phil Posted December 3, 2012 Report Share Posted December 3, 2012 This year the Zips lost 2 games where they had the last shot in regulation for the win. Last year, they lost in the Nit when Alex took the last shot after dribbling out the clock. I have also seen him dribble out the clock at the end of the half and take a poor shot. Today Alex dribbled out the clock and then took a wild shot in the lane. I am thinking that maybe Alex dribbling until there are 4 seconds left and then going to the basket when everyone in world knows he is taking the shot might not be the best strategy. We are at least 0 for 5 with this play. Who on the team do you want to take the last shot and with how many seconds left on the clock should we start our offense? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UAZipster0305 Posted December 3, 2012 Report Share Posted December 3, 2012 Based on today's results, Kretzer. We'll see how his consistency and composure play out over the course of the season though. Overall, I'd prefer Walsh taking a shot than anyone else when the game is on the line. He is relatively consistent, keeps composure, one of our best shooters, and a senior leader. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
akronzips71 Posted December 3, 2012 Report Share Posted December 3, 2012 Based on today's results, Kretzer. We'll see how his consistency and composure play out over the course of the season though. Overall, I'd prefer Walsh taking a shot than anyone else when the game is on the line. He is relatively consistent, keeps composure, one of our best shooters, and a senior leader. I have to agree.Walsh, Kretzer, Gilliam. In that order I think. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GoZips Posted December 3, 2012 Report Share Posted December 3, 2012 This year the Zips lost 2 games where they had the last shot in regulation for the win. Last year, they lost in the Nit when Alex took the last shot after dribbling out the clock. I have also seen him dribble out the clock at the end of the half and take a poor shot. Today Alex dribbled out the clock and then took a wild shot in the lane. I am thinking that maybe Alex dribbling until there are 4 seconds left and then going to the basket when everyone in world knows he is taking the shot might not be the best strategy. We are at least 0 for 5 with this play. Who on the team do you want to take the last shot and with how many seconds left on the clock should we start our offense? Have to agree. This dribble out the clock strategy comes from the coach. The Zips used the same weak ploy when Steve Menees was on the point. Dribble until desperation time then loft a bad, off balance shot. Bad strategy; fails every time. The point guard's job is to distribute the ball. His assist on a winning basket is far more valuable than an "oh shit". Get the ball to the shooter with more than "point five" on the clock. Give the shooter a chance to square up and even possibly dish to an open man. Another thing that irritates me is having the shortest man on the court in bounding the ball. The point guard is suppose to be the best ball handler. Put him out on the floor and let him run the offense. Put a forward on the in bound. Some one tall enough to see what is front of him. Grrrrr. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Valpo Zip Posted December 3, 2012 Report Share Posted December 3, 2012 Nick Harney got a beauty of a basket last year to win the BG game in Stroh Center Brian Walsh missed a 14 ft jumper for the win at the Q, also last year, but man that one looked good and I would try it again. Those two were plays drawn by KD and whether they worked or not, you have to respect a nicely drawn and executed play. On the other hand, between serb and Rico (over the last 3 years), I think I've seen a dozen plays that looked like winging it to end the game. If you want to dribble it down to take a last shot, nothing wrong with that as long as you have a plan. Just take the best shot ends up with either a prayer or a no shot. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GoZips Posted December 3, 2012 Report Share Posted December 3, 2012 Blue Raider Post Game An interesting set of comments made post game by MTSU coach and by their star player. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GP1 Posted December 3, 2012 Report Share Posted December 3, 2012 Maybe the acceptance of reality is important in looking at this situation. There are some things every team is good at and some things every team may not be good at. Maybe the reality is we are a great team on defense and we use that to score points. Maybe a half court offense isn't our best suit. Further, maybe the reality is we are not good at last second plays because of our player make-up. In this situation, I have no problem with giving the ball to one player in a tie game with a chance to win it. We just need to make sure we get it to the right player. I'd rather give the ball to one guy, let him run down the clock to the point the team would never get a chance of breaking the tie before halftime if he misses and take our chances in overtime. This strategy seemed to work yesterday. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr Z Posted December 3, 2012 Report Share Posted December 3, 2012 I would rather run a play that takes advantage of the weakness of our opponent. I don't care who the player is. Players will change, concept will stay the same. Different opponents have different weaknesses, so you need to come up with more than one play. We need to do a better job of studying film. When we make this weakness a strength, our good team will have a chance to be great. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Captain Kangaroo Posted December 3, 2012 Report Share Posted December 3, 2012 Abreu drove and got off a good shot. In comparison to past similar situations (McNees bombs...Dru Joyce 28-footers) it was a good, close-range shot. Abreu had eaten the MTSU guard alive all day, so I liked our chances with his dribble-penetration. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GP1 Posted December 3, 2012 Report Share Posted December 3, 2012 Abreu drove and got off a good shot. In comparison to past similar situations (McNees bombs...Dru Joyce 28-footers) it was a good, close-range shot. Abreu had eaten the MTSU guard alive all day, so I liked our chances with his dribble-penetration. It's a simple game isn't it? Get your best player the ball and put him in a position to win the game. Coaches can dream up plays all day long, but crunch time comes down to how the best players do at that moment. I too like AA taking a last second shot all year. He is the one guy who is comfortable with the ball in his hands and can be creative with it. It takes me back to the Dallas Cowboys in the Aikman years. Third and one, what were the Cowboys going to do? It was simple. Two tight ends...I formation with Johnson blocking and Smith running....tightend motion left and then back to the right and they ran off tackle right. Getting the first down became clockwork for them and they did it for years. Best running back, behind Pro Bowl fullback running behind pro bowl right tackle. They knew they were going to run the play. The other team knew they were going to run the play. The fans knew they were going to run the play. It doesn't get any more simple than that. Same for the Zips. Best player with the ball to win the game should be the strategy. Nothing wrong with AA having the ball in his hands all season long. They need to execute the play better. I like the Zips chances in any overtime game this season. In a tie game, the play ran yesterday is their best option to either win or extend the game without a turnover that leads to a last second shot for the other team. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alexopats@yahoo.com Posted December 3, 2012 Report Share Posted December 3, 2012 Not to beat a dead horse, but we can't forget Tree taking a three (can't remember, either an airball or hit the side of the backboard?) at the buzzer against Cleveland St last year. I don't care if Tree hits a couple in pregame warmups, I'd rather have Walsh take an 80 footer before Tree shoots an open three. Dambrot is a fine coach, but it's hard to deny the man chokes at the end of games. He lacks the creativity of the GREAT coaches. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BirdZip Posted December 3, 2012 Report Share Posted December 3, 2012 Abreu drove and got off a good shot. In comparison to past similar situations (McNees bombs...Dru Joyce 28-footers) it was a good, close-range shot. Abreu had eaten the MTSU guard alive all day, so I liked our chances with his dribble-penetration. +1. As I recall it, he had no-one in front of him. He shot it off balance one-handed, but likely didn't have to. Alex had 19 and was putting in shots left and right. I agree, our typical end-of-half/regulation "plays" are terrible, but that one worked fine and Alex just missed it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave in Green Posted December 3, 2012 Report Share Posted December 3, 2012 Ideally, you want to begin a final shot sequence with the ball in the hands of your best ball handler/distributor. If that player also happens to be one of your better shooters, all the better. He either finds the open man or creates an open shot for himself with enough time left on the clock for an offensive rebound but not enough time for the other team to rebound and get into position for a decent shot at the other end. There's no question that Rico is that player for the Zips. He's currently averaging 5.7 assists per game and shooting 52% from the field and 81% from the free throw line. Beyond that, it's up to the coaching staff to draw up plays with multiple options and for the players to properly execute. There are many things that can go wrong along the way, and fans have long memories when things go wrong even when they don't know exactly what it was that caused things to go wrong. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phil Posted December 3, 2012 Author Report Share Posted December 3, 2012 "I like the Zips chances in any overtime game this season. In a tie game, the play ran yesterday is their best option to either win or extend the game without a turnover that leads to a last second shot for the other team." I think this comment sums up our strategy, get the ball to our best one on one player and let him create space and take the shot. My only problem with this strategy is that it hasn't worked. The shot yesterday by Alex did not hit rim. None of his last second shots have been close or he has not gotten the shot off. I would rather have a set play where Alex starts the offense with 10-12 seconds left and pass the ball to somebody where we could take a shot with 5 seconds left and then crash the boards for an offensive putback. I also like the idea of working the ball inside to Tree on Z where there is also a chance of a foul. I believe that worked last year although VCU came back and won it on a buzzer beater. I feel confortable with any of the 6 playing overtime yesterday taking a shot off a set play. I just do not like the "one on one Alex take the last shot" because of the poor results. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
taxpayer Posted December 3, 2012 Report Share Posted December 3, 2012 Not to beat a dead horse, but we can't forget Tree taking a three (can't remember, either an airball or hit the side of the backboard?) at the buzzer against Cleveland St last year. I don't care if Tree hits a couple in pregame warmups, I'd rather have Walsh take an 80 footer before Tree shoots an open three. Dambrot is a fine coach, but it's hard to deny the man chokes at the end of games. He lacks the creativity of the GREAT coaches. Seriously? Chokes? The beauty of sports is that fans get to second guess decisions made by coaches, players and refs. Questioning a decision is one thing but using choke as a reason is ridiculous. I tend to agree the Zips inbounds plays and final seconds option of having AA (currently) improvise when the clock goes under 10 seconds needs some improving but choking? I'd prefer to see the Zips run their most succesful set play of the current game or run a shooter off of 3 screens like MTSU did at the games' conclusion. Let's agree that KD is a fine coach; especially on the defensive side of the ball. I will agree with you 100% that it's time for other options to be considered after several end of half/game scenerio's ended up without a good look. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Z.I.P. Posted December 4, 2012 Report Share Posted December 4, 2012 Blue Raider Post Game An interesting set of comments made post game by MTSU coach and by their star player. Very interesting to learn the MTSU head coach is Kermit Davis! My first experience with him was when his Idaho (or Id St.?) team defeated Akron in the 3rd place game of the tournament at Hawaii's Klum Gym in 1990. The Vandals scored a bucket with .1 to play in OT for that win. That's what you call a last (split) second shot. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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