Men's Basketball '11 - '12

[GoZips]

First practice went well. No broken bones and a few bruises.

Three and a half hour grind. Practice was reminiscent of past early season

practices as the players came to practice in better condition and aware of

the tasks ahead.

The usual drills; lots of wind sprints; good shooting; worked on zone defense;

some scrimmage type drills. Coach was pleased over all.

Way too early to set line ups or depth charts. That likely to change with

every practice for some time to come.

Gilliam had an excellent practice; as did Zeke who looks terrific at 240#.

Everyone was shooting the ball well. Good board work all round.

Chatted with Nick Dials after the practice. Good convo.

Saturday practice at noon in the JAR expected to go three hours.

Only other thing I care to say is that a number of drills were run using

a thirty-five second clock. Barberton doe not have a 35 sec clock, so they

used the regular game clock and horn.

Barberton gym is quite nice. Good quality cushioned floor. Nice overall

design. KD suggested to me that it would make a good "home away from home"

if the JAR were to under go renovations.

The Serb knocked down two of three attempts from three point land to end

the wind sprint drills at the end of practice.

[Dr Z]

Thanks for the update GZ. Zeke at 240...nice.

[Quickzips]

Thanks for the update GZ. Zeke at 240...nice.

If that number holds into the season, Zeke will be pretty close to what I consider his ideal playing weight. Ideally for him I think 245-250 is where you want to see him. Zeke is never going to be a bulky, imposing type out there a la Shaq or Dwight Howard, and quite frankly, you don't even want him to try. His biggest assets from a physical standpoint are his athletic ability and his length. If you start trying to get him to 280-300 he will lose a lot of that athleticism. At 245-250 he should be plenty strong enough to not get pushed around so much in the post while still maintaining the athletic ability that makes him such a special prospect.

Also very glad to hear that Gilliam is continuing to pick it up from what I thought was a very solid Canada trip for him. Everything we've seen so far tells me he should be one of the newcomers who sees significant minutes in the rotation.

[Dave in Green]

Am I the only one who is astounded by the fact that Gilliam was listed at 235 pounds when it was announced he was transferring to UA, and he is now listed at 195?

That's a loss of 40 pounds or 17% of his total weight -- a huge transformation for a 6-5 wing. He goes from having more bulk than the Serb to less bulk than Nitro.

It may mean that Gilliam will no longer have the bulk to move opponents around under the basket, but may be flying at a higher altitude when attacking the rim. It may totally transform his game from what he played at UMBC.

Close behind on the percentage of weight change charts is Michael Green, who went from 200 to 230 over his redshirt freshman season. That 30-pound weight gain is an impressive 15% increase in body weight.

I'm pretty sure at Green's age that he didn't add 30 pounds of baby fat, but more likely has responded well to weight training. That gives Green the bulk not to be moved around so easily under the basket by other MAC forwards.

Remember early last season when there was concern that Green might be the freshman not able to earn a spot on the Zips' roster and might end up transferring to a lower level program? Instead, it was Euton who moved on and Green who appears to have worked his way into a shot at playing a role with the Zips.

Maybe I've missed something along the way. But in all the years I've been following Zips basketball, I don't recall two players ever losing or gaining 15% or more body mass over the course of a season.

[Zip Watcher]

This thread is fast becoming epic.

[GoZips]

Am I the only one who is astounded by the fact that Gilliam was listed at 235 pounds when it was announced he was transferring to UA, and he is now listed at 195?

That's a loss of 40 pounds or 17% of his total weight -- a huge transformation for a 6-5 wing. He goes from having more bulk than the Serb to less bulk than Nitro.

It may mean that Gilliam will no longer have the bulk to move opponents around under the basket, but may be flying at a higher altitude when attacking the rim. It may totally transform his game from what he played at UMBC.

Close behind on the percentage of weight change charts is Michael Green, who went from 200 to 230 over his redshirt freshman season. That 30-pound weight gain is an impressive 15% increase in body weight.

I'm pretty sure at Green's age that he didn't add 30 pounds of baby fat, but more likely has responded well to weight training. That gives Green the bulk not to be moved around so easily under the basket by other MAC forwards.

Remember early last season when there was concern that Green might be the freshman not able to earn a spot on the Zips' roster and might end up transferring to a lower level program? Instead, it was Euton who moved on and Green who appears to have worked his way into a shot at playing a role with the Zips.

Maybe I've missed something along the way. But in all the years I've been following Zips basketball, I don't recall two players ever losing or gaining 15% or more body mass over the course of a season.

Dave in Green, I think you are getting rolled by a flock of bad numbers.

Chauncey looks solid and in great shape. He lost a lot of fatty tissue and added muscle.

Micheal Green has totally reshaped his body into a far more muscular frame. Also, he is

shooting the lights out. If he develops more quickness he could move into the 8/9 man

rotation.

All the Zips are more muscular than ever. Josh Egner added thirty pounds of muscle.

I think everyone is going to be amazed at how good these kids are.

I asked Nick Harney at practice if he was enjoying himself. He rolled his eyes and said, "no".

That's good, because practice is not for enjoying.

A number of players took Alka-Seltzer during practice. Why? Headaches. Dehydration

often produces headaches. I played my high school and college ball in an era where

drinking water was for sissies. That lead to dehydration and terrible headaches.

You are already dehydrated if you get a headache. The cure is to stay hydrated.

That is the trainer's job. Zips trainers need to keep after the players to drink water

a lot more often. The real down side of dehydration is that you become weak and tired.

There is a reason for the dramatic improvement in the players bodies. His name is

Tim Campbell. Tim is the trainer for both the men's and women's basketball teams.

He might be the trainer for both soccer teams as well.

Tim, you are doing a great job.

[Dave in Green]

@GoZips, thanks for mentioning Tim Campbell. It sounds as if he's doing a great job, and deserves credit for getting Zips players in shape to take it to the next level.

As for 'bad numbers" on player weights, since I'm not able to personally put each player on scales to view their actual weights, I have to go by the "official" numbers published by UA.

UA listed Gilliam at 235 pounds when they signed him and 195 now (-40 pounds).

UA listed Green at 200 pounds when they signed him and 230 now (+30 pounds)

UA listed Egner at 200 pounds when they signed him and 215 now (+15 pounds, not +30 pounds).

Which of the above numbers are good and which are bad?

[Valpo Zip]

I saw Chauncey a couple of weeks ago in the bball tailgate tent and there is no way he weighs less than 200 lbs. That must be a mistake.

[Blue & Gold]

I saw Chauncey a couple of weeks ago in the bball tailgate tent and there is no way he weighs less than 200 lbs. That must be a mistake.

+1. He's huge. I wish he were lining up @ LB for the football team.

[Dave in Green]

Apparently someone at GoZips.com pays attention to ZipsNation.org.

Gilliam's weight on the roster has been adjusted up to 230 pounds. So he's apparently lost 5 pounds while turning some fat into muscle.

All other "official" weights remain the same. So Michael Green is now alone at the top of the weight change charts with a 15% increase from 200 to 230. It will be interesting to see how that works out for him.

[GoZips]

I'll let anyone who has the inclination figure out players weights. They all look to be

pretty buff and almost in playing shape. Chauncey said for Dave in Green

to stop by a practice and check Chauncey's pudgy bod out.

Saturday morning practice was as intense as Friday. The kids got pushed hard.

More drills and much more contact including diving on the floor for loose balls.

Dambrot told me after practice that they did NOT do any work on zone defense

Friday. So, either he reads ZipsNation or one of his coaches does.

A lot of people on attendance this morning including the Elyria HS team, some

college coaches including Millikin's now former head coach Mark Smith who is

looking for a coaching position. Mark is a great guy and well versed in basketball.

I enjoyed chatting with him.

Also in attendance were Zeke Marshall's parents. His mother, the lovely Nicole,

was bundled up like an Eskimo. She is not a cold weather person.

The team had a light 90 minute workout in the evening which I did not attend

due to choosing the soccer game over watching more drills.

Coach Campbell, the strength coach, informs me that he directly coaches men's

soccer and basketball and women's basketball. Other strength coaches take care

the other sports. Football, of course, has their own dedicated strength coach.

I did not ask when the next practice is. I suspect some time Sunday morning.

I have a booth at a Cleveland area coin show; thus, I will not be at practice.

[mes102]

I'm hearing across facebook and twitter that both LeBron and Kevin Durant are weight lifting on campus right now. I'm also hearing that the people that told me this assume they'll be practicing with the men's team today. Can't wait to hear if GoZips is able to make it to their practice today. Be interesting to hear a report back if they were involved with the practice or not...

[dboze]

I'm hearing across facebook and twitter that both LeBron and Kevin Durant are weight lifting on campus right now. I'm also hearing that the people that told me this assume they'll be practicing with the men's team today. Can't wait to hear if GoZips is able to make it to their practice today. Be interesting to hear a report back if they were involved with the practice or not...

Speaking of weightlifting, I talked to Zeke on Saturday and he (and the coaches) told me that Zeke benched 185 pounds (which is the NBA combine weight) 15 times. In comparison, the top NBA player did 19 last year.

[RowdyZip]

I'm hearing across facebook and twitter that both LeBron and Kevin Durant are weight lifting on campus right now. I'm also hearing that the people that told me this assume they'll be practicing with the men's team today. Can't wait to hear if GoZips is able to make it to their practice today. Be interesting to hear a report back if they were involved with the practice or not...

I heard from a reliable source the LeBron and the other two Miami guys were lifting on campus with the football team a couple weeks back as well. This guy's presence on campus is nothing but good for the programs (even though I don't like him).

[ZachTheZip]

I'm hearing across facebook and twitter that both LeBron and Kevin Durant are weight lifting on campus right now. I'm also hearing that the people that told me this assume they'll be practicing with the men's team today. Can't wait to hear if GoZips is able to make it to their practice today. Be interesting to hear a report back if they were involved with the practice or not...

They're definitely on campus.The men's team practiced early this morning, but I don't know if LeBron and Durant were with them, or whether the team also has an afternoon practice session.

[johnnyzip84]

I'm hearing across facebook and twitter that both LeBron and Kevin Durant are weight lifting on campus right now. I'm also hearing that the people that told me this assume they'll be practicing with the men's team today. Can't wait to hear if GoZips is able to make it to their practice today. Be interesting to hear a report back if they were involved with the practice or not...

Speaking of weightlifting, I talked to Zeke on Saturday and he (and the coaches) told me that Zeke benched 185 pounds (which is the NBA combine weight) 15 times. In comparison, the top NBA player did 19 last year.

Don't get me wrong, I don't doubt the numbers you're reporting for Zeke and I think it's OUTSTANDING that he's obviously been as dedicated as he has been in improving in this area. It's the last statement (in bold) that has me puzzled. Is this the highest number of reps at last year's combine? Is it the most any player in the NBA can lift? If it's the latter, I find that a little hard to believe. It seems way too low for some of the bigger guys in the "Association".I echo the sentiment that it's all good for UA that these guys are working out locally.

[Dave in Green]

@Zip2Go, good call on the NBA combine bench press. Derrick Williams and Justin Harper, two big and strong power forwards, tied for best at 19 reps.Sounds as if Zeke is already NBA-ready in that area, as 15 reps would put him alongside JaJuan Johnson and Chris Singleton, who tied for fifth best at the 2011 NBA combine.It's true that some players in previous combines have benched more than 20 reps, and some NBA vets are probably stronger than that. But Zeke still has time to improve over 15.2011 NBA Combine Athletic Testing Results

[johnnyzip84]

@Zip2Go, good call on the NBA combine bench press. Derrick Williams and Justin Harper, two big and strong power forwards, tied for best at 19 reps.Sounds as if Zeke is already NBA-ready in that area, as 15 reps would put him alongside JaJuan Johnson and Chris Singleton, who tied for fifth best at the 2011 NBA combine.It's true that some players in previous combines have benched more than 20 reps, and some NBA vets are probably stronger than that. But Zeke still has time to improve over 15.2011 NBA Combine Athletic Testing Results

Thanks for the info DiG, as this clarifies things perfectly. It didn't seem likely that the strongest guy in the NBA could only muster 19 reps of 185 lbs. There's a lot of good info in there

[Doug Snyder]

I heard from a reliable source the LeBron and the other two Miami guys were lifting on campus with the football team a couple weeks back as well. This guy's presence on campus is nothing but good for the programs (even though I don't like him).

+1 and I don't like him either.

[jem101]

I texted my buddy that LeBron and Durant were on campus for practice and he texted me back: "I don't believe it because LeBron is incapable of recruiting his friends to come play in state."

[Dr Z]

I heard from a reliable source the LeBron and the other two Miami guys were lifting on campus with the football team a couple weeks back as well. This guy's presence on campus is nothing but good for the programs (even though I don't like him).

+1 and I don't like him either.

Other than a possible recruit hearing that LBJ occasionally comes around, how does his presence on campus benefit the "program?" Do you think a recruit comes to Akron instead of (fill in the blank) because LBJ stops in once and a while? If you answer yes, can you name me this recruit?PS If I were in UA Marketing, I would get some video of LBJ playing ball and "leak" it to the media tonight.

[Doug Snyder]

I heard from a reliable source the LeBron and the other two Miami guys were lifting on campus with the football team a couple weeks back as well. This guy's presence on campus is nothing but good for the programs (even though I don't like him).

+1 and I don't like him either.

Other than a possible recruit hearing that LBJ occasionally comes around, how does his presence on campus benefit the "program?" Do you think a recruit comes to Akron instead of (fill in the blank) because LBJ stops in once and a while? If you answer yes, can you name me this recruit?PS If I were in UA Marketing, I would get some video of LBJ playing ball and "leak" it to the media tonight.

Dambrot believes it helps...or so he says. But more important...tell me how it can hurt.It may help give Dambrot credibility with future recruits. He is trusted by an NBA great and that player stays in touch with him. Trust is important.

[Dr Z]

Dambrot believes it helps...or so he says. But more important...tell me how it can hurt.

I didn't say it hurt, I asked how it helped. If it helps, there must be multiple examples of how it does, I just don't know of any, and was wondering what those examples were.

[Doug Snyder]

PS If I were in UA Marketing, I would get some video of LBJ playing ball and "leak" it to the media tonight.

Good idea.

[GoZips]

Boy oh boy, the rumor mill is running at full tilt.LeBron, Kevin Durant and Brandon Knight worked out with the footballers.They did NOT visit the Zips practice this morning.More important to the future of men's basketball is the person who did watchtoday's practice. I do not know if I am allowed to state who he is because I didnot ask. He was wearing a Montrose Christian warm up suit.All I can say is that this kid can play.Next good time to catch a men's practice is Wednesday morning. The kids arepretty tired right now and it is iffy whether there will be a Tuesday practice.I am betting no. The men's practices are usually scheduled from 8:00 AM to 11:00 AM.For MES and those interested, the Lady Zips practice schedule is daily1:00 PM to 3:00 PM with usually Wednesdays off. They will also practiceSaturday mornings.