Zips Need to Grow Up

[Captain Kangaroo]

Finger Pointed at Marshall and Diggs

[Dr Z]

Wow, an opinionated article/blurb by EA? I'm impressed. Are the people on ZN that are happy with the current state of the team going to question EA pointing out the fact the Zips are not mature? I'll check the comment section tomorrow to see.

[Jalapeño Zippy]

He hit the nail on the head. This team is playing and winning on natural ability, but they need to grow up and learn how to win by keeping their heads in the game!! Great Article!

[Blue & Gold]

I love it! The players need to read it. KD can't be the only critical voice they hear.

One thing I've observed on our bench is how nice our assistant coaches are. Perhaps to a fault? Is this by design? Is KD's role to be the Bad Cop and the assistants are to be the Good Cops? I just ask because it seems as though KD is the only coach willing to give the fellas the occasional kicks in the backsides that most all athletes occasionally need.

[Big Zip]

I have posted this observation on here before but nobody seemed to care. This team is as talented a team as we've seen, but they are immature to a fault. When the suspensions came earlier this year my Dad's first question to me was "Has Keith Dambrodt finally thrown in the towell and decided he needed to get the players they normally have at Can't?". Quincy's attitude is consistent and he has done this since he got here...nobody has punished him for it so why should he change? Zeke refuses to learn to play with in the confines of what the refs are calling and gets mad. I love the dude but he has one way of playing and if they are calling theg game differently he suffers because he doesn't adjust. The MAC Finals last year were ref'ed in his style and he was great....it just doesn't happen often enough.

This lack of maturity was also discussed in a previous thread about twitter. The consensus on this board was "they're kids and you old guys just don't understand". The way you act on social networking sights is a gateway to how others will see you. The majority of these kids are going to look for jobs in the real world one day and their online history will have an opportunity to come back and bite them. The bigger point being they represent the University every where they go and everything do and should consider this when on sites like Twitter or FB or whatever. This should be an emphasis for the coaches.

I hope the team reads the article and realizes people are watching their immaturity. They should be embarassed for their actions at times.

[wadscarman]

I can say with a fact Dan peters doesn't hold back. I watched him litteraly send the Serb to the locker room during a game in valpo.

[Blue & Gold]

I can say with a fact Dan peters doesn't hold back. I watched him litteraly send the Serb to the locker room during a game in valpo.

Excellent.

Thanks for sharing your observation. It's probably healthy that KD doesn't have to carry the burden of being the sole "heavy."

[Dave in Green]

"It's not just those guys, it's all of them," Dambrot said. "We are not a mature basketball team right now."

This is where coaches earn the big bucks. Team chemistry is a complex equation. The current Zips players are different from previous Zips players in many ways, and may not respond the same way to traditional KD coaching techniques. It's a real balancing act trying to break players of bad habits without disrupting the emotional energy they may use to elevate their games.

Maturity is learned over time, and different people progress at different rates. I know from listening to KD that he understands the challenge he has in coaching the current players up to their full potential. I hope the coaches and players can get it all together in the next month or so, because we're approaching tournament time when maturity can be the difference between winning championships or getting an early start on spring vacation.

[Akron1]

Elton repeatedly states how experienced we are, and I somewhat understand his "math." But according to an article on January 1, 2012, by Michael Beaven in the ABJ, "The Zips are the 16th-youngest team in Division I basketball..."

Yes, Alex needs to play his game and not try to be DJ Cooper. Yes, Q needs to just play his game. Yes, Harney and Tree need to be in the huddle during time outs. Yes, Zeke needs to take command of his game. Yes, Cvetinovic could be a better leader. The list can go on.

These are young talented men, who appear to care about the program and I am sure KD will have them ready for Eastern Michigan and the remainder of the season. This "experienced" team is and will have some growing pains. Let's just hope they continue to win and grab another MAC Championship. KD has five weeks to get them to play 40 minutes how he wants and needs them to play so they can reach their goal.

[Captain Kangaroo]

Maturity is learned over time, and different people progress at different rates. I know from listening to KD that he understands the challenge he has in coaching the current players up to their full potential. I hope the coaches and players can get it all together in the next month or so, because we're approaching tournament time when maturity can be the difference between winning championships or getting an early start on spring vacation.

To summarize: Some players mature fast, and some players mature slow. We simply need to put our faith in the coaching staff to help them reach their potential, and hope for the best in March.

Man, I swear I've read that before? Must have been GP1.

[Captain Kangaroo]

My thoughts on the column - Yeah, we need to grow up a bit. But immature teams don't win as many games as we've won on the road. Maturity is low on my list of concerns.

Singling-out Diggs? Diggs has been awesome the past 6 weeks. If he jaws with the opposing bench, good. Larry Bird loved to talk smack. It's part of basketball. As long as Diggs doesn't get T'd up or suspended, I'm good with just about anything he feels gives him an edge.

Zeke had a nice game against Toledo. It could have been better, but he had some huge blocks, "alters" and rebounds. And I'll disagree with Elton that his fouls, especially the final couple, were mandatory whistles...they were pretty iffy.

The Zips need to quit taking plays off on defense, and quit committing unforced turnovers on offense. Then they'll begin romping to their capabilities. Until then, we'll just need to be satisfied with underachieving wins.

[Big Zip]

Diggs talking smack with the bench is one thing, but he does an awful lot of stepping to guys and looking like he is wanting a fight.

[Bsba77]

I love this thread.

Akron wins by 14. Akron is never behind. Akron shoots 60% from the field.

And folks are questioning their maturity. I guess you gotta talk about something.

This is the best Zip team ever. Go Zips!

[Captain Kangaroo]

Diggs talking smack with the bench is one thing, but he does an awful lot of stepping to guys and looking like he is wanting a fight.

I like it.

And at the expense of repeating myself - the kid is playing GREAT basketball. Any negatives tossed his way at this time are just plain silly.

[GP1]

This is where coaches earn the big bucks. Team chemistry is a complex equation.

I'll get to my point in a second. First of all, I like the article because it is asking the Zips to be better than they currently are....and they are pretty freaking good right now.

My point about DiG's point, which I would like to make the point that I agree with his point but let's get to the point, isn't something I've said. Just like I quote Bill Cowher as saying, "The most dangerous team is a team with confidence and momentum", I'll quite another Cowherism. "You don't bring in chemistry. You develop chemistry." The Steelers have a franchise built around the draft and developing young players into the Steelers way of doing business. They play out their first contract and for the most part they go away and another player is waiting in the wings. KD didn't originally recruit some of these guys so habits based on past college experiences come along with them. That is a tough nut to crack if there is a problem. Dave is right, it is up to the coach to develop the chemistry of the team.

It's an interesting article, but the chemistry issue is not one I'm concerned about. Diggs has a problem because he tells players on the other team, who suck, that they suck? We should all be so honest in our daily lives. Diggs doing this isn't a problem unless it hurts the team and it doesn't seem to be doing that. We have the best team in the MAC and wel will be in the NCAA Tournament again.

[burrdie]

Boy lots of interesting comments. I feel your frustration I think we all see such a very talented team and we want them to blow out every team they play, and they could.

Guess, as I have said before, THEY have to decide what they want and go after it. If they want a MAC championship then do what it takes to get there. If they want to move in the NCAA brackets come March then do what it takes to do it. IF that is what they want. It is strickly up to them. The ability is there. My one concern is why cannot Zeke learn to keep his hands up? NO one can shoot over him, does he not know this? Zeke please keep your hands up, pretty please. I love this team and what they can become. They need to do it for themselves, to be proud of themselves. When they arrive at that. Oh my the sky's the limit.

Go Zips gives us a win tomorrow night

I'll get to my point in a second. First of all, I like the article because it is asking the Zips to be better than they currently are....and they are pretty freaking good right now.

My point about DiG's point, which I would like to make the point that I agree with his point but let's get to the point, isn't something I've said. Just like I quote Bill Cowher as saying, "The most dangerous team is a team with confidence and momentum", I'll quite another Cowherism. "You don't bring in chemistry. You develop chemistry." The Steelers have a franchise built around the draft and developing young players into the Steelers way of doing business. They play out their first contract and for the most part they go away and another player is waiting in the wings. KD didn't originally recruit some of these guys so habits based on past college experiences come along with them. That is a tough nut to crack if there is a problem. Dave is right, it is up to the coach to develop the chemistry of the team.

It's an interesting article, but the chemistry issue is not one I'm concerned about. Diggs has a problem because he tells players on the other team, who suck, that they suck? We should all be so honest in our daily lives. Diggs doing this isn't a problem unless it hurts the team and it doesn't seem to be doing that. We have the best team in the MAC and wel will be in the NCAA Tournament again.

[Class of 82]

Players often jaw at benches... especially when benches are jawing at them, or when benches have jawed at them in the past. Guys have long memories in league play. Do I like it? Not really. But IMO, it's only a larger problem when the jawing crosses lines that lead to Ts or worse, or when it takes a player's attention away from the game. Lastly, I don't think you'll see much jawing by Diggs or anybody else come tournament time.

I think the criticism of Zeke's pouting is pretty much overblown. A lot of the time, Zeke is upset with himself when he knows KD will have to sit him down. If he gets upset at refs about a good call on him now and then, the vast majority of the time I see it is when he gets called for the cheap fouls MAC refs are infamous for making. Ticky-tack calls in the paint essentially tell Zeke that he will not allowed to play his game. It would frustrate anyone, especially a guy whose stock in trade is blocking shots.

[Quickzips]

My .02:

A little immaturity between the whistles doesn't bother me too much. I could care less if Q jaws at the opposing bench a little after a foul. I don't really care if Chauncey wants to puff his chest out and pose for the crowd during a timeout.

The part that bothers me is the immaturity that I see when the ball is in play. I absolutely hate seeing teams take possessions off, and this team is doing WAY too much of that right now. We play reasonably hard about 60% of the game, and against the Toledo's and Central's of the world we can come away with a double digit win. If we continue to play hard for only 60% of the game against ORU, at Ohio, at Can't, in the MAC tournament, in the NCAA's, we are going to get our shiney hinneys handed to us.

Teams that have maturity play hard 100% of the time, and there aren't a whole lot of teams that can beat this group of Zips IF they play hard 100% of the time. The problem is how do you turn the after the whistle immaturity off and play hard, mature basketball when the ball is in play? I don't know as you can effectively do that. This Zips team certainly doesn't appear capable of it.

[taxpayer]

Play hard, keep your mouth shut and smile when you shake the loser's hand. Old school or not that's the way classy, successful teams conduct themselves. Oh yeah, one more thing make the extra pass and acknowledge the guy who made your easier, better shot possible. If we reach this level, it's going to be a great ride.

[Hilltopper]

Its not like KD isn't trying to get these guys to play up to their potential .I've seen Dambrot throw Diggs out of the gym at practice because he was so mad at him. You can only scream at somebody for so long, because eventually they just tune you out. Diggs has crazy talent and sometimes you have to accept the baggage that comes along with it.

[Derrt]

Zips are playing great ball. The chemistry is not 100% yet, but it is getting close.

Notice Last year Q and number 11 (Guiden I believe) from Can't State almost got into a altercation. This year I saw them talking to one another on the court again in a positive way. I spoke to Q about this a couple of days later and he said him and #11 are actually "cool" now. I also know that Q doesn't talk too much trash until he is provoked.

[Dave in Green]

There was a mid-major team that looked a lot like the Zips. They had a bunch of talented and athletic players. Early in the season they knocked off a couple of quality teams similar to Mississippi State and Marshall. They also lost to a number of lesser teams. Their fans questioned their lack of consistency in a similar way to how Zips fans are questioning their team. They squeaked into the NCAA tournament and ended up in the Final Four.

That was VCU last season. KD watched Shaka Smart's team pull off a minor miracle with a group of players similar to what the Zips have now. KD knows what's possible if all the stars align at just the right time. But it can only happen if the coach and all the players are absolutely dedicated to making it happen. They need maturity. They need discipline. They need to let loose of the trivial things and focus on the important things.

KD knows what this team can accomplish if they get it right. I don't believe the players really get it yet. But there's still time for them to realize that with all the ups and downs, if they do come together as a team, they can still have a season like this.

[phil]

The last foul on Zeke where No 5 jumped into him after the inbounds play was a terrible call by the ref. If I were Zeke I would be upset also. Zeke should not get be criticized for being upset about a bogus call that forces him to come out of the game.

I did notice that early in the 2nd half, Zeke blocked the shot of No. 5, No. 5 got the rebound and then went strong into Zeke and Zeke got called for the foul. It looked like No. 5 then pushed Zeke in the back as he was walking to the foul line and Zeke pointed at him. I thought Zeke said something to the ref about whether he saw the push and the ref shook his head. The last minute of the game when the game was already decided, Zeke was swatting shots and never let up. I think Zeke is becoming more of a competetor and getting upset over bad calls that takes him out of the game does not show a lack of maturity but a competitive spirit.

[CincyZip]

A few thoughts of my own.

I like the discussion here, I too feel that MAC refs are poor at what they do. I also think Wednesday displayed it.

I also feel that the Zips are immature to a point, but I will also say that they play their best basketball when in the clutch. If they have taken a ten point lead by halftime, they seem to slack. However, when they are down ten points, it's like a whole different team is on the court. Take that for what it is, but it is going to serve them well in the close tournament games we Zip fans are about to experience.

To the trash talking...I'm not sure if I want to watch a team that's professional, well mannered Englishmen. Diggs needs to do whatever it takes to step up his game and get motivated. If it is jawing a little bit then so be it.

MO.

[skip-zip]

Play hard, keep your mouth shut and smile when you shake the loser's hand. Old school or not that's the way classy, successful teams conduct themselves. Oh yeah, one more thing make the extra pass and acknowledge the guy who made your easier, better shot possible. If we reach this level, it's going to be a great ride.

I don't know where you may have heard this, but it's not normally a good idea to smile at another player after you've beaten them, unless you're friends off the court.

As for the topic here, I hate to comment about guys jawing with other players, or their bench, without knowing what is being said to them. In general, it's a maturity problem if it's frequent and unprovoked. If it doesn't fall under that category, it's pretty usual behavior on a basketball court. Although, that doesn't mean that I'm pleased when I see my team doing it.

On Zeke complaining: Most people think he does it more than he should, and they are probably right. Frequent periods of frustration can hinder your performance. However, during any given game, he's involved in more contact than any player on the floor. And so he is exposed to erratic MAC officiating on almost every play. I think we all feel for him