CSU Review

[Captain Kangaroo]

Before we move on the the traditional string of pre-Christmas cupcakes (much needed nutrition for the thusfar sweets-deprived Zips) it is interesting to see where we stand in light of the CSU loss.

As my son and I stood in line outside the Wolstein Center, a guy approached us with a pair of tickets. $10 each, 6th row, center court. I don't think he was too happy to see that were were Zips fans...but he didn't figure it out until we were already seated next to him.

Make fun of the 1/2 sectioned arena all you want, or the 5k crowd, it was a sweet venue to watch a college basketball game. Comfortable seats. Microbrewed beer to sip on, if you so desired. Very nice.

Zeke played great. No stupid fouls. Love that he's hitting his free throws. And Pogue, who at 6' 9" 285 lbs could bench press both Cventinovic and Zeke simultaneously, was held to 4 very quiet points.

Cventinovic seems to have taken a page out of the Lone Ranger's book -- he has to lead the nation in blocked shots. His own. All I can figure is a summer full of playing Euro ball ain't like playing against the state-siders. He's finishing soft, and getting stuffed like Z-P on dollar hot dog night.

This was the second time I've seen Tree play. Holy crap this kid can ball. He shoots free throws like Shaq, but I guess I can live with waiting for that aspect of his game to improve. He was stellar on defense, and attacks the rim like no 1st year Zip I've ever seen. If he can learn to practice his free throws on Friday nights @ 2am instead of hanging with DJ's from Hartville, he will have an amazing career at UA.

Boo Nick Harney.

Abreu was solid. I would not have guessed he was injured. He needed to be solid, because we have no other point guard on this team. He's the difference between us being mediocre, with flashes of greatness, and great, with flashes of absolute awesomeness.

Diggs played an ok game, but his turnovers were crippling. I think the burden of the player suspensions has affected his game more than any other Zip. His versatility is his own worst enemy...he's often playing out of position because he's been the only guy that can fill the suspension-related voids. I look forward to the day he can rotate between the #2 and #3 spots and settle in to a groove. I wonder if it will ever happen?

Walsh -- M.I.A.

McClanahan -- M.I.A.

Gilliam - Played a nice game. His energy off the bench ignited the team in the 2nd half. He's starting off 2011 like Diggs started off 2010. Figuring things out, and making the most of his minutes. As the season goes on, his contributions will go no where but up. We need him.

Dambrot -- He coached a good game. For the team dealing with the schedule we've seen, and the off the court issues, the Zips were ready to play. A 28-ft 3-pointer from a guy that was 1-11 took us down. That's not bad when facing a Top 35 team on the road. If Harney weren't suspended, we probably win. Waters takes get another NE Ohio Hoops Supremacy Crown. But hopefully in 2012 CSU hangs their second consecutive NIT banner, while the Zips hang their 2nd consecutive NCAA banner.

Yet another game lost due to player suspensions. This really has to stop. If we had the Tree I saw Saturday in West Virginia, and the Abreu I saw Saturday in West Virginia, than that bus trip would have been a lot more fun. Our trip to Middle Tennessee would have been better too. Much better. And all those other losses too.

This Zips team is still the same one that mopped the floor with Mississippi State. But the margin of error that allows them to ride between mediocrity and greatness is very thin. The guys need to get their act together and focus on basketball. Or it will be a big fat waste of talent. Get Abreu's knee fixed. Get Harney's head on straight. Eat some cupcakes. And play to our capabilities against Marshall and VCU.

[Blue & Gold]

Gilliam - Played a nice game. His energy off the bench ignited the team in the 2nd half. He's starting off 2011 like Diggs started off 2010. Figuring things out, and making the most of his minutes. As the season goes on, his contributions will go no where but up. We need him.

Good point, here.

I've been a little perplexed & dismayed over Gilliam's lack of PT. But your above observation is very true.

[gozips19]

Was at the game too so I'll add a few takes.

Sat by McNess. Man we could've used him. I really liked that they went with a 3 guard look to start the game. Very disappointing in the the results as Brett is as Capt. put it "M.I.A.". Thought AA looks a half step slow but I heard he has a torn miscues so that explains some loss in lateral quickness. Hope he can play with the pain. Tree is a beast! Living up to the hype. Would like to see a little high low with him and Zeke. Would clear up the box for Zeke and Tree is quick enough to finish at the rim from the line. KD needs to find 15 mins a game for Gilliam as he changes the typo of the game the second he steps on the court. Still gets lost from time to time but he seems to be a guy that needs to figure it out on the floor. The biggest issue I still see are the seniors. Every year KD has been a coach there's been seniors who have stepped up their game and lead the team. I thought for sure that would be Nik but he seems lost. Seems to me that he still doesn't know how to play with the youngsters. He needs to figure this out if this team wants to be special. There's a ton of variables on this years team but the talent is off the charts. Kind of remind me of some of Daytons teams in the past 5 years. Hopefully they'll find more consistency.

Liked the fight I saw against a pretty good CSU team. Looking forward to the next 5 games to see how much the team can improve. The schedule is pretty favorable.