The Hip Zip Posted January 19, 2014 Report Share Posted January 19, 2014 I believe that we will but I wouldn't put money on it. I went through the remaining schedule and it will not be easy by any stretch. We still have E Mich twice and they have the ability to win here. You have to shoot over the top to beat them and we have not demonstrated any type of consistent shooting. I think that it's a given that we'll have to scratch and claw to win any of the roadies with maybe an exception at C Mich . It may well come down to the MAC tourney and right now if somebody offered me a 4 seed I would say thank you very much, I'll take it. It is what it is. We are in very select company when it comes down to consecutive 20+ win seasons. I'd hate to see it end this year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skip-zip Posted January 19, 2014 Report Share Posted January 19, 2014 if somebody offered me a 4 seed I would say thank you very much, I'll take it. It is what it is. As far as the MAC tournament seeding is concerned, we're tied for the best record in the MAC right now, and still have one big factor in our favor right now: A road win over OU. So today, right now, I don't see why we'd want to settle for a 4 seed. As poorly as we all think that we are playing we're still keeping pace with everyone else at the top of the standings, and I pray that we continue to do enough to keep it that way. There's still likely plenty of losses to be had this year for every team that stands with us at a 3-1 mark. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Hip Zip Posted January 19, 2014 Author Report Share Posted January 19, 2014 As far as the MAC tournament seeding is concerned, we're tied for the best record in the MAC right now, and still have one big factor in our favor right now: A road win over OU. So today, right now, I don't see why we'd want to settle for a 4 seed. As poorly as we all think that we are playing we're still keeping pace with everyone else at the top of the standings, and I pray that we continue to do enough to keep it that way. There's still likely plenty of losses to be had this year for every team that stands with us at a 3-1 mark. I probably shouldn't have put that sentence in there because I really wanted to get the subject of 20 wins debated. But since you brought it up... I understand your points and yes, it is very early but at this point I think that Toledo and Eastern are locks for two of the top 3 spots. After all, there are some serious benefits to playing CMU, Ball and NIU twice. So if one accepts that this is probable. We have the following teams likely going the remaining two of the top four spots. Akron, Ohio, Buffalo, Can't and Western. Of those, I think that Can't and Western appear to be the weakest at this point. Frankly, I think our guards are the worse of the lot and without solid guard play I don't think we are good enough to get the 2 seed. I said 4 seed for a reason. I think it's safe to say that on a neutral floor that nobody wants an early match with Toledo and they certainly look to be the likely #1 seed at this point. The 4 seed is the spot that might well get us through to Saturday. Though it's tough for any of to swallow, the realist in me sees the 4 spot as our most attainable and attractive option. Maybe we can dig this thread up later to prove me wrong. Hope so. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skip-zip Posted January 19, 2014 Report Share Posted January 19, 2014 Wouldn't the #4 spot force us to play Toledo in the Semifinal, according to your scenario? I wouldn't think that's the best path to play on Saturday. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GP1 Posted January 19, 2014 Report Share Posted January 19, 2014 Yes, the Zips will find a way to win 20 before the end of the regular season. That's only a 9-6 record. The MAC is a terrible league and they should have no trouble doing that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr Z Posted January 19, 2014 Report Share Posted January 19, 2014 Yes, the Zips will find a way to win 20 before the end of the regular season. That's only a 9-6 record. The MAC is a terrible league and they should have no trouble doing that.I agree. I wish the league was better, and we won 19 with a mac championship. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MDZip Posted January 19, 2014 Report Share Posted January 19, 2014 Someone mentioned in another thread about the Zips getting absolutely destroyed by OU at home a couple years ago and that season still turned out all right. Toledo looks good and we don't match up well against them but I'm not ready to crown them by any stretch yet. This may not be the best Zips team we've seen but they are still good and will be in the thick of things at the end. Not convinced that EMU is all that special yet (and for those that are how would you like to be OU who has both Toledo and EMU twice), and I still predict a 14-4 MAC record which would give the Zips 22 wins for the 9th straight year. No panic after one bad game. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave in Green Posted January 19, 2014 Report Share Posted January 19, 2014 It's the 22 or more wins per season that puts the Zips in the exclusive class with Duke, Gonzaga, Kansas, tOSU and Pitt. It can be done, but it's going to be a big challenge this season. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tomzip Posted January 19, 2014 Report Share Posted January 19, 2014 It's the 22 or more wins per season that puts the Zips in the exclusive class with Duke, Gonzaga, Kansas, tOSU and Pitt. It can be done, but it's going to be a big challenge this season. True, an elite class as no other MAC school or name any other also ran conference such as ours, but the other teams on that list play a much tougher schedule. 20 wins, most likely this year if we can get a win in cleveland and one in the coaches tournament Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UAZip0510 Posted January 19, 2014 Report Share Posted January 19, 2014 To answer your first question, absolutely. They'd have to go 8-7 or worse in the regular season, lose their first MAC Tournament game, and not win a postseason game. I don't see that happening. As for the seeding, I'm not sure you can predict the MAC at this point. Akron struggled at home against Ball State but beat OU on the road. Toledo smashed Akron at the JAR but got beat handily at Western Michigan and had a close call against Buffalo. EMU lose to Buffalo and had a close call against BG but pounded Western Michigan. Can't lost to OU, needed OT to beat NIU, and lost to Buffalo. Buffalo and OU have been been impressive but have played mostly weaker MAC opponents so far. To say ANYONE is a lock for any seed at this point is silly IMO. Akron, Toledo, Can't, OU, EMU, and Buffalo all could be in the mix for 1st round byes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zippy5 Posted January 19, 2014 Report Share Posted January 19, 2014 I honestly don't see us finishing worse than 2nd heading into Cleveland. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Hip Zip Posted January 19, 2014 Author Report Share Posted January 19, 2014 Wouldn't the #4 spot force us to play Toledo in the Semifinal, according to your scenario? I wouldn't think that's the best path to play on Saturday. brain cramp on my part..... too many adult beverages consumed. OK, I just dialed up the hoop Gods and declined the four spot. I'll take a 3 instead. And MD brought up a very important fact..... yes, OU drew the short end of the stick for sure. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnnyzip84 Posted January 19, 2014 Report Share Posted January 19, 2014 I think the Zips will win 20, but it will not be easy. 22 seems a little unrealistic to me at this point. Of the 14 games remaining in the regular season, I only see 5 games (CMU, BGx2, NIU, BSU) that I would be willing to count as highly probable wins at this point. Winning 4 of the other 9 games will be necessary to get to 20 (without counting on a MAC tourney play-in game victory to get there). That will be challenging. The Michigan road trip may be crucial. Beat EMU there and the pressure is off. Lose to EMU and suddenly the CMU game might not be so easy. If anything, things aren't boring this year! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
B4110 Posted January 19, 2014 Report Share Posted January 19, 2014 Am I missing something or is there some award for winning 20 games. Who really cares about how many times you win 22 games. The program should focus on doing something it hasn't done. BE COMPETITIVE AGAINST QUALITY TEAMS. The standard is very low with this team. Program I should say...smh. Satisfied with being the " best of the bumbs" ...... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Hip Zip Posted January 19, 2014 Author Report Share Posted January 19, 2014 Well, I would like to think that consistently reaching 20 victories is a somewhat useful recruiting chip. Perhaps though I could be wrong. I just don't think many kids want to hear " Well , we don't win many but we did play some really good teams tough" Of course, I'd like more. But look at the facts, look at our gym, look at our fan base. I know that we have several passionate fans on this board but we are what we are and given our recourses its been a rather remarkable run. Other than win a game in the tourney we have pretty much reached our ceiling as long as we are in the MAC and playing at the JAR. I think expecting much more than we have been getting is a pipe dream. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GJGood Posted January 19, 2014 Report Share Posted January 19, 2014 The new MAC tourney format with the extra byes actually makes it more difficult to reach our recent run of 22+ win seasons. I didn't mind each division champ getting one bye but all these other byes and double byes just isn't as fun in my opinion. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
roopride Posted January 19, 2014 Report Share Posted January 19, 2014 A few comments for the group and to those that are close to the program: We have talent, but man no one is clicking right now. Three point shooting is killing us. Other than Tree, I don't see any go to guys..... Why does Tree start games taking 17-18 footers? (On the other hand Tree plays his heart out) Does any one on the team know how to make any entry pass using a bounce pass. Tree, Pat etc always catch the ball at least 12 ft from the basket. Sometimes they have good position but the entry pass is a always a lob which makes them loose position and gives the defense time to rotate. I kinda like CB at point right now. For sure no offense, but the offense seems to flow better. His defense has given the offense a few good runs. I think KD needs to tell CB we don't need anything nifty just play and distribute. With some confidence I think CB can be alright. Nyles can't get the offense started. I also think Nyles is going to have to penetrate some to get folks off him. Pat has got to get some shots at the rim. He has a soft touch but he needs to go to the rim and get fouled. I like how we get a triangle in the key on offense, but again we can't make an entry pass. And yes we'll get to 20. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Captain Kangaroo Posted January 20, 2014 Report Share Posted January 20, 2014 I kinda like CB at point right now. Really? I would like to see him next to the orange Igloo cooler. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dirtyolcrowe Posted January 20, 2014 Report Share Posted January 20, 2014 yes....and then we will lose in the semi's. This is the year of transition. I see us getting stronger and back on top in 2 years. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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