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I’ve been saying for ages that Akron Kent should kick off the mac season. Best weather, most hope (nobody is 1-8+) and won’t conflict with big buckeye games

We got the MAC 2026-27 Defensive POY 💪😤💪

I watched some of the Freeman's game today when the World Cup was not on and Freeman looked good scoring 14 points and 11 rebounds including 6 offensive rebounds. At the end of the game he was a beast on the offensive boards givning Minn multiple offensive possessions.

Mahaffey-Akron Fantasy Camp was 2025-26. At UC, Eric is likely pulling in a minimum of $400,000 more than the Zips best offer. Eric and his fat wallet can hook up with big bro' at mom and dad's at Thanksgiving and Christmas.

Evan would be pretty huge to have for his leadership in transitioning from Groce to Ford. I think MMK and Halligan will be, too, but Evan seems like he'd be in a better position to lead. His defense and energy on the court would set the tone for the rest of the team. I really hope this happens.

The MAC season? They should play the first week or two every year like they used to when 25,000 people would be at games.

Enrique has enough on film now between his limited NBA play and the G-League. At this juncture he needs a team to believe in him more than he needs stellar rookie league performances.

It really does feel like a great get off of the portal (with the added bonus of knowing exactly what we're getting)!

Eric can sit with his parents and watch Evan play in March Madness. Cincinnati season will be over by then.

The NCAA made their bed with the handling of COVID. This should absolutely stick and we'll have Evan Mahaffey for the 4Peat attempt.

Precisely, I'll just be happy if the next TV protects the MAC rivalry games. Even if that means moving those games to October.

I'm not an expert but I would assume the tv contract pays the University more for a Tuesday game with a bad crowd than if it was on a Saturday with slightly less bad crowds.

Lyles got his first start of the summer and recorded 18 points and 6 rebounds in 27 minutes. Although he did have 5 turnovers.

Lyles with 13 points and 3 rebounds in 12 minutes today. It will always be tough for him to make the NBA roster but he could be playing his way into a G League deal.

Also, FTR Collective on X posted that he was back.

I don't think many, outside of top 25, have rankings out for college basketball yet. Bart Torvik is probably one of the few reputable ones that has their rankings out currently and he has Akron at #114. That would place them 2nd in the MAC behind Miami, who sits at #101. Toledo is 3rd at #135. Either way I wouldn't put much weight into preseason rankings. With roster turnover it becomes nearly impossible to project once you get past the top dozen or so teams. Preseason rankings were always kind of dumb, but in this day and age of teams turning over entire rosters in 1 offseason they're pretty pointless. Not going to lose sleep over them.

Yes, this. Most of my worries with Groce leaving, and Evan and Sharron was not having that link to the previous groups. Like I feel it's been passed down from LCJ to Ali Ali, X, Enrique etc to Tavari and Sharron and then.. who's the "leader" this year? I think Evan playing this year answers that question. Not so worried about talent in and out in the portal day and age but leadership and culture is very important, imo.

I don't believe that this achievement has been posted on the board over 25,000 minutes !!! wow !!! Congratulations, Aodhan https://www.uslchampionship.com/news_article/show/1362147

Back in the game!

Makes me more surprised & disappointed by Eric's departure.

Chabi Barre 6'10" Max Burton 6'10" Devin Christion 6'9" Buddy Hammer 6'7" Evan Mahaffey 6'6" Ty Pence 6'6" Colin White 6'6" MMK 6'6" Josh Henderson 6'5" RJ Jones 6'5" Zach Halligan 6'5" Cody Head 6'3" Exavier Wilson 6'1" Tahj Staveskie 6'1" Tai Perkins 6'0" Nasty size, depth, roster flexibility, and experience. Amazing job by the staff.

Along with their history of losing and/or caving.

No. It waters down a football rivalry.

I don't hate this idea. Not sure how feasible is, but I don't hate it.

You know what, that's a great idea. I'd go as far as yo kick off the whole season with that game.

While we know the MAC schools are just trying to get every last penny immediately without considering long-term growth, one would think having six Saturday games (instead of three) just might be better for developing a fan base and a season ticket base. But that involves work, and we know better than to expect that from this athletic department. Hopefully Toledo and BG have at least started sowing the seeds to get rid of this in at least getting their Tuesday rivalry game moved to a Friday.

Two things here 1- at least the games will be fun 2- defense has been the better coached side the entirety of this regime so they should develop well this season

I think we could figure out a roster spot for Tavari if needed. 😆

This feels fair

It's the days of NIL, so everyone's roster is gutted annually. If he's a legitimately good FBS QB, the ceiling is a MAC title.

If Poff is good, 7-5 is the floor.

I did not see Monday's game but Freeman was a -29 and there is no way you can spin that in a good way. He did lead the team with 7 rebounds. He also had 4 assists and only one turnover. I watched the first 2 games and Freeman is usually in the corner as a wing and just does not have a lot of offensive moves to the basket. He sets ball screens and cuts to the basket but most times comes up empty handed even if he is open. Sometimes he pops up behind the 3 line but has not been htting the 3 ball. His defense has been good along with his rebounding. Very active on the offensive glass. The Timberwolves gave his a 2 way so they are invested in him this season. He also got cut Friday diving for a ball so that certainly indicates his toughness. It is way too early to judge him based on summer league play.

We could not lose to Robert Morris if we tried.

https://x.com/i/status/2076755239848333820

Heeeeeeee's baaaaaaccckkkk!!!!! Go check out the Akron Men's bb X pictures from today.

Plus even Eric is probably surprised Evan had a chance to play another year lol

You say that as though Cincy is a bottom feeder P4 program like Boston College. Cincy is adequately funded for basketball and Calhoun has exceeded expectations everywhere he's been. There's a very good chance Cincy makes the tournament. Possibly makes it past the first round as well.

Akron posted some photos showcasing Evan practicing. Awesome to see him out there. Wonder what the "experts" think of Akron now that he's back and there's familiar experience on the roster. Are we still middle of the road in the preseason rankings or did we jump up? I think we would've been ok in terms of leadership/culture without Evan because the HC was promoted from the existing culture, but having Evan certainly completely fills - if not overfills - the culture/leadership bucket. The MAC has to be pissed. Hopefully blood isn't thicker than intelligence. Turning down the type of money Eric got would be Kent level stupid.

If Minnesota and Wake Forest are way down, sure. But they were 8-5 and 9-4. With 11-2 UNLV, it would be quite the upset if Akron were anything but 1-3 (I suppose Joe could shock us and lose to Robert Morris too)

Dove for the ball and an opposing player accidentally came down on him and slammed his face into the hardwood. Looked like a gash above his eye.

Yeah, we could go 1-3 to start… but give me this ooc every year. This is the kind that you could go 3-1 with.

The paperwork on Evan is ready to go if he's granted the ability to play by the NCAA or the court.

Only BG is "legit."

So... Evan Mahaffey is back?

6+ wins once after being 13-35 doesn't deserve an extension.

The mailman accidentally delivered my neighbor's College of Charleston alumni magazine to me. There is a small article about Coach G. See below.

I was under the impression that the first round matchups are based off of preseason projections, not last year results. That said, with roster turnover as rampant as it is I'm not even going to dive in to attempt to determine who will be and won't be good in the SunBelt. I follow the MAC more closely than most and I would struggle to rank them 1-12 with any confidence. No chance I could do it with the SB.

New rankings for 2026 season…some pretty good numbers, for what’s it worth.