CSU Game Notes

[Captain Kangaroo]

We didn't play too well tonight. Very sloppy throughout

Made some FT's! Hallejulia!

Peterson had a nice overall game.

CSU defended well. They took Bubba and McFadden out of the game by taking away the 3-point shot

Wasn't one of Dru's better games. He seemed to be frustrated on the court?

Collins played well defensively. Clutch steal at the end.

How many shots would Futch take if he played 40 minutes? 40? More?

Wood remains half man, half amazing. He never takes a second off.

Per a fan (behind me) in the stands: "I don't miss Tarver at all." Seems to be a popular concensus.

Can Preston adjust to such a limited role? I'd like to see him start, just because I think he gets "into the game" that way. I don't think he's at his best coming off the bench. Maybe he's just rusty?

Middleton continues to impress. A pretty solid Fr.

Gansey can shoot the rock.

Frustrating, but fun game to watch tonight.

In general, CSU looks like they'll improve greatly over last season...but they lost 23 straight last year, so that's no big whoop. They look to be a 10-12 win team this year.

Miami beat Wright State in OT tonight. Tough one Saturday for the Zippers. WSU favored by 8, I'm guessing.

[Zip Watcher]

CK - Nice points .. beat me to the punch.

Here's my view of the game (what sticks with me after a long night ...):

Was this the longest 40min game in the history of the JAR? Were the ref's working on a per foul basis last night?

Wood continues to impress (CK's description is good).

Someone lit a fire under Romeo's tail last night. Both he and JWood were monsters with the energy on the glass last night. If he brings that energy & fire every night, Travis is earning big minutes. Having 2 guys out there like that made a big difference last night.

I wouldn't mind seeing Goddard in the mix for spot duty.. he didn't hurt his chances with his brief performance last night. It was interesting to me that CSU knew he was a shooter and worked pretty hard to keep on him. That may have opened things up a little bit, even with him not getting a shot off (did he shoot? can't remember)

Great to see DP get off. 23 points on 13 shots is a good night. I thought he looked comfortable and steady. That's the kind of game the Zips will need from him to be successful. Was nice to see him actively in the mix.

Anyone else notice that Preston had an ice pack (or heat pad) on hi s lower back whenever he was on the pine last night? Looked remarkably similar to the way Andy did when he would sit there with an ice pack ... ?

Middleton can play.

How nice was it to hear KD exhort the locals to get out and support this team? I thought it was a nice crowd, but should be more. Great that he just goes after it on the radio. I like his style in the postgame. Very pragmatic & educational (for me anyway).

Last night's turning point:

With 3:57 left in the game and the Zips trailing 66-65, KD goes to a THREE POINT GUARD SET with Travis and Wood when on Defense. That group did a much better job rotating on the perimeter. Collins, Middelton & Joyce all out there at the same time & it made a difference & momentum shift. They got after it and got a couple of steals. Defense & timely foul shooting won this game down the stretch.

Overall thoughts:

Wins early for this young team are important, and I thought this was a nice effort. What will have to improve in conference play is the ability to choke a team for good when the Zips get up by 12 or 13 early in the 2nd half. Gotta work on putting people away & maintaining momentum. Young team & it's early. I like what I see .. they're getting after it on D and the energy is there, both on the floor and the bench. The flip side to this win is that they had to work pretty hard to beat a mediocre (and that's what CSU is) team that wouldn't fare too well in the MAC. CSU had 30pts on the pine for most of the game with the foul trouble and early injury. I don't think we should read too much into this game. It's a win .. nice to have early. Good to build upon.

We're going to learn a lot about where the Zips are in the next 2 games. Good times are coming .. and we should all be patient.

The Zips Nation shall rise!