cjapsu Posted March 22, 2013 Report Share Posted March 22, 2013 Wanted to gauge everyone's expectations/feelings with regards to being a "every few years" kind of team with regards to making the NCAA tournament. To be honest, considering the MAC is fairly weak, I find it a pretty nice accomplishment "just to get there." Would I like to win a game at some point? Of course; but I'm not going to cry because we lost (I might cry because of how badly we lost but that's another story). This has nothing to do with Dambrot - I still really like and respect him both as a coach and a person so this isn't a "should we sh*tcan Dambrot" thread. I'm just curious if I'm the only out there who thinks just getting into the NCAA tournament is a reward in it of itself and that it's basically "bonus season" for the Zips after all the MACtion is over with. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigzipguy Posted March 22, 2013 Report Share Posted March 22, 2013 A great deal happened to this team the last few weeks. I doubt seriously KD could have done a better job. People are human , make mistakes, they are not robots. Never mind what some other fans might be saying at other MAC fan websites(honestly, I have not looked), Zips and the coaching staff did a good job. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cjapsu Posted March 22, 2013 Author Report Share Posted March 22, 2013 Thanks, but I'm not actually referring to Dambrot or his staff. Merely asking if Akron, given its place in the MAC, should be satisfied with "just" making the tournament itself. Again, I'm thrilled that we were crowned MAC champs (both regular season and tournament) and think getting there is a great boost for the school. Curious to know everyone's thoughts. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blue & Gold Posted March 22, 2013 Report Share Posted March 22, 2013 I'm not. I want a Sweet 16 run. I've said for years that I can die a content Zips fan when our basketball team has reached the Sweet 16 and our football team has cracked the Top 25. (Hopefully our programs get to a point where those won't be once-in-a-ifetime occurrences. Though right now I'd settle for that.) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave in Green Posted March 22, 2013 Report Share Posted March 22, 2013 It's not "every few years." The Zips have now been to the NCAA tournament 3 of the last 5 years. That's 60% of the time. Only a handful of elite teams have done better. On the one hand, I'm pleased with "just getting there" on a regular basis because it is a significant accomplishment. On the other hand, human nature is to always want more. I like the idea of continuous improvement. At some point the only available improvement is going to be winning NCAA tournament games. The alternatives are not making the tournament on a regular basis (regression) or continuing at the same rate of one-and-outs (stagnation). UA has asked us all to Think Bigger, which encourages us not be content with the status quo. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
akronzips71 Posted March 22, 2013 Report Share Posted March 22, 2013 We have won the MAC the last two years, and the Q two out of three. The last three years two NCAA and one NIT. While we have not won lately in either of those two venues, we may have gone as far as we can in the MAC. Seven years in a row in the championship game. Exactly what more can we accomplish? We basically dominate that league. And even though we lose Zeke, OU and K E N T will probably both be very weak next year, losing basically all their top players. So we may have hit our ceiling in the current situation. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GJGood Posted March 22, 2013 Report Share Posted March 22, 2013 I am happy but not completely satisfied if we get into the tournament and lose a hard fought and highly competitive game to a highly ranked team. I am not happy about being one and done while suffering a 46 point smackdown on national TV. I'd rather win a couple in the NIT than have a first game 40+ point loss like we watched last night. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrelegazna Posted March 22, 2013 Report Share Posted March 22, 2013 This is a good and tricky question. On one hand, no, at bottom, I'm not satisfied being perennially one-and-done in the NCAAs. On the other hand...if we can't make a run in the NCAAs, I at least want to be able to call ourselves MAC Champions. We've been able to do that a LOT lately. And whatever post-season tournament we get into during non-NCAA years, I want the Zips to do well and I maintain my excitement. Will I be disappointed if we can't get past the first round of the NCAAs, very soon? Yes. If we maintain the current status quo (always 20 wins, always in the MAC Championship Game, NCAAs every other year) would I want Dambrot canned? Hell no. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ksu sucks Posted March 22, 2013 Report Share Posted March 22, 2013 I'm satisfied with how we have dominated the MAC over the past few seasons. I'm confident that, so long as we can hold on to Dambrot, we will continue to win MAC championships in the years to come. I'd rather win the MAC and get beat in the first round of the tournament than go to some lesser tourney. Yes, even if that means getting destroyed. We could have played in the CBI/CIT/whatever-meaningless-acronym and probably won the whole damn thing. Would that satisfy the fan base? Of course not. Even the NIT would be a let down for this program unless we made it to the MSG. I didn't feel any pressure to win in the tournament this season. Winning the MAC without our two most reliable ball handlers(AA & Q) was a pretty miraculous accomplishment. When the news came out that Walsh, Forsythe, and Deji were ill/injured, it felt like that might be the last straw. I understand some of you are frustrated with the blowout. That's understandable. Regardless, I can't think of any logical remedies to last night's beat down that don't involve long term, major, structural changes to our athletic department. I think given the resources he has Dambrot has done quite well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr Z Posted March 23, 2013 Report Share Posted March 23, 2013 Merely asking if Akron, given its place in the MAC, should be satisfied with "just" making the tournament itself. If we are satisfied with just winning the mac and getting beat in the tourney, we should change our motto to "Think The Same"...we have done that, multiple times now. Staff & players had a goal of winning multiple games in the tournament this year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
a-zip Posted March 23, 2013 Report Share Posted March 23, 2013 If we are satisfied with just winning the mac and getting beat in the tourney, we should change our motto to "Think The Same"...we have done that, multiple times now. Staff & players had a goal of winning multiple games in the tournament this year. They did have that goal and rightfully so but they got devastated by unforseen events. Things are getting increasingly better but it does not happen over night. Think of where we were, think of where we came from before Coach D became head coach. Hell, we did not win with Dambrot and Shaka as assistants. I am going to get off this site (which I am sure many of you will appreciate). To depressing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ksu sucks Posted March 23, 2013 Report Share Posted March 23, 2013 Staff & players had a goal of winning multiple games in the tournament this year. As they should. Going into the season, we had the talent to do it. Thankfully, the OP asked for our opinion as fans. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ksu sucks Posted March 23, 2013 Report Share Posted March 23, 2013 The MAC currently is the type of league where every 10 years or so a team gets hot and makes a run(Ken+ 2001, OU 2012). I wouldn't call it a "fluke" but it's not like national pundits considers either of those programs as perennial sweet 16/elite 8 threats. Actually, national pundits don't consider those programs in the first place. Akron is in a unique position to change that. We have a good coach who is here for the long haul and a supportive administration. No one else in the MAC has that combo. When we make it back to the tournament, I'm going to expect a win. This program needs to take the next step. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
legendofzippy Posted March 23, 2013 Report Share Posted March 23, 2013 Thanks, but I'm not actually referring to Dambrot or his staff. Merely asking if Akron, given its place in the MAC, should be satisfied with "just" making the tournament itself. Again, I'm thrilled that we were crowned MAC champs (both regular season and tournament) and think getting there is a great boost for the school. Curious to know everyone's thoughts. No, they aren't satisfied, but someone pointed out the bottom line in another thread: VCU's budget for basketball is a million dollars greater than Akron's. People are being far too negative over one game, though I'll grant you it was a curb-stomping. A top 25 ranking, 19 game win streak, regular season and tournament champs.... those are huge accomplishments for a program our size! I think just because OU made a run to the sweet 16 last year that some people felt entitled to Akron doing the same. A strong backcourt is key in the tournament, and ours was suspended or sick. Let's stop dwelling on the negatives and keep pushing this program forward. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tbozeglav Posted March 23, 2013 Report Share Posted March 23, 2013 Making it to the NCAA tourney is an accomplishment in itself. If we did it with an at-large bid, that'd be equally, if not more impressive than winning the AQ bid. That said, its been the team's goal for some time to make a run in the tourney... and I would not expect them to strive for any less than that. Are we proud of what we've done? Yes. Are we satisfied? No. Thats the difference between where we are and where we want to be. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr Z Posted March 23, 2013 Report Share Posted March 23, 2013 ....a team gets hot and makes a run(Ken+ 2001, OU 2012). I wouldn't call it a "fluke" but it's not like national pundits considers either of those programs as perennial sweet 16/elite 8 threats.Didn't both teams lose their coaches after their deep tournament play? That will stunt a MAC programs consistency. How long did it take Stan Heath to build that Ken+ program that went to the elite eight? How did he get the recruiting done in the MAC, in Ohio? How long did it take Groce to get Ohio to the sweet sixteen. How did he get it done? Everybody whines and cries how hard it is for our program to do, but yet it has been done in a shorter amount of time with less recruiting in the same conference, in the same state? It's our time! Think bigger. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ksu sucks Posted March 23, 2013 Report Share Posted March 23, 2013 Didn't both teams lose their coaches after their deep tournament play? That will stunt a MAC programs consistency. How long did it take Stan Heath to build that Ken+ program that went to the elite eight? How did he get the recruiting done in the MAC, in Ohio? How long did it take Groce to get Ohio to the sweet sixteen. How did he get it done? Everybody whines and cries how hard it is for our program to do, but yet it has been done in a shorter amount of time with less recruiting in the same conference, in the same state? It's our time! Think bigger. So what are you suggesting? What valid complaint is there? It's not enough to just mope around and say "I want to win in the tourney or else". I think it's perfectly reasonable for zips fans to critique specific aspects of Dambrot's tenure here. The question is why haven't we won in the tournament yet? If we're going to put the blame on Dambrot, it helps to specify problem areas. Is it recruiting? In game coaching? Player Development? etc. I think everyone involved with Akron basketball is "thinking bigger". We're on the cusp of something special. Perhaps it's more productive if we identify what it is we need to do in order to accomplish our goals as a program. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skip-zip Posted March 23, 2013 Report Share Posted March 23, 2013 The MAC currently is the type of league where every 10 years or so a team gets hot and makes a run(Ken+ 2001, OU 2012). I wouldn't call it a "fluke" but it's not like national pundits considers either of those programs as perennial sweet 16/elite 8 threats. Actually, national pundits don't consider those programs in the first place. I made a point about this in another thread, but I will repeat it here. Why are some people so convinced that making a run in an NCAA tournament is somehow the starting point of the only path to a perennial top-notch program? First of all, it doesn't happen very often, especially from our league. Secondly, the odds are tremendously against each individual team making a significant run. Every single year, about 30 lower seeds enter the tournament with that dream, and every year 29 or 30 of them leave the tournament without accomplishing it. Multiply that by a few decades, and the odds that YOUR team will be the one that has the magical run is pretty remote, and grows even more improbable when you don't have yearly appearances. Thirdly, I'd like to challenge anyone to convince us that George Mason, or even Ken+ State, OU or Cleveland State have become noted success stories since their tournament runs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zip_ME87 Posted March 23, 2013 Report Share Posted March 23, 2013 Perhaps it's more productive if we identify what it is we need to do in order to accomplish our goals as a program. Why do you believe that's more productive? Who is going to listen to specifics from a bunch of "Monday morning wanna be coaches"? I personally don't think that it's more productive to start blaming any one or anything. It is, however, our right --- as season ticket holders, casual fans, alumni, students, and donors --- to let the powers that be know that we're not satisfied with just getting to the NCAA Tournament. We can all Think Bigger, but It is their job to find a way to make more happen. That is what they get paid to do (regardless of amount). When I was younger, it was easier to say "wait 'til next year". As I've gotten older, "next year" has come and gone a lot without additional results. I'd like to see more in my lifetime. Am I happy for us to get to the NCAA Mens Basketball Tournament? Yes. Is it unfair of me to want more for my Alma Mater? No. I think most of us know how great it felt when the soccer team won the 2010 National Championship. I'd love to have that same feeling for basketball with a run to the Sweet 16 or Elite 8 or further. [before anybody goes off on my mentioning soccer, I'm not comparing sports or teams. I just want a similar "high" for Akron basketball.] PS: I sympathize with you Dr. Z. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GP1 Posted March 23, 2013 Report Share Posted March 23, 2013 Why are some people so convinced that making a run in an NCAA tournament is somehow the starting point of the only path to a perennial top-notch program? It's not the starting point. It's the icing on the cake that separates good teams from great teams. There have been great MAC teams in the past. There hasn't been a Zips team yet to distinguish themselves as a great team. Lots of good Zips teams, but the greatness is lacking. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr Z Posted March 23, 2013 Report Share Posted March 23, 2013 I'm starting to think the alumni are looking at this program one way, and non alumni another (with exceptions). Just an observation. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ksu sucks Posted March 23, 2013 Report Share Posted March 23, 2013 Why do you believe that's more productive? Why do I think complaining and giving specifics is more productive than just complaining? Is that a serious question? Am I happy for us to get to the NCAA Mens Basketball Tournament? Yes. Is it unfair of me to want more for my Alma Mater? No. 100% Agree. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
burrdie Posted March 23, 2013 Report Share Posted March 23, 2013 First Congratulations to the Zips for a wonderful season. I am sad for them as to how it ended, but it is just a game and life does move on. "maybe next year" I do think there needs to be some evalulating of the program as a whole, coaching, recruiting, training, teams that are played outside of MAC, etc. In the many years I have watched this team grow and develop and see real progress. ND in Chicago was a good game years ago and we had a much better team this year. My only question is why and how did this game get so out of hand? As a proud alumnus and my children, alumni, we will always back the students and their quest. Please do some soul searching as to why this happened Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave in Green Posted March 23, 2013 Report Share Posted March 23, 2013 I'm starting to think the alumni are looking at this program one way, and non alumni another (with exceptions). Just an observation. Stereoptype: A set of inaccurate, simplistic generalizations about a group that allows others to categorize them and treat them accordingly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skip-zip Posted March 23, 2013 Report Share Posted March 23, 2013 It's not the starting point. It's the icing on the cake that separates good teams from great teams. I agree with you. But, I think there's others who don't see it that way. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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