Arkansas Pine Bluff Game Thread

[zipdiehard]

Thought I would start a thread for tonight.

GoZips.com list the game time as 8:00 pm. Annual Teddy Bear Toss game.

Arkansas Pine Bluff Golden Lions

SWAC

1-8 (1-0 home, 0-8 away) Win over Md Eastern Shore, "best" loss is 13 points to 9-2 Arizona State

Last meeting: 2011-12, Zips 87-64

They have three players averaging double figures: 6-8 DaVon Hayes 12.9, 6-3 Lazabian Jackson 11.0, and 6-6 250lb Terrell Kennedy 11.4. Hayes is a transfer from BG.

They don't have much size, with only two players listed at 6-8, including Hayes.

Hoping for at least a modest fan turnout at this one, but that may be dreaming. Maybe the Zips marketing should have just dubbed them "Arkansas" on the schedule...

I know ZN faith in the team isn't high right now, but the Zips should roll in this one. I'm predicting at least a 20 point win.

[akronzips71]

This has to be the sloppiest game I have seen in forever. Bodies flying all over the court is fun, but if we were not playing a cupcake we would be down 20+ at the half.

Meanwhile, the feed! There is audio, but there is a bad hum and it is very faint. And the online scoreboard is not working, the score was wrong at it was stuck at 1:59 at the half. I know some people would be disappointed if I fail to complain about the feed, so there it is.

[akronzips71]

That was absolutely the worst game I have ever seen the Zips play.

Even back in 1967-68, when Williams and Turner were gone and we had no players and could not compete in Div II against such luminaries as Philadelphia Textile, we never played that sloppy. OUCH.

[jjackson123]

That was absolutely the worst game I have ever seen the Zips play.

Even back in 1967-68, when Williams and Turner were gone and we had no players and could not compete in Div II against such luminaries as Philadelphia Textile, we never played that sloppy. OUCH.

I wasn't there so cant comment... It could not have been that bad though

Sidenote: How about Michigan State playing @ Bowling Green tonight and recently Eastern Michigan hosted and beat Purdue. It would be nice to get a big 10 team to the JAR, but Im not going to complain because I am sure our staff is trying to make that happen. But still...

[akronzips71]

I wasn't there so cant comment... It could not have been that bad though

Sidenote: How about Michigan State playing @ Bowling Green tonight and recently Eastern Michigan hosted and beat Purdue. It would be nice to get a big 10 team to the JAR, but Im not going to complain because I am sure our staff is trying to make that happen. But still...

We better stick to cupcakes. Anyone with a pulse would have blown us out tonight. Just horrible.

[Dave in Green]

There was a mistake on the calendar in the Zips locker room that showed this was a night off. The players all had other plans and were highly annoyed when informed at the last minute that they had to show up for a game. You could tell they didn't want to be there. The Arkansas-Pine Bluff Golden Lions were a little short on talent, and a little short overall. But you could tell they really wanted to be there as they played their little butts off from the opening tipoff to the final buzzer. They were quick and aggressive and forced the Zips into what must be close to a team record 25 turnovers. It was the sloppiest performance by a winning team in a 30-point victory I've ever witnessed. I understand that it's hard to get up for a game like this. But playing that sloppy in any game can lead to bad habits.

A couple of items of note: It was between semesters, and as had been rumored would happen at the end of the semester, Josh Egner was gone. It appears that he has transferred. Also, first backup point guard off the bench was not Melo but Deji. It appears that Melo is not adjusting to college play as quickly as expected. The more experienced Deji played at the point for 12 minutes and did a pretty fair job. Melo played 6 minutes and had 5 turnovers. The Golden Lions basically took the ball away from Melo whenever they wanted it. If Q were playing with the Zips this season, he'd be spending at least part of his minutes at backup PG as he did last season, and the Zips would be a better team. KD has a lot of work to do with this Q-less team.

[The Hip Zip]

Not that it mattered tonight but lets continue to give Jake K more minutes on the floor than anybody else. I see that he went one for eight tonight following his smooth one for five in Detroit. I'll expect to see him on the floor for no less than 30 min vs CSU Sunday.

[The Hip Zip]

That was absolutely the worst game I have ever seen the Zips play.

Even back in 1967-68, when Williams and Turner were gone and we had no players and could not compete in Div II against such luminaries as Philadelphia Textile, we never played that sloppy. OUCH.

Oh come on now, you do remember the Bryan Hipsher era don't you??

[johnnyzip84]

Who was fourth on the team in scoring last night, in only one official minute of play?

I’m sure "Zips Win!" knows the answer to this question

It was none other than Stat Stuffer Stalyga

[MDZip]

Who was fourth on the team in scoring last night, in only one official minute of play?

I’m sure "Zips Win!" knows the answer to this question

It was none other than Stat Stuffer Stalyga

Six points in one minute of play? Why isn't this guy playing more?!?

[johnnyzip84]

Six points in one minute of play? Why isn't this guy playing more?!?

They're trying to keep him under wraps before MAC play begins

[GoZips]

Six points in one minute of play? Why isn't this guy playing more?!?

Jonas is clueless about defense. He is getting better in practice and will contribute.

It is nice to have a six-eight walk-on. He sure helps the "bigs" develop.

[GoZips]

I read the posts and I wonder what the heck are people watching.

Doing a little research I found that Arkansas-Pine Bluff lost a game to Michigan State two weeks ago. The score? 76-44.

That number sound familiar? It should. The Zips just defeated A-PB 76-46. There are more similarities. Like Akron,

Michigan State had too many turnovers. Wonder if A-PB's attacking style had some influence on that stat?

Like Akron, Michigan State played their starters about twenty minutes.

The only way to get new players skill improvements is by playing them. So, we play through and live with their fluffs.

Some will get better and a few will be gone. It is up to the player to develop to the level expected.

Akron plays four freshman. They stumble. Why did no one mention that Reggie McAdams finally had a break out game?

How quickly fans forget that Jake Kretzer saved the Zips bacon against Middle Tennessee by nailing two important threes

in overtime to seal the victory?

Sit back and enjoy the season. You all know how KD builds his team to peak at tournament time.

[johnnyzip84]

Akron plays four freshman. They stumble. Why did no one mention that Reggie McAdams finally had a break out game?

There’s no doubt that Reggie played well last night and that was nice to see. In fact, I wish he’d have seen a little time at the point because I’m not sold on the back-ups to AA at the moment. KD even mentioned during the postgame that he thinks something might be “wrong” with Melo. Adjusting to college can be difficult for all freshmen, but throw in the demands of basketball, cultural differences, etc. and it’s not too hard to picture Melo needing to work through some things before he starts to improve on the court. It’s just my opinion, but I think Reggie is a little stronger on the ball than Deji and he sees the floor better. The point guard position will be my main area of concern for the duration of the season.

[Captain Kangaroo]

I read the posts and I wonder what the heck are people watching.

Sloppy, bad basketball

Doing a little research I found that Arkansas-Pine Bluff lost a game to Michigan State two weeks ago. The score? 76-44.

That number sound familiar? It should. The Zips just defeated A-PB 76-46. There are more similarities. Like Akron,

Michigan State had too many turnovers. Wonder if A-PB's attacking style had some influence on that stat?

Two weeks ago was roughly 18,000 miles ago for the Puffs. They still had some legs. And they had two of their better players available...guys that didn't suit up vs. the Zips. Michigan State would beat the December 2012 Zips by 15 - 20 points.

The only way to get new players skill improvements is by playing them. So, we play through and live with their fluffs.

Some will get better and a few will be gone. It is up to the player to develop to the level expected.

A universal truth.

Akron plays four freshman. They stumble. Why did no one mention that Reggie McAdams finally had a break out game?

I think - because no one really wants to talk about the game at all. The Arkansas Cream-Puff game measured only slightly higher on the interest scale than the Dayton women's game. Good for McAdams, but I will be excited when he does it against K.e.n.t., OU, even Princeton.

How quickly fans forget that Jake Kretzer saved the Zips bacon against Middle Tennessee by nailing two important threes

in overtime to seal the victory?

And thank God he did, or the Zips would have nothing to hang their hat on aside from a beatdown of a dilapidated Penn State team. Since MTSU, JK has been...pretty rough.

Sit back and enjoy the season. You all know how KD builds his team to peak at tournament time.

MAC tournament time, yes. We've seen that for 6 straight years. But when the coach comes out and says he's expecting to compete for an at-large NCAA bid, the fans want to see a team peaking in the NCAA tourney.

Despite what anyone might say...if the Zips fall asleep in any of their next 3 games, they can easily lose. They are not Bluff Puffs.

[Dave in Green]

GoZips makes some good points. Zips starters played only 101 of 200 minutes. With the game's outcome never in doubt, KD was obviously experimenting and trying to give the freshmen more experience so that they can contribute more later in the season. As for McAdams, he has a lot of strengths -- especially on offense -- and should contribute a lot over his career. But the quick little A-PB guards just absolutely blew around him as if he were nailed to the floor a few times. KD is always watching to see which players do the best job on the defensive end. The only Zips PG the A-PB guards were not able to out-quick was Deji, who always seemed to be able to stay in front of them and force them to pass. Lock down defense was what Deji was noted for in HS. KD has said that he is about a year away from being really good. If Deji develops a little quicker, he could get significant PT before the season is over.

[akronzips71]

Oh come on now, you do remember the Bryan Hipsher era don't you??

Actually, no. There was no internet streaming then, and we didn't even get the Akron scores here in New York. So my knowledge ends around 1972 in the Len Paul era and starts again a few years ago when Dru Joyce and Romeo were playing, with nothing in between.

That being said, I have no gripe with the bench being used when the game was in hand. What I do have a gripe with is the total sloppiness we played with. Just totally horrible. It was like no one was paying attention. Something is just not clicking.

PF is going to be a good one for us. I like his aggressiveness to the hoop, something that Zeke has never had. He still seems a little clutzy, but that happens when guys grow big. Hopefully he outgrows that.

[Dave in Green]

Not that it mattered tonight but lets continue to give Jake K more minutes on the floor than anybody else. I see that he went one for eight tonight following his smooth one for five in Detroit. I'll expect to see him on the floor for no less than 30 min vs CSU Sunday.

Kretzer gets lots of minutes because he has a complete game, starting at the defensive end. Keep an eye on his defensive positioning, how well he guards other players and his positioning for rebounds. On the offensive end, he's had two off shooting games in a row. It happens to everyone. Walsh had two off shooting games in a row in the two games prior to last night. Prior to the last two games, Kretzer was a 50% shooter, and he'll get back to that. Even after the last two games, he has the second best 3-point shooting percentage in the MAC. In the meantime, he protects the ball well on offense and passes crisply and accurately like a veteran. He's already one of the Zips' best all-around players as a true freshman. KD likes Kretzer because he listens, learns and executes in all phases of the game.

[MDZip]

Kretzer gets lots of minutes because he has a complete game, starting at the defensive end. Keep an eye on his defensive positioning, how well he guards other players and his positioning for rebounds. On the offensive end, he's had two off shooting games in a row. It happens to everyone. Walsh had two off shooting games in a row in the two games prior to last night. Prior to the last two games, Kretzer was a 50% shooter, and he'll get back to that. Even after the last two games, he has the second best 3-point shooting percentage in the MAC. In the meantime, he protects the ball well on offense and passes crisply and accurately like a veteran. He's already one of the Zips' best all-around players as a true freshman. KD likes Kretzer because he listens, learns and executes in all phases of the game.

Being the leading rebounder in the game doesn't hurt either, there are lots of ways to help your team on nights when you are not shooting well.

[skip-zip]

I'll just throw this out there.

Am I the only one who's disappointed to see that Zeke only had 4 field goals in a game, halfway through his senior year, against a bad 1-9 basketball team, who couldn't put anyone on the floor over 6'-7" tall?

[zippy5]

You all know how KD builds his team to peak at tournament time.

Yes we do. All too well. Tell your friend KD to give us a reason to be interested before March.

[Valpo Zip]

Gozips, I hope you don't take this personal... but I disagree with almost all your points

I read the posts and I wonder what the heck are people watching.

I watched the first 10 minutes and I had to turn the tv off because it was playground basketball and looked like those guys met one another for the first time 5 minutes before the game.

Doing a little research I found that Arkansas-Pine Bluff lost a game to Michigan State two weeks ago. The score? 76-44.

That number sound familiar? It should. The Zips just defeated A-PB 76-46. There are more similarities. Like Akron,

Michigan State had too many turnovers. Wonder if A-PB's attacking style had some influence on that stat?

It doesn't matter what PB does, that team is terrible and whatever they did should not affect our stats if we are as good as we claim we are.

The only way to get new players skill improvements is by playing them. So, we play through and live with their fluffs.

Some will get better and a few will be gone. It is up to the player to develop to the level expected. Akron plays four freshman. They stumble.

This is one of my biggest concerns with KD and his coaching staff. I don't see much development in their game. I'll give you a few examples:

Serb: was a very promising freshman who can be developed into a superstar, finished his senior year as an average big man in the MAC.

Nitro: was worse as a senior than what he was as a freshman and Soph

Bardo: Could not learn how to make a 5 foot jumper in 5 years under KD

Zeke: while improved in his FT percentage, still cannot rebound consistently or hit that hook shot he's been working on since 4 years.

CG and Walsh: seem like the same guys who came in 2 years ago.

Egner, Humpty, Quincy: well...

Who exactly are the players that are developing and becoming stars under KD? Linhart: maybe and Conyers who gave us only one good year of play. I am not very impressed.

Why did no one mention that Reggie McAdams finally had a break out game?

Because it is Pine Bluff. No one cares how you do against pine bluff, John Caroll and Tiffin. We need players who show up for the big games (nothing against Reggie here) but since you brought him up.

How quickly fans forget that Jake Kretzer saved the Zips bacon against Middle Tennessee by nailing two important threes

in overtime to seal the victory?

I am with you on this one. Kretzer showed that he can play and I appreciate his contributions even when he has an off night but I hope that his development doesn't stall like Serb, Nitro, and others.

Sit back and enjoy the season. You all know how KD builds his team to peak at tournament time.

This is the problem. There is nothing to enjoy now. Are you telling me to not look until tournament time?

[LZIp]

I'll just throw this out there.

Am I the only one who's disappointed to see that Zeke only had 4 field goals in a game, halfway through his senior year, against a bad 1-9 basketball team, who couldn't put anyone on the floor over 6'-7" tall?

I think Im more concerned with him only getting 7 shots. Get him the ball!

[akronzips71]

I think Im more concerned with him only getting 7 shots. Get him the ball!

They could not because the passing was horrible.

[Dr Z]

Kretzer showed that he can play and I appreciate his contributions even when he has an off night but I hope that his development doesn't stall like Serb, Nitro, and others.

Good point. The staff needs to help develop young talent so it translates on game days.