News clips from the game
Posted March 19th, 2008 by mrasor
Men's basketball
- Here's what the newspapers had to say…
Tampa Tribune — FSU wasn't allowed to do its normal player introductions because it was an NIT game. Somehow, that contributed to throwing the 'Noles off their game.
Orlando Sentinal – The players didn't care much about the NIT after being there the previous two years. (Gee, that's not what I remember the players saying before their loss.)
Tallahassee Democrat – FSU coach Leonard Hamilton gave Akron some credit for its defensive scheme.
Akron Beacon Journal — Keith Dambrot says the Zips keep surprising him.
Jacksonville Times-Union — FSU was perfect from the free-throw line.
Palm Beach Post — Nick Dials' hot hand won it for Akron. He scored 21.
ZipsNation.org — The chat room was a great way to keep up with the game with fellow fans. About 10 to 15 of us were in there. Click the link to read the transcript.
GoZips.com — Box score
- More thoughts on the game…
A lot of those news stories whine about the turnovers, implying that FSU never would have lost to Akron without 23 of them. On the other hand, you could say this game wouldn't have been so close if Akron shot better than 10-for-19 at the free throw line. I'll admit, some of FSU's turnovers were unforced, but the great many were products of Akron combing the passing lanes, which I have not seen them do so much this season. The bigger reason FSU lost, in my opinion, was the inability of its talented guards to take over and get a bucket when the team needed one. The three guards went 9-for-30 from the field.
Dambrot altered his rotation last night to match up with FSU's size down low. Basically, that meant all of Brett McKnight's playing time went to Jeremiah Wood, who was on the floor for, gulp, 41 minutes. UMass has a lot of size, too. Akron must get more quality minutes from Quade Milum and Mike Bardo.
I can't understate how awful the ESPN Classic announcers were last night. Mike Jarvis referred to Dambrot as "the Akron coach" and his best player as "Woods." The play-by-play guy was no better, talking about "the Akron coach" and his best defender "Nate LYNE-HART." Their mispronunciations and inability to recall Dambrot's name prove their lack of preparation. Also, I'm glad I wasn't playing the cliche drinking game with Jarvis' commentary. I'd be dead.
I will break down UMass on Friday.
March 19th, 2008 at 10:48 am
Dear Coach KD:
Do you see now that we can go ON THE ROAD and beat a big time conference opponent!! Beef up the SOS next year! We don't have to always play the big boys at the JAR! Just do it!
March 19th, 2008 at 1:16 pm
I for one have no problem with the teams Dambrot schedules. In my opinion Akron is a goo enough team with a good enough program to expect home and home schedules from top mid majors and middle of the pack big conference teams. In reading the Florida accounts of the game with FSU it seems that the ACC has complete distain for for the Zips and any tea from the MAC. They would never come here to play as it is beneath their dignity. That is what makes last night's victory so sweet.
March 19th, 2008 at 4:53 pm
I agree with both of the responses above. I'd like to see us get at least one school from a big name conference on the road schedule if we can't get a home-and-home deal as well as get in early season or holiday tournaments that give us at least a chance of facing a more marquee team or conference representative on a neutral floor.
That being said I think the bigger issue is trying NOT to play teams that are so low in ratings such as the RPI that they hurt us too much. Instead of Binghamton, NC Central, and NC A&T, why couldn't we play something like Richmond, Valpo, and Murray State. Those are at least top half teams within their conferences and would create quite an improvement in the RPI statistic if the games resulted in wins.
Another thought…if you are going to play an exceptionally weak team that should be handled easily then why not do it on the road? That factors into things like the RPI also. Of course there is always that danger of a terrible loss.
March 19th, 2008 at 5:37 pm
lets not forget chuck mcnight……..
March 19th, 2008 at 5:57 pm
You guys make a great point about the high-majors. We need to put them on the schedule. At least two per year. I've whined about that for the past 15 months. This win shows Akron wouldn't be wasting its time.
Oh yeah, and the U gets a fat payday.
March 19th, 2008 at 6:35 pm
Hmmm, I wouldn't say the articles from Florida "whined" about FSU's turnovers or poor play any more than the Beacon's articles "whined" about how Kent State didn't beat Akron in the MAC final, but Akron beat Akron. It's all a matter of perspective. I'm glad I read the articles themselves and didn't just go on the published "summaries" in this blog…They were obviously written for a Florida State audience, but none of them stated that Akron's win was purely because FSU just "didn't play well." They gave Akron's defense and Dials' performance due credit. I will say this game meant a lot more to Akron than to FSU, though. It certainly showed!
Good to see a MAC team winning at a major conference…just shows how underrated the conference is!
March 19th, 2008 at 11:25 pm
There were a lot of KD bashers out there following the MAC title game, but I think the Fla State game may have been one of his best coaching efforts. Outside of the missed free throws that are outside of his control, he managed to pull out a win despite his team being outshot, outrebounded, less-talented, and playing on the road.
Regarding the Zips scheduling, I just don't understand why neighboring Cleveland State can schedule home/home games with Ohio State, and bring in other major conference schools like Miami, Fl, Kansas State and Minnesota (next season), but the Zips and KD cannot (or seemingly do not want to) schedule these type of schools. Until the Zips change this philosophy, we will never be able to increase attendance, attract top talent (especially big men), and elevate the program to the next level that Kent State has been able to achieve.
March 20th, 2008 at 6:51 am
The Zips will need to start to get more 6-10 impact players if we are to compete with these programs y'all talk about. This has been a weakness for years, well before KD. I know they don't grow on trees, but everytime we play these big schools, they have 2 or 3 giants and we've had our 6-6 big guys. It makes a big difference.
I haven't seen a scout report on UMass, but I'll bet they have at least 2 giants and one of them has been an impact player.
Go ZIPS
March 20th, 2008 at 8:14 am
KD and his staff have brought in guys like Mike Bardo (6'10"/240lbs) and Steve Swiech (6'9"/250lbs) in recent years. Bardo had a decent year as a freshman and is showing potential, especially on the defensive end. Swiech was red-shirted and should begin to see time next year. Both need work but the potential is there. KD and company recognize this as an area of need and continue to pursue taller players who have potential. Unfortunately for Akron and mid-majors in general, the "bigs" who are ready to contribute right out of high school generally opt for schools in bigger conferences. Growing Akron's program takes time but we're getting there! Go Zips!
March 20th, 2008 at 11:57 am
"There were a lot of KD bashers out there following the MAC title game"
No there weren't.
March 20th, 2008 at 4:26 pm
Kent's next level? Get to the big dance and get stomped (usually by 10+ points) with the exception of one miracle run that most kent fans still live on despite it being 6 years ago? I'd rather keep growing this program for a couple years and then go dancing when we can really make some noise. 50 wins in the last two years!
March 21st, 2008 at 11:23 am
RowdyZ said: "Kent's next level?"
I hate to answer a question with a question, but isn't the next level for a KSU graduate second grade?