Zeke- less fouls this year

[phil]

Going into a big game in previous years one of the concerns was whether Zeke would get into foul trouble. I don't know the stats but one of the reasons he has been successful this year is he has stayed out of foul trouble.

I believe that Zeke is playing smarter. He is avoiding the fouls 30 or 40 feet from the basket that he used to get. All of his fouls this year are almost always in the paint.

He is getting less offensive fouls for a moving screen. ( I still remember a few this year)

Most importantly, I think the refs are finally respecting his ability to block shots. Because he is the career leading shock blocker in the Mac they are giving him the benefit of the doubt on close calls that he never got when he was an underclassman.

Looking forward to a great game today. Go Zips!!!

[Dave in Green]

Zeke is down from last season's average of 2.8 fouls per game to 2.5 so far this season. His sophomore season was the worst at 3.4.

[Dr Z]

Like most stats, these are misleading as well. The human eye analysis tells he has improved more than what the numbers (.3) reveal. The best thing that Zeke has accomplished this year is learn when to foul (be aggressive), and when not to foul. He has played in more quality minutes in games because he has not been in foul trouble as much. He can now be more aggressive during crucial moments of the game. Of course the whistle still blows on a few anticipation calls, but there is not much he can do about that. I think I wrote at the end of sophomore year that the best thing he could do to help his team is to lay off defensively three or four times a game when he is out of position. It seems he has learned that. I also think Pat being able to give quality minutes helps his cause. KD doesn't have to get him back in there to "stop the bleeding." I remember at a presser after a game last year (or the year before) KD saying Zeke is going to be tough when he leans to stay in games. I think he has learned. I hope this thread doesn't jinx him.

[Dave in Green]

Stats can never tell the whole story. But the more detailed the stats, the more of the story they tell. Under the heading of a picture being worth a thousand words, much of what was said above is clearly illustrated in Zeke's detailed foul charts.

[Quickzips]

Don't underestimate the impact of two things.

One, Zeke is a senior now. He is an established player in this league. He is getting a little more (as much as MAC refs give) of the benefit of the doubt when he goes for a block than he would have as a freshman or a sophomore.

Two, Zeke has a legitimate DI center backing him up. Zeke doesn't have to worry as much this year about the times when he does see a little foul trouble because Pat is there to cover for him. Hence, Zeke doesn't have to think as much and can play a little more relaxed. It is leading to less fouls when Zeke would get to thinking too much out there and we are seeing less of the fouls piling up from frustration.

[Z.I.P.]

Stats can never tell the whole story. But the more detailed the stats, the more of the story they tell. Under the heading of a picture being worth a thousand words, much of what was said above is clearly illustrated in Zeke's detailed foul charts.

Another thing not captured in the stats is foul progression -- Zeke seems to be getting significantly fewer first half fouls, which allows him to play more aggressively down the stretch. I think that fact allows for much of his overall improvement.

[phil]

Thanks for the detailed stats. I did not jinx Zeke since he did not foul out today. He picked up another moving pick violation. Would have liked to see that on replay to see if he actually moved or was it a good acting job by the OU player. It seem that if the opposing player falls down the refs like to call a moving screen. The refs were very weak tonight and were calling a bunch of ticky tack fouls.