Would You Welcome Abreu back?

Obviously, we still don't know all of the details surrounding this case. Let's say Abreu avoids jail time and is a free man by this summer (if he's in jail, he's obviously not returning).

Simple poll question:

Would you take Alex back as an Akron Zip?

2013-2014

After tonight's game, I want to look forward...so let's talk about the 2013-2014 season.

There are several questions heading into this offseason:

1) Who is the Point Guard?

Alex Abreu seems unlikely to return. Carmelo Betancourt is back, but still has a long way to go. Nyles Evans will be here, but who knows how he'll fit. Quincy Diggs is a possibility, but is he a full-time PG? Speaking of...

2) Will Quincy return?

In losing Zeke, Walsh, and Gilliam, it'd be huge for Akron to have Diggs return. He's great on defense, a go-to scorer, and would be fun to watch alongside Treadwell. All indications are that he'll be back, but if he is...

3) Who might leave the team?

My money is on Blake Justice, with Deji as another possibility. Deji at least got some PT though, which makes me think Blake is the odd man out.

4) Will any of the freshmen make a major impact?

McAdams, Betancourt, Kretzer, and Forsythe all played major roles on this year's squad. Will any of the incoming four have as much of (or even more of) an impact next season?

5) How good will the Zips be?

A lot depends on the answers to the previous four questions, but I'd expect them to be the pre-season MAC favorite. Ohio loses Cooper, Offutt, Keely, and Baltic. Can't loses Evans and Holt. Akron will be a different team next year, but still should remain the cream of the crop in the conference.

My Projected 2013-2014 Lineup

C-Forsythe/Johnson
PF-Treadwell/Cheatham
SF-Kretzer/Harney
SG-Diggs/McAdams
PG-Evans/Betancourt

Tree's Ceiling?

Treadwell only played one year of high school basketball. He's in year #2 at Akron, with 2 years remaining. He's leaps and bounds better than last year, and progressively improved as this season went on. While Zeke Marshall was incredible in over the past two nights, Treadwell was the MVP.

Next year with Marshall and (likely) Abreu gone, this will become Treadwell's team.

I'm curious what others think...how good can Treadwell be next year, and by the time he's a senior?

Ohio U and Can't State in 2013-2014

Interesting note to think of as we celebrate tonight...our two main rivals and biggest competitors in the MAC will be losing some major pieces to graduation:

Ohio - Loses DJ Cooper, Walter Offutt, Reggie Keely, Ivo Baltic
Can't State - Loses Chris Evans and Randal Holt

Obviously we lose some big pieces too - Zeke, Walsh, and Gilliam - but I think we have much more talent coming back than either one.

This run might just be getting started...

Rise Up, Zips Nation...Rise Up

Anger. Disappointment. Shock. These are all emotions we're feeling right now. The players and coaches are likely feeling the same. I feel for Zeke, Chauncey, Brian, and the coaching staff.

It's time to accept a few things...

1) Alex Abreu is gone this year, and likely for good. I'm not going to debate the kid as a person because I don't know him. Losing him on the court will impact the Zips basketball team in a major way.

2) We are no longer the favorites to win the MAC Championship. Ohio, who was a serious threat anyhow, will now be seen as the favorite. A potential matchup with Can't State in the semi-final will be difficult as well.

3) The chances of making an NCAA Tournament run, if they do win the MAC, have decreased dramatically.

4) Our rivals, who have spent all season listening to how good Akron is, will jump on the opportunity to kick us while we're down. We'll hear "Crackron" jokes, "Think Higher", etc etc etc.

As a Zip of 13 years now, I'm asking you, Zips Nation, to rise up above all of this. Be disappointed, angry, shocked - however you cope with this news - and then move on tomorrow. The Akron Zips basketball program is bigger than one player. The national/local media and our own players will be waiting to see how we respond.

Rise up.

Let's not take the bait from Can't State and Ohio fans, who will surely pour it on (they are already). Let them make their jokes. Ignore it. Support your team and coaches. Let's believe that, for once, the breaks will go our way in Cleveland.

Let's get the JAR rocking tomorrow. Let's support the team that remains. Let's cheer like crazy for Zeke Marshall, Brian Walsh, and Chauncey Gilliam, who have all represented our program well. Let's get behind Carmelo Betancourt. I've heard for a long time that he's better than people give him credit for...let's support him in what is a huge opportunity for him. Let's remember that the main problem we give Can't State is in the front court. Abreu scored 7 points on a dismal 2 for 10 shooting night against Can't AT Can't and the Zips still won because Treadwell and Zeke controlled the boards (27 combined between the two, 45-34 overall advantage). Let's remember that the same pair of players gives Ohio plenty of trouble as well. Does that mean we'll beat either team? Absolutely not...but there's still plenty of talent on this team...there's still a chance.

This is Akron...this is Zips Nation...we've survived heartbreak multiple times and we're still here. I'm proud to be a Zip, through thick and thin, and damn proud to be a part of Zips Nation.

Tomorrow we move on. Tomorrow we come together and support this team against Can't State, and we do the same next weekend in Cleveland.

Tomorrow we have no choice but to move forward as fans, as a team, as a program.

Rise up, Zips Nation...Rise up.