2012-2013 Prediction Thread

[OZoner]

My prediction is that Marshall will once again fail to live up to its potential.

The school, not the player. Had you worried!

[Bubba4three]

MVP: Zeke Marshall - Defense.

Most Improved Player: Demetrius Treadwell - He will run wild next to Zeke

Biggest Disappointment: Alex Abreu - Doesn't have the attitude you want from a point guard.

MAC Tournament Seed - #2. Behind Ohio.

Final Result - Zips advance to the Sweet 16 for the first time in school history via an at-large bid.

Bold Prediction - The MAC will win a grand total of 8 Big Dance games via the 2 bids it receives.

[Dave in Green]

@skip-zip, evaluating potential can never be entirely accurate because it relies on estimation, which is by nature based on impressions and opinion. Still, more data tends to produce more accurate estimations over the long run when properly processed. So even though viewing players in practice situations does not always accurately predict game performance, it does provide more data for consideration. Of course, all of the above does nothing to preclude the possibility that the sharpest basketball analyst with the most data might estimate wrong, while a casual fan with little data might guess right.

[GP1]

"Think Bigger"

I prefer...

or

"Sweet 16 or Bust"

This team is too good to be thinking about things. They need to be doing things.....Like winning 28 games as I predict. Don't think about winning 28 games and making the Sweet 16...Win 28 games and make the Sweet 16.

[Valpo Zip]

You have to think bigger...you can't think any other way. I know that we always start the season with great optimism but this year we are starting with unbelievable potential to go with that optimism.

Going back the memory lane, I can't believe that only a few years ago the great 6-6 Jeremiah Wood played center for our Zips. This year, we have a 6-6 who may be playing the SG position.

Similarly, only a few years back, we had a guard rotation of Ronnie Steward, Humpty Hitchens, Darryl Roberts, and Nick Dials (all under 6-1).

I remember how excited I was when the 6-9 Mike Bardo, committed to Akron. I knew he had no skills coming out of high school, but hey... he was 6-9. This team includes 4 players who are 6-9 or more...and with skills.

I remember how excited I was watching the athleticism of the 6-1 Middleton running the court. It is hard to believe that we have a similarly athletic Gilliam only 6-6 and with a great jumper.

You definitely have to think bigger with this team. This is not a midmajor, even some major teams don't have our size. In order for us to not make it to the dance (Mac Champs or at large), one of those must happen:

1 - get killed with major injuries all season long

2 - Bo Borrowski calls every single game for this team

3 - Major issues in the locker room

4 - KD and his staff totally drop the ball.

[GP1]

You have to think bigger...you can't think any other way.

Us fans can think because that's all we really have. It's easy to think. Actions are more difficult. The players need to "Do".

[Hilltopper]

Part of the ability to "Do"is the belief system that you can. I got to play golf last week with 3 PGA pros at Firestone CC and they all told me the difference between winning and just competing was attitude. The guys who win know they can, the rest are just hoping they can.

[GP1]

Part of the ability to "Do"is the belief system that you can.

A Jedi Knight are you?

When Luke can't get the X Fighter out of the water and Yoda does, Luke says, "I can't believe it." Yoda responds with,

As fans, we can read what players say in the papers and try to come to some sort of conclusion when we read the comments. I don't take too much of it too seriously. What we don't know is what the player thinks at night when he is all alone looking up at the ceiling. Does he really believe he can do the job or is he satisfied with just trying hard? There is a difference. We are going to find out this year if the Zips really believe they are as good as the talent.

[taxpayer]

I predict the old cliches will occur and hope that the team believes them:

Health is Wealth

This game is this year's biggest game

You're not as bad as you think you are when you lose

You're not as good as you think you are when you win

Stats are for losers and all they care about

Wins are all winners care about

Scoring wins fans

Defense wins championships

The homecourt advantage is often the difference

See you at the JAR!

[johnnyzip84]

[Dr Z]

Interesting video..thanks for posting JZ.

Two of the most interesting quotes:

"...(schedule) is set up to get an at large position" -- KD

I like how KD is aware of how many fans have been complaining about the schedule, and his rationalization for it.

"...(we have) a good equipment deal, thanks to Lebron" -- KD

Since this is a prediction thread, I'll repeat KD's "prediction" from the video..."winning teams win, and losing teams lose"

I'm surprised KD didn't use the opportunity to speak directly to the fan and tell them to come out to watch the team because they were going to be exciting to watch. Missed opportunity IMO. I guess he'll wait until his post game interviews with Steve to do it.

I wish Zeke had his own lapel mic, so I can hear his comments. I like his responses to some of KD's zingers.

[Dr Z]

You will recognize me by the

"think BIGGER" Zips tee shirt. "think BIGGER" is the theme for this seasons men's

basketball Zips.

Here is the mark.