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2017 National Invitation Tournament (NIT)


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On 3/13/2017 at 9:21 AM, skip-zip said:

I'm sure our basketball people see the positives in Houston as a destination.  But nobody would have "chosen" to take our team on a long plane flight for a road game at the end of the MAC tournament.  I there was a choice given, I guess somewhere close to Cincinnati would have made the most logical sense so our Seniors could play near their hometown.  But it doesn't matter.   Akron wasn't asked to declare a choice or preference.  

Just as an aside, the flight to Houston is around 3 hours. I'm not sure it's possible to get from Akron to Cincy any faster than that. 

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36 minutes ago, scottditzen said:

Just as an aside, the flight to Houston is around 3 hours. I'm not sure it's possible to get from Akron to Cincy any faster than that. 

 

Cinci: Load Bus, 3.5 Hr. Bus Ride, Unload at Hotel. 

 

Houston:  Load Bus, Bus Ride to Airport, Unload From Bus, Check into Airport, Board, 3 Hr. Flight, Land, Load Onto Bus, Bus Ride to Hotel, Unload, Check In, Go to Practice.  

Try that after you just played a 3-Day tournament and got your butts kicked on Saturday night.  

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4 minutes ago, Hilltopper said:

They took a private charter jet out of Akron/Canton. 15 minute bus ride to the airport from the JAR. Bus pulls up directly to the aircraft, no TSA . 3 hour plane ride. Bus pulls up directly to aircraft in Houston. 15 minute bus ride to the hotel.

If there's one thing I appreciate, it's an informed, concise post. 

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I'll be honest I thought our main hope was Houston playing uninspired after missing the tournament and our Houston kids lighting it up with a chip on their shoulder.

 

Houston played good. We're just a better team. Unfortunately a performance like that on Saturday would have meant a double digit win over Kent. Oh well.

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30 minutes ago, zippy5 said:

I'll be honest I thought our main hope was Houston playing uninspired after missing the tournament and our Houston kids lighting it up with a chip on their shoulder.

 

Houston played good. We're just a better team. Unfortunately a performance like that on Saturday would have meant a double digit win over Kent. Oh well.

Don't agree. Houston was obviously uninspired... as were we. Look at our D for 35min. Both teams started to pick it up when they saw the finish line. If Kwam played average in both of the past 2 MAC Championship games, then we win. But that is in the past. What-ifs are getting old. Our guys thought they could walk out and win vs Kent. They were in the wrong mindset.   But that is in the past... on to BYU! ... I think....

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14 hours ago, zippy5 said:

Agree to disagree. Houston shot 46 percent from the floor and 47 from three. Hate to see what an inspired performance would have looked like!

Against NO defense... How many direct line drives were unchallenged at the rim? They didn't have to work for anything. With no defense in the gym, should be more like 60%. 

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23 hours ago, zippy5 said:

Agree to disagree. Houston shot 46 percent from the floor and 47 from three. Hate to see what an inspired performance would have looked like!

Agreed. The Houston Chronicle article describing the crying players in the Cougar locker room after the loss lends credence to your view of the game as well.

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13 hours ago, Captain Kangaroo said:

Agreed. The Houston Chronicle article describing the crying players in the Cougar locker room after the loss lends credence to your view of the game as well.

:rolleyes:

 

14 hours ago, BirdZip said:

So even when we win, we have to be negative.  Give it a rest already!

Not negative... just that Houston WAS uninspired. Both teams were until games end. Obvious to the eye. Was a NBA All-Star defensive performance for 3/4 of the game. It is what it is. Glad we pulled out on top!

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22 minutes ago, morris buttermaker said:

 That Houston- and the city/ fans were uninspired... echoing what Blackburn said

So because there wasn't 5k+ fans in the arena that means the players who were found crying in the locker room after the game didn't care? That's perhaps one of the dumbest arguments I've ever heard on this forum. I'm seen uninspired teams play in front of sold out crowds of 10k+ fans and I saw an inspired Bowling Green beat us in their house in front of a crowd of less than 1,900.

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These are 21-year olds.  They get into fights over pickup basketball on the playground.  They don't like to lose at tic-tac-toe, let alone something in which they take pride & in which, for better or for worse, they find identity.  

 

It was a well-played, competitive, high-level basketball game.

 

Jeesh.

Edited by Blue & Gold
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I watched some of the NIT games today and to say that these teams are playing uninspired basketball is simply not true.  There is some great basketball in this tournament.  The crowds also seem to be very loud.  I read that Syracuse had 10,000 fans for an 11:00 A.M start on Saturday.  The Zips have an opportunity to do something that they have never done before, win 2 games in a post season tournament.  They will have to play some great basketball to get this done.  There are no travel related excuses since they have been in Texas the entire week.  Really looking forward to this game.  Go Zips!!    

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1 hour ago, 1981 grad said:

I watched some of the NIT games today and to say that these teams are playing uninspired basketball is simply not true.  There is some great basketball in this tournament.  The crowds also seem to be very loud.  I read that Syracuse had 10,000 fans for an 11:00 A.M start on Saturday.  The Zips have an opportunity to do something that they have never done before, win 2 games in a post season tournament.  They will have to play some great basketball to get this done.  There are no travel related excuses since they have been in Texas the entire week.  Really looking forward to this game.  Go Zips!!    

It's hard to judge Syracuse's crowd, but no way was there 10,000 there ... place looked at least 80 percent empty.

 

But your point stands, this program has a chance to do something it has never done before, so while it's not the tournament that any of us wanted, in a way, playing basketball in the last weekend of March (and hopefully early April) somewhat makes up for the lost opportunity last week in Cleveland. Hopefully the team treats this like an NCAA game and at least gives the chance of one more game at the JAR ... before heading off to New York. 

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8 hours ago, kreed5120 said:

So because there wasn't 5k+ fans in the arena that means the players who were found crying in the locker room after the game didn't care? That's perhaps one of the dumbest arguments I've ever heard on this forum. I'm seen uninspired teams play in front of sold out crowds of 10k+ fans and I saw an inspired Bowling Green beat us in their house in front of a crowd of less than 190.

FIFY.

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I noticed against Houston that KD used his bench more than in most other games.  I hope that this trend continues.  The youger players, Poke, Dunn Martin, Utomi are our future and it is great for them to get tournament experience.  Further, if we win we will have another game Wed and will need the fresh legs.  

Edited by 1981 grad
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7 hours ago, wadszip said:

It's hard to judge Syracuse's crowd, but no way was there 10,000 there ... place looked at least 80 percent empty.

 

But your point stands, this program has a chance to do something it has never done before, so while it's not the tournament that any of us wanted, in a way, playing basketball in the last weekend of March (and hopefully early April) somewhat makes up for the lost opportunity last week in Cleveland. Hopefully the team treats this like an NCAA game and at least gives the chance of one more game at the JAR ... before heading off to New York. 

From the box score of their game:  Attendance: 9,556.  However, my main point is that in my viewing of the 2nd round games that everyone is playing high level basketball and the crowds are into the games.  The Zips need to bring their A game tonight to extend the season.  Would love to see them win tonight and possibly get a home game on Wed. 

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