Arkansas Pine Bluff Game Thread

[dboze]

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

I can't speak for all the players, but Zeke averaged 5.1 points / 3.9 rebounds / 1.7 blocks a game as a Freshmen. He lead the team in scoring his Junior year and is also leading the team in scoring this year. He now averages 11.4 points / 6.9 rebounds / 4.3 blocks.

I agree, it may not be the big numbers that we all would like to see but it does show improvement over the course of his career.

[skip-zip]

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

But what about other opportunities off of missed shots? He had ONE offensive rebound !! That had to be one of the shortest teams we will play all year.

[LZIp]

But what about other opportunities off of missed shots? He had ONE offensive rebound !! That had to be one of the shortest teams we will play all year.

I think Zeke's rebounding does need some work. I've said before it seems like he just doesnt really jump. However, height can be made basically irrelevant if the opponent properly boxes out, which seems to be a lost art in today's game. Sometimes the ball just doesnt bounce your way as well. I cant really comment because I didnt watch that game.

Just think there is no excuse for our best player to get the ball only 6 times when he has a 4 inch advantage on an opponent, who is probably a scrub since he is playing Arkansas PB.

[Valpo Zip]

I can't speak for all the players, but Zeke averaged 5.1 points / 3.9 rebounds / 1.7 blocks a game as a Freshmen. He lead the team in scoring his Junior year and is also leading the team in scoring this year. He now averages 11.4 points / 6.9 rebounds / 4.3 blocks.

I agree, it may not be the big numbers that we all would like to see but it does show improvement over the course of his career.

I know his numbers have been improving and that's a great thing but it can be attributed to two factors:

1 - better FT%

2 - more playing time because he is not consistently in foul trouble like he was earlier in his career (I credit the coaching staff here).

However, I still stand by my comment that, other than the FT %, I don't see any significant improvement in Zeke's offensive arsenal.

[Dave in Green]

@Ada Zip, I can only guess that you haven't been looking at all the available data before making such a judgment. All of Zeke's stats for all four seasons are readily available in easily compared chart form on statsheet.com. I could post 1,000 words right here based on that chart documenting all the improvements Zeke has made each season in virtually every aspect of his game. But it's a lot easier to just post a link below. I will, however, take the time to say a few words about one key statistic -- offensive rating. That's a summary of a player's total offensive performance.

Everyone knows that Zeke came to UA as a defensive specialist with mediocre offense. In his freshman season, Zeke's offensive rating was 86.8, #65 in the MAC and not ranked nationally. In his sophomore season his offensive rating improved to 100.4, #35 in the MAC but still unranked nationally. Last season his offensive rating climbed to 110.8, #18 in the MAC and #453 nationally. So far this season, Zeke's offensive rating is 126.8, #3 in the MAC and #94 nationally. That's right, defensive specialist Zeke Marshall has improved his total offensive game to the point that he currently has a Top 100 national offensive rating. Zeke and the coaching staff deserve credit for that massive improvement.

Zeke's Career Stats on statsheet.com

[GoZips]

@Ada Zip, I can only guess that you haven't been looking at all the available data before making such a judgment. All of Zeke's stats for all four seasons are readily available in easily compared chart form on statsheet.com. I could post 1,000 words right here based on that chart documenting all the improvements Zeke has made each season in virtually every aspect of his game. But it's a lot easier to just post a link below. I will, however, take the time to say a few words about one key statistic -- offensive rating. That's a summary of a player's total offensive performance.

Everyone knows that Zeke came to UA as a defensive specialist with mediocre offense. In his freshman season, Zeke's offensive rating was 86.8, #65 in the MAC and not ranked nationally. In his sophomore season his offensive rating improved to 100.4, #35 in the MAC but still unranked nationally. Last season his offensive rating climbed to 110.8, #18 in the MAC and #453 nationally. So far this season, Zeke's offensive rating is 126.8, #3 in the MAC and #94 nationally. That's right, defensive specialist Zeke Marshall has improved his total offensive game to the point that he currently has a Top 100 national offensive rating. Zeke and the coaching staff deserve credit for that massive improvement.

Zeke's Career Stats on statsheet.com

Dave, excellent post. I see the team and Zeke nearly every day at practice. Zeke works both before and after

nearly every practice on his game. He gets plenty of coaching. Opponents key on Zeke because he is the one weapon

the Zips have that opponents fear. Efforts are under way to get Pat Forsythe to that fear level.

Front court is not the Zips weakness. A thin and some what injured back court is the real problem. Then again, I am

stupid because I see the players all the time and do not have the benefit of osmosis or a crystal ball.

[zippy5]

With all due respect, they are 5-4. They could be the #1 practicing team in the nation, but it doesn't mean crap until they win some games. I'm usually as optimistic as can be, but I'm sick of watching them blow November/December games and making games until March meaningless.

[MDZip]

@Ada Zip, I can only guess that you haven't been looking at all the available data before making such a judgment. All of Zeke's stats for all four seasons are readily available in easily compared chart form on statsheet.com. I could post 1,000 words right here based on that chart documenting all the improvements Zeke has made each season in virtually every aspect of his game. But it's a lot easier to just post a link below. I will, however, take the time to say a few words about one key statistic -- offensive rating. That's a summary of a player's total offensive performance.

Everyone knows that Zeke came to UA as a defensive specialist with mediocre offense. In his freshman season, Zeke's offensive rating was 86.8, #65 in the MAC and not ranked nationally. In his sophomore season his offensive rating improved to 100.4, #35 in the MAC but still unranked nationally. Last season his offensive rating climbed to 110.8, #18 in the MAC and #453 nationally. So far this season, Zeke's offensive rating is 126.8, #3 in the MAC and #94 nationally. That's right, defensive specialist Zeke Marshall has improved his total offensive game to the point that he currently has a Top 100 national offensive rating. Zeke and the coaching staff deserve credit for that massive improvement.

Zeke's Career Stats on statsheet.com

Just as an aside, Zeke is only 16 blocked shots from setting the all time MAC record. At his current pace of 4.3 per game, he could break the record against Coppin State on January 2nd. So his defense is still pretty good too.

[Valpo Zip]

@Ada Zip, I can only guess that you haven't been looking at all the available data before making such a judgment. All of Zeke's stats for all four seasons are readily available in easily compared chart form on statsheet.com. I could post 1,000 words right here based on that chart documenting all the improvements Zeke has made each season in virtually every aspect of his game. But it's a lot easier to just post a link below. I will, however, take the time to say a few words about one key statistic -- offensive rating. That's a summary of a player's total offensive performance.

Everyone knows that Zeke came to UA as a defensive specialist with mediocre offense. In his freshman season, Zeke's offensive rating was 86.8, #65 in the MAC and not ranked nationally. In his sophomore season his offensive rating improved to 100.4, #35 in the MAC but still unranked nationally. Last season his offensive rating climbed to 110.8, #18 in the MAC and #453 nationally. So far this season, Zeke's offensive rating is 126.8, #3 in the MAC and #94 nationally. That's right, defensive specialist Zeke Marshall has improved his total offensive game to the point that he currently has a Top 100 national offensive rating. Zeke and the coaching staff deserve credit for that massive improvement.

Zeke's Career Stats on statsheet.com

Dave, I wasn't aware of this site. Thanks for the link. I guess I was wrong. It is hard to argue with the numbers you're providing.

I wasn't basing my opinion on any measurable evidence and most importantly, it is not like I don't appreciate the importance of Zeke on the team, I do. I was simply hoping that at this point, he would be able to consistently hit a shot (that is not a dunk or a put back).

Go Zips! kick the vikings.

[Dave in Green]

Not only is Zeke's blocking still improving, so is the blocking by his teammates. With Forsythe, Tree and others chipping in, the Zips currently trail only five teams in the country in percentage of opponents shots blocked per game -- Kansas, St. John's, Syracuse, Kentucky and Arizona State. Pretty good company! As a team, the Zips are in the Top 100 in a number of important statistical categories:

#6 in block percentage

#7 in blocks per game

#15 in blocks

#25 in effective field goal percentage

#35 in true shooting percentage

#45 in points per possession

#49 in efficiency

#57 in 3-point field goal percentage

#58 in field goal percentage

#64 in 3-point field goals made

#69 in offensive rebound percentage

#70 in floor percentage (ratio of scoring possessions to total possessions)

#92 in assists per game

OBVIOUSLY the most important stat is number of wins. EVERYONE understands that. It's not a debatable point. The point of the above stats is that they show where the Zips' strengths are. So, for example, it would be just plain silly for someone to post on this forum that the Zips are not a good shooting team when they are ranked #25 in the country in effective field goal percentage. The Zips do have their weaknesses, and will need to improve on those in order to improve on their winning percentage. But they're in pretty good shape in the categories above.

[akronzips71]

Not only is Zeke's blocking still improving, so is the blocking by his teammates. With Forsythe, Tree and others chipping in, the Zips currently trail only five teams in the country in percentage of opponents shots blocked per game -- Kansas, St. John's, Syracuse, Kentucky and Arizona State. Pretty good company! As a team, the Zips are in the Top 100 in a number of important statistical categories:

#6 in block percentage

#7 in blocks per game

#15 in blocks

#25 in effective field goal percentage

#35 in true shooting percentage

#45 in points per possession

#49 in efficiency

#57 in 3-point field goal percentage

#58 in field goal percentage

#64 in 3-point field goals made

#69 in offensive rebound percentage

#70 in floor percentage (ratio of scoring possessions to total possessions)

#92 in assists per game

OBVIOUSLY the most important stat is number of wins. EVERYONE understands that. It's not a debatable point. The point of the above stats is that they show where the Zips' strengths are. So, for example, it would be just plain silly for someone to post on this forum that the Zips are not a good shooting team when they are ranked #25 in the country in effective field goal percentage. The Zips do have their weaknesses, and will need to improve on those in order to improve on their winning percentage. But they're in pretty good shape in the categories above.

The ONLY stat that counts is W-L

[skip-zip]

With all due respect, they are 5-4. They could be the #1 practicing team in the nation, but it doesn't mean crap until they win some games. I'm usually as optimistic as can be, but I'm sick of watching them blow November/December games and making games until March meaningless.

Amen!

Just one more thing about Zeke. I guess anyone can start throwing statistics around to document that there's been improvement. And some of it may well be simply due to increased playing time.

But, "improvement" really is all a matter of expectations at this point. I just think that most people here would have to admit that they would have been VERY upset if someone had told them that Zeke would only "progress" during his 4 year career from a 6 ppg guy to an 11 ppg guy.

[akronzips71]

Zeke has been a solid player for us. But I don't know if he has ever had a double-double.

To have a seven footer in a league that does not attract seven footers is unusual.

To have a seven footer who is not pulling down 12 rebounds a game when playing against people 4-5" shorter all the time means something is wrong. We know Zeke is athletic, so that's not it. He is either not coached properly or just does not have the ability to box out and grab rebounds. And he should be averaging at least 4 more points a game. At his size, he should get plenty of bunnies, and the fact that they are not there is quite possibly not his fault.

[Dr Z]

The ONLY stat that counts is W-L

Someone that understands the real/only "stat!"

[Dave in Green]

Zeke has been a solid player for us. But I don't know if he has ever had a double-double. .....

Well, you'd have to check the stats to be sure. But apparently that's frowned on in ZipsNation.

[Dave in Green]

Amen!

Just one more thing about Zeke. I guess anyone can start throwing statistics around to document that there's been improvement. And some of it may well be simply due to increased playing time. .....

Well, you could tell by analyzing the stats if the improvements were simply due to increased playing time. But analyzing stats is apparently frowned upon in ZipsNation.

[Dave in Green]

Someone that understands the real/only "stat!"

Can you cite me some examples of consistently winning teams that have poor stats in all the common areas of performance measurement? Oops, sorry. I forgot that statistical analysis is frowned upon in ZipsNation.

[LZIp]

Can you cite me some examples of consistently winning teams that have poor stats in all the common areas of performance measurement? Oops, sorry. I forgot that statistical analysis is frowned upon in ZipsNation.

I appreciate the info you give, DiG

[phil]

Zeke has always been a much better defensive player than offensive player. This year he has done a much better job of scoring down low when he gets the ball near the basket. One of the TV commentators in the Puerto Rico tournament noted that Zeke was getting the ball to far away from the basket. His jump hook or shot going away from the basket was not very effective. However, when Zeke gets the ball low he has been very good going strong to the hoop and either scoring or drawing a foul.

The problem is that this team does not do a good job getting the ball down low to Zeke or getting him easy baskets. The Serb was quick enough to get free and then get Zeke an easy basket. Q was a slasher and dump a pass off to Zeke. Last year Rico was doing a much better job of driving to the basket and dumping the ball of Zeke. This year the ball movement and passing has not been good and I watch Zeke battling underneath and not getting the ball. He is getting worn out by the second half battling for position when he does not get the ball.

The other problem with Zeke is that he gets down on himself and always looking at Coach when he fouls somebody, misses a pass, or misses an easy shot. Even when he blocks a shot he gets upset he Akron does not gain possession of the ball. He needs to take more shots and start having some fun his senior year.

[Captain Kangaroo]

Can you cite me some examples of consistently winning teams that have poor stats in all the common areas of performance measurement? Oops, sorry. I forgot that statistical analysis is frowned upon in ZipsNation.

I think there is a 50% chance that you repeat yourself more than SeeTeeZip.

[FromdaBurgh]

Zeke has been a solid player for us. But I don't know if he has ever had a double-double.

Are you serious! Do EVERYONE a favor and PLEASE make sure to CHECK YOUR FACTS:

as a Freshman (2009-10):

posted a double-double in his first collegiate start, tallying 10 points and 12 rebounds in the season opener against Austin Peay (Nov. 15)

as a Sophomore (2010-11): per GOZIPS.COM

recorded two double-doubles including a 14 point, 14 rebound performance against Arkansas-Little Rock (Dec. 21) and a 20 point, 11 rebound effort against Can't State (Jan. 8)

COASTAL CAROLINA: FRIDAY - NOV 9, 2012

Zeke Marshall posted a double-double to open the year, leading Akron with 15 points and a game-high 10 boards to go along with three blocked shots.

OKLAHOMA STATE: THURSDAY - NOV 15, 2012

Brian Walsh led Akron (1-2) with his first-career double-double, scoring 14 points and grabbing 10 boards. Marshall also added a double-double with 12 points and 10 boards. It was the first time since March 13, 2010, that two UA players recorded double-doubles in the same game

And they have only played 10 GAMES so far!

[akronzips71]

Thanks for the correction Mom!

[BirdZip]

Just as an aside, Zeke is only 16 blocked shots from setting the all time MAC record. At his current pace of 4.3 per game, he could break the record against Coppin State on January 2nd. So his defense is still pretty good too.

And he is on pace to score his 1000th point shortly thereafter. If he matches his scoring average, he'll hit 999 against Western Michigan at home and hit 1000 at NIU.

[Dave in Green]

I think there is a 50% chance that you repeat yourself more than SeeTeeZip.

I just don't get it. I almost never post the same numbers, but my posts often seem to generate a few repetitive responses. Oh well, as long as some ZN.o forum members find it useful, I'll continue to research and post stats from time to time. Anyone who's only interested in wins can just look at the final scores and ignore my stats posts.

[Dr Z]

I just don't get it. I almost never post the same numbers, but my posts often seem to generate a few repetitive responses. Oh well, as long as some ZN.o forum members find it useful, I'll continue to research and post stats from time to time. Anyone who's only interested in wins can just look at the final scores and ignore my stats posts.

Maybe start a thread, "Official 2012/13 Stats" in the basketball forum, you can go wild with all your research. The posters that find it useful can click on that thread.