impossible.

1) Will we have a dramatic improvement in our level of play, right out of the gate, to make us significantly better?

2) Will the pollsters suddenly jump on the Akron bandwagon in large quantities?

Could we have the potential to improve our rebounding with more athletic players?...Yes. Could we now have some personnel that could improve our ability to drive to the basket compared to some of our recent personnel?...Yes. But, one point in which I wholeheartedly agree with AKZipper is this crazy assumption that we could zoom ahead of 80 or so teams that were better than us last year because they won't improve, or will regress. Right now, we're just a very good MAC program that needs to replace 16 years of combined playing experience. And that's enough of a challenge in itself, which makes the notion of passing several dozen other programs who are presently better than Akron a dream-like scenario to me.

I'll say it again....I'll be happy to just see us BEAT a Top Ranked team for the first time in our history. But, BEING a Top Ranked team would require that level of play, every game, right out of the gate. Not just winning games, but winning them all in impressive fashion. And hoping that the sportswriters in places like Los Angeles, and Miami, and Dallas will wake up one morning a few months from now and suddenly decide to turn their attention towards Akron's victory in a MAC game over Central Michigan from the night before.

It's certainly not impossible to think that this could eventually happen for us. It's just nearly impossible to even dream that this kind of change could happen that quickly.

Maybe I misread something or have not paid quite enough attention lately but....it seems to me that they are saying that we make the Sweet 16 in the NCAA tournament not that we will be ranked in the top 16. The 2 are quite different. Here is what transpired last year:

A/P Rank March 15, 2010

1 Kansas 1

2 Kentucky 2

3 Duke 3

4 Ohio State 5

5 Butler 11

6 Wisconsin 16

7 Brigham Young 17

8 Richmond 24

9 Marquette Other

10 San Diego State Other

11 North Carolina

12 Arizona

13 Connecticut

14 Virginia Commonwealth

15 Florida State

16 Florida

Only 6 of the sweet 16 were ranked in the top 16, only 8 ranked at all and 6 came out of nowhere.

It is not unreasonable to set your expectations for the Sweet 16. Getting a seed in the 10-12 range (lowest seed was 12 in 2010 sweet 16) will help. If Marshall makes the leap that most expect...I think it is a reasonable target.

Polls are biased towards the major conferences so that I agree that we will unlikely to be RANKED in the top 16 prior to the NCAA tournament. But that is the beauty of college basketball.

Let me know if I misread or misinterpreted something.

http://www.collegehoopsvideo.com/2010/03/n...h-2010-ap-poll/

[BirdZip]

Who is the other Afro Rocking player I believe he is #3? And how is he fitting in?

There are three players who look like triplets. They are Q, CJ Oldham & Nick Harney.

Get in line now for "Fear the Fro" shirts... I had a "Fear the Fro" sign back when Wood was sporting one. Looks like I'll have to dust it off...

[skip-zip]

And akzipper zooms ahead of skip-zip in the DPI (derating percentage index).

I would say so !!

I just can't even get close to wrapping my arms around the notion that we could make a huge jump to the upper echelon of the college basketball world, suddenly. Especially after a year where we had significant turnover.

To the enthusiastic optimists predicting that we'll jump to the Top-16:

Remember, there's two major challenges, and one of them has to be nearly impossible.

1) Will we have a dramatic improvement in our level of play, right out of the gate, to make us significantly better?

2) Will the pollsters suddenly jump on the Akron bandwagon in large quantities?

Could we have the potential to improve our rebounding with more athletic players?...Yes. Could we now have some personnel that could improve our ability to drive to the basket compared to some of our recent personnel?...Yes. But, one point in which I wholeheartedly agree with AKZipper is this crazy assumption that we could zoom ahead of 80 or so teams that were better than us last year because they won't improve, or will regress. Right now, we're just a very good MAC program that needs to replace 16 years of combined playing experience. And that's enough of a challenge in itself, which makes the notion of passing several dozen other programs who are presently better than Akron a dream-like scenario to me.

I'll say it again....I'll be happy to just see us BEAT a Top Ranked team for the first time in our history. But, BEING a Top Ranked team would require that level of play, every game, right out of the gate. Not just winning games, but winning them all in impressive fashion. And hoping that the sportswriters in places like Los Angeles, and Miami, and Dallas will wake up one morning a few months from now and suddenly decide to turn their attention towards Akron's victory in a MAC game over Central Michigan from the night before.

It's certainly not impossible to think that this could eventually happen for us. It's just nearly impossible to even dream that this kind of change could happen that quickly.

Point of order.

Before you can agree with ak, we should verify that ak agrees with me. What about it zipper?

Zipmeister....my apologies. Although I see similarities in both of your posts, I mistakenly credited AKZipper with the "80 spots upward" statement.

I must now give you credit where credit is due.

[skip-zip]

Who is the other Afro Rocking player I believe he is #3? And how is he fitting in?

There are three players who look like triplets. They are Q, CJ Oldham & Nick Harney.

Get in line now for "Fear the Fro" shirts... I had a "Fear the Fro" sign back when Wood was sporting one. Looks like I'll have to dust it off...

Oh no. By far, the best signs I saw during the J. Wood era were "FEAR THE WOOD". Even old people like my wife and I (we both have juvenile minds at times) could never stop laughing at that.

But, don't consider me a representative example of people in my age group. I still laugh at Beavis and Butthead too.

[Captain Kangaroo]

Who is the other Afro Rocking player I believe he is #3? And how is he fitting in?

There are three players who look like triplets. They are Q, CJ Oldham & Nick Harney.

Get in line now for "Fear the Fro" shirts... I had a "Fear the Fro" sign back when Wood was sporting one. Looks like I'll have to dust it off...

Oh no. By far, the best signs I saw during the J. Wood era were "FEAR THE WOOD". Even old people like my wife and I (we both have juvenile minds at times) could never stop laughing at that.

But, don't consider me a representative example of people in my age group. I still laugh at Beavis and Butthead too.

My favorite of that era -- I recall a girl with a "You Got Played By Quade" sign.

High degree of difficulty in rhyming Quade with a basketball-reference put her over the top.

[Dr Z]

I always liked this one too. Simple double entendre.

[Districtballer]

My 2 cents as an outsider:

There is definitely something to be said about the eye test. While it doesn't necessarily mean it will translate to success, it points to having a much higher ceiling than you had previously. That in itself is exciting. You may be athletic, but if you are undisciplined it doesn't really make a difference. You can't teach height, athleticism, or length, but you can teach the other stuff. KD seems to be a good teacher of the game. As long as the kids are willing to listen and not get their egos get in the way, Keith can make a solid team. Athletes allow you to match up with BCS level schools, and let's face it, that's where mids make a name for themselves. Winning the MAC got you a 15-seed last year. If you beat ND, that dwarfs everything else for the season. Recruits will probably like the MAC championships and whatnot, but they'll almost definitely like going head to head with the big boys and winning more. Kids who come to our level often have a chip on their shoulder for not being recruited more highly, and when they know they are going to a program where you have a reasonable expectation of knocking them off, it makes them that much more enthusiastic about your program.

As I see it, Keith is bringing in the types of players you need to bring in to pull that sort of thing off. That bodes well for you. I see reason for excitement but of course that always has to be checked with a degree of realism. You have kids who have played a year of high school ball coming in as freshman and lost a number of seniors with experience that can't be replaced immediately. Impact freshmen are few and far between. I suspect they'll give you some 'WOW!' moments and have you scratching your heads with frustration at others. You could see the team really start to come together as the conference schedule approaches and your team develops chemistry. It's easy to see highlight reels from individuals in the offseason in isolated scrimmages. A lot of D1 athletes are capable of impressing in that regard. It's another thing entirely doing that in a real game scenario where coaches are keying in on your weaknesses and coaching to negate your strengths. Oftentimes in the offseason kids get to show off what they are good at, which is wildly exciting, but people forget that in-game situations will be quite different. You also see practice warriors where kids absolutely light up the gym in practice, but it doesn't translate to the court. We've had those at VCU as well.

I like what I'm hearing from the practices, and it seems that you are bringing in a different type of player. I am of the opinion that you need those types of guys to really push past the mid-major barrier and play with the big boys. Kudos to KD for changing his approach. I think you guys will be better for it. Just remember that a lot of these guys are newcomers who haven't played ball in real game situations for a long time. It may take a while for everything to click. When it does, I'm sure you all will be very happy. Having watched an up-tempo full-court pressing style at VCU for the last several years, it really does bring the fans in and generates excitement around the program. It also levels the playing field to a degree against BCS teams if you can match them athletically and in conditioning.

[Dr Z]

I wish you were a Zips fan Districtballer. I enjoy reading your posts. Can we put together some kind of trade? Is the name BuckRam taken on your forum?

[johnnyzip84]

Thanks for the insight, D'baller Your point regarding the fans having a more enjoyable experience watching an up-tempo team is well taken. It's the sort of thing that feeds on itself if properly executed.

Dr Z, I'm guessing BuckRam (completely hilarious BTW ) wouldn't be as controversial as, say HokieRam, CavRam or WahooRam

[Dave in Green]

A couple of really thoughtful posts here by Doug Snyder and Districtballer.

Doug's well-documented point about the difference between the Top 16 and the Sweet 16 is important. Every season, teams outside the Top 16, Top 25 and even Top 50 end up making the Sweet 16. It's all about peaking at the right time, as VCU did last season. I personally prefer the kind of coaching that results in a team underachieving during the regular season and overachieving in the post-season tournaments as opposed to the other way around. Tom Izzo has been a master of this at MSU for years, generally losing quite a few regular season games to weaker teams and generally doing well in the tournaments. Sweet 16 is a much more realistic goal for the Zips than Top 16. It requires winning the MAC tournament and winning one more NCAA tournament game than Ohio won two seasons ago. It's not easy, but it's not out of the Zips reach.

Districtballer is obviously a serious student of basketball, and a clear thinker, as well. We ZN.O regulars tend to cite the same points over and over, so it's great to have an outside perspective from another team's fan who comes here to exchange ideas rather than exchange insults.

[UAZipster0305]

I wish you were a Zips fan Districtballer. I enjoy reading your posts. Can we put together some kind of trade? Is the name BuckRam taken on your forum?

I didn't start it this time!

[GoZips]

DistrictBaller seems to possess a better understanding of what is happening with the Zips

than a number of folks who claim to be fans. DB's assessment is accurate.

Fortunately this will be the final time I have to state this: You are negatively criticizing a team

you have not laid eyes on. How about teaching the rest of us where you get this wisdom.

Consider this: Last season Diggs was easily the best athlete on the team. This season Q would

be lucky to rank as fourth best. Fifth is most likely. Figure it out. Oh, wait, you have not seen

a single practice.

Consider this: Keith Dambrot has a track record of putting winners on the court. So, why do you

expect less of him for 2011-12?

Consider this: You folks who never stopped by to watch a practice rate Demetrius Treadwell as

a stud player ready to kick butt. Truth is; Tree isn't even ready to claim a spot in the eight man

rotation. The potential is there. The reality is that he is simply not tough enough yet.

Consider this: The Zips graduated four players, but, only one starter and one secondary player

worth his salt. The other two failed to produce at the level they should have. Sorry, its the truth.

Consider this: If you knew what is going on you would be pulling your hair out trying to decide

whether or not to red shirt either or both the Freshmen.

Consider this: Coach Dambrot knows what he is doing. Do you?

This is the most talented and athletic group of players ever to suit up in Zip uniforms.

Almost none of you have a clue about Reggie McAdams and what a coup that was.

And, DB, Dambrot did not wise up and change; he finally was able to recruit the kind

of player he prefers. We about to see the style of play Keith Dambrot wants. And, we are

going for a wondrous and fun ride for the next four or five years, and hopefully longer.

[Districtballer]

DistrictBaller seems to possess a better understanding of what is happening with the Zips

than a number of folks who claim to be fans. DB's assessment is accurate.

Fortunately this will be the final time I have to state this: You are negatively criticizing a team

you have not laid eyes on. How about teaching the rest of us where you get this wisdom.

Consider this: Last season Diggs was easily the best athlete on the team. This season Q would

be lucky to rank as fourth best. Fifth is most likely. Figure it out. Oh, wait, you have not seen

a single practice.

Consider this: Keith Dambrot has a track record of putting winners on the court. So, why do you

expect less of him for 2011-12?

Consider this: You folks who never stopped by to watch a practice rate Demetrius Treadwell as

a stud player ready to kick butt. Truth is; Tree isn't even ready to claim a spot in the eight man

rotation. The potential is there. The reality is that he is simply not tough enough yet.

Consider this: The Zips graduated four players, but, only one starter and one secondary player

worth his salt. The other two failed to produce at the level they should have. Sorry, its the truth.

Consider this: If you knew what is going on you would be pulling your hair out trying to decide

whether or not to red shirt either or both the Freshmen.

Consider this: Coach Dambrot knows what he is doing. Do you?

This is the most talented and athletic group of players ever to suit up in Zip uniforms.

Almost none of you have a clue about Reggie McAdams and what a coup that was.

And, DB, Dambrot did not wise up and change; he finally was able to recruit the kind

of player he prefers. We about to see the style of play Keith Dambrot wants. And, we are

going for a wondrous and fun ride for the next four or five years, and hopefully longer.

Then in that case, congratulations to KD on being able to land these kinds of players now. It is a pretty big step in the right direction. You all have obviously been spoiled with some very good teams, but this is the next step in the progression from a nice run to something sustainable on the national stage. Props to the coaching staff for doing what is necessary to reach the high goals you all have for the program.

I realized this past year when Akron was on a lot of players' lists that we were recruiting that KD was going after a different type of player and quite honestly was pleased. Guys like Rob Brandenberg (committed to us), Perry Henry (committed to us and then later ended up with Charlotte), Allen Payne (ended up signing with Auburn after having as and the Tigers in his final 2), etc. were all also recruited by Keith as well. I've seen Rob and I know he is a very high-level athlete with a tremendous ceiling. I think that's the key here for programs like us. Targeting players that may not necessarily be highly-ranked, but have great physical tools and a high ceiling. Sounds like you landed a couple of guys who fit that mold. You don't get results right away, but the long-term benefits allow you to have a team that can go toe to toe with the best in college basketball and not flinch once they mature.

A word of caution as well, remember these are 17 and 18-year olds with fickle minds and developing views on themselves and the world. It's easy to discount the mental part of this game, but I've seen many a talented player rot away on the bench with massive potential unrealized because of mental roadblocks they never got past. You have to be patient with the young guys and allow them to grow. We often view these kids through the narrow lens of the basketball court, but there are so many external variables that can impact their play on the court that we never hear about. These kids won't be world-beaters from the opening tip, but they have a shot at being great. For a mid-major, that's all you need; a puncher's chance. The right punch can blow the glass ceiling straight through and catapult your program to a different stratosphere with a little luck and a lot of hard work.

[Zipsrifle]

For someone who primarily follows football and makes one BB game a year, you guys are really getting me amped up for this BB season. I find myself looking forward to BB now more than FB.

[skip-zip]

A couple of really thoughtful posts here by Doug Snyder and Districtballer.

Doug's well-documented point about the difference between the Top 16 and the Sweet 16 is important. Every season, teams outside the Top 16, Top 25 and even Top 50 end up making the Sweet 16. It's all about peaking at the right time, as VCU did last season. I personally prefer the kind of coaching that results in a team underachieving during the regular season and overachieving in the post-season tournaments as opposed to the other way around. Tom Izzo has been a master of this at MSU for years, generally losing quite a few regular season games to weaker teams and generally doing well in the tournaments. Sweet 16 is a much more realistic goal for the Zips than Top 16. It requires winning the MAC tournament and winning one more NCAA tournament game than Ohio won two seasons ago. It's not easy, but it's not out of the Zips reach.

Districtballer is obviously a serious student of basketball, and a clear thinker, as well. We ZN.O regulars tend to cite the same points over and over, so it's great to have an outside perspective from another team's fan who comes here to exchange ideas rather than exchange insults.

Without a doubt. In fact, that might be a dramatic understatement. One requires playing two good games. The other requires playing 30 good games, and hoping some pollsters are even paying attention.

[K92]

For someone who primarily follows football and makes one BB game a year, you guys are really getting me amped up for this BB season. I find myself looking forward to BB now more than FB.

I haven't been to a BB game since I was a student, but I am really debating purchasing season tickets.

[Quickzips]

DistrictBaller seems to possess a better understanding of what is happening with the Zips

than a number of folks who claim to be fans. DB's assessment is accurate.

Fortunately this will be the final time I have to state this: You are negatively criticizing a team

you have not laid eyes on. How about teaching the rest of us where you get this wisdom.

Consider this: Last season Diggs was easily the best athlete on the team. This season Q would

be lucky to rank as fourth best. Fifth is most likely. Figure it out. Oh, wait, you have not seen

a single practice.

Consider this: Keith Dambrot has a track record of putting winners on the court. So, why do you

expect less of him for 2011-12?

Consider this: You folks who never stopped by to watch a practice rate Demetrius Treadwell as

a stud player ready to kick butt. Truth is; Tree isn't even ready to claim a spot in the eight man

rotation. The potential is there. The reality is that he is simply not tough enough yet.

Consider this: The Zips graduated four players, but, only one starter and one secondary player

worth his salt. The other two failed to produce at the level they should have. Sorry, its the truth.

Consider this: If you knew what is going on you would be pulling your hair out trying to decide

whether or not to red shirt either or both the Freshmen.

Consider this: Coach Dambrot knows what he is doing. Do you?

This is the most talented and athletic group of players ever to suit up in Zip uniforms.

Almost none of you have a clue about Reggie McAdams and what a coup that was.

And, DB, Dambrot did not wise up and change; he finally was able to recruit the kind

of player he prefers. We about to see the style of play Keith Dambrot wants. And, we are

going for a wondrous and fun ride for the next four or five years, and hopefully longer.

Somebody REALLY needs a sedative. If you are getting this worked up about practices I have no idea how you are going to make it through the season without a massive coronary.

[Dr Z]

Consider this: Last season Diggs was easily the best athlete on the team. This season Q would be lucky to rank as fourth best. Fifth is most likely. Figure it out. Oh, wait, you have not seen a single practice.

I really appreciate your practice updates that you give. I wouldn't get them anywhere else. But as the wise Mr Iverson once said "what are we talkin bout here ya'll, practice?... not a game, practice!?!" One of my favorite parts of last year was watching Q progress and eventually turn into a guy that Dambrot was calling clear outs for at the end of halves in the MAC tournament!?! I did see Q's potential early in the season, so maybe you are seeing the same potential in all the new guys. If there are four more guys that are going to contribute Q's kind of effort to this up and coming team/season, I'll be very surprised. Until I see these guys perform in a game time situation I'm going to be a little hesitant to start "crowning their a$$es". I'll be happy if KD can knock off a big OCC opponent. That will make me even more excited for March.

[GoZips]

Consider this: Last season Diggs was easily the best athlete on the team. This season Q would be lucky to rank as fourth best. Fifth is most likely. Figure it out. Oh, wait, you have not seen a single practice.

I really appreciate your practice updates that you give. I wouldn't get them anywhere else. But as the wise Mr Iverson once said "what are we talkin bout here ya'll, practice?... not a game, practice!?!" One of my favorite parts of last year was watching Q progress and eventually turn into a guy that Dambrot was calling clear outs for at the end of halves in the MAC tournament!?! I did see Q's potential early in the season, so maybe you are seeing the same potential in all the new guys. If there are four more guys that are going to contribute Q's kind of effort to this up and coming team/season, I'll be very surprised. Until I see these guys perform in a game time situation I'm going to be a little hesitant to start "crowning their a$$es". I'll be happy if KD can knock off a big OCC opponent. That will make me even more excited for March.

Note that I am refering to athleticism, NOT their entire skill set. Right now Quincy is clearly ahead of

the newcomers in understanding and playing the game KD's way.

Note, too, that Mr. Diggs has gotten better over the off season. Remember how one would cringe when Q

launched a three ball? Well, his stroke and accuracy have greatly improved. Which helps open his inside

game. His defense has improved, as well.

I have not written much about Quincy's game because there was just to much other stuff to cover. He is

going to have a good season so long as he stays focused and continues to listen to the coaches.

Personally, I still want Q as the sixth man because he can play the point, the two and the wing.

[GoZips]

Somebody REALLY needs a sedative. If you are getting this worked up about practices I have no idea how you are going to make it through the season without a massive coronary.

I just had my BP checked this week. It is 138 over 70. I do not think a coronary is a major concern.

Blowing a gasket is.

[Dave in Green]

GoZips, you ask everyone to have a little faith in KD. I do. I believe what the man says, and his most recent public quote is:

“We may be more athletic than we have ever been, but that doesn’t mean we are better.”

So I think it's fair for those who lack your boundless enthusiasm to take KD at his word and not automatically assume that the more athletic Zips will automatically be better. There's still a lot of work to be done to make that happen.

I've seen one Zips practice, and I think they have a lot of potential to be better. I think they have enough potential that it's virtually certain they'll be better. But it's not a done deal.

As I said earlier, the one thing I am absolutely certain of is that they are going to be more entertaining and fun to watch.

The increased interest from fans who haven't attended many Zips basketball games in the past is well-founded.

[skip-zip]

GoZips, you ask everyone to have a little faith in KD. I do. I believe what the man says, and his most recent public quote is:

“We may be more athletic than we have ever been, but that doesn’t mean we are better.”

So I think it's fair for those who lack your boundless enthusiasm to take KD at his word and not automatically assume that the more athletic Zips will automatically be better. There's still a lot of work to be done to make that happen.

I've seen one Zips practice, and I think they have a lot of potential to be better. I think they have enough potential that it's virtually certain they'll be better. But it's not a done deal.

As I said earlier, the one thing I am absolutely certain of is that they are going to be more entertaining and fun to watch.

The increased interest from fans who haven't attended many Zips basketball games in the past is well-founded.

I'll take that. What a refreshing change that would be for the fans.

....and another MAC title

....and an upset win over a Top-25 team.

That has to happen sometime, doesn't it?