Hilltopper Posted December 17, 2013 Report Share Posted December 17, 2013 Akron Zips Preview Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Captain Kangaroo Posted December 17, 2013 Report Share Posted December 17, 2013 Betancourt has made just 2 of 9 shots from the floor this year and has more turnovers than assists, and I suspect we won't see much of him. En Fuego Agua. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zippy5 Posted December 17, 2013 Report Share Posted December 17, 2013 He's just afraid to shoot. Passed up a wide open layup last night again. I don't know if it's a confidence thing or what.. He had some nice drives in Puerto Rico last year, think it was the PSU game Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Z.I.P. Posted December 17, 2013 Report Share Posted December 17, 2013 Akron Zips Preview Way back in 1977, the Titans beat Akron 107-58 in game 15 our the team's 21 game winning streak. Now how come I don't remember that? Where were you sitting, Hilltopper? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skip-zip Posted December 17, 2013 Report Share Posted December 17, 2013 He's just afraid to shoot. Passed up a wide open layup last night again. I don't know if it's a confidence thing or what.. He had some nice drives in Puerto Rico last year, think it was the PSU game I don't know either. As scared as he must have been to start in the MAC tourney last year, he still took a few shots that were there for the taking. I just don't think he's ever quite broken the fear of making mistakes. And as mistakes compound, you compound the problem and lose confidence. That pass he threw into the stands last night was just unbelievable. He's a good defender. That's all he's contributing right now. Sit him on the bench and let him be a spot defender on the perimeter, and give Nyles some rest. I really don't want to see him on the floor right now for any kind of regular duty. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hilltopper Posted December 17, 2013 Author Report Share Posted December 17, 2013 Way back in 1977, the Titans beat Akron 107-58 in game 15 our the team's 21 game winning streak. Now how come I don't remember that? Where were you sitting, Hilltopper? Probably on my parents couch listening to the radio broadcast with my father. That game was at Detroit so I wasn't there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Hip Zip Posted December 17, 2013 Report Share Posted December 17, 2013 The Zips open up as an 8' pt fav which seems to be a pretty tight line. The Titans do not have the talent or the depth of last years team but they still present challenges. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phil Posted December 18, 2013 Report Share Posted December 18, 2013 I don't know either. As scared as he must have been to start in the MAC tourney last year, he still took a few shots that were there for the taking. I just don't think he's ever quite broken the fear of making mistakes. And as mistakes compound, you compound the problem and lose confidence. That pass he threw into the stands last night was just unbelievable. He's a good defender. That's all he's contributing right now. Sit him on the bench and let him be a spot defender on the perimeter, and give Nyles some rest. I really don't want to see him on the floor right now for any kind of regular duty. What is weird is that the first few games as a freshman he looked really good. I remember that several people posted that he would challenge AA for the starting point guard spot. He then started driving the lane with nowhere to go and turning the ball over. He has lost his confidence to drive the lane. He is not a good shooter. He is not a very good passer. (Yes, that pass was in the 4th row) He has lost confidence is his game and it shows. The one thing I would like to do is hustle. He needs to go for rebounds or steals to earn playing time. Ironically, Pat is the same way. His first few games were amazing and had a great drop step moves and was scoring points. People on this board thought he should be playing more than Zeke. The refs starting calling him for walks on his post up moves and he lost confidence in his game. He did not play much toward the end of the season. He has been hit or miss this season. (Last night was a miss). I hope these players can regain that confidence they had when they first stepped on the court. Maybe they are too afraid of making a mistake, especially with all the talent on the floor. If Bentacourt would learn to shoot that would really help his game. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave in Green Posted December 18, 2013 Report Share Posted December 18, 2013 I just had a quickie look at Detroit's season stats. As a team, they rank in the top 100 in more categories than ORU. Like ORU, they've also played a few good teams close. But they were blown out by UConn, 101-55. They've also lost twice to Toledo, 80-78 and 91-75. Overall, their schedule has been just a little less tough than ORU's -- SOS #27 vs. #21. They should be roughly comparable to ORU in overall strength. Their biggest name player is Juwan Howard Jr., a 6-6 forward who leads the team in scoring at 17.5 ppg. Only one other player averages in double figures, 6-8 senior forward Evan Bruinsma (12.4 ppg). But their other 3 top scorers all average 8-9 ppg, so they're pretty well balanced. If the Zips can match or better their performance just a little from the ORU game they should prevail. If the Zips are flat, the Titans are good enough to take them out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LZIp Posted December 18, 2013 Report Share Posted December 18, 2013 Didn't Juwan's son play for WMU last season? edit: He did play at WMU, but it appears it was a few seasons ago. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ZachTheZip Posted December 18, 2013 Report Share Posted December 18, 2013 I think ORU is a better coached team than Detroit is. I also think we match up well at every position. I'm more concerned about the possibility of having Horizon League officials. When was the last time we played a Horizon League team where we weren't getting screwed by the refs? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Captain Kangaroo Posted December 18, 2013 Report Share Posted December 18, 2013 When was the last time we played a Horizon League team where we weren't getting screwed by the refs? December 7th. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ZZZips Posted December 18, 2013 Report Share Posted December 18, 2013 I think ORU is a better coached team than Detroit is. I also think we match up well at every position. I'm more concerned about the possibility of having Horizon League officials. When was the last time we played a Horizon League team where we weren't getting screwed by the refs? There is no difference in officials by league.. Almost every midwest basketball referree who works MAC games also works Horizon games. They all come from the same pool. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Hip Zip Posted December 18, 2013 Report Share Posted December 18, 2013 Didn't Juwan's son play for WMU last season? edit: He did play at WMU, but it appears it was a few seasons ago. He played for the Titans last season after sitting a year out following the transfer. He had a nice game vs. us last year but overall he was arguably their 5th or 5th best player on that roster. His role as a "go to" guy this season is evidence of how much talent Detroit lost from last years team. Ray McCallum Jr is now a member of the Sacramento Kings and Nick Minnerath opted to play in Spain after being invited to the L A Lakers camp. Frankly, I am surprised that they are playing as well as they are this season. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Hip Zip Posted December 18, 2013 Report Share Posted December 18, 2013 I think ORU is a better coached team than Detroit is. Ding, ding, ding... we have a winner. Spot on observation, IMO McCallum's teams have consistently under achieved. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skip-zip Posted December 18, 2013 Report Share Posted December 18, 2013 What is weird is that the first few games as a freshman he looked really good. I remember that several people posted that he would challenge AA for the starting point guard spot. He then started driving the lane with nowhere to go and turning the ball over. He has lost his confidence to drive the lane. He is not a good shooter. He is not a very good passer. (Yes, that pass was in the 4th row) He has lost confidence is his game and it shows. The one thing I would like to do is hustle. He needs to go for rebounds or steals to earn playing time. Ironically, Pat is the same way. His first few games were amazing and had a great drop step moves and was scoring points. People on this board thought he should be playing more than Zeke. The refs starting calling him for walks on his post up moves and he lost confidence in his game. He did not play much toward the end of the season. He has been hit or miss this season. (Last night was a miss). I hope these players can regain that confidence they had when they first stepped on the court. Maybe they are too afraid of making a mistake, especially with all the talent on the floor. If Bentacourt would learn to shoot that would really help his game. Unfortunately, I think you're right on the money with most of this. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zippy5 Posted December 18, 2013 Report Share Posted December 18, 2013 I'm not worried about Pat underachieving, we have some promising young bigs waiting for minutes. I am worried about the PGs underachieving because the cupboard is bare. I'll take a few turnovers from Nyles in exchange for some points to be honest, we need somewhat of a scoring threat at the 1 to keep defenses honest. And from what I see lately, Nyles getting the majority of the minutes with Q getting a good chunk and CB getting a few here and there has really helped the offense go. Compared to the first couple games at least. Man I miss abreu, this team would be loaded for bear. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skip-zip Posted December 18, 2013 Report Share Posted December 18, 2013 I'm not worried about Pat underachieving, we have some promising young bigs waiting for minutes. I am worried about the PGs underachieving because the cupboard is bare. I'll take a few turnovers from Nyles in exchange for some points to be honest, we need somewhat of a scoring threat at the 1 to keep defenses honest. And from what I see lately, Nyles getting the majority of the minutes with Q getting a good chunk and CB getting a few here and there has really helped the offense go. Compared to the first couple games at least. Man I miss abreu, this team would be loaded for bear. I don't know if "underachieving" is the right word. I think you might truly be seeing what he's able to contribute. Keith has mentioned trying to get Big Dog more in the mix. I think this would be a good move. We've seen his potential in terms of his quickness and power. I just don't know how well we'd do in the long run with Treadwell being the lone primary workhorse, both offensively and defensively, under the basket. We got away with that Treadwell/Harney/Kretzer front line against ORU, but only because the matchups were favorable. The makeup of some other teams may prevent us from being able to do that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr Z Posted December 18, 2013 Report Share Posted December 18, 2013 Zips are a nine point favorite tonight Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Captain Kangaroo Posted December 18, 2013 Report Share Posted December 18, 2013 Interesting...or horrific...to watch tonight will be Ibitayo and CB's free throw shooting. Ibitayo is 33% from the FT line...but 50% from 3-point land. Betancourt is a sizzling 50% from the charity stripe. No wonder they both miss, or pass out of open layups...they're afraid if they get fouled they might go to the line. D1 guards simply cannot shoot 50% or less from the free throw line. Shaq could hit 50%. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MaxZIP Posted December 18, 2013 Report Share Posted December 18, 2013 Interesting...or horrific...to watch tonight will be Ibitayo and CB's free throw shooting. Ibitayo is 33% from the FT line...but 50% from 3-point land. Betancourt is a sizzling 50% from the charity stripe. No wonder they both miss, or pass out of open layups...they're afraid if they get fouled they might go to the line. D1 guards simply cannot shoot 50% or less from the free throw line. Shaq could hit 50%. In 2012-2013 the Zips hit a league worst 64% (436/678) of their free throws. It is getting old and is a major "next step" if they want to beat better teams. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skip-zip Posted December 18, 2013 Report Share Posted December 18, 2013 There is no difference in officials by league.. Almost every midwest basketball referree who works MAC games also works Horizon games. They all come from the same pool. True. There are consortiums of officials that work several different conferences. But, the frustration here on Zips Nation for many years has been, "Why do they seem to be at their worst when they are doing MAC games?" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zippy5 Posted December 18, 2013 Report Share Posted December 18, 2013 Do we actually watch them officiate other games better than they officiate MAC games? Or do we just assume? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave in Green Posted December 18, 2013 Report Share Posted December 18, 2013 Fans always have more sensitivity to and criticism of ref calls in games involving a team those fans have emotional attachments to. It's human nature. If you go to this page on StatSheet.com, click on individual refs who officiated MAC games last season and check what it says under "most common conferences" for each ref, it appears that the most common second conference after the MAC is the Big Ten. Since the B1G is one of the top basketball conferences in the country, you'd think they'd get above average refs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Z.I.P. Posted December 18, 2013 Report Share Posted December 18, 2013 There is no difference in officials by league.. Almost every midwest basketball referree who works MAC games also works Horizon games. They all come from the same pool. As some unruly fans are known to chant at futbol games -- though surely no AK-Rowdies -- "There's two 'R's, Four 'E's, and one 'F' in referee!" BTW -- are you the same guy who referred to our PG, Carmelo Bentacourt? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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