Buffalo

[Valpo Zip]

Sure Dambrot has no clue what he's doing with our big men ;

I've been crying for a big men coach since the departure of coach Boals. In recent games (ORU, OU, and Buffalo) I am starting to feel that Zeke is a freshman. Totally lost on defense, no boxing out, and can't make 7 footer.

[skip-zip]

1) I agree with KD in the postgame. We played with great effort tonight, unlike the OU game, but just got beat by an experienced team that played well.

2) In many ways, this was a repeat of the first Buffalo game. They have too many effective players in the frontcourt to stop them all effectively, they move the ball well, and can hit a clutch 3 when they need it.

3) The refs were HORRIBLE tonight, but may have been pretty close to being equally horrible for both teams. It's just too bad that the errors they made down the stretch happened to be in Buffalo's favor.

[RootforRoo44]

I don't want to start a fight on here but two kinds of people seriously need to wake up:

1) People that defend Dambrot to the death no matter what he does.

2) People that defend the refs no matter what.

Dambrot NEEDS a big man coach or Zeke will be a four-year waste. It's not fair to Zeke to not get developed like he should so he can get drafted...like he should.

The officials don't win or lose games...duh. BUT they sure as hell can kill momentum and screw us, and they did that tonight.

[UAZip0510]

I've been crying for a big men coach since the departure of coach Boals. In recent games (ORU, OU, and Buffalo) I am starting to feel that Zeke is a freshman. Totally lost on defense, no boxing out, and can't make 7 footer.

Isn't it possible Zeke just isn't as good as we thought he'd be?

[zestycoyote]

Isn't it possible Zeke just isn't as good as we thought he'd be?

Possibly, but it's kind of hard to tell when he's out of position (i.e. he needs coaching before we can tell).

[akronzips71]

Possibly, but it's kind of hard to tell when he's out of position (i.e. he needs coaching before we can tell).

They constantly have him defending out at the point, then a quick pass and they get an easy layup. OU did it to us, so did Buffalo

[lumberjack]

We need a shooter, and we need one NOW.

KD made a comment on the post-game show saying that Zeke needs to be more effective around the rim on defense for us to be good. Last time I checked, Zeke was maybe in the paint twice to block shots. The rest of the time, he was around the freaking perimeter. PUT HIS BUTT IN THE PAINT DAMBROT! Quit making excuses.

This loss is on KD. I've been saying it for a while now, our offensive game plan has to change. MOVE AWAY FROM THE BALL! Also, our defensive scheme was pathetic. How do you not know that Watt loves that left? He killed us tonight with it. Make them beat you with their weaknesses.

Don't blame the refs. Were they pathetic? Yes. However, if you make a few more shots or keep possession a few more times instead of turning the freaking ball over, it's ours for sure.

Some questions I have...

What happened to the chemistry on this team? They aren't sharing the ball anymore.

Why was Gilliam not in the starting lineup? KD made a comment saying he is trying to help his players the best he can. Well the best way to help Diggs is to get him an attitude adjustment because he is either all there or he's not. Oh and tonight was NOT the night to experiment with the lineup.

Do we not go over body control? I swear it is a monkey see monkey do type of thing. See player, run over player. GO AROUND HIM OR DISH IT OUT! Goodness. It's not rocket science.

What is KD's pucker factor at? I think it's off the charts, but do we have a real number? Big games are his weakness, along with taking care of business.

Those are just some of my thoughts. Very disappointing tonight. Can't is either going to be fun, or very very very very VERY interesting/sickening.

Zips J, This was what I meant...I know inside stuff that I don't share on this site but a special player called me and had a heart to heart. I told him almost what you said. Either a player wants to play or he doesn't when he is aware what is at stake. You can't make him do what his heart won't allow him to do. But I totally agree that you don't experiment late in the season. This is what I meant when I said go with what got you to 12-1. You should play every game late Fed. as if it is March (win or go home) Oh my definition for good old boys was Brett 3 point air ball for starters..Also I know my kid when he his mind isn't clear he won't concentrate on his shot. I was really hurt the team didn't clinch the title tonight as well.

[UAZip0510]

We need a shooter, and we need one NOW.

KD made a comment on the post-game show saying that Zeke needs to be more effective around the rim on defense for us to be good. Last time I checked, Zeke was maybe in the paint twice to block shots. The rest of the time, he was around the freaking perimeter. PUT HIS BUTT IN THE PAINT DAMBROT! Quit making excuses.

This loss is on KD. I've been saying it for a while now, our offensive game plan has to change. MOVE AWAY FROM THE BALL! Also, our defensive scheme was pathetic. How do you not know that Watt loves that left? He killed us tonight with it. Make them beat you with their weaknesses.

Don't blame the refs. Were they pathetic? Yes. However, if you make a few more shots or keep possession a few more times instead of turning the freaking ball over, it's ours for sure.

Some questions I have...

What happened to the chemistry on this team? They aren't sharing the ball anymore.

Why was Gilliam not in the starting lineup? KD made a comment saying he is trying to help his players the best he can. Well the best way to help Diggs is to get him an attitude adjustment because he is either all there or he's not. Oh and tonight was NOT the night to experiment with the lineup.

Do we not go over body control? I swear it is a monkey see monkey do type of thing. See player, run over player. GO AROUND HIM OR DISH IT OUT! Goodness. It's not rocket science.

What is KD's pucker factor at? I think it's off the charts, but do we have a real number? Big games are his weakness, along with taking care of business.

Those are just some of my thoughts. Very disappointing tonight. Can't is either going to be fun, or very very very very VERY interesting/sickening.

Serious questions for you...

1) Do you think Dambrot tells Zeke to go out on the perimeter and jump to block shots, or to stay in the paint?

2) Do you think Dambrot is telling the team to share the ball and move it around? Yes or no?

3) Do you think that Dambrot has worked on this in practice with the team? Yes or no?

[wadszip]

lilroodude,

I agree with you 100 percent on needing a shooter (and adding that could help minimize the other problems this team currently has). Despite a decent overall 3-point percentage, this team has nobody right now that defenses have to lock up on the outside (and that's kind of why the 3-point percentage is as high as it is in the first place). Unless Brett turns it around quickly, that won't come this year.

Overall,

While I'm a realist, and think that this team has regressed (and was never impressed with the overall product to begin with, despite the talent), the Zips still control their destiny to win the regular season title. There is also the MAC tourney, which is any team in the MAC's way of getting in the Big Dance. The season is not over.

I don't think any of that happens, but even if that's the case, lets look on the bright side.

As down as I am on this team right now, the future is still bright. Akron is adding two potentially great college shooters next year who are both in the 6-5, 6-6 range in Jake Kretzer and Reggie McAdams. While coming into the season people were cautiously optimistic about this team, I still believe everybody would be in agreement that 2012-13 was the year where the team can make the most noise. Replacing Nik will be tough, but Tree could step into the starting four and we'd be fine. Though it's going to be imperative for Egner to step up and play essentially the roll that Tree is playing this year.

Anyway, as bad as this season is trending, I urge Zips fans (especially the Joe Akron's) to keep the faith. This team has teased us with potential, but hasn't fully "gotten it." Even if things end bad, let's assume this was a learning year, and better things are ahead.

[UAZip0510]

Possibly, but it's kind of hard to tell when he's out of position (i.e. he needs coaching before we can tell).

You're right, he hasn't been coached.

Listen, I'll go ahead and say it. Zeke just isn't as good as we thought he'd be. He's a very good player, but not the program-altering type of player that we expected him to be. We can blame coaching (or lack thereof) all we want, but it's not Keith Dambrot down there getting pushed around. It's not Keith Dambrot trying to block every shot into the stands. It's not Keith Dambrot that brought down the same number of rebounds as our point guard tonight.

Like I said, Zeke is a very good player and an excellent representative of our university. I love having him as a Zip. And Zeke has the ability to have big games, like last year's championship game. But Zeke is never going to dominate on a consistent basis, and it's not because of lack-of coaching...it's because he's just not good enough to do so.

[lumberjack]

Despite the refs we have to play through it and overcome. We want a the 1 seed we have to desire it, eat it, expect it and most of all take it. It won't be given to us.

[Big Zip]

I do believe Zeke is coached to be outside. I can't imagine he would be out there as much as he is if he was coached to be out there.

I said this earlier in the year....Porter plays Akron basketball and if you want to win you are going to have to adjust to us. I'm not sure KD is the same way. Akron basketball should be for Z to play around the rim the entire game and when he is out up top it doesn't help us.

KD said after the game (and I paraphrase) Buffalo is better than us and there is nothing we can do to defend their big men. I think sometimes his attitude rubs off on the team. Going into the ORU game his attitude was this game doesn't really matter -- all that matters is conference games. We want to win but it won't be the end of the world. Now we need to win on game to clinch and there is no sense of urgency coming from the coach and the team reacts that way. Tonight he said if we win or lose at Can't we still have to win two games at the Q. His language comes across to me as defeatest.

Finally, tell Terry to stay home the man is a jinx!

[zippy5]

Blah. A win at Can't could be just what the doctor ordered. Hopefully they pull it off and think about that for a week and not a 3 game losing streak. As is, they need to win one game to get to their 6th straight conference championship. I can't get too down yet.

[Big Zip]

1.) I will always share my weed with you. Say what you want about the Captain, he is a generous, sharing soul.

2.) Anyone who doesn't get a heightened level of concern after losing to OU by 20+ is an idiot. But a single blow out doesn't necessarily mean there's a trend. You only need to look back at last season's OU road loss to see such beatdowns can be quickly forgotten.

BG is playing great basketball, and we handled them with relative ease last week (while BG got within 3 late, they never really threatened). Buffalo should be similar...if we've learned from our recent mistakes.

Cap'n I'm not feeling good about this team at all and I don't think we are going to see them win another game this year. I hope I'm wrong, but I think you can stick a fork in them they are done.

[Derrt]

Yea if Quincy didn't play good defense he would have served no purpose tonight

[UAZip0510]

I do believe Zeke is coached to be outside. I can't imagine he would be out there as much as he is if he was coached to be out there.

I said this earlier in the year....Porter plays Akron basketball and if you want to win you are going to have to adjust to us. I'm not sure KD is the same way. Akron basketball should be for Z to play around the rim the entire game and when he is out up top it doesn't help us.

KD said after the game (and I paraphrase) Buffalo is better than us and there is nothing we can do to defend their big men. I think sometimes his attitude rubs off on the team. Going into the ORU game his attitude was this game doesn't really matter -- all that matters is conference games. We want to win but it won't be the end of the world. Now we need to win on game to clinch and there is no sense of urgency coming from the coach and the team reacts that way. Tonight he said if we win or lose at Can't we still have to win two games at the Q. His language comes across to me as defeatest.

Finally, tell Terry to stay home the man is a jinx!

We'll have to agree to disagree.

[Derrt]

Why was Gilliam not in the starting lineup? KD made a comment saying he is trying to help his players the best he can. Well the best way to help Diggs is to get him an attitude adjustment because he is either all there or he's not. Oh and tonight was NOT the night to experiment with the lineup.

Do we not go over body control? I swear it is a monkey see monkey do type of thing. See player, run over player. GO AROUND HIM OR DISH IT OUT! Goodness. It's not rocket science.

What is KD's pucker factor at? I think it's off the charts, but do we have a real number? Big games are his weakness, along with taking care of business.

Those are just some of my thoughts. Very disappointing tonight. Can't is either going to be fun, or very very very very VERY interesting/sickening.

Whats wrong with Q's attitude?

[jem101]

There's enough to be negative about tonight, so I'll throw out one of the positives I've been noticing over the past month. Abreu doesn't take a lot of threes, but is it just me or is everyone he hits clutch? It seems like he only hits them when the Zips are desperate for a bucket. I loved the way he played tonight.

[PB1719]

We'll have to agree to disagree.

I want Terry anywhere and everywhere he can get publicity. End of story.

[UAZipster0305]

KD said after the game (and I paraphrase) Buffalo is better than us and there is nothing we can do to defend their big men. I think sometimes his attitude rubs off on the team. Going into the ORU game his attitude was this game doesn't really matter -- all that matters is conference games. We want to win but it won't be the end of the world. Now we need to win on game to clinch and there is no sense of urgency coming from the coach and the team reacts that way. Tonight he said if we win or lose at Can't we still have to win two games at the Q. His language comes across to me as defeatest.

I couldn't agree more! Dambrot goes out of his way to state that all that matters is the MAC Tournament. Is it any wonder that we under perform in the OOC and the Bracketbuster every year?...Then hit a home run in the MAC Tournament. He hasn't expected us to win in the NCAA Tournament, and we haven't. It was obvious the team didn't care about the CBI a few years ago either. They didn't even show up.

20 win seasons, MAC Championships, and NCAA Tournament appearances are great, but now that these things are established as nearly standard, Dambrot must continue to raise the bar and think bigger than the MAC. That means, every game matters and should be played with the intention of winning!

We weren't playing to our potential before the ORU game, but now it looks like we are playing pick-up. No discipline, organization, or team work. I feel the lackadaisical attitude towards the Bracketbuster combined with the tough last three MAC games has made us complacent and lost.

IMO, we'll either end up in the NCAA Tournament or the CBI. This team doesn't have the mental edge required to win on the road at Can't right now.

[wadszip]

Yea if Quincy didn't play good defense he would have served no purpose tonight

Q hasn't seemed right offensively since the missed dunk in the ORU game.

[lumberjack]

He stuck to his "good old boys"? Who exactly would that be? Is Tree among those? I know that Treadwell played more than McClanahan, almost as many minutes as Nik, and was the focal point of the offense for much of the 18 minutes he was in the ballgame.

The Zips didn't lose because of coaching. The Zips lost because:

- Quincy Diggs and Chauncey Gilliam combined for 0 points

- Alex Abreu had as many rebounds as our 7 foot center

- Stupid turnovers and stupid shots when it mattered most.

Coaches can only do so much. I'm fairly certain they've told Zeke to stay on his feet and not try to block every shot. I'm pretty sure they've gone through countless box-out drills. I'm positive Brett McClanahan shooting a fadeaway 25 foot three pointer wasn't the play that was drawn up in the huddle.

At some point, the players need to execute what they are taught. If you think the players are doing that right now, I'm not sure what to tell you.

U want to know who the good old boys are. Theses are guys that helped us loose early in the season. KD has a favorite lists and Chauncey is not one of them. For that reason by default I think KD is a piece of ---- His favorites guys played 23 mins plus and didn't score that much for min played (except for Alex). Chauncey played only 10 mins for whatever the reason and for a team who makes that adjustment no wonder he didn't score. If you want him to score go to your coach and tell him to wake up...

[Blue & Gold]

3,800 of the best fans I've EVER seen in that place. I've been going to games in parts of three decades and that was the loudest and most passionate crowd i've seen.

I noticed that too. I could be wrong, but I attributed it to the strong student section Buffalo brought to the game. True Blue (right?) really forced the Rowdies to be on top of their game - all game - and the rest of the arena then seemed to echo the Rowdies intensity.

[wadszip]

There's enough to be negative about tonight, so I'll throw out one of the positives I've been noticing over the past month. Abreu doesn't take a lot of threes, but is it just me or is everyone he hits clutch? It seems like he only hits them when the Zips are desperate for a bucket. I loved the way he played tonight.

I agree with this. Alex is the guy I want having the ball in any clutch situation. Even tonight, he made the correct play passing off to Nik for a wide open three that closed the deficit to 72-70. Overall, it seems like he is cutting down on the silly turnovers that happened too often in the beginning-middle part of the year. Right now, only he and Nik are playing consistent good ball.

[Derrt]

U want to know who the good old boys are. Theses are guys that helped us loose early in the season. KD has a favorite lists and Chauncey is not one of them. For that reason by default I think KD is a piece of ---- His favorites guys played 23 mins plus and didn't score that much for min played (except for Alex). Chauncey played only 10 mins for whatever the reason and for a team who makes that adjustment no wonder he didn't score. If you want him to score go to your coach and tell him to wake up...

Chauncey's defense is why he does not get a lot of minutes tho. I am not sure why he didn't start tonight but I have a hunch it has to do with friction he has with KD.