Dave in Green Posted November 7, 2013 Report Share Posted November 7, 2013 It's true that Big Dog was a high profile player on a powerhouse HS team. Some pegged him as more of a football player, and he got football offers from Kentucky and Louisville. But he wanted to focus on basketball, and Coach Dambrot's connection with his HS coach helped swing the deal to UA despite interest from Xavier and others. Part of the deal was his desire not to redshirt. There are plenty of skeptics about whether a football offensive lineman can be an effective basketball center. It's a bit of a roll of the dice, but I think from what I've seen so far that it's a smart gamble. It's also true that Kwan was a lower profile player on a so-so HS team. The fact that he gained so much height so quickly greatly changed his profile from a wing to a power forward. As far as I can find, interest in Kwan started getting more widespread late in his HS career after he sprouted, including from Cincinnati and Dayton. But he made only one campus visit, and that was to UA. He made his decision without visiting any other campuses. Part of his reasoning is stated here: "Knowing that Isaiah Johnson was committed helped in my decision because not only is he a friend but he's a big body. They have a lot of big guys, which is good for me because I can play my natural face-up four game." In other words, Kwan is not a pure center who would sub for Pat or Big Dog. His game is complementary to theirs. Kwan is and wants to remain a face-up power forward. He's the heir apparent to Tree, who will gain another season of eligibility at the end of this season. Having Kwan as a redshirt freshman backup to the fifth year senior Tree next season makes a lot of sense when looking at the Zips over the next five seasons. Sometimes we fans tend to focus on individual player talents from game to game whereas Coach Dambrot is more focused on team chemistry over the long haul. For example, a player might be good at playing one-on-one defense but have trouble adapting to the concept of team defense and miss assignments. Fans might miss that but good coaches don't. Regardless of anyone's personal opinion about how talented an individual player might appear, I trust that Coach Dambrot will make the best decision for the competitiveness of the Zips this season and beyond. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr Z Posted November 7, 2013 Report Share Posted November 7, 2013 Fans of the team want to win. Put the best players on the floor, and score more than the other team. It's not that difficult of a game. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave in Green Posted November 8, 2013 Report Share Posted November 8, 2013 @Dr Z, I admit the game is too difficult for me to grasp more than a small part of how to be successful at it. But with your winning formula, you should jump in and grab your share of the millions paid to coaches for whom the game comes easy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
K92 Posted November 8, 2013 Report Share Posted November 8, 2013 Some of you guys crack me up. You have already decided what redshirts to burn from watching one scrimmage. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hilltopper Posted November 8, 2013 Report Share Posted November 8, 2013 I only have one thing to say. In KD I trust. All he has done is win since he became the head coach. Until he falls flat on his face I am more than willing to accept that the decisions he makes are the right ones for UA basketball. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zipgrad01 Posted November 8, 2013 Report Share Posted November 8, 2013 I only have one thing to say. In KD I trust. All he has done is win since he became the head coach. Until he falls flat on his face I am more than willing to accept that the decisions he makes are the right ones for UA basketball. Stop saying things that make sense!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
akronzips71 Posted November 8, 2013 Report Share Posted November 8, 2013 Some of you guys crack me up. You have already decided what redshirts to burn from watching one scrimmage. Hey, it's not like we get to run the practices. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hilltopper Posted November 8, 2013 Report Share Posted November 8, 2013 Hey, it's not like we get to run the practices. GoZips does........the clock and the scoreboard that is. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr Z Posted November 8, 2013 Report Share Posted November 8, 2013 I only have one thing to say. In KD I trust. All he has done is win since he became the head coach. Until he falls flat on his face I am more than willing to accept that the decisions he makes are the right ones for UA basketball.I want to trust, but my trust is now earned. Every year I hear how the goal is to win a game in the NCAA tournament. I WANT to trust. I circled Zeke's senior year on my calendar when he signed with Akron as the year I trusted we would win a tournament game. I want to trust. Please be the year I can trust. Who can we redshirt so I can trust? #trust Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tpsjugglerdude Posted November 8, 2013 Report Share Posted November 8, 2013 Interesting that Elton Alexander specifically mentions Cheatham in this article. http://www.cleveland.com/sports/college/in...ml#incart_river Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave in Green Posted November 8, 2013 Report Share Posted November 8, 2013 I don't trust that any coach will always make the correct decisions on every issue from player recruiting to training to game play calls. I don't trust that every player will always take personal responsibility for working to be the best they can possibly be. I don't trust that every player will always make every right personal decision and remain on the team when they're most needed. I don't trust that clerical errors won't happen that temporarily make key players ineligible. I don't trust that every player will go injury-free all season. I don't trust that every player will avoid a case of food poisoning before key games. I don't trust that everyone will appreciate or acknowledge that things can go wrong even under the best of circumstances. After nearly a decade of watching Keith Dambrot grow Zips basketball from irrelevance into a nationally respected, sustainable winning program, I do trust that Coach Dambrot does a better job at managing all the basics, variables and intangibles than virtually any other coach who could reasonably be expected to sign up for such a longterm commitment at UA. I do trust that some will never appreciate or acknowledge this. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ZachTheZip Posted November 8, 2013 Report Share Posted November 8, 2013 If it were possible, I would redshirt all of them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
akronzips71 Posted November 8, 2013 Report Share Posted November 8, 2013 "I don't trust that clerical errors won't happen that temporarily make key players ineligible." What is your basis for such a statement? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr Z Posted November 8, 2013 Report Share Posted November 8, 2013 Interesting that Elton Alexander specifically mentions Cheatham in this article. http://www.cleveland.com/sports/college/in...ml#incart_riverI didn't know this. Not saying it makes a difference, just didn't know it. 3. Eastern Michigan -- The Eagles have transfer starters from Syracuse, Wyoming, Arkansas and Duquesne, plus some incoming junior college firepower. By January or February, if chemistry holds, this team could flourish. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hilltopper Posted November 8, 2013 Report Share Posted November 8, 2013 "I don't trust that clerical errors won't happen that temporarily make key players ineligible." What is your basis for such a statement? They got rid of the guy who made the screw ups. The new guy has much better credentials and a lot more experience in interpreting NCAA rules. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave in Green Posted November 8, 2013 Report Share Posted November 8, 2013 @akronzips71, it was just one of many possible examples of things that can and have gone wrong. We usually learn from our mistakes and are less likely to repeat our most recent mistakes. But new ones that we haven't even imagined will pop up. The point is to never trust that anything that could go wrong won't. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Z.I.P. Posted November 8, 2013 Report Share Posted November 8, 2013 I only have one thing to say. In KD I trust. All he has done is win since he became the head coach. Until he falls flat on his face I am more than willing to accept that the decisions he makes are the right ones for UA basketball. I picked up a new shirt at the mall yesterday. It reads, "kd Komplete Domination". How much does Keith Dambrot get for each T-shirt sold? Whatever it is, he deserves it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Z.I.P. Posted November 8, 2013 Report Share Posted November 8, 2013 Interesting that Elton Alexander specifically mentions Cheatham in this article. http://www.cleveland.com/sports/college/in...ml#incart_river One interesting comment by EA is this: "Buffalo -- Probably preseason No. 1, if not for the surprise ouster of former coach Reggie Witherspoon." I doubt they would be the #1 (because McRae doesn't have the support Tree does), but I do think they set themselves back by cutting Reggie, one of the top 3 coaches in the MAC. Nonetheless, it will be interesting to see how Bobby Hurley does in his effort to make himself an ACC HC. Meanwhile, I'm looking forward to this evening, when coach Steve Hawkins (one of those other top three, IMO -- don't bother asking who's #1 ) brings his WMU Bronco team to the Stan Sheriff Center to play New Mexico State, a returning NCAA tournament team which features 7-5 and 7-3 brothers Sim and Tanveer Bullar. Should toughen up Shayne Whittington to take on Big Dog. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
K92 Posted November 8, 2013 Report Share Posted November 8, 2013 One interesting comment by EA is this: "Buffalo -- Probably preseason No. 1, if not for the surprise ouster of former coach Reggie Witherspoon." I doubt they would be the #1 (because McRae doesn't have the support Tree does), but I do think they set themselves back by cutting Reggie, one of the top 3 coaches in the MAC. Nonetheless, it will be interesting to see how Bobby Hurley does in his effort to make himself an ACC HC. Meanwhile, I'm looking forward to this evening, when coach Steve Hawkins (one of those other top three, IMO -- don't bother asking who's #1 ) brings his WMU Bronco team to the Stan Sheriff Center to play New Mexico State, a returning NCAA tournament team which features 7-5 and 7-3 brothers Sim and Tanveer Bullar. Should toughen up Shayne Whittington to take on Big Dog. VERSUS Mr. Hawkins Born: 1962 This is the only top 3 I think Steve Hawkins belongs in. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
akronzips71 Posted November 8, 2013 Report Share Posted November 8, 2013 @akronzips71, it was just one of many possible examples of things that can and have gone wrong. We usually learn from our mistakes and are less likely to repeat our most recent mistakes. But new ones that we haven't even imagined will pop up. The point is to never trust that anything that could go wrong won't. I know you are a numbers guy, but you need to learn to recognize sarcasm. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave in Green Posted November 8, 2013 Report Share Posted November 8, 2013 @akronzips71, I figured it was either sarcasm or possibly concern that I may have caught wind of a similar situation developing this season. Just playing it safe to ease your mind in case it was the latter. After all the adversity last season, let's hope that things even out this season with no unpleasant surprises. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
akronzips71 Posted November 8, 2013 Report Share Posted November 8, 2013 @akronzips71, I figured it was either sarcasm or possibly concern that I may have caught wind of a similar situation developing this season. Just playing it safe to ease your mind in case it was the latter. After all the adversity last season, let's hope that things even out this season with no unpleasant surprises. AMEN Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lance99 Posted November 9, 2013 Report Share Posted November 9, 2013 VERSUS Mr. Hawkins Born: 1962 This is the only top 3 I think Steve Hawkins belongs in. What a striking resemblance! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
akronzips71 Posted November 9, 2013 Report Share Posted November 9, 2013 One red shirt burned. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave in Green Posted November 9, 2013 Report Share Posted November 9, 2013 I tried to keep the secret ... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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