Zeke's #1

[akronzips71]

That 70.9% really is pretty amazing if you think about it. When Zeke came in as a freshman he was a complete enigma on offense. His shot selection was horrible (I remember many games in which he was taking multiple 3's early in the shot clock) and he couldn't catch a cold in the low post let alone an entry pass. It really is a tribute to the work that young man has put in and the job that this coaching staff has done with him.

He used to miss bunnies and dunks. Now he is the most reliable shooter in the country. I'll take 17 points and less blocked shots any time.

[Dave in Green]

Zeke just misses making the Jay Bilas/Chad Ford top five list of the nation's best big men:

Of mid-major bigs, I went back and forth on the inclusion of Akron's Zeke Marshall, a skilled and efficient 7-footer who shoots better than 70 percent from the field, but he's not a high-volume rebounder, averaging 6.8 rebounds per game.

[Dave in Green]

Here's where Zeke stands in various national offensive and defensive rankings after last week's games:

#1: Up 3 from #4 to #1 in field goal percentage @ 70.9.

#2: Up 5 from #7 to #2 in effective field goal percentage @ 71.2.

#2: Still #2 in floor percentage @ 69.8.

#4: Up 3 from #7 to #4 in true shooting percentage @ 70.8.

#5: Still #5 in blocks per game @ 3.6

#6: Down 5 from #1 to #6 in free throw rate @ 91.0.

#6: Down 1 from #5 to #6 in blocks @ 75.

#7: Down 3 from #4 to #7 in block percentage @ 14.4.

#11. Down 1 from #10 to #11 in player efficiency rating (PER) @ 31.24.

#13: Up 3 from #16 to #13 in offensive rating @ 129.9.

[MDZip]

A little more recognition for the Big Guy.

Best post players in college basketball (voters: Eamonn Brennan, Andy Katz, Jason King, Myron Medcalf and Dana O'Neil)

1. Cody Zeller, Indiana -- 46 (4)

2. Mason Plumlee, Duke -- 41 (1)

3. Kelly Olynyk, Gonzaga - 40

4. Nerlens Noel, Kentucky -- 32

5. Jeff Withey, Kansas -- 31

6. Anthony Bennett, UNLV -- 19

7. Laurence Bowers, Missouri -- 16

8. Mike Muscala, Bucknell -- 12

9. Patric Young, Florida -- 9

10. Isaiah Austin, Baylor -- 8

Also receiving votes: Jack Cooley, Notre Dame 4; Gorgui Dieng, Louisville 4; Kenny Kadji, Miami 3; Zeke Marshall, Akron 3; Alex Len, Maryland 2; Trevor Mbakwe, Minnesota 2.

[Captain Kangaroo]

Keeley went 3-7 and fouled out so Zeke has now dominated ther other three "best in the MAC".

There's a bad-ass dude from Ball State that deserves some credit for his game against Zeke.

[LZIp]

A little more recognition for the Big Guy.

Best post players in college basketball (voters: Eamonn Brennan, Andy Katz, Jason King, Myron Medcalf and Dana O'Neil)

1. Cody Zeller, Indiana -- 46 (4)

2. Mason Plumlee, Duke -- 41 (1)

3. Kelly Olynyk, Gonzaga - 40

4. Nerlens Noel, Kentucky -- 32

5. Jeff Withey, Kansas -- 31

6. Anthony Bennett, UNLV -- 19

7. Laurence Bowers, Missouri -- 16

8. Mike Muscala, Bucknell -- 12

9. Patric Young, Florida -- 9

10. Isaiah Austin, Baylor -- 8

Also receiving votes: Jack Cooley, Notre Dame 4; Gorgui Dieng, Louisville 4; Kenny Kadji, Miami 3; Zeke Marshall, Akron 3; Alex Len, Maryland 2; Trevor Mbakwe, Minnesota 2.

Being mentioned over guys like Alex Len and Trevor Mbakwe is special.

[MDZip]

There's a bad-ass dude from Ball State that deserves some credit for his game against Zeke.

Fortunately Majok Majok isn't on the list. Which is why the best of the MAC was in quotes. Javon McCrea is now ahead of Zeke.

[RootforRoo44]

A quick look at some of Zeke's stats to date:

Stat Check: Zeke Marshall

[Dave in Green]

Zeke is ranked #16 in the chart that accompanies the following story. Why he's not in the Draft Express top 100 is puzzling.

Head of the Class: Ranking the 2012-13 NCAA Prospects

There are eight seniors in the top 30 (Taylor Smith, Edward Daniel, Zeke Marshall, Pierce Hornung, Ryan Broekhoff, James Hulbin, Fred Hunter and Ian Clark) who are not listed on the Draft Express top 100 (including 7’1″ Zeke Marshall from Akron). A smart team would scout them and start prepping summer league invites right now.

[Dave in Green]

Boom! And as if by magic, Draft Express updates its rankings, moving Zeke up from #36 to #19 among seniors, and finally including him in their Top 100 prospects list at #93. Zeke's NBA draft stock is rising along with his performance and the Zips winning streak.

[MDZip]

A little more love for Zeke from Jay Bilas. Bilas, Digger Phelps and Jalen Rose were picking their fantasy teams on College Gameday just now and while Jay took Cody Zeller as his center he also mentioned Zeke as one he would have considered. Send him another shirt! C'mon Zeke have a huge day and pay Jay back.

[gozips19]

Beat me to it MD! I put that in another thread haha

[MDZip]

Beat me to it MD! I put that in another thread haha

We need to get lives.

[Dave in Green]

Mid-Major Madness disagrees with the Fantasy League choices made by Digger Phelps, Jay Bilas and Jalen Rose on Saturday's GameDay show:

4. Take the swat machine. Nerlens Noel was taken, which is a great way to get blocks filled. But how about getting a guy that blocks shots, scores, and is the rebound machine for his team. Oh, and he isn't a freshman and won't get himself into foul trouble that often. You take Akron's Zeke Marshall. He is one of the best shot blockers in the country, and when you go against the undersized MAC, you are going to get a lot of chances to send balls into the stands. The only worry with a guy like Marshall is that he won't have a big scoring night. He has the tendency to not be as effective a scorer as you would expect from a 7-footer. But I will still take him, because on the nights he is on, he will sway enough to make up for the lack of production. And I already have Muscala. I can take a guy that is going to have the opportunity to really turn it on over the remainder of the season.

[MDZip]

Uh-oh, we have some trouble right here in River City. An ESPN article on Chris Obekpa, a shot blocking center for St. John's has the following passage:

Obekpa has several nicknames, including "The GameChanger." The moniker is so popular that St. John's is printing T-shirts to sell in bookstores and online with the word "#GameChanger" and an image of a hand -- presumably Obekpa's.

Someone get the trademark attorneys on this right now - we had the GameChanger before them.

[Dave in Green]

Zac Jackson delivers the best feature story yet on Zeke the person. It not only reveals what a unique individual Zeke is, but the challenges that Coach Dambrot and his staff had in getting Zeke to take the game seriously, and finally in his senior season start looking like a potential NBA player. Ultimately it could only happen when Zeke was ready for it to happen, and that's the way it should be.

[Z.I.P.]

Great article! But...Is Keith really only 5-6??

[Dave in Green]

(Moved to Zeke and the NBA Draft thread.)

[FromdaBurgh]

Can't complain about the COMPANY Zeke is keeping!!! LET'S GO ZIPS!!!!

[akronzips71]

I saw that graphic on the telecast. Just amazing!

[Blue & Gold]

I saw that graphic on the telecast. Just amazing!

I also saw that last night. Crazy!

[johnnyzip84]

I also saw that last night. Crazy!

That's an EXTREMELY exclusive club, no question!

The color commentator then was asked about Zeke's draft status. He replied that he thought, because of his combination of size and athletic ability (sound familiar?), Zeke would be a late to mid first round selection. It's only one man's opinion, but it's looking more and more likely that Zeke will be drafted and will probably be a first round pick. But I don't want to focus on that right now. Keep up the super play, big guy! Let's bring this thing home!! Go Zips!!!

[Z.I.P.]

Can't complain about the COMPANY Zeke is keeping!!! LET'S GO ZIPS!!!!

Coach Marshall in the Stands also got her share of Air Time last night, and I was impressed! Keep up the pressure!

[Dave in Green]

(Moved to Zeke and the NBA Draft thread.)

[LZIp]

Taller than any other Akron player by 3 inches? Not sure about that with Forsythe.

Dave- any update on Zeke's advanced stats?