Zips @ #8 Gonzaga 12/10/16

[NWAkron]

IPFW was at home against the Hoosiers. 

[kreed5120]

And UT-Arlington (Sun Belt) was at Saint Mary's. They happen. Gonzaga had to go on the road for years and knock teams off before teams would agree to come to the Kennel.

Edited December 12, 2016 by kreed5120

[The Hip Zip]

1 hour ago, NWAkron said:

IPFW was at home against the Hoosiers. 

 

 

As I recall The Hoosiers were the official home team for the game and the crowd was heavily in their favor. Thought it was played at an off campus arena but I may be mistaken.

Edited December 12, 2016 by The Hip Zip

[NWAkron]

You may be right.  I just looked at a pic from the game and the floor had "Fort Wayne" written on it.  I guess it was a neutral court.  Stand corrected...as usual.

[skip-zip]

I'd love to know more about how this Indiana vs. Fort Wayne game in Fort Wayne came about.

 

But for what it's worth, I'd still gladly play the Suckeyes at a "neutral site" in Akron, and call them the "official home team", even if that meant that plenty of NE Ohio's Honks would also be there.  

 

But, I think that has to be Fort Wayne's arena, unless there's two big basketball arenas in Ft. Wayne, which seems very unlikely.  

Edited December 12, 2016 by skip-zip

[kreed5120]

1 hour ago, skip-zip said:

I'd love to know more about how this Indiana vs. Fort Wayne game in Fort Wayne came about.

 

But for what it's worth, I'd still gladly play the Suckeyes at a "neutral site" in Akron, and call them the "official home team", even if that meant that plenty of NE Ohio's Honks would also be there.  

 

But, I think that has to be Fort Wayne's arena, unless there's two big basketball arenas in Ft. Wayne, which seems very unlikely.  

 

It was IPFW arena or at least an arena they play in frequently.  They have 2 different venues. One that seats 2700 where they play a large chunk of their games and another venue that seats ~13,000 where they play select games.  It's my understanding the 2 schools co-hosted a tournament. I don't know the full details, but I believe Indiana got 3 home games out of it and played 1 road game at IPFW.

 

Edit: Found the details

http://www.journalgazette.net/sports/colleges/iu/IPFW-gets-home-game-against-IU-9581651

Edited December 12, 2016 by kreed5120

[mivid12]

17 hours ago, clarkwgriswold said:

 

Soooo, ummmmmm, the Zips lost to the #8 team in the country and our take away thought is that they will never win a tournament game under Dambrot.  Allrighty then...

of course it's more than that, but thanks for at least trying...glad you feel differently...

[mivid12]

16 hours ago, GoZags said:

 

Dan Dickau sure disagrees with you.  The link is still up at http://www.wccsports.com/thew.tv

 

Click Akron at Gonzaga and move to the 1:55 mark.  Dickau (a member of the Bill Walton double/double club btw) has something to say about that.  FWIW the "club" is making 1st Team Top 5 AP All American and First Team Top 5 Academic All American in the same season.  Walton did it three times.  Dickau and Olynyk have done it for Gonzaga.

good for dick...again, i hope I'M WRONG...but...

[skip-zip]

29 minutes ago, kreed5120 said:

 

It was IPFW arena or at least an arena they play in frequently.  They have 2 different venues. One that seats 2700 where they play a large chunk of their games and another venue that seats ~13,000 where they play select games.  It's my understanding the 2 schools co-hosted a tournament. I don't know the full details, but I believe Indiana got 3 home games out of it and played 1 road game at IPFW.

 

Edit: Found the details

http://www.journalgazette.net/sports/colleges/iu/IPFW-gets-home-game-against-IU-9581651

 

Thanks for sharing.  I got a lot more information out of that article, including this.

 

The 2016 matchup with the Hoosiers will be the fourth game against a member of one of the Power Five conferences in Fort Wayne. The most recent was against Michigan State in 2008, when the Mastodons lost to the Spartans, 70-59. IPFW has also entertained Oregon State (2002) and Notre Dame (2005).

 

Having a large arena in Ft. Wayne has landed them some other good home games over the years as well.  I hope people at Akron see this. 

[clarkwgriswold]

I recall the FW coach on EPSN in the post-game thanking Tom Crean for being willing to play the game at FW. 

[kreed5120]

1 hour ago, skip-zip said:

 

Thanks for sharing.  I got a lot more information out of that article, including this.

 

The 2016 matchup with the Hoosiers will be the fourth game against a member of one of the Power Five conferences in Fort Wayne. The most recent was against Michigan State in 2008, when the Mastodons lost to the Spartans, 70-59. IPFW has also entertained Oregon State (2002) and Notre Dame (2005).

 

Having a large arena in Ft. Wayne has landed them some other good home games over the years as well.  I hope people at Akron see this. 

 

Can we just lay these new arena talks to rest. The University is trying to correct a projected $45 million budget deficit by 2019. Paying for a new arena is counter productive to that. Since day 1 all Kasich has done is cut state funding a crossed the board for pretty much everything. The state certainly isn't going to contribute anything. The city tried and failed miserably. A new basketball arena probably isn't likely for another 20 years when Infocision is nearly (assuming they don't refinance) getting to the point of being paid off.

 

http://www.cleveland.com/metro/index.ssf/2016/12/university_of_akron_to_pay_mor.html

Edited December 12, 2016 by kreed5120

[K92]

41 minutes ago, kreed5120 said:

 

Can we just lay these new arena talks to rest. The University is trying to correct a projected $45 million budget deficit by 2019. Paying for a new arena is counter productive to that. Since day 1 all Kasich has done is cut state funding a crossed the board for pretty much everything. The state certainly isn't going to contribute anything. The city tried and failed miserably. A new basketball arena probably isn't likely for another 20 years when Infocision is nearly (assuming they don't refinance) getting to the point of being paid off.

 

http://www.cleveland.com/metro/index.ssf/2016/12/university_of_akron_to_pay_mor.html

The Fort Wayne arena is not owned by the University.  It is a county building.  They play minor league hockey and D-league basketball there as well.

[kreed5120]

2 minutes ago, K92 said:

The Fort Wayne arena is not owned by the University.  It is a county building.  They play minor league hockey and D-league basketball there as well.

 

I didn't say they own it, but they play multiple regular season games there every year. Summit County/Akron tried to build a multi-purpose arena and it got so much disapproval that it didn't even make it to ballot. What's going to suddenly change hundreds of thousands of taxpayers minds?

[K92]

5 minutes ago, kreed5120 said:

What's going to suddenly change hundreds of thousands of taxpayers minds?

I dunno.  Maybe they want to make America great again?

[skip-zip]

1 hour ago, kreed5120 said:

 

Can we just lay these new arena talks to rest. The University is trying to correct a projected $45 million budget deficit by 2019. Paying for a new arena is counter productive to that. Since day 1 all Kasich has done is cut state funding a crossed the board for pretty much everything. The state certainly isn't going to contribute anything. The city tried and failed miserably. A new basketball arena probably isn't likely for another 20 years when Infocision is nearly (assuming they don't refinance) getting to the point of being paid off.

 

http://www.cleveland.com/metro/index.ssf/2016/12/university_of_akron_to_pay_mor.html

 

Do you really think that the most avid of Zips Basketball fans are just going to stop talking about a new arena?  Donors and Corporate Sponsors talk about it often as well.  It's not just the typical fan.  And it's not going to stop.

 

But for the record, I have been the one on here who's talked often about the financial challenges of getting it done anytime soon, whether it be the City or the University as the primary payer.  I'm well aware of the circumstances having been a party to discussions with many people in the categories listed above.  I was just pointing out another of the benefits of having a large arena like they have in Ft. Wayne.  I just wish it would sway someone to take the lead and act, sooner rather than later.  

 

By the way, I've estimated more like 10 years rather than 20.   Lets hope.    

[kreed5120]

3 minutes ago, skip-zip said:

 

Do you really think that the most avid of Zips Basketball fans are just going to stop talking about a new arena?  Donors and Corporate Sponsors talk about it often as well.  It's not just the typical fan.  And it's not going to stop.

 

But for the record, I have been the one on here who's talked often about the financial challenges of getting it done anytime soon, whether it be the City or the University as the primary payer.  I'm well aware of the circumstances having been a party to discussions with many people in the categories listed above.  I was just pointing out another of the benefits of having a large arena like they have in Ft. Wayne.  I just wish it would sway someone to take the lead and act, sooner rather than later.  

 

By the way, I've estimated more like 10 years rather than 20.   Lets hope.    

 

Yeah, it would definitely provide a boost, not denying that. I've myself gotten carried away thinking about the possibilities. Every time realism sets in and it dampers the situation. Short of a billionaire philanthropist coming out of the woodwork or postseason success that generates positive buzz in the community, I'd personally be shocked to see a new arena in less than 15 years. I'd loved to be proved wrong.

[Balsy]

1 hour ago, K92 said:

I dunno.  Maybe they want to make America great again?

 

  

[Z.I.P.]

On Saturday, December 10, 2016 at 5:12 PM, K92 said:

GoZags, I am a fan, short for fanatic.  Sometimes some stream of consciousness thoughts get posted on a fan forum.  Like I meant he was an actual vagina.  You have to grow some thicker skin, my friend.

I was really hoping someone else would step up and not force me to be the one who responds to this.  I don't know the age ofK92, but these crude remarks are generally representative of an adolescent mentality.   Those of us who have been on this board since it's infancy have worked to maintain some semblance of decency and decorum.  A basic rule might be that people don't use language they wouldn't use to their mother.  The 'c' word falls way outside what should be expected in discussion that represents the Zipsnation and the University of Akron.  I'll leave it there.  GoZips! 

Edited December 12, 2016 by Z.I.P.

[Dr Z]

On 12/10/2016 at 10:07 PM, GoZags said:

Sounds like the possibility of an actual home and home between GU and the Zips is in the offing.

That would be awesome. 

[1981 grad]

The old saying is that even a blind squirrel find a nut every so often.  Well, when is it our turn to upset a ranked team?  I thought that to win the game we had to play our best game and hope that Gonzaga had an off night.  With 8 minutes left we were only 2 points down.  We were not playing our best basketball.  We had a chance to close this thing out.  Instead, one bad call on Big Dog and the night is over.  That is frustrating!  (Ohio State all over again)  I liked the Creighton game better than this game because we showed heart and came back against Creighton.  If you are going to beat a ranked team you overcome bad calls from the ref.  Not scoring any baskets in the final 8 minutes is horrendous.  Big Dog and Kwan are seniors and have to show senior leadership.  When they came back after the technical they were both non factors.  I do not think they even attempted a basket.  Both Kwan and Big Dog have to lead this team even when the refs call nonexistent fouls and imaginary technicals.  Hopefully, this  team will learn from the experience that you beat a ranked team by overcoming adversity and not giving into it.     

[K92]

1 hour ago, Z.I.P. said:

I was really hoping someone else would step up and not force me to be the one who responds to this.  I don't know the age ofK92, but these crude remarks are generally representative of an adolescent mentality.   Those of us who have been on this board since it's infancy have worked to maintain some semblance of decency and decorum.  A basic rule might be that people don't use language they wouldn't use to their mother.  The 'c' word falls way outside what should be expected in discussion that represents the Zipsnation and the University of Akron.  I'll leave it there.  GoZips! 

Point taken & I apologize.

 

To be accurate, I did use a K, though.

[Hilltopper]

2 hours ago, 1981 grad said:

The old saying is that even a blind squirrel find a nut every so often.  Well, when is it our turn to upset a ranked team?  I thought that to win the game we had to play our best game and hope that Gonzaga had an off night.  With 8 minutes left we were only 2 points down.  We were not playing our best basketball.  We had a chance to close this thing out.  Instead, one bad call on Big Dog and the night is over.  That is frustrating!  (Ohio State all over again)  I liked the Creighton game better than this game because we showed heart and came back against Creighton.  If you are going to beat a ranked team you overcome bad calls from the ref.  Not scoring any baskets in the final 8 minutes is horrendous.  Big Dog and Kwan are seniors and have to show senior leadership.  When they came back after the technical they were both non factors.  I do not think they even attempted a basket.  Both Kwan and Big Dog have to lead this team even when the refs call nonexistent fouls and imaginary technicals.  Hopefully, this  team will learn from the experience that you beat a ranked team by overcoming adversity and not giving into it.     

Having had the advantage of actually attending the game and having a front row seat I would object to the idea that Big Dog and Kwan did not show any leadership during the last 8 minutes of the game. In the timeout huddles BD and Kwan were both very vocal in trying to pump up the other players. The facts are that Gonzaga is ranked in the top 10 for a reason and it took them 32-35 minutes to finally use the advantages of athleticism and home court to finally get the upper hand on the Zips. Gonzaga has the best home court wining % of all D-1 programs at 92%(164-14) .  Their ability to guard BD one on one and deny him the ball anywhere near the basket was the main factor in the game. This allows their guards to cover the entire court without having to sag down for help around the basket.  The size and athleticism of their guards makes it  very difficult to penetrate and when it does happen there is a 7' rim protector waiting.  Every single Gonzaga fan said the Zips were easily the best opponent their team had played at home in quite a while. 

 

Zags pull away late to defeat Akron

Quote

Few said Karnowski’s ability to defend Johnson solo helped the Zags pay attention to the 3-point line. The Zips came in averaging 11 3-pointers but made just 5 of 25.

“I thought they kind of equaled each other out and that hurt us a little bit,” said Zips coach Keith Dambrot, whose team collected 20 offensive rebounds and had an 18-2 edge in second-chance points. “We’re so used to scoring off (Johnson), but we had a hard time finishing over (Karnowski).”

GU reached its goal of holding Johnson (11 points) and Akron’s 3-point production (15) to less than 30 points.

 

 

[kreed5120]

24 minutes ago, Hilltopper said:

Having had the advantage of actually attending the game and having a front row seat I would object to the idea that Big Dog and Kwan did not show any leadership during the last 8 minutes of the game. In the timeout huddles BD and Kwan were both very vocal in trying to pump up the other players. The facts are that Gonzaga is ranked in the top 10 for a reason and it took them 32-35 minutes to finally use the advantages of athleticism and home court to finally get the upper hand on the Zips. Gonzaga has the best home court wining % of all D-1 programs at 92%(164-14) .  Their ability to guard BD one on one and deny him the ball anywhere near the basket was the main factor in the game. This allows their guards to cover the entire court without having to sag down for help around the basket.  The size and athleticism of their guards makes it  very difficult to penetrate and when it does happen there is a 7' rim protector waiting.  Every single Gonzaga fan said the Zips were easily the best opponent their team had played at home in quite a while. 

 

Zags pull away late to defeat Akron

 

 

Which brings us to a key point. We need to find ways of scoring the ball when Big Dog is nuetralized via needing rest, in foul trouble, or the rare case that opponent has someone to match him in size. Kwan did that for us against Creighton. He tried doing it again against the smaller defender Gonzaga had on him, but he couldn't finish near the rim when he backed his man down.

 

Great teams will find ways of taking Big Dog away from us. We need someone whether it be Antino, Kwan, or Ivey to step it up and shoulder the load in those situations. In general I'd like to see more ball movement and more players moving without the ball.

Edited December 13, 2016 by kreed5120

[1981 grad]

1 hour ago, Hilltopper said:

Having had the advantage of actually attending the game and having a front row seat I would object to the idea that Big Dog and Kwan did not show any leadership during the last 8 minutes of the game. In the timeout huddles BD and Kwan were both very vocal in trying to pump up the other players. The facts are that Gonzaga is ranked in the top 10 for a reason and it took them 32-35 minutes to finally use the advantages of athleticism and home court to finally get the upper hand on the Zips. Gonzaga has the best home court wining % of all D-1 programs at 92%(164-14) .  Their ability to guard BD one on one and deny him the ball anywhere near the basket was the main factor in the game. This allows their guards to cover the entire court without having to sag down for help around the basket.  The size and athleticism of their guards makes it  very difficult to penetrate and when it does happen there is a 7' rim protector waiting.  Every single Gonzaga fan said the Zips were easily the best opponent their team had played at home in quite a while. 

 

Zags pull away late to defeat Akron

 

First, I admire your loyalty to the program for attending the game.  Second, give me your "live" take on the T.  On TV, they replayed the foul and Big Dog gave their center a small push in the back away from the  ball and a second later he reacted like he had been hit with a hammer.  The ref then called the foul.  It showed Big Dog being frustrated and reacting but nothing to warrant a T.  They did not show the ref calling the T.  Did something else happened that was not shown on TV or was the T based on Big Dog's initial reaction that was nothing out of the ordinary. 

Finally, you are missing my point.  I don't doubt that Big Dog and Kwan were pumping up their players.  But they have to show leadership on the court in crunch time by making or attempting  baskets.  Big Dog had more skill than the opposing player and should have owned him the last 8 minutes.  That is what we should expect from a senior playing a top ranked team when we have a chance to pull a major upset!  These kids have to bring their A game when they have a chance to win against a topped rank opponent.  The last 8 minutes there was no A game.   

[skip-zip]

1 hour ago, Hilltopper said:

 Their ability to guard BD one on one and deny him the ball anywhere near the basket was the main factor in the game. This allows their guards to cover the entire court without having to sag down for help around the basket.  

 

They weren't very successful at denying him the ball, but they could keep him from getting to the basket with one guy.  Shooting over the top of a guy over 7' tall who could move well was a recipe for disaster for us.  Then, without the double-team, it's 4-on-4 on the perimeter.   That's how this Akron team gets held to 43 points, and we probably won't see a similar situation the rest of the year.  

 

But, you can combat that in two simple ways if a future opponent is successful at defending us that way again:

1) Have an effective scorer on the other post.

2) Dribble penetration from the Guards. 

 

I've said this before, but this team is a lot like the 07-08 team.  Playing through a post scorer (J. Wood), and a bunch of other guys shooting 3's.  We'll be a good scoring team when we can add the elements of #1 and/or #2 above, which the 07-08 team did not have.