ZipAnalyst Posted February 1, 2006 Report Share Posted February 1, 2006 First it was Central Michigian - a fluke? No, because now we have the Bowling Green game. Will it repeat at Eastern Michigan? What's up with the Zips and their blowing big leads? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
InTheZone Posted February 1, 2006 Report Share Posted February 1, 2006 Nothing's up with it, because they win in the end. Until they don't, I see no problem at all with this team and no reason why they can't win out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ZipAnalyst Posted February 1, 2006 Author Report Share Posted February 1, 2006 Nothing wrong? That's not what I hear the coach saying in his post-game interviews. I think the sudden loss of focus and intensity bothers him but, presently, he has not figured out the cause. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zip37 Posted February 1, 2006 Report Share Posted February 1, 2006 How about mental & physical fatigue? A little rest & all will be OK-- the problem is getting such rest. Maybe you want all PRETTY wins-- how about plain old wins. I am not all that concerned until/unless we lose one. With ball ammunition lock and load. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ZipAnalyst Posted February 1, 2006 Author Report Share Posted February 1, 2006 Ever heard of "an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure?" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UADavid Posted February 1, 2006 Report Share Posted February 1, 2006 I also worry about the loss of big leads but the end result is the most important thing and this team grinds it out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ZipAnalyst Posted February 1, 2006 Author Report Share Posted February 1, 2006 The point is well taken "that they have won in the end." But one of these games they are going to get a sizable lead on a premier team (perhaps in the tournament), lose it, and not be able to recover unless they have some clue as to the cause. Then the "could have, "should have" etc will surface. The reason I think Dambrott is such a good coach, is, that in time he will figure out the why. He will put this insight into his "bank of basketball knowledge" which will equip him to eventually be a great coach.Now he frequently talks about "putting the game away." So I know he is working on finding an answer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigzipguy Posted February 1, 2006 Report Share Posted February 1, 2006 Again and again I say it: NEED A REGULAR FOUR ROTATION AT THE GUARD POSITION!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ZipAnalyst Posted February 1, 2006 Author Report Share Posted February 1, 2006 It may not be any more complicated than that. The three guards are so spent from game after game after game of extending themselves that when a "window of opportunity" comes to relax - they let down just a little (not that perceptible; certainly not the guards themselves, that is to say - they do not consciously rachet down a notch) it would only be human nature.Dambrott himself says he has a hard time working new people in. He says so in the form of "they earn their game time in practice." He'll also says "the coach is the last person to figure some things out." In his scheme of managing players, how in the world would a player who is not a superb practice player ever work himself into playing time. We all know of instances of players in many sports that do not extend themselves in practice but are very good when it comes to an actual game.It could be that if he doesn't go to a four guard rotation Akron will have an early exit from the tournament and end up playing in the NIT rather than the NCAA.I like the "four guard rotation" analysis. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zippy989 Posted February 1, 2006 Report Share Posted February 1, 2006 First, Meeshijeean??? We all typo.. been there.2nd... losing a big lead and wtill winning sure is a heck of lot better than never being in the game.. refer to Crawford, Coleman... Hipsher, Dan.3rd... How about these Zips? They could have easily folded in both games. But instead they sucked it up and won in overtime... with all the momentum against them.. they still fought through it and earned the W.4th.. mental toughness... If the players didn't believe Coach Dambrot (please note -- spelled with only one "T") about playing 40 minutes, they sure do now...Sheez... 8-1 and you still gripe???? Pathetic..... I suppose your also upset that we only won the MAC Football Championship with a 7-5 record too??? <MODERATOR SNIP> Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zips Supporter Posted February 1, 2006 Report Share Posted February 1, 2006 The Zips need to take one game at a time. We all know what is coming up this week. And yes, blowing big leads comes from lack of intensity and the mental toughness did get them through the 2 overtime games. As far as the MAC Tournament, 3 games in 4 days will be tough. Miami, Ohio, and Can't State proved they will be in every game. MAC games will go down to the final 5 minutes of the game and what you do in those minutes will matter. One team can easily get hot and one team can easily cool down in tournament time. Ohio though doesn't have the depth we do. And if Peterson stays hot, we will get far. Chad Mraz needs more minutes. Dru seemed warn out at BG in overtime.I think if the Zips get 22 wins, they will get an NIT bid. It will take 23 or 24 wins probably to get respect from the NCAA selection committee and possibly get an at-large bid in the tournament should the Zips not win the MAC tourney. But I also think if they do get 22 wins and get to the championship of the tourney, there might be a possibility of an NCAA bid.Above all, I think the Zips will win 8 of their next 10 games, a loss at Can't and a loss at Miami. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UADavid Posted February 1, 2006 Report Share Posted February 1, 2006 I guess it's true that posters select screen names that describe themselves. <Moderator Snip>???A bit harsh, don't you think? We all have opinions and we all support the team. Let's leave the insults for the opponents. Working in the fourth guard would certainly help at the end of the game. I worry about fouls when the guards are spent and reaching with their arms instead of moving the feet. We can't have these guys getting into foul trouble, especially if the game is close at the end. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zippyrifle32 Posted February 1, 2006 Report Share Posted February 1, 2006 i kinda agree with zipsanalysis on this. it not complaining that we don't win "well enough." it's the distrubing thought that we lose mental focus during a game and let a team score 15 points. while we end up winning in the end, this is an issue that has to be corrected before we go to the ncaa tourney. every team that goes there is good, and that little lax can easily cost us a game in the future. in the ncaa tourney that game ends our season. i'm pretty sure we can win out and even take the mac tourney, but we need to be ready for everything when we get to the big dance. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Captain Kangaroo Posted February 1, 2006 Report Share Posted February 1, 2006 I think it hurts us a bit that we don't have a go-to, clutch "stud" we can ride at game's end. In tight games it seems like Joyce is our man? Dribble...dribble...dribble...toss up a 29 footer, or an off-balance layup? Joyce is ok, but he ain't no Keith McCloud/Gary Trent/Anthony Stacy/Wally Sczerbiak/Huffman/Ben Reed...hell, even Bosley or Rashon Brown. Romeo still struggles with his inside game and is not a sure thing at the FT line either. Tough to give him the ball with 4 seconds remaining and behind by 1.Peterson's the wild card. If his back hold up, he can be "The Man." He, and Cedric are the two guys that look for their shot, and can create a shot. Conyers should be that person in 2006-7.It is testamony to KD and the hard work of the team that we're doing so well this season. We certainly don't have and "airport team" (the kind of team that, when you see them walking in the airport you immediately think "that's a basketball team!"). In fact, we probably have the anti-airport team...and STILL may be the best in the MAC! This team amazes me every night. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ZipAnalyst Posted February 1, 2006 Author Report Share Posted February 1, 2006 Several comments on what Captain Kangaroo has to say:(1) This is a truly amazing team. KD is doing it with "smoke and mirrors," With all due respect to the players; they are over-achieving. (2) KD is over-relying on Joyce or Dru is taking too much on himself. I saw that in the Ohio U game at the end. The Zips to focus on the team concept even at crunch time. I liked that it was Rob Preston who made the key rebound and put back at Bowling Green. Team efforts will have different players stepping up from game to game and situation to situation.(3) I wish Futch would forget the 3 pointers. Certainly, KD has told him this?This is an exciting team to watch. They can go further in the NCAA/NIT than many suppose if they solve the "lapse problem." KD himself says a good team is a consistent team. I know he and the players are working on being consistent and hopefully progress is being made. Eastern Michigan should be a good test. The Zips should be able to build up a confortable lead. If they keep it or extend it, then they are making progress. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zipfan 81 Posted February 1, 2006 Report Share Posted February 1, 2006 KD has always relied on Dru and now on Nick Dials... it makes for a very tired player by the end of the game. He has started putting in Chad, why doesnt he use him more? He has proved he can play, it's like KD just doesnt have the confidence. Just like he didn't with Cedrick and now look at Ced! He needs to give these guys a few more chances. And I don't know about proving it in practice comment because he has proved it in practice from other team mates comments.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
liljc Posted February 2, 2006 Report Share Posted February 2, 2006 No leads blown tonight. Thanks for stopping, Buffalo. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ZipAnalyst Posted February 2, 2006 Author Report Share Posted February 2, 2006 The Zips made progress tonight in not blowing leads. Most impressive is that Buffalo can be a good team. KD made reference to the fact that some of us have been concerned about the Central Michigan and Bowling Green debacles.KD is a very good coach and he understands the game completely and in time (as talent improves, and that is a factor in this) that the Zips will not be blowing leads, will not get blown out by anyone (e.g. Louisville) and, in fact, will be manhandling teams that you would not think that would happen to.Congratulations to the Zips for a terrific effort v. Buffalo. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UADavid Posted February 2, 2006 Report Share Posted February 2, 2006 He also said that he didn't have the time last week to practice because of all the games and that now they are at reduced times to try to keep the guys fresh. They are addressing the weaknesses as quickly as possible. We beat a good team. Don't forget that Buffalo crushed ohio! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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