Who Can Take Us Out?

[UAZip0510]

First and foremost, I believe the Zips are the best team in the MAC and I'm not afraid of playing anyone in Cleveland. With that said, there are always teams you'd rather see on the other side of the bracket. So my question is this - who are those teams and why?

[jjackson123]

Buffalo, K ent, Ohio, Eastern Michigan, Miami, Bowling Green, Toledo, Ball St, Western Michigan, Central Michigan, NIU

That's the order from top to bottom of whom I do not want to play in Cleveland. I believe Buffalo, K ent and Ohio would go in knowing they could win and Eastern Michigan, Toledo, and Miami (Miami because of the Mavunga/Coles factor) would have a punchers chance if everything went there way.

Obviously a lot could happen over the next two weeks but I guess those are my feelings as of feb 11th.

[akzipper]

We can beat anyone (Miss State, Marshall) but we can also lose to anyone (Valpo, Duquesne, Buffalo). Just depends on what "team" shows up that game. I just hope they can go into the tourney with some confidence, motivation, and run the rest of the MAC out of the Q. But I'm sure there will be at least one nail-biter. I'm not very confident we will be able to win the tourney sadly. But it's our own fault losing to cupcakes cost us a shot at any at-large consideration.

[RootforRoo44]

I was going to start my own thread on this, but I figure this one covers my question as well.

Of course we all we would love to see Ohio, Buffalo, or Can't knocked out before they reach a match-up with us...but what MAC-West team scares you guys the most?

For me, it's Toledo or WMU. Pearson can just take over any single game and Stainbrook poses some problems for Zeke with his size.

and here's a poll from my blog if you want to vote and/or see what others think

[wadszip]

I was going to start my own thread on this, but I figure this one covers my question as well.

Of course we all we would love to see Ohio, Buffalo, or Can't knocked out before they reach a match-up with us...but what MAC-West team scares you guys the most?

For me, it's Toledo or WMU. Pearson can just take over any single game and Stainbrook poses some problems for Zeke with his size.

and here's a poll from my blog if you want to vote and/or see what others think

I agree, Western Michigan and Toledo are the too most dangerous West teams, and I expect one of the two to make the semifinals. Western has given all four of the top East teams a scare (three of those games ... Ohio, Can't and Buffalo ... on the road). You can't count out a team that does that. Toledo is young an improving. With a player like Pearson, they could get hot and take somebody out.

The Zips can go 15-1 in conference play and still it won't be a cakewalk in Cleveland. A lot of dangerous teams.

[Blue & Gold]

We are our own worst enemy. Teams don't beat us, we beat ourselves. However, sadly, we've shown we can do that with the best of them this year.

For just one game, we could lose to anyone. Especially in the East. And now both WMU & Toledo seem to really be stepping up their respective games.

My ranking of teams which worry me:

1) Buffalo (Western should have beaten them last night! McCray is an absolute beast. I love Reggie Witherspoon. Buffalo's legit.)

2) K.e.nt State

3) Western Michigan (They're healthy & Stainbrook is underrated. Right now Flenard Whitfield is playing like a MAC POTY candidate.)

4) Ohio

And a distant fifth...

5) Toledo (Though I think we got their very best A+ game and we played like dirt. And still won. Comfortably.)

6) Miami (They've fallen off the face of the earth. But I'm still stinging from Penno's prayer.)

[Quickzips]

My thoughts on the MAC Tourney:

The Favorites:

Akron: By nearly every statistical measure the Zips have had the best team in the conference all season long, and the standings bear that out. They are bigger, deeper and more athletic that the rest of the league right now. They have proven they can win on the road, and Dambrot's record at the Q is as good as you will find in the MAC.

Biggest Quetion Mark: Free Throw Shooting. Zips fans don't need to be reminded how poor free throw shooting can impact a game in the MAC tournament. If the Zips have an achilles heel, converting from the line is it.

Buffalo: If Akron is the best team in the MAC, then Buffalo is a close second. The Bulls have all the ingredients to make a run in Cleveland. Strong post play, solid PG, and a 3 point threat in Filzen who can be a huge wild card come March. Like Akron, they have shown that they can be successful away from home. They are also the only team that has shown that they can beat the Zips.

Biggest Question Mark: Can Reggie Witherspoon get it done in Cleveland? The Bulls have been in this position before, and have never been able to close the deal. Is this the year that Witherspoon finally gets his team over the hump, or will MAC Madness bring more disappointment for the Bulls faithful?

The Contenders:

Can't State: The Flashes are always dangerous come March at the Q. They have arguably the most experienced team in the conference, and the returning PoTY and DPoTY on their roster. Offensively they can score with anyone in the conference and beat you in a lot of different ways. Whether it is Greene posting up, Guyton and Holt draining threes or Porinni breaking down defenses off the dribble, Can't is a tough guard, and will be a difficult out come March.

Biggest Question Mark: Rebounding. The Flashes are arguably the worst in the league when it comes to going after the boards. They need to score as much as they do because they give up too many easy buckets and second chance points inside. Can the Flashes crash the glass well enough in Cleveland to make a run?

Ohio: By now everyone knows that the Bobcats are a flawed team. But that doesn't mean they can be ignored. Ohio has the firepower to run teams out of the gym when they decide to show up. D.J. Cooper is still as dangerous a PG as there is in the entire country. Nick Kellog can still get it rolling from 3, and if Ivo Baltic and Reggie Kelley can provide solid minutes in the frontcourt the Bobcats can still make another run at a MAC title.

Biggest Question Mark: Can they score against a zone defense? The Bobcats have been completely inept against zone defenses all year long. The book is out. If you want to slow the Bobcats down, throw a zone at them. John Groce will have to get this straightened out before March.

The Wild Cards:

Bowling Green: Louis Orr has quitely assembled a pretty good team in Northwest Ohio. The Falcons have enough size up front with Calhoon, Black and Thomas to match up with the conferences elite. Jordan Crawford and Dee Brown have been a fairly effecient backcourt as well. If their zone defense is running at full steam, they can give teams some problems and maybe make a run in the tournament.

Biggest Question Mark: Size in the backcourt. Running the 2-3 zone that Louis Orr loves so much requires size and length at the top of the zone. The Falcons just don't have it right now, and it makes their zone defense less effective than it could be.

Eastern Michigan: EMU will assume the role normally played by Charlie Coles' Miami Redhawks this year. They aren't as talented or as deep as the rest of the league, but they keep games close by slowing the pace way down in the hopes that they can pull out a close one at the end. If the Eagles can impose their tempo on teams they can make a run in the tournament.

Biggest Question Mark: Can they score enough points to win? If the Eagles can force the tempo down, they simply don't have enough firepower to win a high scoring game.

Western Michigan: To call this season a disappointment to Broncos fans would be an understatement. Injuries and suspensions have slowed the team all year long. Still, Western has as much fire power as anyone in the MAC if they are all healthy and on the court. They have shown that they can compete with the top of the MAC East the last couple of games. If they get healthy, Steve Hawkins group will have an impact on the tournament.

Biggest Question Mark: Health. Whitfield, Douglas, Ward, etc. None of these guys have been healthy for the Broncos all year. It is difficult to see that changing at this late juncture in the season.

Toledo: The last few years the Rockets have been an afterthought come tournament time. All that changes with the addition of Pearson. Here is a kid who could well end up having one of those magical individual performances that carries a team that otherwise has no business making any noise in the tournament. As Pearson goes, so will go the Rockets.

Biggest Question Mark: How far can Pearson carry them? The Rockets are not talented enough to overcome an off night from their star player. If Pearson isn't feeling it, the Rockets will be an early exit yet again.

The Field:

Ball State: Earlier in the season they looked like a contender. After 6 straight losses, the Cardinals look like a one and done. Not enough talent to make an impact in the tournament.

Miami: Charlie Coles' Redhawks are too banged up to make much of an impact in the tournament. This promises to be a sad ending to an otherwise brilliant career for Julian Mavunga (and maybe Coles as well)

Central Michigan: The Chips have some big decisions to make in the coming weeks and months. What hotel to stay at in Cleveland is not one of them.

Northern Illinois: New coaching is starting to help, but the Huskies are still a LONG way away from competing for a spot in Cleveland.

[bigzipguy]

EXCELLENT POST QUICKZIPS!!!!!!!!!!

[acstorfer]

The Zips!!!!!

We are the only team that can take us out this year. I guess my memory is too long, but I am still in awe of the Notre Dame game in the tourney last year. If ever a team didn't want to win, it was Akron. They had that game in hand, but just could not shoot... at all!!!!!

That is my only fear going into the MAC championship this year, no one else but ourselves.

[burrdie]

I was at the ND game, we really started out well. I think ND thought we were a push over and they were flat to start. HOWEVER, they finally figured out we were a good team to take seriously.

I truly believe this year's team is much better than last years. However, they have to start believing it and start giving all they can possibly give. Not sure they are at that point and it might take another year. The after game conference where Tree made a comment about how hard they don't work is a good example. He is so talented. If you give all you can you will reap the benefits. Beat Miami, Go Zips

The Zips!!!!!

We are the only team that can take us out this year. I guess my memory is too long, but I am still in awe of the Notre Dame game in the tourney last year. If ever a team didn't want to win, it was Akron. They had that game in hand, but just could not shoot... at all!!!!!

That is my only fear going into the MAC championship this year, no one else but ourselves.

[burrdie]

I was at the ND game, we really started out well. I think ND thought we were a push over and they were flat to start. HOWEVER, they finally figured out we were a good team to take seriously.

I truly believe this year's team is much better than last years. However, they have to start believing it and start giving all they can possibly give. Not sure they are at that point and it might take another year. The after game conference where Tree made a comment about how hard they don't work is a good example. He is so talented. If you give all you can you will reap the benefits. Beat Miami, Go Zips

The Zips!!!!!

We are the only team that can take us out this year. I guess my memory is too long, but I am still in awe of the Notre Dame game in the tourney last year. If ever a team didn't want to win, it was Akron. They had that game in hand, but just could not shoot... at all!!!!!

That is my only fear going into the MAC championship this year, no one else but ourselves.

[burrdie]

I was at the ND game, we really started out well. I think ND thought we were a push over and they were flat to start. HOWEVER, they finally figured out we were a good team to take seriously.

I truly believe this year's team is much better than last years. However, they have to start believing it and start giving all they can possibly give. Not sure they are at that point and it might take another year. The after game conference where Tree made a comment about how hard they don't work is a good example. He is so talented. If you give all you can you will reap the benefits. Beat Miami, Go Zips

The Zips!!!!!

We are the only team that can take us out this year. I guess my memory is too long, but I am still in awe of the Notre Dame game in the tourney last year. If ever a team didn't want to win, it was Akron. They had that game in hand, but just could not shoot... at all!!!!!

That is my only fear going into the MAC championship this year, no one else but ourselves.

[Big Zip]

I am wondering if the format change which could give the Zips a bye until Friday is good or bad. It seems a team that is rolling might want to play and a young team like ours would seem to benefit playing more.

[CincyZip]

I am wondering if the format change which could give the Zips a bye until Friday is good or bad. It seems a team that is rolling might want to play and a young team like ours would seem to benefit playing more.

I can see the 3 and 4 seed having a bit of an advantage, but if the fifth team or below makes it, no way will that be an advantage.