Now that we don't have to worry about Can't...

[ZachTheZip]

Can't losing is great for the Zips in the short term. We're now the only team around who's still playing. We should get lots more press on Saturday for our game against UMass. We can now completely focus on our own team, and there are no distractions. the team should play with less pressure because we can stop playing "Keeping up with the flushes" like we did all season long. Let's focus on meeting OSU in the NIT finals. That should be our goal. Only one team in the entire country has a right to complain at not getting into the Big Dance, and that's the NIT champ. Let's earn that right.Long term implications of Can't losing aren't so good. Yeah, it makes them weaker in the future due to less national exposure, but the fact is that the MAC is now a one-and-done conference and we're part of it. We will always get a worse seed than we deserve in any tournament, whether it be the NCAAs, the NIT, CBI, or some preseason tourney. It gets harder to convince recruits to play in the MAC, no matter how good the individual team may be. The only way out is through, and we haven't been "through" for twenty-two years now.It's too early to worry about that, though. We have a tournament to win, and Can't had better be content to watch us from their couches.It's us and Ohio. All that's left of our (and the MAC's) shot at respect and legitimacy. All you guys going to UMass had better make sure we keep our dream alive, all the better to rub it in Can't's face.

[Quickzips]

Not so fast, Cleveland State and Can't are both out of the postseason, but OSU is still in it. As long as OSU is still playing expect us to continue to play 2nd fiddle to NEOhio when it comes to coverage. Even with Can't and Cleveland State playing the Suckeyes got the bulk of the coverage. Can't see that changing now.

[ZachTheZip]

Not so fast, Cleveland State and Can't are both out of the postseason, but OSU is still in it. As long as OSU is still playing expect us to continue to play 2nd fiddle to NEOhio when it comes to coverage. Even with Can't and Cleveland State playing the Suckeyes got the bulk of the coverage. Can't see that changing now.

That's why I want to beat them head-to-head. It's the only way to stop the OSU media train that had formed in NE Ohio.

[skip-zip]

I believe that we have a lot more to gain by Can't being eliminated like they were. The UP side of Can't advancing in the tournament is the respect it could bring to the conference as a whole. But, the DOWN side is that Can't would gain significant visibility, which could further aid their recruiting significantly. That would NOT be good news for us. I'm perfectly happy with the conference not earning further respect this year, when I weight it against the seperation Can't could get against us by having a great showing. Our first priority should be that no team from our division get any kind of advantage, and continue to give us a good chance of winning our division every year. I fear that Can't could have really put themselves in a position to continue to pull away from us if things went their way in the tournament again. And I am glad it didn't happen.

[Zippysgotagun]

But, the DOWN side is that Can't would gain significant visibility, which could further aid their recruiting significantly.

10 points in a half of tournament b-ball is quite visible. Thankfully, it isn't in the good way!!!I will never ever ever ever ever ever ever (you get the idea) cheer for Can't under any circumstance.

[skip-zip]

I probably should have added that point......I just cannot root for Can't, regardless of how I felt about whether a Can't tournament run would, or would not help us. Mostly because of some of the recent actions of some of their fans. It was just so much fun watching those guys get their butts kicked. And furthermore, I thought about all of the agony that it must have been causing for their fans.I also like the fact that they have further exposed their problems with turnovers. That, coupled with the fact that they will be much thinner in the frontcourt next year, makes me more optimistic that we haven't lost any ground to them. Heck, we've won 4 of the last 7 games against them anyway. Hopefully our people were watching them fall apart in this game, and the reasons why they fell apart like they did. It was a fun afternoon.

[zen]

today is 'hug a hippy' day

[zip81]

I think it's great that we are still playing and Can't is not!Kinda funny, isn't it?

[Blue & Gold]

I think we're going to be more than fine against Can't State next year. 1- they are losing both Q and Mike Scott, 2- we're adding Steven Sweich (he'll be the biggest player in the MAC) and 3- we're adding super athlets at the guard positions: Steward, Humpty & Brooks, that along w/ Darryl Roberts, which gives us an incredibly quick assortment of guards to both run the point & lock down Al Fisher. (I think we'll probably red shirt Alex Sullivan. Just looking ahead, I don't think KD would want Steward, Humpty & Sullivan to all graduate the same year.)

[jeaglet1]

Good points B&G... I really dont think Fisher will be a huge problem, unless he somehow figures out how not to turn the ball over. he was hot fro a few weeks and hit some big shots, but I was suprised when he was named POY.Not to nit pick, but unless Sweich (listed 6'9'' 250) bulks up a little, Otis Polk (listed 6'9'' 280) at BGSU will be the biggest player int he MAC.

[ziptrumpet87]

Good points B&G... I really dont think Fisher will be a huge problem, unless he somehow figures out how not to turn the ball over. he was hot fro a few weeks and hit some big shots, but I was suprised when he was named POY.Not to nit pick, but unless Sweich (listed 6'9'' 250) bulks up a little, Otis Polk (listed 6'9'' 280) at BGSU will be the biggest player int he MAC.

If he does, I hope it doesn't negatively affect his stamina or speed.

[RootforRoo44]

10 points in a half of tournament b-ball is quite visible. Thankfully, it isn't in the good way!!!I will never ever ever ever ever ever ever (you get the idea) cheer for Can't under any circumstance.

that's the way it should be, you should NEVER root for Can't NO MATTER WHAT

[Zipsrifle]

I now open the meeting of the HeManKentHaters Club!