What Are Your Hopes For Zeke?

[Blue & Gold]

Beginning this Wednesday, against the hated Miami Redhawks, Zeke Marshall will be rounding out his Junior season as a Zip, with his second tour through the brutal Mid-American Conference East. This means that Zeke has faced each MAC East team at least 5 times.

Zeke is the most highly-touted recruit in UA history and one of the very most highly-touted recruits in MAC history. He stands 7'1" and has a 7'6" wingspan. Zeke has legitimate NBA aspirations.

Zeke has definitely been a good MAC player. However, he has rarely dominated like many of us thought he might. What are your expectations of Zeke as he rounds out his Junior year? Here are mine:

1. A couple of blocks per game. Many altered shots per game (more important IMHO),

2. 10 points per game, and...

3. 10 REBOUNDS PER GAME!!!!!!! There is no reason a 7'1" C should not be getting 10 rebounds per game. If Zeke has any real NBA potential, he must toughen up, get a mean streak, and absolutely clean glass. He needs to own that ball as soon as it comes off the rim. He needs to make the typically 6'8" MAC centers piss their respective shorts as he reaches up above the rim with that 7'6" wingspan. The MAC East bigs should know, without a doubt, that if Big Zeke wants a rebound, Big Zeke gets the rebound and there is absolutely nothing they could possibly ever do to stop it. If there is a rebound to be had, Zeke will have it.

As I write this post, Mississippi State's Arnett Moultrie is #7 in the nation in RPG, averaging 10.8. Zeke pwned Moultrie when they went head-to-head. Zeke needs to own any and everyone. Presently, Zeke is averaging 5.2 RPG. I want to see Zeke double that for these next 5 MAC East contests, against ORU & then in our 2 wins in the MACC.

In the MAC, now that Zeke is a seasoned Junior, he should be an automatic double-double.

[Captain Kangaroo]

I am happy with 2011-12 Zeke. My expectations are to keep doing what he's doing. And we'll keep winning. And winning.

He blocks a ton of shots, and alters even more. He's money at the free throw line. And his rebounding and offense were clutch @ WMU.

If he was on a lesser team, he'd post better numbers. But his game wouldn't be any better.

[Hilltopper]

After 7 years it's pretty obvious that KD doesn't run a system that relies on one "star" to win games. I think a big part of why Zeke chose UA was that he would not face the pressure of having to carry the team on his back. I think Zeke has progressed nicely in this system and we are winning. I don't understand the obsession with having to win a certain way, with certain players having to step up in order to win. So far KD's biggest problem seems to be keeping players #10 and 11 happy on a 9 deep roster.

[phil]

I don't expect Zeke to have 10 rebounds per game because Zeke's main job on defense is to keep opposing players from scoring in the paint. When a player gets beat Zeke comes over to block the shot and jumps towards the shooter, taking him out of position for a defensive rebound.

Rebounding at this level is also about strength, quickness to the ball and desire. Zeke is not very fast to the ball and although his strength has improved a great deal, he is not going to be the strongest player on the floor. Tree is a great rebounder because he has all 3 qualities. Brian Walsh is a good rebounder because he is quick to the ball and has the desire. Brian picks off a lot of long rebounds because he wants to rebound.

Zeke's game has improved from last year. He is shooting much better from the foul line. His hands have improved and he is holding on to the ball better. He is staying out of foul trouble. (Last game being the exception where we had whistle happy crew who blew the whistle every 30 seconds). I don't have the stats but he seems to better on defense blocking more shots and boxing out him man.

I read that Zeke did not like playing basketball growing up. I think that is why is offensive game still lags behind his defensive game. That is the last part of his game that needs to develop. He needs to get the ball in the paint and take it towards the hoop. He is much better shooting the ball going towards the basket then when he fades away. I think Zeke has the desire to work on his offensive game and next year he will be a more consistant scorer.

[Class of 82]

While the numbers may not always show it, I believe Zeke is far and away the most important and valuable player on this team. Every game, how to handle Zeke is mission #1 for opposing teams, and with good reason; if you don't prepare for him and keep on your guard, an athletic 7-footer is going to kill you-- at both ends of the floor. All the things Zeke still contributes notwithstanding, that constant focus on him can't help but open things up for the rest of your team.

Zeke is fine. He's progressed well every year he's been here. And there is no question in my mind that we would not be anywhere near as good as we are if he weren't here.

[MDZip]

My hopes for him? That no matter where he goes after UA, he lives a long, healthy and happy life. What a great young man.

[Zipmeister]

Back on topic - I hope he (1) wins the Power Ball Lottery without buying a ticket, (2) invents a cure for cancer, (3) does well in all his classes.

[Blue & Gold]

My hopes for him? That no matter where he goes after UA, he lives a long, healthy and happy life. What a great young man.

Yes, but these are hopes for him "rounding out his junior year." Hypothetically, Zeke could accomplish all three of Zipmeisters wishes by the close of spring semester!

[skip-zip]

I don't expect Zeke to have 10 rebounds per game because Zeke's main job on defense is to keep opposing players from scoring in the paint. When a player gets beat Zeke comes over to block the shot and jumps towards the shooter, taking him out of position for a defensive rebound.

Rebounding at this level is also about strength, quickness to the ball and desire. Zeke is not very fast to the ball and although his strength has improved a great deal, he is not going to be the strongest player on the floor. Tree is a great rebounder because he has all 3 qualities. Brian Walsh is a good rebounder because he is quick to the ball and has the desire. Brian picks off a lot of long rebounds because he wants to rebound.

Zeke's game has improved from last year. He is shooting much better from the foul line. His hands have improved and he is holding on to the ball better. He is staying out of foul trouble. (Last game being the exception where we had whistle happy crew who blew the whistle every 30 seconds). I don't have the stats but he seems to better on defense blocking more shots and boxing out him man.

I read that Zeke did not like playing basketball growing up. I think that is why is offensive game still lags behind his defensive game. That is the last part of his game that needs to develop. He needs to get the ball in the paint and take it towards the hoop. He is much better shooting the ball going towards the basket then when he fades away. I think Zeke has the desire to work on his offensive game and next year he will be a more consistant scorer.

What you are saying in the 2nd paragraph makes alot more sense. He's unlikely to reach 10 rebounds per game. Despite his size, he's just not a solid rebounder, for many of those reasons you mentioned. And although I do enjoy the fact that he's improved since he's been here, It's also not likely that he can reach some of the loftier expectations that some people had set for him when he arrived.

As far as "hopes" (as mentioned in the thread title), I hope he can consistently score in double digits in his senior year, change some shots, and have some entertaining dunks and blocks for the fans. AND hopefully he at least earns some MAC honors which would validate that he's good enough to be mentioned with the better front line players in the league.

[dboze]

Zeke's rebound is fine and is a by-product of his shot blocking. If Zeke stayed in the lane and did not block or alter shots, he would easily get 4 - 6 more rebounds per game. I'll take the trade off any day. As in past years, he's worked on something each year. We said 'Give us more offense' and he leads the team in scoring. Today we are all saying 'Rebound more'. I am will to bet he WILL be the rebounder we are looking for next year. The Coaches will MAKE SURE this happens. This will be the difference in making good money after college or GREAT money.

Also, we know the MAC refs. Just like last game, he reaches for a rebound clearly 3 feet away from the player and gets called for a foul. The MAC refs have taken away some of his rebounding because he doesn't want to get in foul trouble.

I think we have to make a choice... A great rebounder or a great shot blocker. Give me the shot blocker...TREE and WALSH (who is a good rebounder at guard) can pick up the slack on the bounds..

[Dr Z]

What are your hopes for Zeke?

I hope Zeke helps his team win at least three games in the NCAA tournament this year.

This will do two things, one let Zip fans enjoy themselves, and two, give Zeke national exposure if he intends to pursue basketball as a career.

[Dave in Green]

I'd like to see Zeke continue to improve every aspect of his game, as he's been doing throughout his Zips career to date.

He could be a better defensive rebounder if he was more focused on grabbing rebounds than on contesting any shot within 10 feet of him. But the Zips defense is built around Zeke being the stopper in the middle contesting every shot near him, not on Zeke crashing the boards every time an opponent shoots.

Perhaps a better case could be made for Zeke learning to crash the offensive boards every time one of his teammates shoots. All Zeke has to do is take lessons from Tree.

Comparing Zeke's rebounding to the other 9 players in the top 10 of blocks per game, only a couple of them are averaging close to 10 rebounds per game. Zeke is actually within 1 RPG of about half of the top 10 in BPG.

[CincyZip]

I think under a Dambrot system Zeke really is not allowed to acheive what many people thought he was going to do. I think the expectations in the OP are doable. I would love them to be offensive rebounds also