2012-2013

[johnnyzip84]

Found an interesting link concerning Betancourt:

http://www.boricuasballers.com/index.php?o...king-like-a-pro

Betancourt, a former member of the Puerto Rico Junior National Teams, decided to do a Prep year in order to get stronger and polish a few areas of his games; he decided to do so at CJEOTO a Prep school in New Jersey.

Carmelo was not completely satisfied with his experience, had already been cleared by the NCAA Clearing House and wanted to work on his game full time, so he decided to head back to his home town in Guaynabo during the middle of the fall semester.

The risky decision made by Carmelo is not one that any athlete can do, since it requires a lot of discipline and mental toughness to be able to monitor your workouts and motivate yourself day in and day out. The Akron coaching staff provides him with different weekly workouts and Betancourt follows them step by step.

A typical week for Carmelo consists of two a days, six days of the week and a weight room visit four to five days of the week. During his morning workout Carmelo works on his ball handling, passing, defense, speed and agility, as well as making 500 shots before he leaves the gym. Then he heads to the weight room to complete the sets and reps that are in his workout packet. After doing his first two workouts, Betancourt goes home and relaxes for a few hours before heading back to the gym and working on his game once again.

When asking Carmelo about his conversations with the coaches at Akron, as well as his progress, he stated the following; “The coaching staff is very eager to get me on campus already. They are expecting big things from me and want me to be ready to play key minutes for them as a freshman. Coach keeps emphasizing the importance of me knocking down the three-point shot consistently, something that I have been working on. As for the workouts, I am already seeing results. I’m up to 179 lbs., decrease my body fat percentage, and have increased my stamina as well as my speed. ”

We also asked Betancourt if he felt that he made the best decision by heading back home to work out; here is his response; “No doubt, like I stated before I feel stronger and my shot is falling consistently. I’m ready to get on the floor, win some games and ignite Zips Nation.”

Betancourt is expected to play some minutes as the backup PG to Alex Abreu as well as play alongside his fellow Puerto Rican. This will make them one of the smallest backcourts in the country when both of them are on the floor; but they will also be one of the toughest ones as well. Carmelo and Alex are both very quick and aggressive guards who swarm the opposing guards with tough full-court man to man defense.

Make sure you add Akron to your list to watch and pay close attention to this backcourt combination in the Mid-American Conference during the 2012-2013 season.

Nice find! Thanks for posting.

[akronzips71]

While Can't and Buffalo should be reloading, OU and Toledo should be really tough. I can't believe that OU had no seniors on that team.

Which means they didn't offer any scholarships. That hurts them down the road. If everyone returns, they won't have any freshmen to develop.

[akronzips71]

The old guard of Zips basketball under KD 1.0 is officially gone. With Serb and Nitro graduating the "tough, high basketball IQ, undersized and below average athletic ability" type of players that KD 1.0 brought in are pretty much all gone and the transformation will be complete. Those of you wanting to look more like Can't will have gotten your wish.

Now for the bad news. OU is around with the same mentality that brough KD 1.0 so much success, and we haven't proven at all that we can beat them. Be careful what you wish for. Remember, Can't came into this year returning 4 seniors and all but one player out of a rotation that was within an eyelash of beating a KD 1.0 team for a trip to the NCAA's. How did that work out for them?

I think your rotation for next year will look something like this:

Starters:

PG-Abreu (28 minutes)

SG-Walsh (24 minutes)

SF-Gilliam (18 minutes)

PF-Treadwell (24 minutes)

C-Marshall (30 minutes)

Bench:

PG-Betancourt (12 minutes)

SG-Ibitayo (8 minutes)

SG/SF-Diggs (26 minutes)

SF/PF-Harney (20 minutes)

PF/C-Egner (10 minutes)

Redshirts:

McAdams

Kretzer

I expect to see an improvement from Abreu as his knee and back will have a chance to heal over the summer, and he should come back in better condition. Walsh, Gilliam and Diggs pretty well are who they are at this point in their careers. I don't expect to see much improvement, or much drop off from them. Treadwell and Harney will have to take a big step forward as they will have much more responsibility without Serb around to lean on when their inexperience leads to a bad night. Zeke will be the key. It is going to be his senior year. We are going to be relying heavily on him. He is going to have to develop his scoring touch and continue to work on staying out of foul trouble. As he goes, so will go the Zips. I expect Betacourt to come in and have an impact, as he will give us another true PG for when Alex isn't on the floor, and will allow Q to play more as the secondary ball handler where he is better off. Ibitayo will be relied upon to come in for a few minutes each night and play tough defense on our opponents best perimeter player. Egner will be expected to be Mike Bardo with less height and more athletic ability.

McAdams will NOT redshirt. He was recruited all over the place as a DI QUARTERBACK. He is not going to sit on the bench at Akron. If we redshirt him he will bail out.

[ZippyRulz]

On a side note, aside from Michael Green has anyone heard about any players leaving the program? The only possibility I could see is Blake Justice. I don't see him getting significant playing time anytime in the near future.

I could see Cooper leaving to start making some $$ in the D league or Europe. He will have 2 trips to the NCAA now with nothing much left to accomplish in the MAC. And if Groce leaves, would DJ want to readjust to a new coach for 1 year? If he keeps working on the off-balance, fall-away, left-handed junk trey with a hand in his face, the Cavs may come calling at some point too!

[UAZip0510]

I could see Cooper leaving to start making some $$ in the D league or Europe. He will have 2 trips to the NCAA now with nothing much left to accomplish in the MAC. And if Groce leaves, would DJ want to readjust to a new coach for 1 year? If he keeps working on the off-balance, fall-away, left-handed junk trey with a hand in his face, the Cavs may come calling at some point too!

No way Cooper leaves. He's just cocky enough to think he's an NBA Draft Pick.

Anyhow, I was discussing the possibility of anyone leaving our squad, not theirs.

[akronzips71]

I could see Cooper leaving to start making some $$ in the D league or Europe. He will have 2 trips to the NCAA now with nothing much left to accomplish in the MAC. And if Groce leaves, would DJ want to readjust to a new coach for 1 year? If he keeps working on the off-balance, fall-away, left-handed junk trey with a hand in his face, the Cavs may come calling at some point too!

I think he will stay. He is an awesome player, but at his size his pro prospects are somewhat limited. I say he stays for the sheepskin.

[Dave in Green]

Looks like OU might have a new transfer coming in: .....

Let's hope that Groce ends up with the Nebraska job and takes his Missouri transfer with him.

[OUstudent]

If you thought that the rivalry we've built between us has been big the past few years, next season it's going to be even bigger. With what you guys are returning and us bringing back everybody (including some new faces), the games at the JAR, the Convo, and (I'm going to go out on a limb here ) the Q, I think we'll see some of the most intense matchups the MAC has seen in a while.

Hope we both have a non-conference start like the Cats did this year. Two bid league.

[UAZipster0305]

Let's hope that Groce ends up with the Nebraska job and takes his Missouri transfer with him.

I disagree. I would rather have OU as another 26 win team next year and have our guys redeem the losses of 2010 and 2012 by knocking off the Bobcats in another MACC. I want to beat them at their best. And if they are as strong next year as last year and this year, there is a real chance that both teams dance, which bodes well for the MAC and especially the Zips.

[ZachTheZip]

Ohio brings back everyone. They bring back their strengths, but also their weaknesses. Akron, meanwhile, will improve and change. We will add new talents and skills from our incoming players that we lacked this year, while OU only gains experience for a team with lots of experience already.

[skip-zip]

I disagree. I would rather have OU as another 26 win team next year and have our guys redeem the losses of 2010 and 2012 by knocking off the Bobcats in another MACC. I want to beat them at their best. And if they are as strong next year as last year and this year, there is a real chance that both teams dance, which bodes well for the MAC and especially the Zips.

I guess this perspective depends on which side of the fence you are on.

If you're one of the people who are fine with just taking our chances in the MAC tournament, then why does it matter if everyone in the league stinks next year?

If you want some national respect, and a higher seed, and/or the possibility of getting in without having to win the league tourney, then you'd want our league to be strong.

[zippy5]

I think both OU and UA are dancing next year, to be honest.

[bigzipguy]

Groce is a very good coach. But I do not care if he stays or leaves OU. The Zips have won the MAC tournament 2 of the last 4 years and Cooper is a large reason they have not won it 4 years in a row.

It will be interesting to see how Michigan's guards handle him. I really doubt if you will see any of Michigan's bigs jump out to handle him on the perimeter. That is a mistake!!!!

[Blue & Gold]

I agree. Cooper makes Groce look very good. OU sans Cooper finishes 5th in the MAC East.

The Magnificent Mr. Cooper was just simply unstoppable in the MACC. What are ya gonna do? Oh, well.

OU's gonna be tough next year too - Cooper's senior year, but KD's really built UA into the MAC's top program.

[xu9697]

Next year is the year that UA finally has to put itself into serious at-large contention. Even if Zeke is not dominant, if he improves and keeps his head in the game, he is a game changer. Abreu..sop to jr year as a PG should be huge for him. Diggs is the wild card..so much potential. Walsh as a glue guy. Treadwell and Harney...need to mature and work. Gilliam..he is still and unknown to me, but definitely part of a a highly skilled, multi-dimensional 7 guys. All of them need to hit the books and avoid trouble!!!! Dambrot needs to forget about the "MAC tourney or bust" mentality and get these guys and this program believing in at-large bids!!!

There just is no good reason next year's team should lose more than 5 games. I follow 5-7 teams as closesly as I can...UA, XU, OSU, CSU, BC, IU and ND (for various reasons). UA has so much potential when I compare them to those teams and others. With UA and OU, and even some of the other programs...MAC really looks to be CLOSE to finally getting 2 teams again. But UA is the key. They must wrap up the bid in the regular season!!!

It hurts this year more than ever. I think they could have got past UM and then Temple/USF/Cal winner. The draw was there. UGH!!! Must take advantage of what they have next year in front of them.

[Captain Kangaroo]

I agree. Cooper makes Groce look very good. OU sans Cooper finishes 5th in the MAC East.

I'd place "OU Sans Cooper" in a tie for 4th, alongside "The Zips Without Abreu."

[jupitertoo]

I'd place "OU Sans Cooper" in a tie for 4th, alongside "The Zips Without Abreu."

Stevie Taylor is a very capable backup and actually a better shooter than Cooper. But Cooper surely was shooting lights-out in Cleveland.

[Captain Kangaroo]

Stevie Taylor is a very capable backup and actually a better shooter than Cooper. But Cooper surely was shooting lights-out in Cleveland.

Diggs is a capable back up to Abreu too. But both OU and UA are mediocre at best without those guys.

[johnnyzip84]

Stevie Taylor is a very capable backup and actually a better shooter than Cooper. But Cooper surely was shooting lights-out in Cleveland.

That may be true, but I'll take Carmelo Betancourt ANY DAY over him.

[skip-zip]

That may be true, but I'll take Carmelo Betancourt ANY DAY over him.

I'm hearing big things about this guy from the inside. I hope what I am hearing is true. And as you all know, I never get too excited about expectations for players who have never stepped on a college court. But, this one could truly be a major player for us right out of the gate.

[UAZip0510]

Just to reset this thread a bit, I'd expect Akron will go with a solid nine for the most part.

5-Marshall

4-Treadwell

3-Gilliam

2-Walsh

1-Abreu

6-Diggs

7-Harney

8-Egner

9-Betancourt

With the addition of Betancourt, it really makes me wonder if Blake Justice and/or Deji Ibitayo consider transferring elsewhere. If Betancourt is as good as advertised, neither would have the opportunity to play much until their senior year.

[Blue & Gold]

With the addition of Betancourt, it really makes me wonder if Blake Justice and/or Deji Ibitayo consider transferring elsewhere. If Betancourt is as good as advertised, neither would have the opportunity to play much until their senior year.

Especially with the way KD's been composing the roster. We don't really run a "shooting guard." Instead, we have a PG and two Wings - both of which are expected to swing & go down low. I think Deji could do that. Blake Justice... I don't know.

To make matters worse (on Deji & Justice) we're bringing in the two top rated wings in the state this year in 1) Reggie McAdams and 2) Jake Kretzer. Linky. (Scroll down to "Small Forwards.")

Both can handle the rock (McAdams often handled the point for Elida), shoot from well behind the arc, and go down low with their height (Kretzer @ 6'7" and McAdams @ 6'6"). I don't forsee much PT for either Deji or Blake.

[UAZip0510]

Especially with the way KD's been composing the roster. We don't really run a "shooting guard." Instead, we have a PG and two Wings - both of which are expected to swing & go down low. I think Deji could do that. Blake Justice... I don't know.

To make matters worse (on Deji & Justice) we're bringing in the two top rated wings in the state this year in 1) Reggie McAdams and 2) Jake Kretzer. Linky. (Scroll down to "Small Forwards.")

Both can handle the rock (McAdams often handled the point for Elida), shoot from well behind the arc, and go down low with their height (Kretzer @ 6'7" and McAdams @ 6'6"). I don't forsee much PT for either Deji or Blake.

Good points all around. I wouldn't be shocked to see one of them leave. Maybe the coaching staff could find a JUCO/transfer big man if that did happen.

[wadszip]

Especially with the way KD's been composing the roster. We don't really run a "shooting guard." Instead, we have a PG and two Wings - both of which are expected to swing & go down low. I think Deji could do that. Blake Justice... I don't know.

To make matters worse (on Deji & Justice) we're bringing in the two top rated wings in the state this year in 1) Reggie McAdams and 2) Jake Kretzer. Linky. (Scroll down to "Small Forwards.")

Both can handle the rock (McAdams often handled the point for Elida), shoot from well behind the arc, and go down low with their height (Kretzer @ 6'7" and McAdams @ 6'6"). I don't forsee much PT for either Deji or Blake.

Great points. KD is definitely constructing this team as having a true PG (Abreu, maybe Betancourt) and then a bunch of 2-3 guys (which are mostly interchangable in not only the MAC, but unless you are a high, high major, in college basketball in general). It's going to be interesting to see how things work out for both Deji and Blake. Right now, both are in a log jam (though from the limited amount I've seen, Deji is more equipped of handling that). Though, just from what I know, Kretzer and McAdams, both are going to have a say in who gets minutes next year.

Kretzer nearly single-handily led his team to the D2 regional finals this year while averaging close to 27 per game. That's actually an asterik to what he did on the AAU level, where he was a contributing player on the All-Ohio Red AAU teams that won a national title this past year and finished runner-up the year before. Those All-Ohio Red teams were loaded with high-major talent.

McAdams didn't play at the same AAU level as Kretzer, but has led his H.S. team to the regional finals (has a shot at the state tourney today). Plus, he's is almost universally rated as the higher of the two prospects. He turned down some BCS-level offers in football to play hoops. If basketball doesn't work out for him, hopefully Terry Bowden can convince him to playing QB.

Anyway, the Zips are in great position next year (even more so if Egner steps up, or Harney can develop more into a stretch 4).

Overall, Ohio looks good on paper due to bringing everybody back, but if the guys Akron has (or will have) develop like they should, the Zips will be right in the mix again. Personally, I think next year is when the MAC breaks the streak of only getting one team in the dance. Both Ohio and Akron are going to be a load to handle.

The best thing right now is to root for Ohio to make a long run. As much as I hate to say it, the Bobcats are representing the MAC. The better they do, the better the league (especially the East) looks. The good thing is, at least the Zips have a chance to prove they are the better program on the court, at least two times. ... Can't say the same thing if it was say Detroit (or pick your Horizon or any other mid-major team making a run).

[Blue & Gold]

Good points all around. I wouldn't be shocked to see one of them leave. Maybe the coaching staff could find a JUCO/transfer big man if that did happen.

Amen. Our lack of a big to replace Nic this year, and Zeke next year, has me worried about our near future. I'm thrilled with this year's class. We've got two Big East caliber players coming in with McAdams and Mello, and Kretzer is also one of the best Ohio has to offer. But we're gonna need some additional beef down low next year, let alone after Big Zeke graduates.

I was really hoping to have a big man in this year's class to give him a redahirt year before trying to fill Zeke's giant shoes.