On to Duquesne

[Blue & Gold]

So we finally get that big OOC win against a good team...and boom. Losses to stinkin Valpo and Duquesne. Good teams, but still. Disappointing.

+1. That early season BCS victory was completely unprecedented in our program's history & now it doesn't really matter so much. We're back to slow resume building w/o any shout-outs from the national media.

[Blue & Gold]

Someone needs to remind Nik he is no a 3-pt shooter...

I don't like that shot either. Nik played guard for Serbia's Jr. National Team? I find that hard to believe.

[skip-zip]

Well, there's still 25 games left. So, it's not panic time.

But, we at least know that one option is off the table.

Bye Bye At-Large Bid

[Blue & Gold]

Congrats on tying the shot-block record, Mama Zeke!

Keep Zeke's head up! This is still going to be a big year for us!

[anonymous hippo]

Well, there's still 25 games left. So, it's not panic time.

But, we at least know that one option is off the table.

Bye Bye At-Large Bid

Great insight, time to focus on dominating the MAC. Depressing two games nonetheless (especially without video ).

[Dave in Green]

Something very odd here, and I don't have time tonight to fully analyze the stats. But here are a few obvious questions:

The starting and only pure PG on the Zips plays only 6 minutes?

The starting power forward and potential MAC all-star plays only 15 minutes?

Ibitayo burns his redshirt by playing 6 minutes when we're wondering where the PT is for all the non-freshmen players?

Treadwell and Harney continue to play longer minutes, shoot like veterans from the field and like junior high kids from the free throw line?

A Zips team has 19 turnovers to 11 for the opposition?

Zeke plays 31 minutes, gets only 3 fouls, has one of the most complete games of his career in all aspects of the game, and the Zips lose?

I don't have the answer to all these questions. But it looks suspiciously as if KD is more interested in juggling lineups to test all his players than he is in winning early season games after already proving this team could whip a major school like Mississippi State at their house -- the same MSU that mauled Top 25 teams ranked Texas A&M and Arizona at a neutral site.

[Blue & Gold]

Something very odd here, and I don't have time tonight to fully analyze the stats. But here are a few obvious questions:

The starting and only pure PG on the Zips plays only 6 minutes?

The starting power forward and potential MAC all-star plays only 15 minutes?

Ibitayo burns his redshirt by playing 6 minutes when we're wondering where the PT is for all the non-freshmen players?

Treadwell and Harney continue to play longer minutes, shoot like veterans from the field and like junior high kids from the free throw line?

A Zips team has 19 turnovers to 11 for the opposition?

Zeke plays 31 minutes, gets only 3 fouls, has one of the most complete games of his career in all aspects of the game, and the Zips lose?

I don't have the answer to all these questions. But it looks suspiciously as if KD is more interested in juggling lineups to test all his players than he is in winning early season games after already proving this team could whip a major school like Mississippi State at their house -- the same MSU that mauled Top 25 teams ranked Texas A&M and Arizona at a neutral site.

During the postgame interview KD mentioned that AA was banged up & couldn't play much in the 2nd half.

He also mentioned Walsh was banged up & had to sit out the 2nd half of the Valpo game.

I'm still surprised he burned Deji's redshirt. But, I guess w/ both our starting & backup PG's a little banged up right now...?

[Dave in Green]

Walsh played long minutes against Duquesne -- 29, to be exact. Hard to believe he healed so quickly from the previous night. But if both Rico and Walsh are, in fact, having physical problems, that could help explain burning Ibitayo's redshirt. Zips really need steady PG play to help stabilize team performance.

[Captain Kangaroo]

The Mississippi State game is our potential.

The Valpo and Duquesne games are what we are.

[GP1]

The Mississippi State game is our potential.

The Valpo and Duquesne games are what we are.

Well said CK.

Our basketball program reminds me of the VA Tech football program. We are always at the top of our conference, but don't do much to distinguish ourselves outside of the MAC.

I know what I saw against MSU and I still believe we are an VERY talented team. However, the talent needs to start winning games.

[ZachTheZip]

This is a team that lack leadership. The McClanahan, Nikola, Diggs, and Abreu need to step it up big-time in that department. Or let the young guys like Harney take over. There's not much team focus.

[UAZip0510]

Before this season started, most of us expected that this team would take awhile to gel. Many predicted a slow start, figuring it would take awhile for the rotation to get sorted out. The Mississippi State win, while still important, made us lose sight of that.

You are right in noting that this team has no leadership right now. Cvetinovic isn't setting the example and Marshall and McClanahan don't have "take charge" personalities. One of the young players is going to have to step into that role. Quincy Diggs could be the one, but he may be in the same boat as Marshall and McClanahan. Chauncey Gilliam and Nick Harney look like future leaders, but I'm not sure either can fill that role quite yet. The best candidate seems to be Alex Abreu. He plays fearless, he isn't afraid of big game situations, and he's certainly the Zips' best floor general. He's only a sophomore though...will he be able to step into that role so soon? I predicted at the end of last season that we would miss Darryl Roberts more than we expected...that certainly appears to be true thus far.

[akronzips71]

Something very odd here, and I don't have time tonight to fully analyze the stats. But here are a few obvious questions:

The starting and only pure PG on the Zips plays only 6 minutes?

The starting power forward and potential MAC all-star plays only 15 minutes?

Ibitayo burns his redshirt by playing 6 minutes when we're wondering where the PT is for all the non-freshmen players?

Treadwell and Harney continue to play longer minutes, shoot like veterans from the field and like junior high kids from the free throw line?

A Zips team has 19 turnovers to 11 for the opposition?

Zeke plays 31 minutes, gets only 3 fouls, has one of the most complete games of his career in all aspects of the game, and the Zips lose?

I don't have the answer to all these questions. But it looks suspiciously as if KD is more interested in juggling lineups to test all his players than he is in winning early season games after already proving this team could whip a major school like Mississippi State at their house -- the same MSU that mauled Top 25 teams ranked Texas A&M and Arizona at a neutral site.

I said a few weeks ago that the biggest problem this year is figuring out who to play.

Looks like the team is staring to help KD make that decision.

The lineup should and will be:

Zeke

Tree

Diggs

Harney

AA

With Walsh as 6th man and Nik and Egner as rotation subs. Not sure what role Nitro will play.

Keep in mind, Nik has been largely silent this season, while Tree and Harney have played themselves into the lineup.

Now if only anyone besides Zeke could sink a free throw.

The key to success this season is going to be to feed the ball to Zeke. MAC teams will find it very hard to defend him, and with Tree crashing the boards we should get many many putbacks.

[GP1]

Before this season started, most of us expected that this team would take awhile to gel. Many predicted a slow start, figuring it would take awhile for the rotation to get sorted out. The Mississippi State win, while still important, made us lose sight of that.

They played on a summer tour together. They should be further along.

[Doug Snyder]

Something very odd here, and I don't have time tonight to fully analyze the stats. But here are a few obvious questions:

The starting and only pure PG on the Zips plays only 6 minutes?

The starting power forward and potential MAC all-star plays only 15 minutes?

Ibitayo burns his redshirt by playing 6 minutes when we're wondering where the PT is for all the non-freshmen players?

Treadwell and Harney continue to play longer minutes, shoot like veterans from the field and like junior high kids from the free throw line?

A Zips team has 19 turnovers to 11 for the opposition?

Zeke plays 31 minutes, gets only 3 fouls, has one of the most complete games of his career in all aspects of the game, and the Zips lose?

I don't have the answer to all these questions. But it looks suspiciously as if KD is more interested in juggling lineups to test all his players than he is in winning early season games after already proving this team could whip a major school like Mississippi State at their house -- the same MSU that mauled Top 25 teams ranked Texas A&M and Arizona at a neutral site.

I said a few weeks ago that the biggest problem this year is figuring out who to play.

Looks like the team is staring to help KD make that decision.

The lineup should and will be:

Zeke

Tree

Diggs

Harney

AA

With Walsh as 6th man and Nik and Egner as rotation subs. Not sure what role Nitro will play.

Keep in mind, Nik has been largely silent this season, while Tree and Harney have played themselves into the lineup.

Now if only anyone besides Zeke could sink a free throw.

The key to success this season is going to be to feed the ball to Zeke. MAC teams will find it very hard to defend him, and with Tree crashing the boards we should get many many putbacks.

Prescription drugs??

[Dave in Green]

They played on a summer tour together. They should be further along.

Without the games in Canada, I doubt they would have beaten Mississippi State.

There's no question that KD is giving Harney and Tree more PT than he normally gives first year guys with no DI experience. These two guys are everything they were advertised to be coming out of HS in Cleveland. They're both high major talents. They represent the heart of the team for the next four years. They're going to continue to play long minutes even if it hurts in the short run in some situations. If they work hard on their weak points, such as free throw shooting, they could be pretty awesome by the end of this season. They need a lot of experience against tough competition to season them, and it may result in more early season losses before the steady wins start coming.

[Doug Snyder]

People have ignored GoZips and others who have closely followed the team, watched practices and have spoken with KD. It has been said over and over that mental toughness, basketball experience/IQ and leadership would be issues...especially in the beginning. Tree and Harney have played one year of organized Bball and many think they are NBA ready. They make mistakes and miss free throws. It will be a season long educational process where the Zips develop cohesion and teach the younger guys how to play. They will look bad at times. Right now...the Zips must win on athleticism alone...not the usual recipe for Zips success. You really should take the comments and criticism of the “shock jocks” with a grain of salt.

The summer tour?? Those 10 practices were the first time they could coach Tree and Harney. And no Serb. That tour was about teaching and advancing the understanding of the new guys. AA still has a lot to prove…stamina, game understanding, taking care of the ball. He picks up his dribble and has silly turnovers that are costly. A huge one in the Valpo game.

It is interesting to compare the football forum and basket ball forum with the soccer forum. It really is the only forum that I like. The soccer forum is positive and an exchange for ideas and information.

You really should pay attention to GoZips in bball. He may be abrasive at times…but he knows bball.

[OZoner]

Have to hand it to you: Beating Mississippi State actually made some of you more negative.

[Valpo Zip]

With all due respect to you guys, you are simply failing to see the difference between being negative and raising the bar.

What happened is that we (as fans) are expecting more of this team because of the high level of talents in it. If you are satisfied with the "only 3 games in March matter" mentality, then you shouldn't be disappointed, in fact i don't know why you're even watching bball at this time of the year.

If you however, were hoping for a season where we put ourselves in a position for an at large bid, in case we don't win the MAC, then you can't tell me you're not disappointed with the outcomes of the last two games.

[Dave in Green]

Every Zips fan is disappointed with every loss. All Zips fans would prefer to be undefeated right now. Yet in our brief moments of realism we understand that the Zips never had a realistic chance to go undefeated this season. So now we're down to the question of when is the best time to lose? In the past we've tried the formula of losing to the best teams and beating the lesser teams. It didn't carry a lot of weight with the NCAA tournament selection committee at the end of the season.

So what would happen if the Zips beat all the best teams they played and lost a few to lesser teams? Well, the Zips have beaten the strongest team they've played -- Mississippi State. The NCAA tournament selection committee will like that. The Zips have several more games against teams the NCAA selection committee will respect, like Detroit, Cleveland State, West Virginia and VCU. Those are the ones you really have to win to make an impression on the NCAA tournament selection committee.

The Zips started the season with a big win and a couple of painful losses. Knowing that the team was going to lose some along the way, it's better to have it happen earlier rather than later in the season. Another important thing the NCAA tournament selection committee considers in selecting at-large teams is who performed well late in the season rather than earlier.

At this early point in the season, the Zips are still alive on winning the big ones and still have an opportunity to finish the season strong. So there's no reason to panic.

[RowdyZip]

For the conspiracy theorists, Valpo dismantled Duquesne tonight, 84-68. A blistering 9/20 on 3s, and 58% from the field overall was too much for the Dukes to get past.

On a side note, Valpo shot 25 free throws to Duquesne's 14. The Dukes were called for 6 more fouls, 19-13.

[johnnyzip84]

It's interesting that Valpo pretty much controls Duquesne 84-68. I don't think we can overestimate how much having a "banged up" Alex for only 6 minutes versus the Dukes influenced that result.

[Captain Kangaroo]

I don't think we can overestimate how much having a "banged up" Alex for only 6 minutes versus the Dukes influenced that result.

Regardless - It's a loss. On a neutral court. To a mid-major team that we'll likely be judged against at some point (Bracket Buster, NIT, etc.).

Obviously [fending off dorky hyperbole Zips Fan here] it is game #3 of a long season, and can be overcome, but <see above>.

[Blue & Gold]

I don't think we can overestimate how much having a "banged up" Alex for only 6 minutes versus the Dukes influenced that result.

Regardless - It's a loss. On a neutral court. To a mid-major team that we'll likely be judged against at some point (Bracket Buster, NIT, etc.).

Obviously [fending off dorky hyperbole Zips Fan here] it is game #3 of a long season, and can be overcome, but <see above>.

+1. Tough, tough weekend for the men's b-ball Zippers. We lost two games we should have won. Definitely a big step back. A loss to both a Horizon Leage opponent and a very beatable A-10 opponent. Ouch. Goodbye Top 25 vote.

[skip-zip]

Every Zips fan is disappointed with every loss. All Zips fans would prefer to be undefeated right now. Yet in our brief moments of realism we understand that the Zips never had a realistic chance to go undefeated this season. So now we're down to the question of when is the best time to lose? In the past we've tried the formula of losing to the best teams and beating the lesser teams. It didn't carry a lot of weight with the NCAA tournament selection committee at the end of the season.

So what would happen if the Zips beat all the best teams they played and lost a few to lesser teams? Well, the Zips have beaten the strongest team they've played -- Mississippi State. The NCAA tournament selection committee will like that. The Zips have several more games against teams the NCAA selection committee will respect, like Detroit, Cleveland State, West Virginia and VCU. Those are the ones you really have to win to make an impression on the NCAA tournament selection committee.

The Zips started the season with a big win and a couple of painful losses. Knowing that the team was going to lose some along the way, it's better to have it happen earlier rather than later in the season. Another important thing the NCAA tournament selection committee considers in selecting at-large teams is who performed well late in the season rather than earlier.

At this early point in the season, the Zips are still alive on winning the big ones and still have an opportunity to finish the season strong. So there's no reason to panic.

Dave,

I understand what you mean here. I preach all the time about the importance of scoring those wins that get national attention. But, there's still little room for error elsewhere. Unless we plan on going 28-2 this season, those two losses will be considered "bad losses". One is tough to overcome. Two is deadly.

But, as I said earlier, that doesn't mean that we still can't have a great season. It just means that our chances of an at-large bid just dropped to near impossible.