Any video for CSU?

[Blue & Gold]

I had a torn meniscus last year. Before I had the surgery I need a cane to walk. I don't know how AA can play. But he will have to have surgery, it won't heal itself. As long as the ACL is not torn he can recover, but from my personal experience, it is quite possible that he will twist the wrong way and be lost for the season. That stuff floating around in there HURTS.

Doesn't Deji also have a torn meniscus?

Good grief.

[skip-zip]

I actually appreciated the effort today. I don't say that very often. But, we showed that we can play with some good teams once we get it all together. I couldn't have said that after either the WVU game or the MTSU game.

But, here's what stinks the most about losing this particular game:

Akron will get more coverage on the Cleveland TV stations tonight than we will get all season long. But, its for a loss.

[Blue & Gold]

But, here's what stinks the most about losing this particular game:

Akron will get more coverage on the Cleveland TV stations tonight than we will get all season long. But, its for a loss.

Exactly.

ClevelandSUcks

[The Hip Zip]

Gilliam impressed and made a difference when he was on the floor today. It's time to reward him with more time at the 2 spot. I've never been a Nitro fan but this season he's been pretty bad on both ends of the floor. He kind of reminds me of McNees. Both had decent junior seasons but both seemed to regress as seniors.

[Blue & Gold]

Gilliam impressed and made a difference when he was on the floor today. It's time to reward him with more time at the 2 spot. I've never been a Nitro fan but this season he's been pretty bad on both ends of the floor. He kind of reminds me of McNees. Both had decent junior seasons but both seemed to regress as seniors.

Gilliam looked good on defense. That's what KD loves. Reward him, coach!

Plus, I'd say Nitro's outside shot is only slightly better than Gilliam's.

Gilliam's upside is sky high.

[Blue & Gold]

Looks like a pretty good sized crowd.

27-27

Frenchie announced the crowd at 4,500-ish (forget exactly; less than 5,000). On screen the crowd looked quite a bit larger, IMO.

[infofan]

Another loss yes, but for a change the effort was there. Fine ffort b Zeke! Tree was outstanding ( gotta work on free throws ) obviously motivated by being back home. Same could have been said for Harney if he'd behaved himself! ( what did he do anyway? Will anyone talk about it?) Nice arena although they have no video board or replays. Also kind of rediculous looking to have 1/3 of the seats draped off. Only 4700 including Akron fans to see a 10-1 team has to frustrate Waters! Look for him to leave for a better offer again. On pregame KD said Alex has to have surgery. Will play now and have surgery after NCA&T game. That way he misses just 2 games vs 4 games if he had surgery now. That seems optomistic.

[Dave in Green]

I said in another thread that I was going to keep my eye on Gilliam to see if I thought he was putting in the kind of effort on defense that I thought KD looks for in deciding who gets PT.

Even though he only got 7 minutes in today's game, I saw Gilliam put in a lot of effort on D in his time on the floor. He was always trying hard to stay between his man and the basket. One of the quicker CSU guards got around him at one point, drove to the basket and scored, and got the plus one on a Gilliam foul. But this can happen to even the best defensive player in any game. Overall I give Gilliam high marks for putting a lot of energy into his D. He also had a steal.

On offense, he obviously did a nice job on 2-2 from the field plus an assist during an important time when the Zips were trying to come back from a big CSU lead.

Overall, I'd say that his performance today has Gilliam on his way to earning more PT.

He will just need to continue putting forth similar effort in future games, and also doing the same during practice, as KD also rewards those who play good D in practice.

[Districtballer]

On pregame KD said Alex has to have surgery. Will play now and have surgery after NCA&T game. That way he misses just 2 games vs 4 games if he had surgery now. That seems optomistic.

In that case Abreu won't be playing in the VCU game. I find that hard to imagine KD being okay with since Abreu is the primary ball-handler and we are a full-court pressure team. That's a tough break if true.

[Dave in Green]

Good point, Districtballer. I like the Zips' chances without Abreu a lot better against Arkansas-Pine Bluff, Florida A&M, Youngstown State and North Carolina A&T than against VCU and Marshall.

I recommend surgery this Monday if it's required.

[akronzips71]

From my own experience, I was walking with a cane before surgery. Generally that is arthroscopic surgery. The entire procedure takes less than one hour. The next day I put the cane away. Keeping in mind that I was 61 and my knee will never be what it was at 17, I think once the stitches come out (a week) he can start physical therapy and since he is a young man in good condition he can come back quick. As well, it depends on how much they have to take out. In my case, it was a lot. But since he was able to play through it, I suspect it will be much less. Which is good. Take out too much and the knee won't work right.

It is also important to do the surgery ASAP. The injury causes certain muscles to atrophy, since you can't walk right. It also puts stress on the other knee, which in time can be an issue. However, I am not his doctor, so this is just my uneducated opinion.

[Districtballer]

Good point, Districtballer. I like the Zips' chances without Abreu a lot better against Arkansas-Pine Bluff, Florida A&M, Youngstown State and North Carolina A&T than against VCU and Marshall.

I recommend surgery this Monday if it's required.

I agree with that. It would seem this is the easy stretch you'd want him to sit out since it's likely you win these 4 games comfortably anyway. VCU and Marshall are your two remaining up games and it would seem foolish not to have your point guard for those contests unless KD is completely writing off the OOC and focusing on winning the MAC tournament.

Either way, it still seems better to have Alex get the surgery done ASAP so that he can get healthy for the MAC season and hopefully the big VCU and Marshall contests.

[skip-zip]

Another loss yes, but for a change the effort was there. Fine ffort b Zeke! Tree was outstanding ( gotta work on free throws ) obviously motivated by being back home. Same could have been said for Harney if he'd behaved himself! ( what did he do anyway? Will anyone talk about it?) Nice arena although they have no video board or replays. Also kind of rediculous looking to have 1/3 of the seats draped off. Only 4700 including Akron fans to see a 10-1 team has to frustrate Waters! Look for him to leave for a better offer again. On pregame KD said Alex has to have surgery. Will play now and have surgery after NCA&T game. That way he misses just 2 games vs 4 games if he had surgery now. That seems optomistic.

Also must be frustrating to the folks on here who anticipated and predicted huge crowds when this "rivalry" started again last season. Even if you add yesterday's numbers to the 2,700 who came to the game in Akron last year, you may have been able to fill the JAR one time. Some people either weren't around in the 80s, or have a bad memory. Like I've said on many occassions, we have a very long way to go before we have people sitting in the aisles and on the track to watch this game. Or, the CSU folks having to move the game, and pack everyone into the old 11,000 seat Public Hall. And I really don't undestand why. The interest level just isn't even remotely close right now.

I'm hoping that Abreu's time off will be somewhat of a blessing. Although, I wish we would do it right now, during the easy games. We need to get another guy some work bringing the ball up the floor. Keith doesn't seem comfortable enough yet to have Deji on the floor against top notch competition. And this particular task just isn't coming easily or naturally to the guys he does want on the floor.

[Blue & Gold]

I'm hoping that Abreu's time off will be somewhat of a blessing. Although, I wish we would do it right now, during the easy games. We need to get another guy some work bringing the ball up the floor. Keith doesn't seem comfortable enough yet to have Deji on the floor against top notch competition. And this particular task just isn't coming easily or naturally to the guys he does want on the floor.

If KD doesn't get AA's surgery done asap so he can recover during the Florida A&M, YSU & North Carolina A&T games (when we shouldn't need him) in order to be up to speed for the VCU & Marshall tilts (in which we'll desperately need him), I'd be tempted to say that KD's going for 3 easy wins -vs- the former 3 while looking for a built-in excuse -vs- the latter two.

Tempted, mind you. Not saying he is, necessarily. But I'd be tempted...

[UAZip0510]

Given the following:

1) MAC games are the most important. The first MAC game is 26 days from Monday.

2) The most important (and most difficult) non-conference games are VCU and Marshall. They are 17 and 20 days away respectively.

3) The APB, FAM, NCA, and YSU games are the easiest games remaining on the schedule.

4) The chances for an at-large bid this season are gone, and the only path to the NCAA Tournament is winning the MAC Championship.

5) With the new seeding system, being one of the top two teams in the MAC provides an incredible advantage.

It only makes sense to have the surgery performed Monday. If AK71's prognosis is correct, Abreu would have a shot at returning in time for the VCU/Marshall games, and would have plenty of time to recover for MAC play...which, again, is all that matters.

[Districtballer]

Given the following:

1) MAC games are the most important. The first MAC game is 26 days from Monday.

2) The most important (and most difficult) non-conference games are VCU and Marshall. They are 17 and 20 days away respectively.

3) The APB, FAM, NCA, and YSU games are the easiest games remaining on the schedule.

4) The chances for an at-large bid this season are gone, and the only path to the NCAA Tournament is winning the MAC Championship.

5) With the new seeding system, being one of the top two teams in the MAC provides an incredible advantage.

It only makes sense to have the surgery performed Monday. If AK71's prognosis is correct, Abreu would have a shot at returning in time for the VCU/Marshall games, and would have plenty of time to recover for MAC play...which, again, is all that matters.

Very cogent argument. I would hope we get to face Abreu. Obviously we want to face you at your best to prepare for the conference season.

[Districtballer]

I'm hoping that Abreu's time off will be somewhat of a blessing. Although, I wish we would do it right now, during the easy games. We need to get another guy some work bringing the ball up the floor. Keith doesn't seem comfortable enough yet to have Deji on the floor against top notch competition. And this particular task just isn't coming easily or naturally to the guys he does want on the floor.

If KD doesn't get AA's surgery done asap so he can recover during the Florida A&M, YSU & North Carolina A&T games (when we shouldn't need him) in order to be up to speed for the VCU & Marshall tilts (in which we'll desperately need him), I'd be tempted to say that KD's going for 3 easy wins -vs- the former 3 while looking for a built-in excuse -vs- the latter two.

Tempted, mind you. Not saying he is, necessarily. But I'd be tempted...

I doubt that's correct, according to what GoZips mentioned earlier, Shaka is afraid to play Akron and tried to beg out of playing the game. It does seem rather fishy to wait 4 games (which you all should easily win with our without Abreu) only to do surgery right before the 2 remaining tough games on the OOC schedule that are right in front of the MAC schedule opening up.

Common sense dictates exactly the opposite of what KD proposed in the pregame show. I'm sure there is an unknown purpose and clearly the Zips have enough raw talent to beat us at the JAR with or without Abreu. It's just somewhat baffling.

[Roo]

I'm hoping that Abreu's time off will be somewhat of a blessing. Although, I wish we would do it right now, during the easy games. We need to get another guy some work bringing the ball up the floor. Keith doesn't seem comfortable enough yet to have Deji on the floor against top notch competition. And this particular task just isn't coming easily or naturally to the guys he does want on the floor.

If KD doesn't get AA's surgery done asap so he can recover during the Florida A&M, YSU & North Carolina A&T games (when we shouldn't need him) in order to be up to speed for the VCU & Marshall tilts (in which we'll desperately need him), I'd be tempted to say that KD's going for 3 easy wins -vs- the former 3 while looking for a built-in excuse -vs- the latter two.

Tempted, mind you. Not saying he is, necessarily. But I'd be tempted...

I doubt that's correct, according to what GoZips mentioned earlier, Shaka is afraid to play Akron and tried to beg out of playing the game

:lol: :lol: :lol:

[Captain Kangaroo]

Also must be frustrating to the folks on here who anticipated and predicted huge crowds when this "rivalry" started again last season. Even if you add yesterday's numbers to the 2,700 who came to the game in Akron last year, you may have been able to fill the JAR one time. Some people either weren't around in the 80s, or have a bad memory. Like I've said on many occassions, we have a very long way to go before we have people sitting in the aisles and on the track to watch this game. Or, the CSU folks having to move the game, and pack everyone into the old 11,000 seat Public Hall. And I really don't undestand why. The interest level just isn't even remotely close right now.

I'm hoping that Abreu's time off will be somewhat of a blessing. Although, I wish we would do it right now, during the easy games. We need to get another guy some work bringing the ball up the floor. Keith doesn't seem comfortable enough yet to have Deji on the floor against top notch competition. And this particular task just isn't coming easily or naturally to the guys he does want on the floor.

Bizzare post.

Of course, I'm the one you reference with the prediction of a great 10k+ crowd for the game. Conveniently left out of this was my reference that the Zips needed to hold up their end of the bargain by playing well.

CSU came into the game at 10-1. The Zips limped into the game hot off a series of embarrassing beat-downs. And player suspensions.

The Zips had their chance to make this a sexy, marketable, marquee 10k crowd match up. It should have been a battle of two teams with a combined 3 losses. Instead, the Zips came into the game having put on 18 lbs after Thanksgiving, no make-up and stained sweat pants.

Beyond that - there is no way that Abreu's injury is a blessing. It is absolutely crippling. Deji is no where near ready to play point guard at the Division 1 level. Diggs is not a point guard. His talents ebb between negated, and wasted when he's forced to play the point. Without Abreu, we are in big trouble.

[Derrt]

I highly DOUBT Coach Shaka/Chaka is scared to play Akron

[Districtballer]

I highly DOUBT Coach Shaka/Chaka is scared to play Akron

http://zipsnation.org/forums//index.php?sh...mp;#entry152128

Coaches do NOT like to lose their jobs.

Early on in the off season there were talks between Akron and Rhode Island to renew the series.

Coach Barron at URI asked to postpone a series renewal because they lost four starters and their

sixth man. Home or at Akron URI was likely facing a loss. See previous remark.

VCU, supposedly pre-season rated much better than Akron has tried repeatedly to wiggle out of

their commitment to give a return game for the ESPN Bracket Buster game played there. Frankly,

coach Smart does not like the risk of losing at Akron. Call it what ever you like. Smart knows

first hand what playing in the JAR is like. Remember, he was an assistant here for three years.

See comment above.

[Dr Z]

Districtballer, what do you think the spread will be the twenty ninth? I watched part of the Richmond game... impressive!

[Captain Kangaroo]

I highly DOUBT Coach Shaka/Chaka is scared to play Akron

http://zipsnation.org/forums//index.php?sh...mp;#entry152128

Coaches do NOT like to lose their jobs.

Early on in the off season there were talks between Akron and Rhode Island to renew the series.

Coach Barron at URI asked to postpone a series renewal because they lost four starters and their

sixth man. Home or at Akron URI was likely facing a loss. See previous remark.

VCU, supposedly pre-season rated much better than Akron has tried repeatedly to wiggle out of

their commitment to give a return game for the ESPN Bracket Buster game played there. Frankly,

coach Smart does not like the risk of losing at Akron. Call it what ever you like. Smart knows

first hand what playing in the JAR is like. Remember, he was an assistant here for three years.

See comment above.

GoZips aways posts stuff like that. If you took it to heart, shame on you.

[Districtballer]

LOL I definitely don't. I just like to play along.

Districtballer, what do you think the spread will be the twenty ninth? I watched part of the Richmond game... impressive!

I think Akron gets a couple of points with it being at home. I'd say Akron -2 or -3. If Abreu's not playing that obviously changes but I really couldn't tell you how much. I don't see it helping you any for sure. We really pressure the ball. Like a ton.

[lumberjack]

I said in another thread that I was going to keep my eye on Gilliam to see if I thought he was putting in the kind of effort on defense that I thought KD looks for in deciding who gets PT.

Even though he only got 7 minutes in today's game, I saw Gilliam put in a lot of effort on D in his time on the floor. He was always trying hard to stay between his man and the basket. One of the quicker CSU guards got around him at one point, drove to the basket and scored, and got the plus one on a Gilliam foul. But this can happen to even the best defensive player in any game. Overall I give Gilliam high marks for putting a lot of energy into his D. He also had a steal.

On offense, he obviously did a nice job on 2-2 from the field plus an assist during an important time when the Zips were trying to come back from a big CSU lead.

Overall, I'd say that his performance today has Gilliam on his way to earning more PT.

He will just need to continue putting forth similar effort in future games, and also doing the same during practice, as KD also rewards those who play good D in practice.

Dave in Green I have to agree with this post 100%. This was no accident in the game yesterday or a game of circumstance. Gilliam rightfully earned the right to be on the floor and especially when it counts. This is a long season and only time will tell which and how things will go. I do know that Gilliam loves to win at all cost. And he never thinks that its to late to come back from behind. Thanks for paying attention and getting back to making a comment on last weeks post. I'm sure in time it will be obvious who need and should be on the floor during clutch time...