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IMO this just comes off as a coach trying to deflect the blame from himself. I don't follow KSU basketball, but this will be his 3rd straight losing season in conference play and 3rd straight year of missing the big dance. He's solely responsible for assembling this roster so if he's not happy with the players on his team frankly he has nobody to blame but himself.

I'm so ready for the Ball State vs. Sac State rivalry to really heat up.

He needs to realize that throwing money at players that are not high quality Big-12 starter level talents will not produce wins. I love Nate and think he made the right call in setting himself up for a lifetime but he and players of his talent level aren't difference makers at that level of college basketball.

Now that most of the portal chaos has settled down, I figured I’d take my usual shot at projecting the spring depth chart. QB: Poffenbarger Roggow This is the most talented quarterback room since Moorhead’s arrival when you look at it purely from a potential standpoint. Unfortunately, that doesn’t guarantee a worthwhile starter, especially since no one has proven production at the FBS level. It’d be easy to lump Poffenbarger in with Undercuffler for obvious reasons, but after watching some of Poffenbarger’s Albany film on YouTube, I think he shows much better touch than Undercuffler and seems to read the field better as well. Of course, that was a few years ago and at the FCS level, so we’ll see if Poffenbarger can reproduce that here. I also wouldn’t rule out Roggow, Broughton, or Beals getting meaningful playing time. The position should be wide open, and higher production from this spot would make a huge impact on the offense. Somehow, the best quarterback in this system has been one the staff inherited in DJ Irons. The 2022 offense averaged 26.6 PPG and 408.1 yards per game. Since then, the offense has averaged 20.5 PPG and 329.5 yards per game (conference stats only). For anyone wondering, that’s fewer points and yards than Arth’s final season. RB: Gant Patrick Somehow, in the NIL era, every scholarship running back from last season is back. I’m not sure Gant will be able to reproduce another 1,000-yard season with what is basically a brand-new offensive line and a new quarterback who’ll be reading the defense and deciding whether to give or keep on RPOs. Also, I expect Patrick to step into a larger role and create a bigger impact. Gee and Curry are more power-type backs who could contribute if they stay healthy. 2025 was the best rushing year under this staff. I’ve been pretty vocal about the need to run the ball more. In most cases, teams with a strong running game tend to win. The Zips averaged 124 rushing yards per game last season, which is decent, but only good enough for ninth in the MAC. For comparison, Ohio and Western Michigan both averaged over 200 yards per game on the ground. WR: Ma. Williams Sivon WR: Mason Louis WR: Monteiro Myers Outside of Williams and Mason, almost any receiver could be penciled into the depth chart at this point. I don’t know which of the incoming players will work their way to the forefront, but I do think this room has as much talented depth as any other year. 2022 might’ve had the best group of starters, but the 2026 group has a chance to be one of the deepest from top to bottom. If the drops can be limited, the passing game has a chance to be one of the best in the MAC again. TE: Cravaack Hook Cravaack took over TE1 duties last season and steadily got better as the year went on. I have to assume that played at least some role in Newell transferring to Toledo. Incoming Michigan State transfer Hook and JUCO addition Alexander will provide depth. The fewest amount of passes in the Moorhead era went to the tight ends last year. I’d think there’ll be more of an effort to get them involved in the passing game in 2026. OL: Honestly, it’s anyone’s guess who’ll be starting in 2026. I’m sure Lyons and A. Jones can be penciled in, but outside of that, I don’t know. The spring game should give a better indication. Coach JRod has improved offensive line play each year he’s been here, though he’ll definitely have his work cut out for him this coming season. There’s some ability in the room, but I can’t say this group is any more talented than last year’s squad. I’d actually say it’s a bit less, although that doesn’t mean they can’t outperform if the right combination can build early cohesion. DE: Durham J. Frazier DT: Hull E. Davis DT: Highland Mixon DE: Waye D. Frazier Similar to the offensive line, I can’t say this is a more talented unit with the losses of Laventure and Dall. The defense was the best it’s been during the current staff’s tenure in multiple MAC categories, including points per game (26.6), sacks (20), interceptions(8), and forced fumbles (7). Durham and Hull return as starters, so that’s a positive. Waye is an edge player from the portal who looks a little raw but has some physical talent. Highland looks like a really good pickup on the interior, even if he’s more of a run stuffer. This unit still needs a few more additions, as the backups produced next to nothing last season and the starting group doesn’t currently look as strong on paper. This time last year I was concerned about the DL, but the addition of Laventure after spring ball made a huge difference. Hopefully something similar happens this year, even though I do feel better going into 2026 than I did during the spring of 2025. LB: Hocker Jones I’m taking a shot in the dark projecting the linebacker depth chart. I’m frustrated, but not surprised, that Spriggs hit the portal. He was finally coming into his own and would have almost certainly been all-conference this coming season. That said, I’m not overly concerned about the position. Tibesar has consistently done a good job year over year getting production out of whoever is on the field. Talent isn’t the question — productivity is. Right now, nobody in the room has any meaningful FBS experience. If the spring “game” looks anything like last year, we probably won’t learn much more than we already know, which is that these guys are athletic and can get downhill in a hurry. Realistically, it’s probably going to take until game one before we have any real idea where things actually stand. CB: White McNeil CB: T. Thomas Hobson NB: AL. Branch AI. Branch S: David Somerville S: Flowers Hunter I’d expect the starters and backups from last year’s secondary to at least open spring as starters or newly elevated starters. After that, though, things could shift pretty quickly. The new cornerbacks coach clearly emphasized speed this offseason, and now he’ll have his own recruits in the room to start molding. Both nickelbacks are back, and there’s a solid group of safeties returning too — a unit that definitely had its share of highs and lows. With a year of legit FBS experience under their belts, I’d expect the safeties to be a lot more consistent in 2026. ST: I assume Schramm and Castle will kick things off as starters, but this room does not seem complete. Hills should have plenty of competition at kick returner as well. To wrap up, I want to touch on recruiting. I think this year’s class probably lands somewhere in the middle of the MAC. That said, if a home run was hit at quarterback, it could make this class look a lot better than it actually is. High-end quarterback play usually means more points and, more often than not, more wins. Until the NIL pool is competitive with the rest of the conference, I doubt there will be many, if any, years where Akron can realistically claim the top class in the MAC. On the flip side, there’s a lot of young talent on this roster — way more than during the Arth years — and honestly it’s mostly in line with the rest of the conference. So I don’t want to make it sound like not landing a top class means you can’t win. If it’s paired with strong coaching, winning seasons are still very much on the table.

Make sure someone takes his keys

“They don’t love this place.” Sounds to me like culture still matters.

Four more minutes last night as the Wolves blew out the Blazers. One rebound and one block.

Too good of a deal to pass up. Bought 3 tickets behind the Zips bench. Challenge accepted Coach.

Nothing says “I love you” more than snuggling on a wooden bleacher at 10pm and being serenaded by a 110 decibel woman’s clock countdown to a kid who’s just missed his 9th consecutive halftime promo free throw. Uh oh…I think I just gave @NWAkron more ammo.

None of what I'm saying below is to dispute anything you've said. It's just an observation. A lot of those games were part of those November exempt tournaments. That's why I was very vocal back in November/December criticizing the changes that have made it so most of those tournaments are now segregated into fields of mid-majors or power schools. Playing a Penn State or Oklahoma State on a neutral court provided the best opportunities to pick up those P5 (I guess P6 back then) wins that mid-major resumes desperately need.

The bye comes at a good time. It gives them a chance to regroup, get their feet under them and find their shots.

+6 in the +/-. 😊

Out of reactions but this hits the nail on the head. Conference expansion has been a disaster for the actual fans of the sport. Get rid of the conference names at this point, just call the MAC “league ten” since it’s the bottom of the totem pole. If we think no one in the community cares when we play schools like CMU, just imagine a year where Kent is a road game and we get a home conference schedule of: Western Michigan, Sacramento, Umass, and Ball State. I just hate everything about this. Who is next? Northern Arizona? Tarleton State? Gardner Webb?

Eric rebounded really aggressively. It's something I've noticed we don't do often. A lot of times we'll block out really well and then just kind of wait for the ball to come down while defenders are jumping over us. Eric just want up and grabbed the damn ball. Good to see

The new Ball Sac rivalry will be worth every penny

This is taking too long.

I'm surprised Dambrot wasn't here for the jersey retirement.

Congrats on giving Miami their first loss with that jinx.

Seems he was here for a game when he was heavily recruiting a couple of Cleveland kids, but I can't recall when. I know he's been to several FB games in the suites, again when he was in the area recruiting. Haven't seen/heard much of him since he was let go at WVU. Hopefully all is well and his weight is down. Great guy. Great coach.

A little over $1mm after tax. That invested in the stock market will double approximately every 8 years on average. At worst he’s set up for retirement, but would have $10mm+ by then. He’s set up in a spot to no longer worker after his professional playing career is over if he doesn’t want to.

“They don’t love this place” The place they just showed up to 4 months ago? Yeah, no $h!t.

Bob Huggins will be in the building to see his former assistant Frank Martin. Hope the zips shout him out to give a big crowd reaction

I wish the Captain wouldn't publicize the extravagant lengths he is going to impress his wife. Before my wife saw his post she was willing to settle for a Klondike bar at the Speedway on Exchange near campus. Sheesh! Thanks Buddy!

Nearly the entire point of the halftime entertainment, high five tunnel, tip off kid, national anthem singers, etc. Is to get people to buy group tickets to see their kids and friends performing. That's why we see these gigantic adult dance groups during the games against Concord in December. They don't really need to sell a lot of group tickets for the kent game. If we were to spend money on a halftime entertainer that would be taking money away from something else, like maybe fixing the seats. Was that frat boy basketball stupid, yes, but I don't blame them for having it at the kent game

Frankly, the people of this community and some on here don't deserve this team or coach. Deflating loss? Seriously? Isn't there a 28 home winning streak? All anyone does is complain. We don't have good concessions, no halftime entertainment (which they wouldn't be able to see if they are in line for those good hot dogs), oh wait, we need more concession stands, so I can get my hot dog quickly and get back to my very uncomfortable seat to watch the halftime show which I can't see because of the glass railing, and every game should be at 7pm but not on certain Saturdays and not opposite an Ohio State game or the Olympic pairs free skate and don't expect people to come to an Akron game after they lose on the road unless the game is against Kent. And one more thing they lose every important game other than those pesky 3 games in March when all the players run out on the floor and hug each other and cut down the nets.

TWolves are on ESPN right now and Enrique is active.

I'm afraid our attempts to improve defensively have been outweighed by the regression in offense that caused

We have a 6'8" scorer riding the bench. Last night we had 3 starters score 2, 3 and 4. We have a great coach but I'm still scratching my head over the starting lineup. I'm thankful for TJ.

Discounted Single Session Tickets Code: RIZZOMAC26 Link:https://www.rocketarena.com/group/detail/mac-basketball-tournament-special-ticket-offer Bracket Projections Link: https://bball.notnothing.net/mac.php?sport=mbb Current Seeding 1-Miami 2-Akron 3-Kent State 4-Bowling Green 5-Toledo 6-Ohio 7-UMass 8-Buffalo ----------------- 9- Central Michigan 10-Ball State 11-Northern Illinois 12-Western Michigan 13-Eastern Michigan

How would you like to play for this coach who basically threw all of his players under the bus. I think everyone on this board knew that Nate was a great MAC player but few thought the would be a great player at the next level. The coach has to accept responsiblity for assembling a team that cannot compete at the level. Basically, the players are pros and mayber the colleges should have a gm who evaluates talent and brings in talent. Tang might be a great coach but not sure if he can evaluate talent. When K State lost to Bowling Green he had to know this was going to be a losing season.

8 of the last 10 games for UMass have finished as one-score margins of victory or defeat.

I'll never blame Nate for taking that money. I will laugh at KSU for paying Nate Johnson that much money.

He'll be so surprised at the changes made to the JAR since he coached here. Or not.

Bassitt has signed a one year deal with the Orioles.

Amen. I would also add that was the best era for parity in college basketball. The power conferences didn’t like it and every change since has made it more difficult for mid-majors. God bless Wentz for giving us a fighting chance.

If Groce and Steele stay for a bit more, and UMass can get up to a top 100 team, we will have a very nice mid major conference.

Another former Zip in the mix. He was our DB coach in 2019. I've lost count at this point, but it seems like almost every hire by the Browns has had some connection to Akron. Who would have thought we'd be a coaching powerhouse? Not me...

They won at Marshall while we beat Kent at home so that's a significant difference. Our best OOC road win is at Tulane so that's a ~70 spot difference compared to their Marshall win. In conference it would be at BGSU who just got boat raced by a SBC team that is worse than Marshall. You seem hyper focused on our losses. What I've said repeatedly is Miami has better wins as well. It doesn't matter if you schedule tougher if every top 200 team you schedule you lose to. You criticize them for having 2 top 200 OOC wins. We meanwhile sit with a goose egg. I don't want anything I've said to be misconstrued that I feel we can't beat Miami. I think if the season restarted today and Miami was to replay all their games again they would have 2-3 losses right now. They have had a number of bounces go their way and are fortunate to be where they're at. My main point is it's not as easy as it appears to win every night that you and others try to make it out to be. I'll say it again we were favored in 4 out of our 5 losses. That means we scheduled teams that were perceived to be weaker than us, but still lost those games. Tons of great MAC teams over the years have gone through MAC play (forget even OOC play) and aren't where Miami is right now.

2 rebounds in 4 minutes. Good to see him get in there.

I mean we were favored in 4 out of our 5 losses so it could be argued that we should have won more than 2 of them. That's why it's hypocritical to criticize Miami this year. They played an easier schedule, not that ours was brutal, but they actually took care of business. It's more challenging to win all the games you're expected to then people care to admit.

Reminds me of the sophomore slump Tavari had. At least he’s a hustler and good on defense, but him getting back to form on offense by the end of season would be huge..issue is he hasn’t had it all year.

It's Big Dog jersey retirement night. 9:oo start time kinda sucks.

Predictable. Same weaknesses all year. We had more last season. Not to say we can't upset MAC competition and make the tournament but probably not a team to advance.

Kent wasn't a good performance either if we are being honest, they were just even worse. It's time to make some adjustments. Starting/playing Halligan and Evan together doesn't work. Halligan didn't play much of the 2nd half, so hopefully that adjustment is on the way. His minutes should be matchup-based. Start Eric or Bowen instead. Also, put Shammah in the starting lineup. I know he hasn't played well lately, but he and Tavari have good chemistry, and if we are going to accomplish what we want to do in the end, Shammah is going to have to play really well. Sharron is perfect as the first guard off the bench.

The problem is any time we've played any team half decent this year we've lost. Good teams are able to exploit our weaknesses. If you beat the bad teams, but consistently lose to the good teams that means you're somewhere in between the two.

I want more Serb. I want more Hardman. I want more speed on offense. I want more shot attempts. I want to get back to the early season system that outpaced opponents and it didn't matter how teams shot because we were able to dictate the style and keep up.

I changed my mind: This tournament sucks get rid of it

If D can't take away passing lanes and force turnovers and push tempo; and offense can't space and move their matchup zone... lather, rinse, repeat. We will see how they try to adjust against some size. If we're not dictating pace we're average.

Make that two former Zips on the new Browns staff. Was there the same time as Switzer.