kreed5120

Defense looks like crap with Xeyrius on the bench. WMU is getting to the rim at will. That LCJ run should have allowed us to put this game out of reach, but we just ended up trading baskets.

I came a crossed the below chart on reddit and figured I'd share. Someone who has a lot more free time than I do went through every single MAC signee and counted up how many other MAC offers they had. Akron signed 22 players and those 22 players had a combined 4 other MAC offers. 21 players we offered signed with other MAC schools. In and of itself I don't think it means the world as a lot of our best recruits came from areas that other MAC schools aren't actively recruiting (JUCO & Georgia), however, I do think it's telling that we're missing out on a lot of the best talent in our home area. If you look at the below chart, you'll see the teams that have the highest MAC offers per commit are typically the teams that consistently perform the best. Toledo and WMU both seemed to have killed it on the recruiting trail by each of their signings having an average of 3.6 & 4 MAC offers.

It's pretty sad there are "fans" out there who care more about trying to prove themselves right over seeing their alma mater do well. I was one of the earliest and most vocal Bowden critics on this board, but I still got enjoyment out of seeing us beat Northwestern. The 10 weeks that followed not so much.

We shot so well last game from the floor that i think we'll cool off this game. I still expect Akron to win, but I say we win by 8.

Patton at best would be the 4th best guard on this Akron team, no loss. He's better than Tribble at the moment, but I think Tribble will end up having the better collegiate career when all is said and done.

Hawkins contract is set to expire at the end of the season, which is why I said what I did. I'd find giving him an extension would be a tough sell to any fan base if they do indeed finish last place in the MAC for a 2nd straight year. I'd be glad to see them keep him. I enjoy picking up some easy conference wins. https://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/college/2019/10/08/wmu-hoops-mainstay-steve-hawkins-entering-final-year-contract-he-says-hes-not-worried/3910217002/

The schedule makers were nice to Akron this year. The two MAC West teams we play twice are EMU & WMU. We play the 2 best MAC West teams (Toledo & Ball State) at home. I do hate having to travel to DeKalb because we always seem to struggle winning there, but that is the only downside this year.

Below are the updated NET rankings as of this morning. 51 - Akron 85 - Kent 132 - Ball St. 134 - Toledo 175 - Buffalo 178 - BGSU 197 - NIU 200 - CMU 214 - EMU 217 - Ohio 227 - Miami 239 - WMU

If Bobby Bowden was the coach, Akron would have had good recruiting classes. It takes more than just a famous dad to succeed as an FBS coach.

What fan base?

Despite WMU beating OU, I still think they'll end up finishing last in the MAC this season. I'm guessing this is the season Hawkins gets canned.

I'm selling LCJ winning POY. Akron spreads the ball around so much that I just don't see anyone on Akron putting up the numbers needed to win that award.

Some quality parenting.

The Zips have shown the ability to beat the teams that they're supposed to beat. In a year that might only take 13 wins to win the MAC that's an important trait. I'm not sure the Zips are necessarily the best team, but they look the most consistent.

Given that Jackie does some basketball officiating on the side, I like the officiating perspective she provides throughout the games. She's also really knowledgeable on the X's and O's of the game.

We need to quit giving UMass 2, 3, 4 shot attempts each possession. Box out and secure a rebound.

Marshall is 0-3 against the MAC and in those 3 losses they were outscored by a combined 48 points.

I wouldn't even label YSU a good FCS team right now. Their records the last 3 seasons have been 6-5, 4-7, & 6-6. I'm not saying we'll win as with the season we just had we can't afford to take anyone for granted, but this isn't your Jim Tressel era YSU.

I'm not exactly sure how YSU got the game. I did notice the game was actually played at the Covelo Centre instead of YSU home court. If the HoF village ever gets around to building that arena they were talking about, I wonder if we could ever get someone to agree to play us there since it's a "neutral court".

We need to start packing the paint. It's clear we can't stop them in the paint. We need to at least make them shoot over us.

Towson-Tulane is in OT so expect a delay in start time.

Liberty's strongest opponent coming into today was Vandy. Akron's nearly 40 spots ahead of them in kenpom rankings so I'd say it's an accurate statement.

I came a crossed the below article written by a Liberty fan previewing the match-up. It looks as though we should have a decent size advantage. https://www.aseaofred.com/liberty-vs-akron-preview/

Akron always has at least 1 game they have no chance of winning of the schedule. New Mexico State and UMass are FBS bottom feeders and YSU is an FCS school. If we were just mediocre MAC, we'd have no trouble going 3-1 with that schedule.

This has to be the easiest OOC schedule we've had in years.Hopefully it translates into wins.