University of Akron basketball: Offensive flow is a trickle for Zips against Fordham

A slow start doomed the University of Akron men’s basketball team in the opening round of the Gulf Coast Showcase Tuesday in Estero, Fla.

The Zips (2-2) lost to Fordham 63-43.

The Zips shot 32 percent, missed all eight of their 3-point attempts and trailed by 11 points at halftime.

They played respectably on defense, but the offensive flow – more like a trickle – was evident and it continued into the second half.

The Zips cut the Rams' lead to seven points at a couple of spots in the second half, but with 7:46 left, Fordham (3-2) led 49-29 at the end of a 15-0 run and result became a foregone conclusion. UA went more than six minutes without a field goal.

UA shot 31 percent from the floor to Fordham’s 41 percent and made just 1-of-18 from behind the 3-point arc.

What do Zips take away from this one?

The short answer is they should forget it.

In covering the Zips men’s basketball program for almost 10 years, I’ve never seen a team coached by John Groce or Keith Dambrot shoot bricks the way they did Monday in Florida.

This was not the team which showed some hustle in overcoming a massive deficit against West Virginia or nearly upset Ohio State. Once in a while a team will put up an absolute stinker. This should not start a trend.

But still, there were red flags that should be heeded. The Zips came into the game shooting 64%from the free-throw line and sunk below that against the Rams, making 53% (10-of-19) and they were outrebounded 37-31.

Enrique Freeman a consistent leader

For the better part of the game as the Zips struggled, 6-foot-7, 206-pound sophomore Enrique Freeman was the bright spot.

He led the team offensively, but his defensive input should not be downplayed. He stayed active on both ends of the court, forcing bad shots and turnovers. He ended the game as the Zips' leading scorer with nine points and added a game-best 11 rebounds to go with them.

The 3-point shooting was an anomaly

The Zips aren’t about to go 0-fer or anywhere near there from behind the 3-point arc in most games this year. But their 3-point shooting was way off against the Rams.

The open looks were there, but the accuracy wasn’t. Credit the Rams defense for some of that.

After four games, it’s better to get a stinker such as this out of the way now as opposed to later at a crucial point in the schedule.

Reach George M. Thomas at gthomas@thebeaconjournal.com or on Twitter @ByGeorgeThomas

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: University of Akron basketball - Zips leave offense home in loss