Sportsjunkie330 Posted January 24, 2015 Report Share Posted January 24, 2015 I don't have a good feeling about this one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr Z Posted January 24, 2015 Report Share Posted January 24, 2015 Zips 3 point underdogs. Source: GoZips dot com.Akron (12-6, 3-2 MAC) at Western Michigan (13-5, 4-1 MAC)Television: None. Webcast and Live Stats: Available at GoZips.com – live statistics free of charge.Radio: Akron-IMG Sports Network – SportsRadio 1350 AM (WARF) in Akron (flagship) and for free at GoZips.com/TuneIn. Steve French (play-by-play) and Joe Dunn (analyst) will have the call beginning at 1:30 p.m. ET. The Akron-Western Michigan Series: The Zips lead the overall series, 23-19, and are 7-11 in Kalamazoo vs. the Broncos. Akron won the first meeting this season, 72-52, in Akron on Jan. 6. The Zips have won 13 of the last 16 in the series. Scouting the Broncos: Western Michigan enters today's game with a 13-5 overall record and is 4-1 in MAC play. The Broncos have won four-straight since losing their MAC opener to the Zips and are 7-0 at home. Four Broncos are scoring in double figures, including David Brown (15.2 ppg), Connar Tava (14.7 ppg), Tucker Haymond (13.2 ppg) and Austin Richie (11.4 ppg). Tava leads the team in rebounding (6.3 rpg). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GJGood Posted January 24, 2015 Report Share Posted January 24, 2015 I have no idea which team will show up in this one. The Zips haven't won a true road game this year. They did win in Charleston against South Carolina which was a neutral site game technically, but not geographically, so I think they can win on the road. We all know the Zips matched up quite favorably with the Broncos earlier this season so the confidence level against the opponent should be decent. This is also the first time the Zips have faced road environment games back to back. Will the Zips wilt in that scenario or does playing two in a row benefit them in the second one as it seems to do with some teams?Let's hope the Zips go in and play well today, giving them more confidence as we move on in the schedule. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave in Green Posted January 24, 2015 Report Share Posted January 24, 2015 The Zips caught the Broncos by surprise with their level of intensity and physicality in their conference season opener at the JAR. That element of surprise is gone, WMU will be prepared and the Zips will need to find other ways to beat a team that is favored by the oddsmakers. Pat and Big Dog thoroughly outplayed WMU's bigs at the JAR, hitting a combined 8-9 from the field and grabbing 14 rebounds. But Pat is hurting and Big Dog has not been performing at a high level.Detailed comparison of the two teams on statsheet.com shows the Zips trailing in most offensive categories and leading in most defensive categories. A more graphic comparison can be seen on teamrankings.com .This is an important game for the Zips as a loss would drop them to 3-3 and potentially 2 games behind both the MAC East and West leaders. A win would leave the Zips tied at 4-2 with West leader WMU and no worse than 1 game behind Can't and BGSU in the East depending on their results today. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zippy5 Posted January 24, 2015 Report Share Posted January 24, 2015 Yes, we know the oddsmakers would consider it an upset, but the important question is who is the favorite in DiG's book? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave in Green Posted January 24, 2015 Report Share Posted January 24, 2015 I like the way Coach Dambrot's teams respond to adversity. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ZachTheZip Posted January 24, 2015 Report Share Posted January 24, 2015 Even with Pat playing hurt, WMU has absolutly no answer for Akron's frontcourt. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave in Green Posted January 24, 2015 Report Share Posted January 24, 2015 Deji comes into this game as the Zips leading scorer (and only one in double figures) at 10.0. He's done this despite averaging only the 6th most minutes per game (18.6). He's averaging 21.49 points per 40 minutes, tied for fourth best in the MAC. Pat has dropped to second on the team at 9.889 ppg and Noah has been moving steadily up and is now 3rd at 9.667 ppg.Deji has been consistent in bringing energy off the bench and seems to have earned more minutes based on his all-around performance. Yet despite playing an above average 22 minutes in the Toledo and Bowling Green games, he's played only a below-average 13 and 16 minutes in the last 2 games against CMU and NIU. After playing a solid game against WMU at the JAR with 12 points in 17 minutes, could this be Deji's game to pull a Reggie? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1981 grad Posted January 24, 2015 Report Share Posted January 24, 2015 I am assuming that the Zips stayed in the Chicago area after the last game and did not have a long bus ride to Western Michigan which is a plus. I did not expect this team to play well on the road because of their lack of experience. I think the keys to the game is that the Zips must score inside. Pat and Big Dog have to score inside. Pat did not have a good offensive game against Northern Illinois. I still think that it is a mistake to have Pat and Big Dog playing together because Bog Dog clogs up the middle and Pat needs the room for the post up moves. It would help if Kwan would drive more to the basket. When he drove to the basket last game we picked up some easy baskets on his misses because he drew players with him when he goes to the hoop.We also need Robotham to have a better shooting game. I would like him to score more inside the three point line. This team takes to many three point shots and we simply are not a good 3 point shooting team. (Unless Reggie hits 6 of 9) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LZIp Posted January 24, 2015 Report Share Posted January 24, 2015 So our leading scorer does not start, plays above average defense, 4th best points per 40 in the conference, and is 6th on the team in minutes.Does not compute.And we demolished this team at home. Most certainly shouldn't lose to this team. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave in Green Posted January 24, 2015 Report Share Posted January 24, 2015 Yep, Zips did stay in the Chicago area. As for playing Pat and Big Dog together, typically they're on court together only a few minutes per game. They still haven't coordinated how best to use this double post, and need to work on optimizing their strengths. Big Dog has no outside game and thrives close to the bucket. Pat had a nice mid-range game in HS, and he's shown on several occasions he can drill a 12-15-foot jumper.When playing with Big Dog, Pat needs to step back and play more like a stretch 4. A mid-range jumper from a 6-11 player is tough to defend, and demands that the other team's tallest player step outside the paint to guard him. That leaves the lane open for Big Dog to crash the boards on Pat's misses and get easy putbacks. When the shot comes from one of the guards or wings, Pat and Big Dog both need to crash the boards from opposite sides looking for easy putbacks. This can be made to work. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RowdyZip Posted January 24, 2015 Report Share Posted January 24, 2015 We made the trip to Kalamazoo... Jake is in warmups, not participating in pregame shoot around. No sighting of Pat... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Glib Shanley Posted January 24, 2015 Report Share Posted January 24, 2015 I'm going with Capt. Kangaroo's answer from the last game:"You'd think that "getting the ball through the hoop" stat is overrated, but I'm starting to believe it might actually have a measurable effect on the game's outcome?"" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RowdyZip Posted January 24, 2015 Report Share Posted January 24, 2015 Pat and Jake are both here and dressed. Neither participating in pregame activities. Looks like neither will be going. Anyone listening to Frenchy? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zipsrule Posted January 24, 2015 Report Share Posted January 24, 2015 Per Joe Dunn, sounds like neither one is playing today. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zipsrule Posted January 24, 2015 Report Share Posted January 24, 2015 Today's Starters:RobothomEvansGladdenCheathamBig Dog Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GJGood Posted January 24, 2015 Report Share Posted January 24, 2015 Not terribly surprised that Kretzer is out but thought Forsythe would be back. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ZippyRulz Posted January 24, 2015 Report Share Posted January 24, 2015 pat & jake are out per french & dunn. wmu 7-0 at home. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zipsrule Posted January 24, 2015 Report Share Posted January 24, 2015 Video feed from WMU is by subscription. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave in Green Posted January 24, 2015 Report Share Posted January 24, 2015 Per Joe Dunn, sounds like neither one is playing today.That changes the odds considerably. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zipsrule Posted January 24, 2015 Report Share Posted January 24, 2015 Toughing it out so far. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave in Green Posted January 24, 2015 Report Share Posted January 24, 2015 Zips starters 3-10 from the field, Zips bench 5-5. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Balsy Posted January 24, 2015 Report Share Posted January 24, 2015 From the radio, this game seems like an absolute joke. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zipsrule Posted January 24, 2015 Report Share Posted January 24, 2015 Aaron Jackson appears to be sick. Went to the locker room and came back. We are running out of bodies. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave in Green Posted January 24, 2015 Report Share Posted January 24, 2015 Gutsy first half performance with two starters out of action on the road against a good team. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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