Games 10 and 11- The WestStar Don Haskins Sun Bowl Invitational

[clarkwgriswold]

Looks like Gray got the memo about rebounding.

[AkronAlumnus]

The constant mistakes our team is making are becoming increasingly frustrating

[clarkwgriswold]

Lots of action and enthusiasm in here tonight. 

[Let'sGoZips94]

Zips turn things around when Tavari is glued to the bench. Not a coincidence. 

[AkronAlumnus]

Pulling away now 

[clarkwgriswold]

Jackson State looks like the coaches didn't come out after half.  Kids taking awful shots, not passing the ball, not calling TOs...   Here's hoping it has something to do with the Zips play.

[AkronAlumnus]

1 minute ago, clarkwgriswold said:

Jackson State looks like the coaches didn't come out after half.  Kids taking awful shots, not passing the ball, not calling TOs...   Here's hoping it has something to do with the Zips play.

bad mannerisms too.

[clarkwgriswold]

I think Tavari got some bench time tonight due to the turnovers.

[AkronAlumnus]

Needed a win, just wish it was against a team worth a salt. 

[RoyalBlu]

A somewhat scary thought ....

 

But at this point even in a pi$$ poor league this year, where would you realistically rank the Zips.

 

1

2

3

4

5

6

 

Personally, I do not know.

 

Early on I thought CMU had staying power and Ball State was a joke. Now I think that has reversed. Ohio ??? Toledo ??? Kent ??? BG ??? Akron ???

 

Questions abound everywhere. Major questions!!!

 

And MAC play starts in 2 weeks.

 

Actually, the most consistent team has been Miami. I would rank them a solid 4 or 5. I think there are teams better, and teams that are worse. Just don't know which ones (although going from the bottom up, I can pick the bad ones).

 

 

Edited December 22, 2024 by RoyalBlu

[clarkwgriswold]

9 hours ago, RoyalBlu said:

A somewhat scary thought ....

 

But at this point even in a pi$$ poor league this year, where would you realistically rank the Zips.

 

1

2

3

4

5

6

 

Personally, I do not know.

 

Early on I thought CMU had staying power and Ball State was a joke. Now I think that has reversed. Ohio ??? Toledo ??? Kent ??? BG ??? Akron ???

 

Questions abound everywhere. Major questions!!!

 

And MAC play starts in 2 weeks.

 

Actually, the most consistent team has been Miami. I would rank them a solid 4 or 5. I think there are teams better, and teams that are worse. Just don't know which ones (although going from the bottom up, I can pick the bad ones).

 

 

 

I'd really like to know whether Jojo Harris was playing injured before they sat him down for the last few games.  If he's the guy I though could be, a 12 ppg/5 or 6 rpg guy, I think he makes a real difference if and when he comes back healthy.  If he was healthy when playing before being out, I'm not sure he's that guy. 

 

I like Bowen Hardman when he's hitting shots.  When he's not, he doesn't bring much as he's not a good defender nor is he a facilitator or a rebounder.  He's a backup and offense off of the bench, not a starter at this point.   It's not for a lack of effort.

Edited December 22, 2024 by clarkwgriswold

[kreed5120]

11 hours ago, RoyalBlu said:

A somewhat scary thought ....

 

But at this point even in a pi$$ poor league this year, where would you realistically rank the Zips.

 

1

2

3

4

5

6

 

Personally, I do not know.

 

Early on I thought CMU had staying power and Ball State was a joke. Now I think that has reversed. Ohio ??? Toledo ??? Kent ??? BG ??? Akron ???

 

Questions abound everywhere. Major questions!!!

 

And MAC play starts in 2 weeks.

 

Actually, the most consistent team has been Miami. I would rank them a solid 4 or 5. I think there are teams better, and teams that are worse. Just don't know which ones (although going from the bottom up, I can pick the bad ones).

 

 

If one wishes to take off their Zips blinders, Kent has by far and away looked like the best team through the first ~10 games. It's more of a product of the rest of the MAC looking like dog crap as Kent still looks very much flawed. How you want to rank any of the MAC teams after that who knows.

[Illini Zip]

3 hours ago, clarkwgriswold said:

 

I'd really like to know whether Jojo Harris was playing injured before they sat him down for the last few games.

What game was it that he had that bad fall? I would assume that is where he injured his shoulder. 

[clarkwgriswold]

6 minutes ago, Illini Zip said:

What game was it that he had that bad fall? I would assume that is where he injured his shoulder. 

I don't recall.  I'm just hoping he gets better in the next couple of weeks and comes back as the guy we thought he was.  He's a great kid.  He's taken full advantage of his scholarships by working hard academically and is very personable.

[Illini Zip]

17 hours ago, Let'sGoZips94 said:

Zips turn things around when Tavari is glued to the bench. Not a coincidence. 

Tavari has shown improvement on offense and he can really fill up the basket at times. But he still has his head-scratcher moments. And I am always nervous with him inbounding the ball. Also, I think it’s amazing how much better Young is already on defense and he’s only an inch taller. There is a lot of season left to play so who knows, but I wouldn’t be the least bit surprised if Young surpasses Tavari. And with Tai Perkins coming in next year Tavari needs to make the most of this season.

 

 

Edited December 22, 2024 by Illini Zip

[Let'sGoZips94]

14 minutes ago, Illini Zip said:

Tavari has shown improvement on offense and he can really fill up the basket at times. But he still has his head-scratchers at times. And I am always nervous with him inbounding the ball. Also, I think it’s amazing how much better Young is already on defense and he’s only an inch taller. There is a lot of season left to play, but I wouldn’t be the least bit surprised if Young surpasses Tavari. 

 

The issue is Tavari's scoring improvements are actually a hindrance to the overall offense. Tavari iso ball is a real problem, and it stifles what was getting us 80+ ppg which is ball movement. I don't think the game comes as quickly to Tavari as it does Young, which is why when Young is in there, the offense operates smoother. Young has better vision and is able to play more chess vs. Tavari's checkers. 

[clarkwgriswold]

I don't think they've updated Tavari's weight and height since he was a freshman.  He is a good 6 feet tall and has put on a little weight through the chest and shoulders.  

 

Young is a fine freshman.  I just hope they can hold onto him.