Akron Zips Basketball 2011-2012

[sgm405]

Abreu is suspended for violating a university policy

http://www.ohio.com/sports/zips-poin...ended-1.247376

The University of Akron basketball team suddenly has major issues at point guard.

It has been announced that starter Alex Abreu has been suspended due to a violation of university policy, starting tonight for a home game against the University of Detroit.

Coach Keith Dambrot could not give details about the suspension because of privacy concerns, including its length.

“It’s a difficult situation for everybody. That’s all I can say,” Dambrot said.

Even when Abreu comes back, there is uncertainty when he will be healthy enough to play. He has an injury known as iliotibial band syndrome, with symptoms including inflammation and pain in tendons on the outside of the knee. It is a nagging injury that often takes weeks to heal.

The Zips (2-2) also will be hampered because backup Brian Walsh has a hip injury that allows him to play the off-guard but limits his mobility too much to play point guard.

“It looks like Walsh’s body is too fragile now to play there,” Dambrot said.

That means junior swingman Quincy Diggs will be starting at point guard tonight against the Titans and until Abreu returns. His backup will be freshman Deji Ibitayo, who has been slowed in the preseason and early season with a leg injury.

“All we can do is get ‘Q’ ready to play,” said Dambrot, referring to Diggs. “He is a good enough player skill-wise to be able to do it. It’s the mental aspects of it that are the toughest.”

The point-guard worries come at a time when the Zips are coming off back-to-back losses to Valparaiso (62-49) and Duquesne (81-76) last weekend at Valparaiso in the 2K Sports Classic.

In the Valparaiso loss, UA was outscored 8-0 in the final four minutes to miss the chance to get off to a 3-0 start for the first time since the program joined the Division I ranks in 1980-81.

In that game, center Zeke Marshall played only 11 minutes before fouling out. The Crusaders attempted 38 free throws on their home court and the Zips tried seven.

“We played pretty well in that game. We just didn’t finish well,” Dambrot said. “Emotionally, it was hard because of the free-throw differential. That’s not an excuse. That’s a fact. Both of their big kids had zero fouls, which is almost impossible.”

In the loss to Duquesne, the Zips trailed by 13 points in the first half but managed to take several small leads in the second half before faltering at the end. Abreu, a 5-foot-10 sophomore, was slowed because of his injury and had four turnovers in six minutes.

“We were emotionless to start. We didn’t have any energy. We didn’t have any juice,” Dambrot said. “We rallied ourselves but couldn’t go enough to our bench on the perimeter and we tired.”

The Zips will be playing a Detroit team tonight that returns five starters from last year (17-16 record) and was picked to finish second in the Horizon League behind two-time national runner-up Butler.

The two featured players for the Titans (3-3) are 6-2 sophomore guard Ray McCallum (14.3 points per game), the son of the head coach of the same name, and 6-7 swingman Simon Chase (15.2). Others such as 6-9 forward Nick Minnerath (12.0), 6-2 guard Jason Calliste (11.5), 6-6 forward Doug Anderson (10.8) and 6-10 center LaMarcus Lowe (7.5) are proven performers.

“They are a very talented team. They have a guard who has a chance to play in the pros and the other guys are all good,” Dambrot said. “They are big, strong and athletic. They are right up there with the better teams we will play all year.”

The Zips will have little time between games, playing Monday on the road against West Virginia, which is led by ex-UA coach Bob Huggins.





Not good, not good at all. I do appreciate that, unlike our rival, we don't ignore off-court issues, even if it affects on-court results.

[sgm405]

Zips win against a depleted Detroit team. Nik Cvetinovic led the way with 16 points and 6 rebounds, while Nick Harney looked impressive once again, with 15 of his own. Alex Abreu watched the game from the stands in street clothes and is expected to return after the next game. Former Zip Steve McNees was also in attendance. West Virginia is up next for the Zips on Monday night.

[I.K.W.T]

I was at the game last night, we didn't play well but still beat Detroit pretty easily. I think we are really going to miss Abreu not playing.

[sgm405]

I was at the game last night, we didn't play well but still beat Detroit pretty easily. I think we are really going to miss Abreu not playing.

I like Ibatayo's future, but they will definitely miss Abreu in the short-term. I'm hearing he may miss the West Virginia game, but will return after that.

[Chardon]

Akron is killing it this year.

[sgm405]

Akron is killing it this year.

They started last season 4-4. They'll be fine.

[Huber.]

They started last season 4-4. They'll be fine.

I questioned your statement then I saw the teams they have lost too. MTU (9-2), Valpo (a bracket buster), West Virgnia (big east), Duquesne (they just beat Penn state), and CSU (10-1). Should be fine in the MAC.

[sgm405]

I questioned your statement then I saw the teams they have lost too. MTU (9-2), Valpo (a bracket buster), West Virgnia (big east), Duquesne (they just beat Penn state), and CSU (10-1). Should be fine in the MAC.

7-3 - Valparaiso
6-4 - Duquesne
6-2 - West Virginia
9-2 - Middle Tennessee
10-1 - Cleveland State

Combined: 38-12

They've certainly had a tough schedule so far. That's not to say the loss are OK - they aren't - but most of the MAC isn't as good as those five teams. They'll be fine when conference play starts up.

My biggest worry for Akron is off-court issues. Dambrot has had to suspend Treadwell, Harney, and Abreu one game each for off-court actions. Injuries have also been a problem. Brian Walsh, Alex Abreu, and Deji Ibatayo are all playing less than 100%.

Despite all of this, I'm confident in Dambrot and his coaching staff leading this team to success once again.

[Chardon]

7-3 - Valparaiso
6-4 - Duquesne
6-2 - West Virginia
9-2 - Middle Tennessee
10-1 - Cleveland State

Combined: 38-12

They've certainly had a tough schedule so far. That's not to say the loss are OK - they aren't - but most of the MAC isn't as good as those five teams. They'll be fine when conference play starts up.

My biggest worry for Akron is off-court issues. Dambrot has had to suspend Treadwell, Harney, and Abreu one game each for off-court actions. Injuries have also been a problem. Brian Walsh, Alex Abreu, and Deji Ibatayo are all playing less than 100%.

Despite all of this, I'm confident in Dambrot and his coaching staff leading this team to success once again.

First non troll post. I think Akron will be fine, they played a tough schedule so far. We will see once MAC games start, that is a whole new animal. I think it will once again be Kent-Akron for the MAC championship game, should be exciting. I can see Kent being ranked in the top 25 at some point this year.

Oh, and FUCK Akron...

[Czvosec]

First non troll post. I think Akron will be fine, they played a tough schedule so far. We will see once MAC games start, that is a whole new animal. I think it will once again be Kent-Akron for the MAC championship game, should be exciting. I can see Kent being ranked in the top 25 at some point this year.

Oh, and FUCK Akron...

Don't sleep on Ohio. 7-1 and should have won at Louisville (lost by 4), but got screwed by a terrible block/charge call.

DJ Cooper had a triple-double last night in Portland with 5 steals. Probably the best PG in the MAC.

[The Voice]

Ohio University is 25th in RPI

[Czvosec]

Ohio University is 25th in RPI

And Marshall just beat Iona by 19 points... the same Marshall team that Ohio beat AT Marshall. I'm telling you, the Bobcats are for real.

[The Voice]

And Marshall just beat Iona by 19 points... the same Marshall team that Ohio beat AT Marshall. I'm telling you, the Bobcats are for real.

Dude read my sig.

[sgm405]

Solid win today, even though it was an easy opponent.

Apparently Alex Abreu will undergo surgery on his knee after next game...Akron is saying he'll be ready for MAC play. Nick Harney sat out again today...no word on when he'll return.

[Czvosec]

Ohio (9-1) @ Northern Iowa (9-1, will be 10-1) on Tuesday should be the game of the week next week. At the very least, it will be the mid-major game of the week.