Will women's hoops ever get better?

[Big Zip]

Two pretty terrible losses in the Bahamas -- a 18 point loss to a Div. II school in preseason. Doesn't seem like this team is getting any better in Kennedy's third year. I hope this start to the season is a mirage.

[Guest Guest]

It's women's basketball man. Who really gives a rip.

[Guest HoopsManiac]

Add to the Bahamas losses (no surprise....the Zips aren't at that caliber yet) another one to a terrible IPFW team. Yes, season 3 a season that you should be able to have some good accomplishments...just ask Ty WIllingham. Yes, that is a completely different situation but at 0-5 when they should atleast be 2-3 is definitely a horrible start. Players with no desire to become better or atleast act like it on the floor. When you can't take care of the basketball nor rebound it........except in the IPFW game where terrible shooting and tons of turnovers negated it, you're not going to win too many. Your so called scorers haven't even shown up. Thank goodness for two JC transfers in Hutchinson and Stewart. Where in the world are the rest of the team including a so called great sign in Mandy Holzer and the non-existence of what appeared to be a solid point guard in Lori Krezeczowski. I'm guessing that Tommy is getting real tired of trying to pull out positives for the radio listeners. Some how Coach Kennedy has to change the attitude of the team and get some fire going under their butts or some other change needs to occur and I'm not talking about a new Head Coach. If you think it's time for that change already then you really need to try and find some game tape of the season prior or Coach Kennedy's first season to see what bottomless pit of a team she inherited.

As far as the prior reply saying that "women's hoops...who gives a rip" Try watching a few games on ESPN and stopping in at the JAR during a practice. Try playing a pick up game with one of the more talented players and get your ass kicked. You've probably never even stepped onto a court wearing a uniform...let alone earned a D-I scholarship. Give me a break and get a clue.

[zipper]

I usually try to go to two or three women's games a year, so I believe I know who and what you're talking about. My advice to Coach Kelly: pull a George O'Leary at USF -- sit their butts or get them off the team and play anyone who actually cares about winning no matter what their age or talent level. Take the losses but build for the future. And let them know that bad attitudes just can go to practice and sit on the bench during games. Have a zero tolerance coaching position on this. Maybe the former coaches recruits just can't make the mental leap to actual Division I basketball. Fine, but DO NOT REWARD MEDIOCRITY IN ATTITUDE OR PLAY ... IN PRACTICE OR IN GAMES. I'd play with four players before I'd play bad attitudes (think Hoosiers). Who cares if they like you - they just gotta respect you and your coaching.

I get very frustrated by players with bad attitudes. It's like a poison that must be neutralized for the benefit of the other players on the team. I've played on teams like that (ok, not college, but high school) and it spreads like cancer especially to the new young kids.

[JP Morgan]

I tried watching the Ohio U v. Ohio State Womens hoop game which followed the Zips/Dukes game on fox the other night and I've got to be truthfull about this one. That was dreadfull! I don't know what it is, but womens hoops is horrible! The pace of the game was slow and the play was sloppy!

Try playing a pick up game with one of the more talented players and get your ass kicked.

You know I laugh when I hear people say this kind of crap. On several ocassions in college I played against then current and former female Zips players. I'll give you this, some of them can shoot, but one-on-one, I smoked em'! It's not a matter of being sexist, it's simply a matter of genetics. Men a generally bigger, faster and stronger.

[Guest The Wizard of Westwood]

As I've said before, and I'll say again: Only the women play the game of basketball the way Dr Naismith intended it to be played.

The women's game is much more interesting to watch to the dedicated basketball fan and strategist. You can watch the play develop and see team strategy so much more easily than you can in the men's game. The game is played on the floor, at a decent pace, with offensive and defensive team tactics stressed, rather than the hyper-frenetic ego-driven one-on-one chaos that the men's game of basketball has far too frequently developd into. That style of play is a direct line to the World Wrestling Federation-style ballyhoo that leads to events like those at the Palace in Auburn Hills. Basketball is supposed to be a game -- not a circus.

The argument doesn't have to be about sexism, or who is a stronger, faster, or higher jumping athlete. The men's game can be improved by demanding team skills and sportsmanship. I recomend either outlawing dunking, or raising the rim to at least eleven feet.

And I wouldn't worry so much about your coach, Mrs Kennedy. I can assure you she and her players are working as hard as they can to improve their performance on the court. If at last, a change has to be made in another year or two due to lack of success on-court, then it will come because of the inability to improve the talent level of the players, not because of players' or coaches attitudes.

The young ladies are playing as hard as they know how. You find the best players, then teach them how to play together. That's the recipe for success in basketball. I'm confident your men's coach, Mr Dambrot has that ability, and Mrs Kennedy is every bit as committed to putting together a successful and competitive basketball team that you can be proud of on and off the court. I also understand that your previous coach Ms Allen raised a team that made the school's first visit to the post-season and that her team had the highest team grade-point average in the athletic department -- with several student-athletes above a 3.5 GPA and some 4.0s. That's a record all your university's coaches should emulate. Good luck to the University of Akron. Some day perhaps you can come and play the Bruins at Pauley Pavillion.

[JP Morgan]

I'm going to have fun with this one:

As I've said before, and I'll say again: Only the women play the game of basketball the way Dr Naismith intended it to be played.

Since you brought it up here, are the original 13 rules of basketball:

1. The ball may be thrown in any direction with one or both hands.

2. The ball may be batted in any direction with one or both hands, but never with the fist.

3. A player cannot run with the ball. The player must throw it from the spot on which he catches it, allowance to be made for a man running at good speed.

4. The ball must be held by the hands. The arms or body must not be used for holding it.

5. No shouldering, holding, pushing, striking or tripping in any way of an opponent. The first infringement of this rule by any person shall count as a foul; the second shall disqualify him until the next goal is made or, if there was evident intent to injure the person, for the whole of the game. No substitution shall be allowed.

6. A foul is striking at the ball with the fist, violations of Rules 3 and 4 and such as described in Rule 5.

7. If either side makes three consecutive fouls it shall count as a goal for the opponents (consecutive means without the opponents in the meantime making a foul).

8. A goal shall be made when the ball is thrown or batted from the grounds into the basket and stays there, providing those defending the goal do no touch or disturb the goal. If the ball rests on the edges, and the opponent moves the basket, it shall count as a goal.

9. When the ball goes out of bounds, it shall be thrown into the field and played by the first person touching it. In case of dispute the umpire shall throw it straight into the field. The thrower-in is allowed five seconds. If he holds it longer, it shall go to the opponent. If any side persists in delaying the game, the umpire shall call a foul on them.

10. The umpire shall be the judge of the men and shall note the fouls and notify the referee when three consecutive fouls have been made. He shall have power to disqualify men according to Rule 5.

11. The referee shall be judge of the ball and shall decide when the ball is in play, in bounds, to which side it belongs, and shall keep the time. He shall decide when a goal has been made and keep account of the goals, with any other duties that are usually performed by a referee.

12. The time shall be two fifteen-minute halves, with five minutes rest between.

13. The side making the most goals in that time shall be declared the winner.

The women's game is much more interesting to watch to the dedicated basketball fan and strategist.

Uhh, I consider myself both a "dedicated fan and strategist" and think women's basketball is a bore

You can watch the play develop and see team strategy so much more easily than you can in the men's game.

Again

The game is played on the floor, at a decent pace, with offensive and defensive team tactics stressed, rather than the hyper-frenetic ego-driven one-on-one chaos that the men's game of basketball has far too frequently developd into. That style of play is a direct line to the World Wrestling Federation-style ballyhoo that leads to events like those at the Palace in Auburn Hills. Basketball is supposed to be a game -- not a circus.

This one I'll give you, the men's game often digresses into one-on-one streetball. You see that more in the pro game, college and high school is a little more disciplined.

At the same time women's games are often turnover ridden back and forth nothingness.

In the end I'll never be a fan of woman's basketball. But hey, to each his own.

[Guest Guest]

Women's basketball is like watching men play underwater.

[GP1]

Wizard, Your logic would dictate that football was better when they ran the single wing and wore leather helmets. That just is nonsense.

The womens game is what it is, a slower version of a more superior product.

Now go and take a ride in your Model T. After all, it is the way Ford intended us to drive when he invented the car.

[Guest Women's bb fan]

What you guys are missing is if any of you are actually going to the games. I went to every home game last year, and I have been to two games this year, including the loss at YSU. The problem with the team is that they are so inconsistant. Coach Kennedy takes players out if they miss one shot and doesn't let anyone get into a rythm. I have said it before and i will say it again. Jae Conn is the best player on the team. She is the one that seems to care the most, yet she gets benched for fighting with another player in pre-season, coach kennedy i believe said that that isn't the way we play???? HOW DO YOU PLAY THEN? ALL YOU DO IS LOSE!!!!!! Get some fire under their a**es, Jae is the only one that is playing her heart out. Although Lydnsey is playing better, but Krezenski isn't playing to her potential. Maybe because she missed all of pre-season with student teaching. Coach Kennedy needs to bench people that don't care, and play with the girls that try the hardest, what does she have to lose!!!! Nothing, try something different, because of what she is doing is not working!

[zipboy]

I listened to the 2nd half of the YSU game. At the college level, it can be entertaining and I try to make it down for a game or 2.

Will the Zips ever turn it around? Kennedy gets a pass for another 2 years. She inherited nothing. Last years team did a little better than expected and they were competitive. What worries me is that the FR coming in this year don't seem that much better than what came in 2 years ago. At least when Owens and Hipsher took over horrible programs, there was a noticeable difference in talent level 2 years later. I hope she can turn it around. She has local ties, carries herself well in interviews, and seems to be genuinely liked.

[Guest Women's bb fan]

Another loss, lost to a inferior CSU team. Had a 10 point lead lost by 3. Nothing from their post players. Jesse Crooks had 20 by the half, HALF OF THE TOTAL TEAM POINTS and doesn't come in the second half until 13 minutes remaining??????????????????????????????????????????????? i'm done with womens basketball, can't wait for the new coach

[Captain Kangaroo]

Another loss, lost to a inferior CSU team.  Had a 10 point lead lost by 3.  Nothing from their post players.  Jesse Crooks had 20 by the half, HALF OF THE TOTAL TEAM POINTS and doesn't come in the second half until 13 minutes remaining??????????????????????????????????????????????? i'm done with womens basketball, can't wait for the new coach

I'm a VERY passive follower of women's hoops...but after 3 seasons...if you can't beat an 0-6 CSU team...you're at rock bottom. Can't's scrubs beat them by 20....easily. After 3 seasons...how can things be this bad? It wouldn't be so bad if ESPN didn't run those scores across the bottom ticker all night. You can't help but notice it.