There is not one reason...

[tbozeglav]

Watch the replay. The picture makes it look like he is pulling on the rim. He barely makes contact with it, not enough to even move the basket.

I have watched it. Yes, he barely makes contact and doesn't "move" the basket, but by rule its still interference. It comes down to the principle of the rule and the direct interpretation of said rule by the refs, aka Bo & Co.

Im not bitter about this loss... it sucks that it had to come down to something as small as 2 fingers on the rim for a split second to determine whether we have the chance to win. We had plenty of other chances to beat OU and we didn't convert on them; OU had lady luck on their side today and unfortunately our players couldn't make up the difference. That and Cooper was just stupid from the field today. Can't do anything about that and you have to move on and hope for a deep run in the NITs

[UAZip0510]

Watch the replay. The picture makes it look like he is pulling on the rim. He barely makes contact with it, not enough to even move the basket.

He still makes contact with it though...doesn't matter how hard he touches it. However, this is the first I've ever heard a technical foul for basket interference...?

[tbozeglav]

He still makes contact with it though...doesn't matter how hard he touches it. However, this is the first I've ever heard a technical foul for basket interference...?

There's some disambiguity between Goaltending and basket interference. Thats become a topic of debate lately. See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Goaltending

In high school and NCAA basketball, if goaltending is called on a free throw, the shooting team is awarded one point and a technical foul is called against the offending player.

however, under the article specifically for basket interfernece http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Basket_interference it only specifies that only the points possible from the shot are awarded, making no reference to the specifics regarding free throws.

Additionally, See page 125 of this PDF: http://www.ncaapublications.com/productdownloads/BR11.pdf

One point for basket interference or one point and (men) a CLASS B technical foul or (women) a player/substitute technical foul for goaltending when, during a free throw, the ball is on its upward or downward flight.

What that exactly means is beyond me... but if I am reading this right, I believe if properly called, it would have counted the FT and come with a T with 2 FTs for Akron... I would not be surprised if Bo & Co. didn't know the full extent of the rule and since it wasn't a clear violation let it go... but it is what it is... We need to take this and use for motivation in the NITs and next season

[Quickzips]

I don't know what game you guys were watching, but I saw a really below average effort in the second half particularly. Those guys far from "laid it all out on the floor". Abreu did. Quincy and Tree did at times. Serb was non-existent in the final MAC game of his career. Zeke was well below average. Walsh and Gilliam were inconsistent at best. Harney yet again had the look of "I would rather be anywhere else but here." In general the second half was a mess. We were throwing lazy and dangerous passes that had no shot of reaching their target, slopping up dumb shots and we had no desire to try and fight through a screen. I know this team has a lot of interchangeable pieces, and we like to switch a lot on screens, but having guys like Zeke and Nik switch out and guard Cooper all night was a terrible idea. I am not proud in any way of our effort last night. That game was right there for the taking, and the Zips didn't come out of the locker room after half time caring enough to take it.

[zippy5]

I don't know what game you guys were watching, but I saw a really below average effort in the second half particularly. Those guys far from "laid it all out on the floor". Abreu did. Quincy and Tree did at times. Serb was non-existent in the final MAC game of his career. Zeke was well below average. Walsh and Gilliam were inconsistent at best. Harney yet again had the look of "I would rather be anywhere else but here." In general the second half was a mess. We were throwing lazy and dangerous passes that had no shot of reaching their target, slopping up dumb shots and we had no desire to try and fight through a screen. I know this team has a lot of interchangeable pieces, and we like to switch a lot on screens, but having guys like Zeke and Nik switch out and guard Cooper all night was a terrible idea. I am not proud in any way of our effort last night. That game was right there for the taking, and the Zips didn't come out of the locker room after half time caring enough to take it.

I thought we played pretty bad. Abreu and Diggs had great games, and that's about it. Zeke had our first 4 points, and should have had about 20 more. Really hoping he toughens up next year.

[K92]

I don't know what game you guys were watching, but I saw a really below average effort in the second half particularly. Those guys far from "laid it all out on the floor". Abreu did. Quincy and Tree did at times. Serb was non-existent in the final MAC game of his career. Zeke was well below average. Walsh and Gilliam were inconsistent at best. Harney yet again had the look of "I would rather be anywhere else but here." In general the second half was a mess. We were throwing lazy and dangerous passes that had no shot of reaching their target, slopping up dumb shots and we had no desire to try and fight through a screen. I know this team has a lot of interchangeable pieces, and we like to switch a lot on screens, but having guys like Zeke and Nik switch out and guard Cooper all night was a terrible idea. I am not proud in any way of our effort last night. That game was right there for the taking, and the Zips didn't come out of the locker room after half time caring enough to take it.

Sometimes people like to accentuate the positive after a tough loss. If you have a problem with the effort put out by Tree and Q, well, I don't know what to tell you. You make some good observations about the game, for sure but I just wanted to light a candle.

The elephant in the room is Zeke Marshall. I would say that most of us like Zeke and believe he us a good person. His mother frequents the board and everybody basically enjoys her being around as well, so it might make it a little hard to "keep it real" on the board. I know it gives me pause and I know I am not the only one.

That being said, Zeke really needs to do some soul searching and decide to make a huge change in mindset. He looks miserable on the court and his facial expressions and body language are a negative for the Zips and their fans and a psychological advantage for our opponents.

Zeke Marshall should literally be a man among boys when he is on the floor and so far, we have seen only him "take the game over" on a very few occasions. I want to see him succeed and reach his potential because he has really only scratched scratched the surface of what he can do. If Zeke had the tenacity of Demetrius Treadwell, he would make the highlight reel on Sportscenter after every game.

[UAZip0510]

Sometimes people like to accentuate the positive after a tough loss. If you have a problem with the effort put out by Tree and Q, well, I don't know what to tell you. You make some good observations about the game, for sure but I just wanted to light a candle.

The elephant in the room is Zeke Marshall. I would say that most of us like Zeke and believe he us a good person. His mother frequents the board and everybody basically enjoys her being around as well, so it might make it a little hard to "keep it real" on the board. I know it gives me pause and I know I am not the only one.

That being said, Zeke really needs to do some soul searching and decide to make a huge change in mindset. He looks miserable on the court and his facial expressions and body language are a negative for the Zips and their fans and a psychological advantage for our opponents.

Zeke Marshall should literally be a man among boys when he is on the floor and so far, we have seen only him "take the game over" on a very few occasions. I want to see him succeed and reach his potential because he has really only scratched scratched the surface of what he can do. If Zeke had the tenacity of Demetrius Treadwell, he would make the highlight reel on Sportscenter after every game.

I think we need to stop expecting Zeke to be the savior of this program and accept him for what he is - an outstanding defensive player that can dominate on certain nights and be non-existent on others. He's never going to dominate consistently. He's not going to be a reliable scorer on offense. He's not going to be a 1st round pick in the NBA. That's just the reality of the situation. That's not to say he won't help us in a big way next year - having a seven footer out there is always a big advantage. I just think it's time to bring down our expectations a bit. Statistically, he'll probably provide something similar to what John Edwards gave Can't State in his senior season - 13 points, 7 rebounds, and 2-3 blocks per game.

Edwards 2003-2004 (Senior) - 26 MPG, 13 PPG, 53 FG%, 67 FT%, 7 RPG, 3 BPG

Marshall 2011-2012 (Junior) - 26 MPG, 10 PPG, 53 FG%, 70 FT%, 5 RPG, 3 BPG

Considering Zeke made marginal improvements in scoring (9 PPG to 10 PPG) from his sophomore to junior year, I think Edwards' statistical production is a fair assessment of what we'll see from Zeke. If you remember Can't State's team that year, Edwards was an extremely important part of that team - so this isn't a knock on Zeke. He just wasn't "the man", and I think it's time we start realizing that Zeke might not be either. That role may go to Alex Abreu, who I thought was the Zips' MVP this season.

We all love Zeke. He is a special player in that he is not only an exceptional basketball player, but he's also a great human being and an accomplished student-athlete. He's an excellent role model for our university and our basketball program, and we'll miss him when he's gone. Maybe we just need to accept that Zeke is Zeke, and that's probably not going to change. It might be easier on both us and Zeke moving forward.

[Hilltopper]

I think we need to stop expecting Zeke to be the savior of this program and accept him for what he is - an outstanding defensive player that can dominate on certain nights and be non-existent on others. He's never going to dominate consistently. He's not going to be a reliable scorer on offense. He's not going to be a 1st round pick in the NBA. That's just the reality of the situation. That's not to say he won't help us in a big way next year - having a seven footer out there is always a big advantage. I just think it's time to bring down our expectations a bit. Statistically, he'll probably provide something similar to what John Edwards gave Can't State in his senior season - 13 points, 7 rebounds, and 2-3 blocks per game.

Edwards 2003-2004 (Senior) - 26 MPG, 13 PPG, 53 FG%, 67 FT%, 7 RPG, 3 BPG

Marshall 2011-2012 (Junior) - 26 MPG, 10 PPG, 53 FG%, 70 FT%, 5 RPG, 3 BPG

Considering Zeke made marginal improvements in scoring (9 PPG to 10 PPG) from his sophomore to junior year, I think Edwards' statistical production is a fair assessment of what we'll see from Zeke. If you remember Can't State's team that year, Edwards was an extremely important part of that team - so this isn't a knock on Zeke. He just wasn't "the man", and I think it's time we start realizing that Zeke might not be either. That role may go to Alex Abreu, who I thought was the Zips' MVP this season.

We all love Zeke. He is a special player in that he is not only an exceptional basketball player, but he's also a great human being and an accomplished student-athlete. He's an excellent role model for our university and our basketball program, and we'll miss him when he's gone. Maybe we just need to accept that Zeke is Zeke, and that's probably not going to change. It might be easier on both us and Zeke moving forward.

+1000

[Future Zip]

He was not hanging but it sure looked like. The efs made the right call .

[Indians06]

It is funny. Instead of enjoying their victory they are outraged while speculating on the intent of Keith's remark. I've heard of poor losers but poor winners?? They are about as classless as a group can be.

OU Sucks. What are they good at, seriously. They have one good football year and one good basketball year and claim to be this force. Still ZERO national championships as a school.

[akronzips71]

According to a post on another MAC team message board, the poster made a comment that they watched the final play on their DVR and saw that an OU player had hit the rim while the ball was still up. What's done is done..BUT...a pic is worth a 1000 words!!!! You make up your own mind. While noone actually "touched" the ball...what does the rule book say about "basket interference"? Just asking!

University of Akron's Zeke Marshall (right) and Demetrius Treadwell around the rim with Ohio University's Reggie Keely with 3 seconds remaining during the second half of the MAC championship game Saturday at Quicken Loans Arena. Ohio University won the game 64-63.

He is clearly on the rim. Now, it could be ruled that he made the ball go in, which would count it as a FG and not a FT.

But it is all water under the bridge.

The two plays that stand out are:

The charge on AA when Walsh made the free throw

DJ just tossing up a three pointer at the buzzer without even looking. And the shame of it is, at his size he probably won't make it in the NBA.

On to the NIT.