2014-2015

[Dave in Green]

Zips OOC SOS is never beaten into the ground. It always comes back for more on ZN.o. Whatever anyone may subjectively feel about it, Zips OOC SOS is neither great nor awful. By all objective measures it's above average.

[Blue & Gold]

Thought this interesting. Pre-Zeke we often worried about having undersized centers when comparing our roster to Power 5 conferences'. But in tonight's NBA exhibition game:

Cavs starting center: 6-9 (Tristan Thompson)

Tel Aviv's starting center: 6-8 (Brian Randle)

http://www.ohio.com/blogs/cleveland-cavaliers/cleveland-cavaliers-1.275356/pregame-cavs-vs-maccabi-tel-aviv-1.528872

Maybe Tree could be a viable "5"?

[Blue & Gold]

GoZips.com has Aaron Jackson listed at 6-8. Is that legit? He's listed as a G. If so, that seems pretty elite.

[Dave in Green]

Aaron was listed at 6-7, 193 pounds last season at age 18. It's entirely possible that he wasn't done growing. At 6-8, 215 pounds he'd be an inch taller than Tree. As tough and gritty a player as Aaron is, I wonder how he'd handle playing in the frontcourt.

[GoZips]

Here we go again. The same whiners and boo birds wringing their hands over the OOC schedule. Why?

Cant gets to play AT Kansas why? 1) Cant is a great tune up opponent with a high RPI and the Jayhawks will have to

fight for 40 minutes to eek out a home court victory. 2) Cant will roll over and play dead; get their heinies blown off and

take a $75,000 check home.

The basketball rags are picking Cant to finish fifth in the east division. There is a clue here about just how Cant ended

up on the Kansas OOC schedule.

First rule in coaching:do not schedule opponents that can cost you your job. Go read the PITT fan boards. duh.

[Dave in Green]

The more I look at the roster, the more I think this is going to be an unsettled season in terms of lineup. The Zips have a few veterans who haven't performed at a level that would guarantee them long minutes and a couple of true freshmen and a couple of redshirt freshmen who are talented enough to vie for significant minutes. So I think we're in for another season that will cause indigestion for fans who are uncomfortable with anything other than a fixed lineup with the same 5 starters and same 3 subs getting all but a few minutes of PT.

Aside from the normal development that might be expected of every player as they evolve from freshmen to seniors, I think the following points are key to the Zips becoming a really good team this season:

* Tree's maturity -- he has the physical tools and intensity to be MAC Player of the Year. In his senior season and with Q having graduated, Tree should be the unquestioned leader of this team. He must lead by example and not fall into funks. He needs to be consistently positive no matter what anyone else on his team, anyone on the opposing team, the refs or even himself might do that he doesn't like. Get over it and play like a true champion at all times.

* Pat's self-confidence -- he has the physical tools and skills to be the best center in the MAC but becomes tentative when he makes mistakes. He needs to develop the attitude that he's the man who owns the paint on both offense and defense, shrug off any mistakes he makes and pour on more intensity. The team with the best center has a big advantage in winning the MAC championship, as Zeke and Shayne Whittington have recently demonstrated. Pat has that potential.

* Noah's learning curve -- he has the pedigree to be an outstanding college PG. He's a winner who played at a high level in HS alongside NBA-level talent (Shabazz Muhammad). He's a pass-first PG who can knock down the open 3 or drive to the bucket. He has the potential to be the Zips starting PG for the next 4 seasons. But this is the only season he gets to play alongside the Zips' best proven player (Tree). Can he make the adjustment from high level HS ball to D1 college ball quickly enough this season to make everyone forget the Zips ever had a problem at PG?

* Wild cards -- How much did BJ and Aaron benefit from their redshirting, and how much will they surprise us by what they can do on court this season? Aaron obviously benefited physically by growing from 6-7, 193 to 6-8, 215. That's a big 2 guard who's now the same height and 10 pounds heavier than his Gahanna-Lincoln predecessor Nate Linhart. Could he quickly become, as Nate did, the shut-down defender who could guard the other team's best player at any of the 5 positions? Could BJ quickly develop into a point forward working alongside the backup PG to give the Zips a strong point presence at all times?

Those are some of the things I'm going to be watching most closely as the season goes on.

[UAZip0510]

The more I look at the roster, the more I think this is going to be an unsettled season in terms of lineup. The Zips have a few veterans who haven't performed at a level that would guarantee them long minutes and a couple of true freshmen and a couple of redshirt freshmen who are talented enough to vie for significant minutes. So I think we're in for another season that will cause indigestion for fans who are uncomfortable with anything other than a fixed lineup with the same 5 starters and same 3 subs getting all but a few minutes of PT.

Aside from the normal development that might be expected of every player as they evolve from freshmen to seniors, I think the following points are key to the Zips becoming a really good team this season:

* Tree's maturity -- he has the physical tools and intensity to be MAC Player of the Year. In his senior season and with Q having graduated, Tree should be the unquestioned leader of this team. He must lead by example and not fall into funks. He needs to be consistently positive no matter what anyone else on his team, anyone on the opposing team, the refs or even himself might do that he doesn't like. Get over it and play like a true champion at all times.

* Pat's self-confidence -- he has the physical tools and skills to be the best center in the MAC but becomes tentative when he makes mistakes. He needs to develop the attitude that he's the man who owns the paint on both offense and defense, shrug off any mistakes he makes and pour on more intensity. The team with the best center has a big advantage in winning the MAC championship, as Zeke and Shayne Whittington have recently demonstrated. Pat has that potential.

* Noah's learning curve -- he has the pedigree to be an outstanding college PG. He's a winner who played at a high level in HS alongside NBA-level talent (Shabazz Muhammad). He's a pass-first PG who can knock down the open 3 or drive to the bucket. He has the potential to be the Zips starting PG for the next 4 seasons. But this is the only season he gets to play alongside the Zips' best proven player (Tree). Can he make the adjustment from high level HS ball to D1 college ball quickly enough this season to make everyone forget the Zips ever had a problem at PG?

* Wild cards -- How much did BJ and Aaron benefit from their redshirting, and how much will they surprise us by what they can do on court this season? Aaron obviously benefited physically by growing from 6-7, 193 to 6-8, 215. That's a big 2 guard who's now the same height and 10 pounds heavier than his Gahanna-Lincoln predecessor Nate Linhart. Could he quickly become, as Nate did, the shut-down defender who could guard the other team's best player at any of the 5 positions? Could BJ quickly develop into a point forward working alongside the backup PG to give the Zips a strong point presence at all times?

Those are some of the things I'm going to be watching most closely as the season goes on.

I agree with all of your points and I'll add Antino Jackson to the "Wild Cards" section. I initially assumed he'd redshirt but I am hearing some really, really good things about him.

I'd also add to having a season free of off-court issues. Harney last year, Abreu/Diggs the year before...we can't have players getting into crap outside of basketball that affects the team.

[Hilltopper]

Until Big Dogs hand heals, the lineup will be in flux. Cheatham will be Pats backup and Aaron Jackson might be seeing some minutes at the 4 spot.

[Dave in Green]

I missed it if anyone had mentioned Big Dog's broken wrist prior to Hilltopper. GT wrote about it a few days ago and I forgot to post a link.

[GoZips]

Dang it. Color me embarrassed. I attend team practice every day and I never noticed that Big Dog was sidelined with his wrist in a cast.

Gosh, and for over a month, too.I did notice the change in the Dog's body shape. Thought it was not worth mentioning.

Current plan is no red shirts. That is not cast in stone.

[ZippyRulz]

2014 MAC Basketball Top 25: #20 G/F Jake Kretzer, Akron Zips

http://www.hustlebelt.com/mac-basketball/2014/10/22/6994637/2014-mac-basketball-top-25-20-g-f-jake-kretzer-akron-zips

[Hilltopper]

The wing position is still unsettled at this point. Gladden, Jake and Reggie are the contenders. So is the 2 guard. Reggie, Deji, Antino and Nyles are in the mix.

[UAZip0510]

I can't see KD starting two freshmen, and Robotham looks like the starter at PG. That, coupled with Kretzer's leadership and all-around solid play leads me to expect him to start at wing. I'd expect Deji to start at the 2 - he's better than Nyles, bringing Reggie off of the bench for Kretzer would provide the Zips with a deep threat at all times, and, again, I don't think KD starts with two freshmen.

I do think two freshmen could start by the end of the year, just not to start things out. By the MAC Tournament I think we'll see Johnson/Tree/Kretzer/Gladden/Robotham starting with Forsythe/Cheatham/McAdams/Ibitayo/Jackson as the 2nd unit.

[Blue & Gold]

The wing position is still unsettled at this point. Gladden, Jake and Reggie are the contenders. So is the 2 guard. Reggie, Deji, Antino and Nyles are in the mix.

Where's Aaron Jackson working in?

[GP1]

First rule in coaching:do not schedule opponents that can cost you your job.

Wow.

I'd like to think that this isn't foremost in KD's mind when he is making decisions. But then again.....

[Hilltopper]

Where's Aaron Jackson working in?

Stretch 4 backing up Tree.

[Dave in Green]

Brandon Hickey has predicted that Big Dog will be one of six MAC Basketball Breakout Players for the 2014-2015 Season:

Isaiah Johnson, Akron Center

The Big Dog is no Zeke Marshall, that's for sure. While Marshall had more of a finesse game around the basket, Johnson just wants to get to the rim and use his large six-foot-ten, 290 pound body to punish defenders. With calves as big as a normal person's thighs, Johnson is strong around the basket and has a high basketball IQ.

Though Johnson averaged just four points and three rebounds last year, he is in line for a much better year this year after taking away more of usual starter Pat Forsythe's playing time. Johnson is a huge matchup problem on both sides of the floor as not many in the conference can go toe-to-toe with his size. Look for him to double both his scoring and rebounding numbers this year and become a key cog in Akron's quest to get back to the MAC Championship game.

[Dr Z]

UPDATE ON THE DOG BONE

The Zips’ other challenge involves their big men. Isaiah Johnson recently had the cast removed that set his right wrist. Johnson, a sophomore, broke his navicular bone. Although that cast is off, Dambrot said Johnson isn’t completely healed. “He is able to run now which is a good thing,” Dambrot said, “so we can get him in better shape. We feel like if we can get this guy in condition we have a special player. We haven’t quite been able to do that yet, but his attitude and desire to become a really good player has really been terrific.” Although Dambrot hopes Johnson will be ready for the regular season, he expects junior Pat Forsythe can come in and fulfill his potential at center. Sophomore forward Kwan Cheatham Jr. has also been getting work in that area.

Source

[Captain Kangaroo]

...he expects junior Pat Forsythe can come in and fulfill his potential at center.

I'm skeptical.

[GoZips]

I'm skeptical.

I'm not.

I see Pat at every practice. He is stronger, more adept, tougher, smarter; and best of all, enjoying himself this season.

[ZachTheZip]

I'm not.

I see Pat at every practice. He is stronger, more adept, tougher, smarter; and best of all, enjoying himself this season.

It always seemed to me that Pat just needed to get out of his own head and play the game.

[UAZip0510]

With Betancourt gone, the big question is who starts at 2. Johnson/Tree/Kretzer/Robotham should all be expected to start. Ibitayo, McAdams, or Gladden?

[Hilltopper]

My guess would be Reggie.

[Hilltopper]

Johnson probably won't be ready at the beginning of the season. Pat will start and Khwan will back him up.

[UAZip0510]

My guess would be Reggie.

The only thing I see holding this back is it seems KD likes bringing either McAdams or Kretzer off of the bench so he can always have a deep threat to stretch the floor.

With that said, I'm not sure if Gladden is going to start day one and/or that Deji isn't the 3rd best player among the three.