Post MAC Tournament Thoughts.

[UAZipster0305]

Thought I would start a new thread to keep the others and this one on topic.

So some of my thoughts on the MACC game...

1) I am actually happy we weren't given the lead on the AA free throw with ~3 seconds left due to one of the OU players contacting the rim. Though we deserve some kind of payback from the 2007 Doug Penno shot, this was not the way to get it. The referees allowed the players to decide the game. That is exactly how I want it to be regardless of whether we win or lose. It would have been embarrassing for the MAC and for us to back into a MACC win.

2) We shot a scorching 9-12 from three point land. If it were an average or below average shooting night for us, this game would have been ugly.

3) I cringed seeing our big post players 20+ feet from the hoop defending against OU's guards. I understand the strategy to stymie their three point shooting; however, I wish one of our taller, athletic defenders such as Diggs or a more foul-disciplined Harney could have done the job and not abandoned underneath where we were then vulnerable to cuts to the basket and rebounds. If I'm on the OU coaching staff and being the smaller team, I consider getting the UA big men away from the rim a key to success and a minor victory in itself.

4) The referees let the players play. The pace was fast and aggressive. Very entertaining to watch! Because of this, I believe either us or OU playing with that intensity could beat any team in the country in a single game. The style and level of play bodes well for the MAC in the NCAA Tourney and in the future.

5) Last night is the perfect example of why we need to get past the idea that the MAC Tourney is all that matters for the season. With a well-played final like that where we lose by one point, we would have been right in the thick of the at-large talk had we finished off VCU, CSU, and Valpo/Duquesne. The major conference programs have the luxury of using the OOC as a preseason...we do not though this has essentially been the approach since KD took over. At that time, we didn't have the talent or the schedule to be considered for an at-large even with 26 wins. That has all changed now. We are a perennial 20+ win program and contender for the MACC with a strong schedule and a deep roster. The next step has to be seriously contending for an at-large bid, and that means we play to our full potential beginning in November.

6) As was said by others in a different thread, we love Zeke! He's a great student-athlete, defensive player, free throw shooter, and ambassador to the University. However, he struggles to adjust offensively against a fast, aggressive, and physical defense. This has always been true and was reinforced last night. Without this component to his game, I can't imagine him playing in the NBA. (Can anyone actually see him up against Dwight Howard?) If he decides he wants to play professionally, he will at some level, but his body language on the court tells me he'd rather be just Zeke Marshall than Zeke Marshall the All-American basketball player. If that's what he wants, I'm fully supportive, but I think most fans have come to expect the latter and it likely won't happen. As a team, we are talented enough to succeed (even in the NCAA Tourney) without Zeke being an All-American. I hope (and believe) KD will develop next year's team strategy accordingly.

7) Cooper's off-balance three was the play that stands out as putting OU over the top. A low percentage shot with good defense (lucky we weren't called for a foul), and he nails it. You can't plan for that or defend it any better.

8)) We can beat any team in the NIT and could win it all if we put together a series of games where we play to our potential. Next season's MACC and NCAA Tourney runs start with our first NIT game. I want to see the team come out with that kind of intensity and attitude.

"Rule #76: No excuses, play like a champion!" - Vince Vaughn, Wedding Crashers

[UAZip0510]

Thought I would start a new thread to keep the others and this one on topic.

So some of my thoughts on the MACC game...

1) I am actually happy we weren't given the lead on the AA free throw with ~3 seconds left due to one of the OU players contacting the rim. Though we deserve some kind of payback from the 2007 Doug Penno shot, this was not the way to get it. The referees allowed the players to decide the game. That is exactly how I want it to be regardless of whether we win or lose. It would have been embarrassing for the MAC and for us to back into a MACC win.

2) We shot a scorching 9-12 from three point land. If it were an average or below average shooting night for us, this game would have been ugly.

3) I cringed seeing our big post players 20+ feet from the hoop defending against OU's guards. I understand the strategy to stymie their three point shooting; however, I wish one of our taller, athletic defenders such as Diggs or a more foul-disciplined Harney could have done the job and not abandoned underneath where we were then vulnerable to cuts to the basket and rebounds. If I'm on the OU coaching staff and being the smaller team, I consider getting the UA big men away from the rim a key to success and a minor victory in itself.

4) The referees let the players play. The pace was fast and aggressive. Very entertaining to watch! Because of this, I believe either us or OU playing with that intensity could beat any team in the country in a single game. The style and level of play bodes well for the MAC in the NCAA Tourney and in the future.

5) Last night is the perfect example of why we need to get past the idea that the MAC Tourney is all that matters for the season. With a well-played final like that where we lose by one point, we would have been right in the thick of the at-large talk had we finished off VCU, CSU, and Valpo/Duquesne. The major conference programs have the luxury of using the OOC as a preseason...we do not though this has essentially been the approach since KD took over. At that time, we didn't have the talent or the schedule to be considered for an at-large even with 26 wins. That has all changed now. We are a perennial 20+ win program and contender for the MACC with a strong schedule and a deep roster. The next step has to be seriously contending for an at-large bid, and that means we play to our full potential beginning in November.

6) As was said by others in a different thread, we love Zeke! He's a great student-athlete, defensive player, free throw shooter, and ambassador to the University. However, he struggles to adjust offensively against a fast, aggressive, and physical defense. This has always been true and was reinforced last night. Without this component to his game, I can't imagine him playing in the NBA. (Can anyone actually see him up against Dwight Howard?) If he decides he wants to play professionally, he will at some level, but his body language on the court tells me he'd rather be just Zeke Marshall than Zeke Marshall the All-American basketball player. If that's what he wants, I'm fully supportive, but I think most fans have come to expect the latter and it likely won't happen. As a team, we are talented enough to succeed (even in the NCAA Tourney) without Zeke being an All-American. I hope (and believe) KD will develop next year's team strategy accordingly.

7) Cooper's off balance three was the play that stands out as putting OU over the top. A low percentage shot with good defense (lucky we weren't called for a foul), and he nails it. You can't plan for that or defend it any better.

8)) We can beat any team in the NIT and could win it all if we put together a series of games where we play to our potential. Next season's MACC and NCAA Tourney runs start with our first NIT game. I want to see the team come out with that kind of intensity and attitude.

"Rule #76: No excuses, play like a champion!" - Vince Vaughn, Wedding Crashers

I agree with just about everything you say. I bolded the only things I have some disagreement on.

First, I haven't seen 100% clarification on the basket interference rule. We know with 100% that no player touched the ball, and that an OU player touched the ball after it first hit the rim. If, according to the rule book, that should have resulted in Akron being awarded a field goal and/or technical free throws (both of which I've heard), then I absolutely would have wanted them to call it that way. A rule is a rule. Ohio was able to hold off Buffalo the Friday night in part because of a flagrant foul based on a technicality. Again, if the correct call was to award the Zips a basket or a free throw, we should have received a basket or a free throw. I'm still waiting for 100% clarification on this.

Second, I don't know where this myth was created that Zips fans, players, and coaches only care about the MAC Tournament. Akron set its schedule up in a way that would have allowed them to be considered for an at-large bid. Had we defeated a few more of Valpo, Duquesne, CSU, VCU, ORU, Middle Tennessee, and West Virginia, we would have been there. Keith Dambrot and the athletic department STILL tried pushing for an at-large bid until the Oral Roberts loss. It just wasn't in the cards this year. Hopefully we have a similarly difficult schedule next year and, now that we have gelled, hit the ground running next November.

[phil]

What an ironic end to the game. The Zips have struggled at the line all season. When Alex tries to miss a foul shot, it goes in. Keith was right, the ball just did not bounce our way.

[GP1]

7) Cooper's off balance three was the play that stands out as putting OU over the top. A low percentage shot with good defense (lucky we weren't called for a foul), and he nails it. You can't plan for that or defend it any better.

Nice summary.

I thought the same thing. That could have easily been a four point play. Good late game no call, but it was a foul and we got away with one.

[MAC Elitest]

Good block by Gilliam near the end of the game?

Maybe there were some questionable moments on both ends...

[UAZipster0305]

Second, I don't know where this myth was created that Zips fans, players, and coaches only care about the MAC Tournament. Akron set its schedule up in a way that would have allowed them to be considered for an at-large bid. Had we defeated a few more of Valpo, Duquesne, CSU, VCU, ORU, Middle Tennessee, and West Virginia, we would have been there. Keith Dambrot and the athletic department STILL tried pushing for an at-large bid until the Oral Roberts loss. It just wasn't in the cards this year. Hopefully we have a similarly difficult schedule next year and, now that we have gelled, hit the ground running next November.

This has been KD's mantra since taking over the program. Things have changed a bit this year, but I am yet to hear him speak about the OOC as an opportunity to build an at-large resume. Instead, I get the feeling that the OOC is the preseason to the MAC schedule. I want to hear him talking about doing well in the OOC for the sake of March in November. Yes, he and the Athletic Department were mentioning an at-large bid prior to the ORU game, but we were more in that position because it happened rather than it being a goal. To the contrary, prior to the ORU game, he also publicly said something to the effect that we would play more important games during the remainder of the season. I mean, come on! If you are playing for an at-large bid, the very next game is always the most important game of the season! Would Coach Porter say something like that?! Again, see Rule #76!

I love KD and what he has accomplished here. He has few major flaws, but this is definitely one of them. To take the program to the next level, he has to stop playing MACC roulette. Period.

I said in another thread prior to the MACC that there would be seasons where we are the best team, but would not win the MACC and automatic bid due to bad luck. And here we are, the best team in the MAC going to the NIT courtesy of a low percentage, off-balance, deep DJ Cooper three pointer late in the game. Before the shot went up and as it was on it's way to the hoop, you could almost hear Coach Croce saying NO!!!...until it went in. No soup for U(A).

[OZoner]

First, I haven't seen 100% clarification on the basket interference rule. We know with 100% that no player touched the ball, and that an OU player touched the ball after it first hit the rim. If, according to the rule book, that should have resulted in Akron being awarded a field goal and/or technical free throws (both of which I've heard), then I absolutely would have wanted them to call it that way. A rule is a rule. Ohio was able to hold off Buffalo the Friday night in part because of a flagrant foul based on a technicality. Again, if the correct call was to award the Zips a basket or a free throw, we should have received a basket or a free throw. I'm still waiting for 100% clarification on this.

Goaltending (touching ball) would have resulted in a made basket and a technical foul. Basket interference (touching the rim) would have resulted in a made basket and no technical foul.

http://www.ncaapublications.com/productdownloads/BR11.pdf

[akronzips71]

Goaltending (touching ball) would have resulted in a made basket and a technical foul. Basket interference (touching the rim) would have resulted in a made basket and no technical foul.

http://www.ncaapublications.com/productdownloads/BR11.pdf

But is it a made foul shot or a made field goal? Because that's the game one way or the other.

[BirdZip]

Goaltending (touching ball) would have resulted in a made basket and a technical foul. Basket interference (touching the rim) would have resulted in a made basket and no technical foul.

http://www.ncaapublications.com/productdownloads/BR11.pdf

Nice link. The piece i believe JSF is referring to:

Section 17. Basket-Interference and Goaltending Penalties

Art. 1. When the violation is at the basket of the opponent of the offending

player, the offended team shall be awarded:

a. 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.

b. Two points when during a two-point field-goal try.

c. Three points when during a three-point field-goal try.

However, I also see the following:

Section 13. Games with Replay/Television Equipment

Art. 1. Courtside replay equipment, videotape or television monitoring must

be located on a designated courtside table (i.e., within approximately 3 to

12 feet of the playing court), in order to be utilized by game officials. An

on-screen graphic display on the monitor may be used only when the display is

synchronized with the official game clock.

…

Art. 7. The officials shall not use such available equipment for judgment calls

such as:

a. Determine who committed a foul or whether a foul occurred. Exception:

A flagrant foul

b. Determine whether basket interference or goaltending occurred.

So if I read it right, they got the call right after reviewing it, but it was not a reviewable play.

[Dr Z]

Great photo.

[Captain Kangaroo]

Good block by Gilliam near the end of the game?

Maybe there were some questionable moments on both ends...

If you ain't cheatin', you ain't tryin'.

[Dr Z]

If you ain't cheatin', you ain't tryin'.

It's only cheating if you get caught, I appreciate the effort. I've seen nba players get away with this defensive move before.

[OZoner]

So if I read it right, they got the call right after reviewing it, but it was not a reviewable play.

We were told they were checking the time.