ZachTheZip Posted March 19, 2008 Report Share Posted March 19, 2008 This team is in a unique situation in the NIT tournament. They are playing to win it all, and they are playing for all Zips teams past, present, and future.Making a run into the NIT would give the Zips an overall winning postseason record, something very few teams can claim.They are playing for the past, because they are avenging the premature ending of last season and getting screwed over by a bunch of old farts commissioned by the NCAA to pick name-brand teams for a joke of a tournament. A great injustice against us has a chance to be made right, we have been given the chance, and now we must sieze it.They are playing for the present, because after this tournament half of our team will graduate, likely to never play basketball on a high-profile stage again. Dials, Wood, Middleton, Quade, and Goddard will never suit up in a Zips uniform again, unless they keep winning this season. That motivates them, as Dials showed last night. A fire was lit in him as he realized that how long he has to play is determined directly by how well he plays.They are playing for the future, because this is an incredibly valuable experience for the underclassmen and will teach them what is expected of them in high-pressure tournament situations, and the simple fact of being able to continue practicing as a team for a longer time will be of great value. It will better prepare them for next season's beginning of the year tournament, which will likely be our best chance to make a name for ourselves. It is a crucible where you can see what talent will emerge under pressure. Already we can see some changes in the underclassmen since the start of the MAC tourney, specifically Darryl Roberts who is transforming into a clutch player. It helps to ease the fears about next season while still enjoying the one still going on.Not to mention the fact that this is an excellent recruiting tool compared to sitting on our butts and watching it on TV like most of the MAC. Every game we play from now on this season will be on an ESPN channel.The NIT is a good thing. Less pressure is on the team than if they were in the NCAAs, and it is still a valuable tool to keep this program growing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
apalmison Posted March 19, 2008 Report Share Posted March 19, 2008 Nice post. I especially agree with your conclusion that the NIT is a valuable tool to grow the program. It's not the NCAA, but it's a hell of a lot better than sitting at home. I'm having fun so far. I hope the team is too. Go Zips! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skip-zip Posted March 20, 2008 Report Share Posted March 20, 2008 Well said uakronkid. I especially like your point about the younger players getting more tournament experience. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GoZips Posted March 20, 2008 Report Share Posted March 20, 2008 uakronkid, nice post. You have spoken volumes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skip-zip Posted March 20, 2008 Report Share Posted March 20, 2008 One big thing that we haven't talked much about yet.....This game will be at Noon on a Saturday...on "the" ESPN. That will be great exposure.Does anyone ever remember us having a basketball game on ESPN? I don't. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
apalmison Posted March 21, 2008 Report Share Posted March 21, 2008 Eloquently put. We're also pretty much representing the MAC right now. Can't blowing their NCAA round and two teams in the CBI (1-1 so far) puts us as the highest profile game. Anyone know our record on TV? From what I can remember, it looks pretty bad. It's time to turn that around - no laying eggs on national TV like the team to the east. We know what we're capable of and it's time to show the whole country what we can do. This is an incredible opportunity and I hope we can make the most of it. We're facing a talented and hungry opponent at home but I really believe that we are capable of beating anyone in this tournament. My bracket has Akron beating Ohio State for the final. In my dream, Dials hits a buzzer-beating three to win the game. Let's get there!Go Zips! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MDZip Posted March 21, 2008 Report Share Posted March 21, 2008 Anyone know our record on TV?per GoZips.com from the past two seasons:2006-712/16/06 @ UIC (Comcast Chicago) L12/22/06 @ Nevada (KAME-TV [NV]) L12/11/07 vs. Miami OH (Time Warner) W1/17/07 vs. Can't State (Time Warner) W1/27/07 vs. Western Michigan (ESPN2) W2/3/07 vs. Ball State (FSN Ohio) W2/7/07 vs. Central Michigan (Time Warner) W2/13/07 vs. Ohio (Time Warner) W2/17/07 vs. Austin Peay (ESPNU) W3/1/07 @ Buffalo (Time Warner Buffalo [Tape Delay]) W3/4/07 @ Can't State (FSN Ohio) W3/8/07 vs. Central Michigan (FSN Ohio) (MAC) W3/9/07 vs. Can't State (FSN Ohio) (MAC) W3/10/07 vs. Miami OH (ESPN2) (MAC) L2007-812/21/07 vs. Youngstown State (Time Warner) W1/2/08 @ Dayton (WHIO-TV [Dayton]) L1/17/08 vs. Ohio (ESPNU) W1/23/08 @ Can't State (Time Warner) L1/26/08 @ Central Michigan (FSN Ohio) L2/6/08 @ Western Michigan (Comcast Local) L2/12/08 vs. Northern Illinois (FSN Ohio) L2/19/08 @ Miami OH (ONN) W2/23/08 vs. Virginia Commonwealth (ESPN2) L3/4/08 @ Ohio (ESPN Full Court) W3/9/08 vs. Can't State (FSN Ohio) L3/13/08 vs. Central Michigan (FSN Ohio) (MAC) W3/14/08 vs. Western Michigan (FSN Ohio) (MAC) W3/15/08 vs. Can't State (ESPN2) (MAC) L3/18/08 @ Florida State (ESPN Classic) (NIT) W2006-7: 11-32007-8: 7-8Overall: 18-11So in truly "national coverage" (counting all of the ESPN networks except ESPN Full Court - and I know ESPNU is fairly limited), the Zips are 4-3. That is at least respectable. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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