Zip Watcher Posted February 22, 2006 Report Share Posted February 22, 2006 Some thoughts heading into tonight's game at Miami:- I'm not convinced that Miami won't defend their regular season title. They control their own destiny to at least force a tie. I wouldn't put it past Charlie to get that done.- One Zips win or an OU loss seals up the bye for the MAC tournament. I can't tell you how happy I'll be to have that ticket in my packets go unused.- With 4 to play at 18-6 (sans Denison), I think that 2-2 should put the Zips safely in the NIT. They certainly need to hold serve the first game at the Q, but I have to believe a 21-8 or 22-7 team gets the NIT bid that last year's 19-10 didnt get. NCAA will be nice, but NIT would do this team a world of good also.- With that said, I think they will probably do better than that. I think they will protect the home court and come away with 2 victories (Can't will be VERY tough though), and a split on the road is feasible.- This season we've all been aware of how far the Zips have come since 03-04. The Nevada game showed clearly how far the Zips have yet to go. The size, quickness and athleticism of the Wolf Pack destroyed the Zips. In order to make any kind of postseason run, you need to be able to combat that. I do think the Zips had an off night, while the Pack was on fire .. but even an on night against the Pack doesn't win that game.- Sometimes our quickest players are the best players for a given situation. They might not be our most seasoned players, but the quicker ones can help in those types of games. DJ was simply not a factor in the Nevada game, where Cedric was more effective. Cedric will and can take the ball inside on anyone we've played this year. He's fearless & extremely athletic and strong. That's not to say he always makes the best decisions, but he's our best penetration threat with the ball .. and our best perimeter defender, IMHO. He's not Rashon Brown yet, but I'll tell anyone who asks that I think he's our best all around guard.- Milum seemed comfortable with the pace of things at Nevada. He might be a project, but you can't deny his physical hops & quickness. Defensive instincts seem to be there. I see him contributing the next 2 years.- Preston is our best player right now. He's a huge matchup problem for probably anyone in the league, except Nate Peavey (of MU). 6-9 who can drive a little and elevates on a jumper with good percentages inside and out. Reminds me now of Yost or whatever that guys name at WMU was. We'll go as far as Rob can take us this season. I also think he'll get paid to play ball for awhile. If Phillips can do it, Rob can do it better.- With a strong finish by the Zips, Travis could very well walk away as MAC POY. I think it would be great for him and the team, but he should be destroying this league with his skills. I have a rant about that, but I'll save it for later. Cliff notes: USE THE GLASS & become a 25 point, 10 rebound guy.- I think that KD is doing a greatjob this season, and I have a theory about DP. DP has so much gas left in the tank (knees) and KD isn't going to risk that against a non-conf. opponent during the stretch run in the MAC. With the defense that Miami is going to play, I look for DP to have a solid outing as he did in the JAR. Down the stretch in the next 4-8 games, look for DP to become more of a factor.- The MAC is a really really AVERAGE D-I conference this year. Akron and Miami are above average within the league, and Can't appears to be the best at this point. Winning by 18 at Anderson .. they have to be that good. You don't accidently come out of Anderson and Millet with double digit wins on the road. Props to Jimmy C for taking what looked like a punch bowl situation for flush fan and turning it into a nice season.- I'm very excited for the next few weeks, and NO outcome is going to bring me down. I think this team is nice .. best we've had in 20 years .. but I'm starting to get a sense for how nice the team in 2 years will be. The athleticism will increase & the talent will follow that. Assuming that KD continues to get the buy in that he has with this team (& last year's) .. this team is only headed up. We'll look back in a few years and wonder how the 05-06 team won 24 games. The wait from March to November might kill me this year.- It's really great to see a team this late in the season still focused on group effort and winning together. US - WE - TEAM. Nice to have another senior class go out on a strong note. That's 2 in a row and we should all be very proud of RP, DP & MF. I know I am. For anyone who reads the SportsGuy on ESPN, I've developed a corrollary I call the Jawanza Moore Effect. I'll expound on that later in the week.-Remember This: THIS IS ONLY YEAR 2 OF THE DAMBROT ERA. This is NOT year 18 of the post-Huggins era. It is the second year of a rise back to where the Zips belong .. not another year of just waiting for it to happen. Enjoy the ride Zips fans!Thanks for sticking with me on a long post. Go Zips! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigzipguy Posted February 22, 2006 Report Share Posted February 22, 2006 Excellent post Zip Watcher!!!! A note about the NIT: I beleive the NIT has made thestatement that it will take all Regular Season conference champions which do not endup in the NCAA Tournament. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sgm405 Posted February 22, 2006 Report Share Posted February 22, 2006 I agree with a lot of what you say. However, a few disagreements. I don't grade Rob preston as highly as others do. He's a nice role player, but if our hopes rely on him, I don't like our chances. He KILLED us at Can't, drawing 4 fouls that converted into 3 point plays/opportunities. He's a big man that doesn't play very big...a good role player, but not even close to the best or most important on the team IMO. I just dont think he's that good...I agree on Travis...he should be doing FAR more in this league. I agree that the MAC is average this year, but disagree that Can't State is the best. Can't State’s current ballclub is a very good one, but less impressive to me than Akron. Yes, they've had some very nice wins (like last night), but this is also the same team that has lost to Delaware State (13-11, 132 RPI) at home and St. Mary’s (10-11, 143 RPI) on the road. It’s the same team that dropped games to middle-of-the-pack MAC teams Bowling Green and Toledo. It’s the same squad that only holds a 100 RPI, despite their 20 wins. Akron, with a similar record, has lost only to tough teams, and are undefeated at home. If Can't State beats Akron at the JAR I'll agree with you, otherwise I disagree wholeheartedly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RowdyZip Posted February 22, 2006 Report Share Posted February 22, 2006 Good stuff here...my thoughts as I sit down to listen to the pregame on 1350...Rob Preston...which guy will show up? #1 The guy that killed us @ Can't with weak fouls and appearing to be overmatched, or #2 the guy that showed up at JAR vs. BG that was swatting everything and appeared to be a force inside, everywhere at the right time...bottom line, consistency shows up and Zip Watcher is correct, but for now I gotta agree with SGM.as for Mr. Travis. He is a good player. He is NOT a star however. He is really our only inside force barring Preston #2 showing up at gametime. Romeo will have a little of that pressure taken off of him next year when J Wood returns. Jeremiah is a little more of a post presence.aaaand lastly...this team is GOOD. This team is NOT great. I'd love to see a great run through the MAC tourney and the zips goin dancin, but in all honesty, I think a chance for a little run in the NIT would be better for this team than a one-and-done steamrolling by a 3 or 4 in the NCAA. Nevada hit us like a Mack truck, and they're looking at being a 7 or 8 in the tourney now, I'm the most optimistic zip fan out there, but our odds of pulling that kind of upset in our first post season appearance in almost 20 years is between slim and none. Post season experience this year, a team that is one big man away from unstoppable next year and a chance at a win or two in the NCAAs.15 min till gametime, sure wish the ONN had this one, but i'll be fiddlin around on here while listenin to the game. Wanna talk zips? AOL: TheGoldfingerFanGO ZIPS! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrelegazna Posted February 22, 2006 Report Share Posted February 22, 2006 Great post!!!Hard to disagree with any of it. If I must find fault, I agree with sgm that Can't's impressive victories should be measured against not just their questionable losses (which Akron doesn't have) but their shaky OT wins. But that may be me being biased.I think 9 losses gets the Zips in the NIT, ten does not. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hilltopper Posted February 22, 2006 Report Share Posted February 22, 2006 I love the Jawanza Moore reference. I loved that guy! I think Rob Preston is playing like a senior should. Its a welcome sight after years of watcing DHip destroy his players psyche by the end of their career. Whatever happens this season has been fun. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RowdyZip Posted February 22, 2006 Report Share Posted February 22, 2006 Just another random post to get #10 in the books. This is random and not in the right forum, but check this out...LUKE GETSY Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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