Leaderboard

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.

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

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.

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.

I agree. Joe took over a well-funded juggernaut when he accepted the Zips job. 13-35 should have been 35-13. The practices we couldn’t hold last season should have kept the team fresh. Instead we struggled in the red zone. i think the Zips lead the MAC in NIL funds, and student body support. That alone’s gotta be worth 2-3 wins this year? Joe’s had every possible advantage known to man after taking over for Tom Arth. I can’t believe the team hasn’t improved every year since he’s been HC. Oh wait…it has.

11 points and 2 rebounds in 14 minutes!

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.

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!

As body bag games go, this year's aren't bad. Will also help if they can ditch the Tuesday games to get better crowds at home for the entire season.

This seemed like the best thread in which to place this. Thomas O'Rourke has been selected to participate at the Santo Domingo 2026 Central American and Caribbean Games (https://jcc2026.org/en) for the Dominican Republic... https://www.fedofutbol.do/seleccion-dominicana-anuncio-convocatoria-femenina-y-masculina-para-centroamericanos-y-del-caribe-2026/ English translation of the key points from that website... The Dominican National Football Team announced the rosters of players who will represent the Dominican Republic at the Santo Domingo 2026 Central American and Caribbean Games, for both the women's and men's teams. On the men's side, the roster consists of 11 players developed within the domestic league—though four of them currently play abroad—and nine based outside the country who have previously participated in youth national team programs, with some even having received call-ups to the senior squad. It is worth noting that, as this falls outside the official FIFA international window, some players did not receive permission from their clubs to participate in the event. The men's squad will gather for a training camp starting July 14 at the Dominican Football Federation's High-Performance Center, remaining there until July 28, when they must join the competition. Dominican Men's National Football Team for the 2026 Central American and Caribbean Games: Midfielders: Thomas O’Rourke (Akron Zips – USA), Yordy Álvarez (Real Tomayapo – Bolivia), Sergio Cuello (CYD Leonesa – España), Lucas Bretón (Málaga CF – España), Cristian Ciccone (UDC Txantrea – España), Adrián García Jaquez (CD Leganés – España) y Nicolás Cruz (Cibao FC – RD). Per AI: At the Santo Domingo 2026 Central American and Caribbean Games, football (soccer) does not offer direct qualification spots to the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics. Instead, the tournament acts as a major developmental milestone and seeding platform for regional national programs. While the matches themselves do not punch a direct ticket to LA28, they impact the international soccer landscape in several specific ways: 1. Seeding for the Direct Olympic Pathway CONCACAF (the governing body for North, Central America, and the Caribbean) uses separate under-20 (U-20) tournaments to determine direct Olympic qualification. However, the team rosters built, tested, and scouted during Santo Domingo 2026 form the core talent pool for the upcoming CONCACAF Men's and Women's Olympic Qualifying Tournaments.

Yes.

Pretty cool that we have 4 former Zips playing ball in the NBA right now!

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.

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.

Well Lyles is playing pro ball now so I'm uncertain how that would factor in. I know a random G-League player last year ended up committing to some D1 school and I know some pro European players have came to D1. The rules use to be much simpler when determining if a player was eligible or not.

Yes, that's the rule. That's why Evan and others took the matter to court to bypass the rule. He wouldn't have needed to take it to court otherwise.

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.

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.

Only BG is "legit."

https://www.beaconjournal.com/story/sports/college/zips/2026/07/09/enrique-freeman-basketball-camp-akron-zips-minnesota-timberwolves/90863917007/

Lyles made the hightlight reel with a nice spin move and dunk in the paint. https://www.nba.com/game/det-vs-phi-1522600003?watchRecap=true

Went to watch Freeman and the 76ers were playing in summer league and next thing I hear is Amani Lyles for 2 on a nice spiin move. He looks good in a sixer uniform.

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

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