Akron OU in game thread

[akronzips71]

I never called out any players so do some research first. I did say they we'd lose, but admitted I was wrong after the game.

PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE KEEP SAYING IT.

[skip-zip]

This is the tough part of the OOC schedule that the Zips signed up for this season:

#27 Oklahoma State, neutral site

#53 Tennessee, neutral site

#25 North Carolina State, neutral site

#22 Middle Tennessee, home

#40 Creighton, away

#60 Detroit, away

#84 North Dakota State, home

Seven top 100 RPI teams, including four top 50, is a robust OOC schedule. Cleveland State was also expected to be a top 100 team before injuries struck. Unfortunately, losing Tree and Harney for the first three games of the season cost the Zips the Oklahoma State win, which put them in the PR tournament consolation bracket and lost the Tennessee and North Carolina State matchups. Even losing those two games, the Zips still have the #54 OOC SOS in the country. There are only three mid-majors ranked ahead of the Zips that have better OOC SOS -- Gonzaga, Middle Tennessee and Belmont. Certainly with the type of team the Zips have now, and which they should also have next season and beyond, they should continue to try to increase OOC SOS a little more each season. But they had a reasonable OOC SOS this season.

Dave,

I'm don't mean to be blunt, but you can throw adjectives out there like "robust" and "reasonable" to describe our OOC schedule, and it still doesn't change anything.

If it's not good enough to give us an opportunity at an at-large bid, then it's simply not good enough. I've been consistent with this position for years.

In Puerto Rico, do you think we were really "expecting" to beat Oklahoma State in order to give us two more quality games? If so, then that was a big miscalculation that backfired. Just schedule two more quality games, if that's what we wanted. Problem solved.

In a couple of weeks, a bunch of old, gray-haired veterans of college basketball are going to be sitting in a room together, and I'm quite certain that a team from the MAC with a home overtime win against Middle Tennessee State as their signature OOC win is not going to impress any of them. I really don't think these people have changed since they shut out a 26-6 Akron team 6 years ago, for the same reason.

[Dave in Green]

..... Heading into overtime without Zeke I wasn't nearly as confident though.

My initial thought was that not having Zeke would be a major problem. But when they showed a camera view of the Zips walking back to the bench to prepare for OT, it hit me that they all had a look of confidence on their faces. For many seasons I've watched Zips teams in similar situations, and the players always seemed to look shell-shocked. Then they went out and played like that and usually lost. This team is just different. They never lose their confidence that they can win. As long as the team remains confident in itself, I'll continue to have confidence in them.

[johnnyzip84]

My initial thought was that not having Zeke would be a major problem. But when they showed a camera view of the Zips walking back to the bench to prepare for OT, it hit me that they all had a look of confidence on their faces. For many seasons I've watched Zips teams in similar situations, and the players always seemed to look shell-shocked. Then they went out and played like that and usually lost. This team is just different. They never lose their confidence that they can win. As long as the team remains confident in itself, I'll continue to have confidence in them.

All anyone needed to do was look at Tree's eyes, whether he was on the line or elsewhere. Just like the K.E.N.T. game, he was NOT going to let this team lose.

[akronzips71]

All anyone needed to do was look at Tree's eyes, whether he was on the line or elsewhere. Just like the K.E.N.T. game, he was NOT going to let this team lose.

Tree plays with attitude.

Reminds me of Blake Griffin in his intensity.

[Dave in Green]

@skip-zip, I can't begin to tell you how disappointed I am in your last post. That has to be the least thoughtful post I've ever seen you make.

Of course the Zips were planning to beat Oklahoma State. They worked their butts off focusing on that game and they almost pulled it off. It was not due to a "miscalculation that backfired," and you know it. Tree and Harney couldn't play, Abreu had a serious high ankle sprain and Chauncey had a damaged knee that required surgery -- all at the start of the season. That's the difference between having more signature wins and not. This season's OOC schedule was strong enough to earn the Zips an at-large bid had their record in those games been better, and it would have been better without all the unforeseeable problems at the beginning of the season with four key players.

Please do not insult the intelligence of everyone on this forum with any more comments that fall to the level of your extraordinarily weak "miscalculation that backfired" comment.

[LZIp]

I think the schedule IS good enough to get us an at-large. Didnt DiG just post something saying we have ~50% chance to earn an at-large? If we lose one less game, there is no question we get an at-large.

I still would like to see us get rid of the Arkansas Pine-Bluffs, Coppin State's, and Texas Southern's of the world. Being a mid-major, we cant afford to schedule those guys like major conferences because we dont have the benefit of playing good team's in our conference.

[Hilltopper]

I think the schedule IS good enough to get us an at-large. Didnt DiG just post something saying we have ~50% chance to earn an at-large? If we lose one less game, there is no question we get an at-large.

I still would like to see us get rid of the Arkansas Pine-Bluffs, Coppin State's, and Texas Southern's of the world. Being a mid-major, we cant afford to schedule those guys like major conferences because we dont have the benefit of playing good team's in our conference.

You guys act like there are teams breaking down the door to get a chance to play at the JAR and KD is not willing to put them on the schedule. The reason we play those teams is because that's who we can get to come play us at home. Other top 50 or even 100 programs have nothing to gain and everything to lose by agreeing to play at the JAR. Most of the top 50 programs would want a 1 for 3 series with us playing them at their place first. Then when the time comes to play at the JAR, they just buy their way out of the contract if it looks like they might lose. Part of the reason KD likes the bracketbusters is because it guarantees a home game against a quality opponent. The coaching staff wants to play a good OOC schedule, but not if it means playing almost every game on the road.

[akzipper]

23

I've picked the Zips to win plenty of times. But there are plenty of games I say the Zips could lose and everyone freaks out. Like the Buffalo game on Saturday. We could very well lose that. Overlooking a team after a solid win on the road yesterday. And you can't blame me for feeling discouraged when I see this team fall behind by 20 every game and have to rely on a big run to win.

[akronzips71]

I've picked the Zips to win plenty of times. But there are plenty of games I say the Zips could lose and everyone freaks out. Like the Buffalo game on Saturday. We could very well lose that. Overlooking a team after a solid win on the road yesterday. And you can't blame me for feeling discouraged when I see this team fall behind by 20 every game and have to rely on a big run to win.

Yes, I can understand your disappointment.

19 wins in a row and National Rank #24 is pretty disappointing. Just think where we COULD be if only we were good.

[Zipmeister]

Tree plays with attitude.

Reminds me of Blake Griffin in his intensity.

I have to agree with the OU fan who suggested that Tree should be the conference POY.

[RootforRoo44]

Just in case anyone didn't see it yet. Here is the Walsh block on Keely in OT in .gif form (hosted on ASN, dont want to slow down the thread)

[odhgibo]

Just in case anyone didn't see it yet. Here is the Walsh block on Keely in OT in .gif form (hosted on ASN, dont want to slow down the thread)

I loved that play, and ran it back on DVR to check whether the play occurred as I thought or as Reghi called it.

And did anyone see Jim Christian blow a gasket when no foul was called?

[bUAkronG]

Just in case anyone didn't see it yet. Here is the Walsh block on Keely in OT in .gif form (hosted on ASN, dont want to slow down the thread)

any way you could speed it up closer to full speed?

[odhgibo]

I have to agree with the OU fan who suggested that Tree should be the conference POY.

Hmmm ... gotta respectfully disagree. The OU game changed when 44 decided to put a lid on the basket he was defending. Everyone else fed off those stops.

Love Tree, and the Zips wouldn't be on a 20 game streak w/o him, but Zeke truly is the Game Changer.

[zippy5]

Just in case anyone didn't see it yet. Here is the Walsh block on Keely in OT in .gif form (hosted on ASN, dont want to slow down the thread)

Haha I can only imagine the thoughts in Walsh's head after the twitter "feud." Had to feel good.

[phil]

any way you could speed it up closer to full speed?

Great block, but it looks like he walked even before he shot the ball.

[GoZips]

You guys act like there are teams breaking down the door to get a chance to play at the JAR and KD is not willing to put them on the schedule. The reason we play those teams is because that's who we can get to come play us at home. Other top 50 or even 100 programs have nothing to gain and everything to lose by agreeing to play at the JAR. Most of the top 50 programs would want a 1 for 3 series with us playing them at their place first. Then when the time comes to play at the JAR, they just buy their way out of the contract if it looks like they might lose. Part of the reason KD likes the bracketbusters is because it guarantees a home game against a quality opponent. The coaching staff wants to play a good OOC schedule, but not if it means playing almost every game on the road.

Hilltopper, you are far too intelligent and wise to be posting on ZipsNation.

A cease and desist order is in the mail.

[akzipper]

Yes, I can understand your disappointment.

19 wins in a row and National Rank #24 is pretty disappointing. Just think where we COULD be if only we were good.

I have enjoyed the winning streak and ranking. But really all that matters is what happens in March. If we don't make the NCAA tournament it will be very disappointing.

[OZoner]

Haha I can only imagine the thoughts in Walsh's head after the twitter "feud." Had to feel good.

I saw him coming over to help and I thought, "He's gonna block this."

[Hilltopper]

I've picked the Zips to win plenty of times. But there are plenty of games I say the Zips could lose and everyone freaks out. Like the Buffalo game on Saturday. We could very well lose that. Overlooking a team after a solid win on the road yesterday. And you can't blame me for feeling discouraged when I see this team fall behind by 20 every game and have to rely on a big run to win.

Please don't change what you are doing and pick us to win. You might jinx us.

[Captain Kangaroo]

I have enjoyed the winning streak and ranking. But really all that matters is what happens in March. If we don't make the NCAA tournament it will be very disappointing.

I don't know what affliction you have that makes you a miserable worry-wart, but it is really getting old. If all you bring to the table is eternal pessimism, then you should probably find another place to post your "thoughts."

You post too many times per day, with the same tired old negative vibe. And it makes our board lesser for it. Good people no longer post here because you are hogging the board space with your negativity, pushing decent posts down into oblivion.

This board will be highly visible nationally over the next few weeks. It is important to me that UA and its fans are viewed in a positive light. I will have a lower-than-normal tolerance for board hogs and, for lack of a better term, general stupidity.

You know how they kicked the homeless out of New Orleans for Super Bowl week, then let them return afterwards...same concept.

Please strongly consider the above-listed thoughts from here-on-out.

CK

[BirdZip]

Dave,

I'm don't mean to be blunt, but you can throw adjectives out there like "robust" and "reasonable" to describe our OOC schedule, and it still doesn't change anything.

If it's not good enough to give us an opportunity at an at-large bid, then it's simply not good enough. I've been consistent with this position for years.

In Puerto Rico, do you think we were really "expecting" to beat Oklahoma State in order to give us two more quality games? If so, then that was a big miscalculation that backfired. Just schedule two more quality games, if that's what we wanted. Problem solved.

In a couple of weeks, a bunch of old, gray-haired veterans of college basketball are going to be sitting in a room together, and I'm quite certain that a team from the MAC with a home overtime win against Middle Tennessee State as their signature OOC win is not going to impress any of them. I really don't think these people have changed since they shut out a 26-6 Akron team 6 years ago, for the same reason.

The fact that you've been consistent with this position for years tells me that maybe you don't know when to stop. Our schedule, in an extremely weak year for the MAC, has us at #24 in the coaches poll, #28 in the AP, and with an RPI somewhere in the 30's. When the schedule came out, everyone loved it. In early February, we lost to Creighton and Detroit. Do you really think we'd have beaten Duke at that point? Also, replace Texas Southern with a loss to Michigan State and Akron is never in the headlines for the win streak.

Best D1 season ever for Zips basketball. Enjoy it for crying out loud!

[RootforRoo44]

any way you could speed it up closer to full speed?

Updated with full speed as well.

[johnnyzip84]

Hmmm ... gotta respectfully disagree. The OU game changed when 44 decided to put a lid on the basket he was defending. Everyone else fed off those stops.

Love Tree, and the Zips wouldn't be on a 20 game streak w/o him, but Zeke truly is the Game Changer.

I hesitate to comment on this because individual awards are the last thing on my mind (and the team's obviously by the way their numbers are distributed) right now. But I will say that Tree and Zeke have a distinct disadvantage here in that, being from the same team, they will split many votes. I don't think either will care if the team goes as far as they are capable.