Stupid Support

[Big Zip]

It was nice to see the best student support for an Akron game in the Dambrodt era but we still had less than a 1K.

At UM this was awesome, amazing and fun all in the same breath! Enjoy!

[FromdaBurgh]

that was the ABSOLUTE BEST student support video I have EVER SEEN!!!!!!!!!! I LOVED IT!!! Way cool...well put together and what GREAT SUPPORT!! Congrats Terps students/fans!! Awesome job! I would have been RIGHT DEAD SMACK IN THE MIDDLE OF IT ALL tooooooo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Dr Z]

[GoZips88]

that was the ABSOLUTE BEST student support video I have EVER SEEN!!!!!!!!!! I LOVED IT!!! Way cool...well put together and what GREAT SUPPORT!! Congrats Terps students/fans!! Awesome job! I would have been RIGHT DEAD SMACK IN THE MIDDLE OF IT ALL tooooooo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Sure seems like an example of fan participation that might just help bring Joe and Suzy Akron and their kids out to the JAR a little more often! ("Hey! That was cool! When's the next game?") Any chance there is still time left to include something along those lines in the season finale against Can't! (Hey Willie! )

The finale of a Blue Man Group concert is high energy and a blast too! Shake, shake, shake that thang Nicole!

[doccomet87]

Sure seems like an example of fan participation that might just help bring Joe and Suzy Akron and their kids out to the JAR a little more often! ("Hey! That was cool! When's the next game?") Any chance there is still time left to include something along those lines in the season finale against Can't! (Hey Willie! )

The finale of a Blue Man Group concert is high energy and a blast too! Shake, shake, shake that thang Nicole!

I would absolutely give up my season tickets and move upstairs if we had student support like that, incredibly cool.

[GoZips]

that was the ABSOLUTE BEST student support video I have EVER SEEN!!!!!!!!!! I LOVED IT!!! Way cool...well put together and what GREAT SUPPORT!! Congrats Terps students/fans!! Awesome job! I would have been RIGHT DEAD SMACK IN THE MIDDLE OF IT ALL tooooooo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Yes, you would be. In fact, you were last night. According to ESPN they had a camera on you when Zeke made

his spectacular dunk. The commentators were remarking about how exuberant you were. That means that all of us right

around you were just as crazy acting with our "high-fives" and dancing. Perhaps someone who watched the game on TV

could comment.

BTW, it saddens me that a so called or at least a self-proclaimed Zips supporter wrote that the Technical foul was a legitimate

call. Pardon my French, but you are a total flamer and no Zips fan.

For the fans to celebrate and respond as the Maryland students did some one needs to put a muzzle on Akron pep band.

It is not only loud and overbearing it is much worse ... it it intrusive, The director fires up the band at the least sliver of

silence and bangs the band onward even into when play on the floor has resumed. It is ugly and not conducive to crowd

participation. Obviously the Maryland mosh was well co-ordinated and timed. Perhaps it can be tried at Akron. I hope so.

Final note: Interesting that Maryland has resurrected the "Fear the Turtle" after they long ago ceded that slogan to Akron.

Mean while, Akron Marketing is repeatedly trying to KILL any reference to "Fear the Roo". Bad marketing.

[zippy5]

what's stupid about it?

[ZachTheZip]

For the fans to celebrate and respond as the Maryland students did some one needs to put a muzzle on Akron pep band.

It is not only loud and overbearing it is much worse ... it it intrusive, The director fires up the band at the least sliver of

silence and bangs the band onward even into when play on the floor has resumed. It is ugly and not conducive to crowd

participation.

THIS

[Hilltopper]

I was surprised when the band got moved to a location directly in front of the players family section and also much closer to our own bench. I understand the thought that having more students down by the opponents bench would give us some kind of advantage. With that said, I think it bothers the coaching staff. During timeouts it has to make it harder for the staff to talk to the players with the band just a few feet away. I would bet if you asked KD he would gladly move them back to the other end to disrupt our opponents timeouts.

[Zipmeister]

Yes, you would be. In fact, you were last night. According to ESPN they had a camera on you when Zeke made

his spectacular dunk. The commentators were remarking about how exuberant you were. That means that all of us right

around you were just as crazy acting with our "high-fives" and dancing. Perhaps someone who watched the game on TV

could comment.

BTW, it saddens me that a so called or at least a self-proclaimed Zips supporter wrote that the Technical foul was a legitimate

call. Pardon my French, but you are a total flamer and no Zips fan.

For the fans to celebrate and respond as the Maryland students did some one needs to put a muzzle on Akron pep band.

It is not only loud and overbearing it is much worse ... it it intrusive, The director fires up the band at the least sliver of

silence and bangs the band onward even into when play on the floor has resumed. It is ugly and not conducive to crowd

participation. Obviously the Maryland mosh was well co-ordinated and timed. Perhaps it can be tried at Akron. I hope so.

Final note: Interesting that Maryland has resurrected the "Fear the Turtle" after they long ago ceded that slogan to Akron.

Mean while, Akron Marketing is repeatedly trying to KILL any reference to "Fear the Roo". Bad marketing.

I was watching the game.

You all appeared exuberant.

Much as it saddens me to sadden you, I would have to agree that the T was a legitimate call.

Only a flaming flamer would call a Zips fan who has an opinion different than their own a flamer and no Zips fan.

[ZachTheZip]

Yes, it was a Technical, by definition. Yes, Zeke should have held on as long as he did. He had so much rotational inertia from the dunk that if he let go when he should have, he would have kept spinning and landed on his head.

[Dave in Green]

Why don't we look at the exact NCAA officiating guidelines for hanging on the rim:

Section 3. Hanging/Grasping on the Ring: Players should not be permitted to hang on or grasp the basket ring in an excessive, emphatic manner during dunks when there is no possibility of a resulting injury occurring. The intent of the rule does not permit a player to hold the ring and lift his or her body or legs, or in general, hang on or grasp the ring for emphasis. This is especially true for a player who dunks the ball on a breakaway or when no defender is nearby. Injuries, sometimes serious, can occur as a result of grasping/hanging on the ring. Game delays also result when damaged equipment must be fixed or replaced. When there is no obvious injury circumstance to be avoided by grasping/hanging on the ring, doing so in an emphatic matter is a (men) CLASS B and (women) Player/Substitute technical foul.

Anyone can look at the video and see that Zeke was being chased by a defender and did not have the option to slow down without being caught. At the point that the defender broke off, Zeke's focus was on the basket, and he jumped toward the bucket in full stride, which, for a 7-footer is quite a large stride. Had he not grabbed the rim, he would have faced the possibility of injury by hitting his head on the rim or backboard. Once he grabbed the rim and his body swung out, he could not let loose without the possibility of injury by falling flat on his back until the momentum of his body swinging out almost parallel to the court returned to vertical. The video clearly shows that Zeke let loose of the rim the split second his body swung back and he was able to look down and see that there was no one beneath him, with the entire rim hang lasting 1 second. Bottom line is that the officials have the ability to judge whether or not the hanging on the rim was related to showboating or preventing injury. Zeke was not showboating. Zeke was protecting his body. There was clearly a "possibility of a resulting injury occurring." The officials made an incorrect interpretation of a rule written by the NCAA to be a judgment call with player safety being the primary concern.

[RootforRoo44]

Why don't we look at the exact NCAA officiating guidelines for hanging on the rim:

Section 3. Hanging/Grasping on the Ring: Players should not be permitted to hang on or grasp the basket ring in an excessive, emphatic manner during dunks when there is no possibility of a resulting injury occurring. The intent of the rule does not permit a player to hold the ring and lift his or her body or legs, or in general, hang on or grasp the ring for emphasis. This is especially true for a player who dunks the ball on a breakaway or when no defender is nearby. Injuries, sometimes serious, can occur as a result of grasping/hanging on the ring. Game delays also result when damaged equipment must be fixed or replaced. When there is no obvious injury circumstance to be avoided by grasping/hanging on the ring, doing so in an emphatic matter is a (men) CLASS B and (women) Player/Substitute technical foul.

Anyone can look at the video and see that Zeke was being chased by a defender and did not have the option to slow down without being caught. At the point that the defender broke off, Zeke's focus was on the basket, and he jumped toward the bucket in full stride, which, for a 7-footer is quite a large stride. Had he not grabbed the rim, he would have faced the possibility of injury by hitting his head on the rim or backboard. Once he grabbed the rim and his body swung out, he could not let loose without the possibility of injury by falling flat on his back until the momentum of his body swinging out almost parallel to the court returned to vertical. The video clearly shows that Zeke let loose of the rim the split second his body swung back and he was able to look down and see that there was no one beneath him, with the entire rim hang lasting 1 second. Bottom line is that the officials have the ability to judge whether or not the hanging on the rim was related to showboating or preventing injury. Zeke was not showboating. Zeke was protecting his body. There was clearly a "possibility of a resulting injury occurring." The officials made an incorrect interpretation of a rule written by the NCAA to be a judgment call with player safety being the primary concern.

Thank you.

I'm still confused as to why this is so hard to grasp for some people though. The video is clear.

[GoZips]

I was watching the game.

You all appeared exuberant.

Much as it saddens me to sadden you, I would have to agree that the T was a legitimate call.

Only a flaming flamer would call a Zips fan who has an opinion different than their own a flamer and no Zips fan.

Here is a great way to settle your disapproval of my point of view. Ask Coach Dambrot whether I am a real Zips fan or not.

BTW, DiG, thank you for the rules clarification. By the NCAA definition Zeke clearly did not violate their rule.

Most of forty-four hundred plus fans at the game roared their approval of your view, NOT.

[Zipmeister]

Here is a great way to settle your disapproval of my point of view. Ask Coach Dambrot whether I am a real Zips fan or not.

BTW, DiG, thank you for the rules clarification. By the NCAA definition Zeke clearly did not violate their rule.

Most of forty-four hundred plus fans at the game roared their approval of your view, NOT.

Who said you weren't a Zips fan?

Let's do a little wager.

Let's have as many D1 refs as you want review the play. I'll give you $100 for each one that says it shouldn't have resulted in a T, you give me $100 for everyone that says it was a violation of the rule.

[GP1]

Zeke would have fallen to the ground and broken his back if he didn't hold on to the rim. Centers don't get that type of opportunity very often and I can see how it might leave someone in a dangerous situation. The ref should have taken that into consideration.

[ZachTheZip]

I was surprised when the band got moved to a location directly in front of the players family section and also much closer to our own bench. I understand the thought that having more students down by the opponents bench would give us some kind of advantage. With that said, I think it bothers the coaching staff. During timeouts it has to make it harder for the staff to talk to the players with the band just a few feet away. I would bet if you asked KD he would gladly move them back to the other end to disrupt our opponents timeouts.

The band can't move back to the other side, because their trombone players are multiplying at an alarming rate. They just wouldn't fit.

[Dave in Green]

@Zipmeister, you'd make a great MAC ref. You should apply.

[GoZips]

The band can't move back to the other side, because their trombone players are multiplying at an alarming rate. They just wouldn't fit.

Well, we could do with them just as we do with the horses here on the farm. We'll castrate all but two and put those two

where they can not breed with the French horn players.

[Zipmeister]

@Zipmeister, you'd make a great MAC ref. You should apply.

Bless your heart.

At your suggestion I have obtained my

application

[taxpayer]

It's never to late to do or say the right thing so: Great job, team, students, fans, band, marketing department dance & cheer teams. I hope the last two home games will be sold out and that the students & team will be in rare form. Seems some fans need to learn how to twirl the towel....my only complaint about Friday night!

[Roo]

Clearly a T was warranted. He got it for pulling himself up on the rim. He had just let his momentum take him back to go on the floor, nothing would have been called.

The second you lift yourself up on the rim, you are getting nailed with a T.

Is it by the definition? Yes.

The intent of the rule does not permit a player to hold the ring and lift his or her body or legs, or in general, hang on or grasp the ring for emphasis.

He clearly lifted himself up beyond the ring, which resulted in the T.

[Dave in Green]

@Roo, I was shocked to read your evaluation of the video, because I've looked at both camera angles dozens of times and step-framed through it. Nonetheless I just went back and looked at it again to prove to myself that I was not hallucinating.

I will categorically state that a thorough analysis of the video proves beyond a doubt that Zeke absolutely and positively did not "lift himself up on the rim." If he had, he would have impacted his forehead on the rim. His forehead was inches from the rim, and you can clearly see him flinch his head to the side and close his eyes in fear of impact. Instead of pulling himself up, you can clearly see in the step frame that he kept his arms stiff to stop his head's forward momentum, which, again, would have resulted in his forehead contacting the rim. With his head and upper body stabilized, his legs and lower body maintained their momentum to the point that his whole body extended almost parallel to the floor. As soon as his legs swung back near vertical, he immediately released. The entire hang and swing was created by momentum, not "lifting himself up on the rim," which would have required the angle of his bicep and forearm to change, which they never did during the 1-second duration of the swing. It's not as if he was standing stationary under the basket when he made this slam. This was a 7-footer running at full stride with a huge amount of forward momentum.

You need to go back and take a much closer look at the video. You probably just watched it a couple of times at normal speed and imagined what the refs imagined.

EDIT: Forgot to mention that a step frame viewing shows that Zeke's pelvis came within inches of striking the bottom of the backboard! Maybe that's why 7-footers rarely try slam dunks at full stride.

[odhgibo]

The Zeke dunk was not a technical foul ... not at the collegiate level, not even the high school level. He did not chin up, and he did not hang longer than it took his legs to get underneath him.

It was a split second call that I guarantee the calling official wished he had back when he saw the replay (which he did because of the way that college games are assigned and reviewed). I didn't notice which official (trail, center or lead) made the call, but so much of officiating is position. The calling official didn't have the benefit of the angle available on the TV or UA video feeds.

It looked weird at the time because so much of Zeke's body was at rim/backboard level. Extremely long legs swung out 4-5 feet and then back the same distance. That's so uncommon that it looked "wrong" at the time, particularly at floor level.

(BTW, note that the same amount of time grasping the rim on a "regular" dunk would justify a technical foul call. That's a different set of circumstances from a runaway freight train who had launched himself toward the rim at full speed. Officials always need to take surrounding circumstances into consideration.)

[odhgibo]

Why don't we look at the exact NCAA officiating guidelines for hanging on the rim:

Section 3. Hanging/Grasping on the Ring: Players should not be permitted to hang on or grasp the basket ring in an excessive, emphatic manner during dunks when there is no possibility of a resulting injury occurring. The intent of the rule does not permit a player to hold the ring and lift his or her body or legs, or in general, hang on or grasp the ring for emphasis. This is especially true for a player who dunks the ball on a breakaway or when no defender is nearby. Injuries, sometimes serious, can occur as a result of grasping/hanging on the ring. Game delays also result when damaged equipment must be fixed or replaced. When there is no obvious injury circumstance to be avoided by grasping/hanging on the ring, doing so in an emphatic matter is a (men) CLASS B and (women) Player/Substitute technical foul.

@DiG - The material you cite appears to be an interpretation or expansion. I know for sure that it's not the rule itself.

The "lift his ... body or legs" is the chinning up I referred to above. The "for emphasis" is hanging on longer than necessary under the particular circumstances of a given play.

The key to interpreting/applying the rule is understanding that "excessive" is a matter of degree that depends on the particular situation. See my previous post where grasping the rim for the same amount of time is a technical foul in one situation but not another.