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WMU GAME


Derrt

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We held WMU to 52 points in regulation. That was a very good defensive effort. We lost the game on the offensive end.

Over the last couple of days, I have totally bought into this conclusion after further reflecting on the game, and seeing what WMU did on Saturday night.

I've also focused in on a pivotal part of the game. At that 10 min. mark after the Treadwell and McAdams dunks to extend the lead back to 15 pts., Hawkins called a quick timeout. The game turned dramatically after that point. even though it seemed the momentum favored Akron pulling away again. What a great move on their part. Had he allowed play to continue, would we have been able to exploit the back side of that zone again? Might we have been only a basket or two away from putting the game away?

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I've also focused in on a pivotal part of the game. At that 10 min. mark after the Treadwell and McAdams dunks to extend the lead back to 15 pts., Hawkins called a quick timeout. The game turned dramatically after that point. even though it seemed the momentum favored Akron pulling away again. What a great move on their part.

Calling a time out when the opponent has successive easy dunks is a "great move?" That's pre-coaching 101.

How great a move would it have been for Dambrot to play Ibitayo in the second half? "Supermegastellar Great?"

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Not sure why Big Dog played only 4 minutes in the 2nd half after 15 in the 1st half. But Deji, who also played 15 minutes in the first half, was tied with Q and Melo for most 2nd half PT at 14 minutes behind Tree's 17. Along with his 5 minutes in OT, Deji played a total of 34 minutes, trailing only Tree's 42 and Q's 36. Deji was effective throughout the game and was rewarded with his longest PT of the season.

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Calling a time out when the opponent has successive easy dunks is a "great move?" That's pre-coaching 101.

Why don't you read the rest of my post?

It had nothing to do with the fact that they were easy dunks. It had to do with the fact that we had found a way to beat their zone defense, and were likely only a hoop away from blowing the game open again.

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Not surprised that Western Michigan got killed. Last year when I went to Detroit and we lost by 40 I realized we are a good team in a bad conference. The game last night once again reminded me that our conference is not very strong and when we play a good team out of conference we are going to struggle.

Our guys have to work in the off season to get quicker, stronger, more athletic and tougher if we are ever going to win that elusive 1st round game in the NCAA or even have the opportunity to do so. Tree is a very strong player but he cannot carry the team. Harney is also very talented but has to dedicate himself to basketball. Evans and Carmello need to develop a consistent shot. Also, they have to improve their d and learn to move the ball while under pressure.

The best part of the season was watching Deji go from no time to a full time player. He took the opportunity that was handed to him. Big Dog needs to become leaner and quicker. Cheatham has great potential. Hopefully next year at this time we will be celebrating a first round NCAA victory.

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With all due respect... we're a good team in a bad conference? How aren't we just an average team in a bad conference...or a bad team in an equally bad (if not worse) conference? If the "elusive first round NCAA win" is how we measure success...How can we say we're a good team?

Sorry I may sound a little cynical...but to be considered good, we need to step it up. You can't have the best season in the school's history, which also had the WORST post-season NCAA loss in school history (that was almost NCAA history too), and then follow it up with a 21-13 season, losing to a not-so-good WMU team...with a final loss to a not-heard-of IPFW in a who-cares tournament, and consider yourself good.

I had high expectations for this season. After watching those high expectations catch fire at 2am vs. St. Marys...followed by a loss to Middle Tennessee...then burst into flames with underwhelming 2nd half performance against Iowa State...rage into an inferno with back-to-back losses against a non-factor, plain terrible SC team...and then smolder with losing 5 games in a "bad (your words)" conference...How on earth can we consider the Zips a good team?

Don't get me wrong, die-hard Zips fan here. But I'm slowly beginning to feel like I should accept our true circumstance. We are an above-average team that occasionally breaks the mold in a bad conference. My only question is: What does it take to change that.

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I agree with everything you said and I will rephrase. "We are a good Mac team and the Mac is a weak conference." The only way to get better is through recruiting. Find more Trees, Harneys and Qs. These are our best players and one graduates and the other 2 are seniors.

We did not have an impact freshman this year. Both Big Dog and Cheatham had chances but neither became a solid starter. They need to get in better physical condition. I believe that they can be solid players and maybe even excel but only time will tell. The only way this team can jump to the next levell is if the current players work on their game and learn to penetrate and move without the ball. We also need our guards to become better shooters.

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I also agree with what you say. First and foremost, the MAC is a football conference. Until the MAC decides that they want to step it up with basketball, it will always be playing second fiddle. There needs to be a mandate from the MAC to upgrade ooc schedules, to upgrade facilities, and to increase pay for all coaches.

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