Harney's Gone

[akronad]

UA basketball: Nick Harney departs team by 'mutual agreement'

By George Thomas Published: June 11, 2014

The University of Akron men’s basketball team has parted ways with a player that they hoped would be a cornerstone when he arrived.

Forward Nick Harney transferred to Division II Fairmont State in West Virginian, according to a Fox Sports Ohio report.

Zips coach Keith Dambrot confirmed the report Wednesday morning via phone call.

“We just thought it was in his best interest to play elsewhere,” Dambrot said. “It was mutually agreed upon.”

Harney, who averaged 8.8 points and 3.4 rebounds last season, had a rocky stay at with the Zips that included three suspensions, the most recent one being for a violation of team rules in February.

At 6-foot-8, it’s a case of a player with much potential never living up to it. Harney could be dominant in the post, but played inconsistently.

Look below the surface, however, and perhaps other factors existed. Three suspensions in three years say plenty Harney’s time at UA. Dambrot rarely wants to give up on any individual.

[Kangaroo Craig]

Bummer. I was hoping for a big year from him next season. I wish him well at Fairmont State.

[GP1]

Bummer. I was hoping for a big year from him next season. I wish him well at Fairmont State.

Do you mean by shattering his record three suspensions in three years with four suspensions in four years?

[Zipmeister]

Q: What do Harney and ZipsNation have in common?

A: They have both spent some time this year suspended.

[taxpayer]

Nick had/has lots of potential and obviously issues. I hope this change of scenery will eliminate those issues and he can reach his true potential as a player and a young man. Best of luck to him!

[Dave in Green]

What does Fairmont head coach Jerrod Calhoun think the addition of Nick Harney makes his team?

“It’s the most athletic team in Division II basketball,” Calhoun said.

[LZIp]

the name of the conference is escaping right now. I know they used to be the WVIAC, but Fairmont St plays in probably the best conference in D2 with teams like Wheeling Jesuit and West Liberty. I'll definitely follow not only because Harney is there, but because I am from the area (edge of Ohio) and am familiar with the teams.

[Z.I.P.]

UA basketball: Nick Harney departs team by 'mutual agreement'

By George Thomas Published: June 11, 2014

Harney could be dominant in the post

Now, if there's a statement I've ever read from George that I disagree with its THAT one. Nick Harney was never a Div I power forward. In fact, his biggest problem was his "in-between" status. He lacked the physical strength to bang and rebound on the inside, and obviously, he was not a good enough jump shooter to be a threat at the wing. I suppose his biggest positive was his "sneaky slashing" ability, which you don't often see in a player his height. He has excellent footwork, and the agility to move past bigger post players in the paint. I'd expect him (if he is motivated, at least) to tear up D II. Now -- any thoughts on what effect this will have on his "right-hand man", Tree? Breaking up those two has to be a gamble for Keith. But, one that could pay off -- only time will tell (don't you love clichés?).

[skip-zip]

Like I've said many times, when he was good, we were very good. Unfortunately, it didn't happen often enough.

If I had to look ahead, I think my biggest concern with losing him right now is that we lost Diggs in the same year. Those two guys shared the ability to take the ball on the perimeter and finish at the rim. Whether he was consistent enough or not, the possibility of that threat being severely lacking from our offense next year could make us a much easier team to defend.

[LZIp]

Like I've said many times, when he was good, we were very good. Unfortunately, it didn't happen often enough.

If I had to look ahead, I think my biggest concern with losing him right now is that we lost Diggs in the same year. Those two guys shared the ability to take the ball on the perimeter and finish at the rim. Whether he was consistent enough or not, the possibility of that threat being severely lacking from our offense next year could make us a much easier team to defend.

It is definitely a loss, but I have full confidence and Gladden and/or Jackson being able to get to the rim.

[Z.I.P.]

You guys are right of course -- the inability to penetrate to the hoop was what killed the team in the middle of the season last year. But, I'm sure at least skip knows that the solution is wearing #4. That's your man, Deji to the rescue! Seriously, I believe the team will rely on Deji much the way they did Q last year. But hopefully, he will have more help than Quincy had.

[LZIp]

You guys are right of course -- the inability to penetrate to the hoop was what killed the team in the middle of the season last year. But, I'm sure at least skip knows that the solution is wearing #4. That's your man, Deji to the rescue! Seriously, I believe the team will rely on Deji much the way they did Q last year. But hopefully, he will have more help than Quincy had.

I like Deji, but I think you've drank quite a few too many Lava Lava's.

[Quickzips]

You guys are right of course -- the inability to penetrate to the hoop was what killed the team in the middle of the season last year. But, I'm sure at least skip knows that the solution is wearing #4. That's your man, Deji to the rescue! Seriously, I believe the team will rely on Deji much the way they did Q last year. But hopefully, he will have more help than Quincy had.

If the 2014-15 Zips are going to rely on Deji then I have a feeling many around here will start referring to the 2013-14 Zips as the "good ole days".

[Dave in Green]

Everyone understands that Deji is not a star. But when the Zips were hurting toward the end of last season with Jake, Reggie and Nick unavailable to play, Deji rose to the occasion and produced a better than expected performance while averaging 24 minutes per game. No Zips player shot better than Deji over the team's final 8 games, where he averaged the following:

26-48 from the field (54.1%)

15-31 3-pointers (48.4%)

8.6 points per game

2.4 rebounds per game

2 personal fouls per game

He also had more steals (7) and assists (6) than turnovers (5) over those important final games.

Based on that performance, which certainly exceeded what anyone on this forum expected of him, he earned a starting position for the beginning of his senior season. There's no question that some of the younger players have more upside than Deji. But they're going to have to prove it on the court to take Deji's starting position away. And if they do, we'll know that Deji will be sitting on the bench ready to play his heart out when called upon.

[johnnyzip84]

I believe Deji received the early season playing time in 2013-2014 because his approach to practice (preparation, attention, dedication, effort) is the anti-thesis of Harney's. I think the staff was either hoping this might rub off on some or simply refusing to reward minutes to players who weren't falling in line. I think this explains why they went with Deji a little longer than most of us wanted early in the season. I completely agree that once he was forced into more action later in the year Deji rose to the occasion. He clearly played his best basketball as a Zip over that period.

[skip-zip]

I believe Deji received the early season playing time in 2013-2014 because his approach to practice (preparation, attention, dedication, effort) is the anti-thesis of Harney's. I think the staff was either hoping this might rub off on some or simply refusing to reward minutes to players who weren't falling in line. I think this explains why they went with Deji a little longer than most of us wanted early in the season. I completely agree that once he was forced into more action later in the year Deji rose to the occasion. He clearly played his best basketball as a Zip over that period.

He's shown glimpses of what he can possibly contribute. I love his athleticism. I hope he's continuing to work even harder right now, and can get even better. We almost all gave up on him. It's reminding me a bit of the Conyers situation a few years ago.

[Zipgrad01]

Correct me if I am wrong, but Deji also was the on ball defender against Brown from WMU during the tourney game. Deji shut him down. We took Deji off him and out of the game for most of the 2nd half and Brown went off. Season over.

[Z.I.P.]

Thanks to those who agreed with my assessment of Dej. But what I was stressing was the fact that this team is desperately seeking someone to take the ball to the hoop through the paint, and I don't know anyone who has shown the ability to do that better than he (i.e., Dejhe).

[ZachTheZip]

That aspect of the offense was severely lacking last season. Hopefully one of the PGs shows this ability, along with at least one of last year's redshirts.