[akronzips71]

I could see Cooper leaving to start making some $$ in the D league or Europe. He will have 2 trips to the NCAA now with nothing much left to accomplish in the MAC. And if Groce leaves, would DJ want to readjust to a new coach for 1 year? If he keeps working on the off-balance, fall-away, left-handed junk trey with a hand in his face, the Cavs may come calling at some point too!

I think he will stay. He is an awesome player, but at his size his pro prospects are somewhat limited. I say he stays for the sheepskin.

[Dave in Green]

Looks like OU might have a new transfer coming in: .....

Let's hope that Groce ends up with the Nebraska job and takes his Missouri transfer with him.

[OUstudent]

If you thought that the rivalry we've built between us has been big the past few years, next season it's going to be even bigger. With what you guys are returning and us bringing back everybody (including some new faces), the games at the JAR, the Convo, and (I'm going to go out on a limb here ) the Q, I think we'll see some of the most intense matchups the MAC has seen in a while.

Hope we both have a non-conference start like the Cats did this year. Two bid league.

[trimmy10]

Let's hope that Groce ends up with the Nebraska job and takes his Missouri transfer with him.

I disagree. I would rather have OU as another 26 win team next year and have our guys redeem the losses of 2010 and 2012 by knocking off the Bobcats in another MACC. I want to beat them at their best. And if they are as strong next year as last year and this year, there is a real chance that both teams dance, which bodes well for the MAC and especially the Zips.

[ZachTheZip]

Ohio brings back everyone. They bring back their strengths, but also their weaknesses. Akron, meanwhile, will improve and change. We will add new talents and skills from our incoming players that we lacked this year, while OU only gains experience for a team with lots of experience already.

[skip-zip]

I disagree. I would rather have OU as another 26 win team next year and have our guys redeem the losses of 2010 and 2012 by knocking off the Bobcats in another MACC. I want to beat them at their best. And if they are as strong next year as last year and this year, there is a real chance that both teams dance, which bodes well for the MAC and especially the Zips.

I guess this perspective depends on which side of the fence you are on.

If you're one of the people who are fine with just taking our chances in the MAC tournament, then why does it matter if everyone in the league stinks next year?

If you want some national respect, and a higher seed, and/or the possibility of getting in without having to win the league tourney, then you'd want our league to be strong.

[zippy5]

I think both OU and UA are dancing next year, to be honest.

[bigzipguy]

Groce is a very good coach. But I do not care if he stays or leaves OU. The Zips have won the MAC tournament 2 of the last 4 years and Cooper is a large reason they have not won it 4 years in a row.

It will be interesting to see how Michigan's guards handle him. I really doubt if you will see any of Michigan's bigs jump out to handle him on the perimeter. That is a mistake!!!!

[Blue & Gold]

I agree. Cooper makes Groce look very good. OU sans Cooper finishes 5th in the MAC East.

The Magnificent Mr. Cooper was just simply unstoppable in the MACC. What are ya gonna do? Oh, well.

OU's gonna be tough next year too - Cooper's senior year, but KD's really built UA into the MAC's top program.

[xu9697]

Next year is the year that UA finally has to put itself into serious at-large contention. Even if Zeke is not dominant, if he improves and keeps his head in the game, he is a game changer. Abreu..sop to jr year as a PG should be huge for him. Diggs is the wild card..so much potential. Walsh as a glue guy. Treadwell and Harney...need to mature and work. Gilliam..he is still and unknown to me, but definitely part of a a highly skilled, multi-dimensional 7 guys. All of them need to hit the books and avoid trouble!!!! Dambrot needs to forget about the "MAC tourney or bust" mentality and get these guys and this program believing in at-large bids!!!

There just is no good reason next year's team should lose more than 5 games. I follow 5-7 teams as closesly as I can...UA, XU, OSU, CSU, BC, IU and ND (for various reasons). UA has so much potential when I compare them to those teams and others. With UA and OU, and even some of the other programs...MAC really looks to be CLOSE to finally getting 2 teams again. But UA is the key. They must wrap up the bid in the regular season!!!

It hurts this year more than ever. I think they could have got past UM and then Temple/USF/Cal winner. The draw was there. UGH!!! Must take advantage of what they have next year in front of them.

[Captain Kangaroo]

I agree. Cooper makes Groce look very good. OU sans Cooper finishes 5th in the MAC East.

I'd place "OU Sans Cooper" in a tie for 4th, alongside "The Zips Without Abreu."

[jupitertoo]

I'd place "OU Sans Cooper" in a tie for 4th, alongside "The Zips Without Abreu."

Stevie Taylor is a very capable backup and actually a better shooter than Cooper. But Cooper surely was shooting lights-out in Cleveland.

[Captain Kangaroo]

Stevie Taylor is a very capable backup and actually a better shooter than Cooper. But Cooper surely was shooting lights-out in Cleveland.

Diggs is a capable back up to Abreu too. But both OU and UA are mediocre at best without those guys.

[johnnyzip84]

Stevie Taylor is a very capable backup and actually a better shooter than Cooper. But Cooper surely was shooting lights-out in Cleveland.

That may be true, but I'll take Carmelo Betancourt ANY DAY over him.

[skip-zip]

That may be true, but I'll take Carmelo Betancourt ANY DAY over him.

I'm hearing big things about this guy from the inside. I hope what I am hearing is true. And as you all know, I never get too excited about expectations for players who have never stepped on a college court. But, this one could truly be a major player for us right out of the gate.