Let'sGoZips94

We couldn't get a stop before so this is at least better than it being a 20 pt game.

The refs missed an obvious travel/up and down/double dribble, and that's also a classic hook and hold.

The issue is I wasn't mistaken. He's not exactly Chitwood. He's what you'd get if Aaron Craft and Jimmy Chitwood had a baby.

Townsend is a modern day Jimmy Chitwood.

You mean "yells" that. I swear he cranks his microphone up to 11 before talking.

Zone by the Zips was half assed and slow on the rotation. Killed by a 3.

Get Lyles out. He's asleep, slow, and soft right now.

Quit. Doubling.

It's Yale. They are going to be like the Jedi Order of fundamentals.

Interesting start. Both teams feeling each other out. Akron's defensive game plan isn't working on the inside, but their killer isn't making 3s. On offense, we need more dribble drive action instead of passing it low.

Same.

Bias is a nice way of putting it.

That's pathetic by that voter.

Akron down to 56 in KenPom with today's results thus far. The sky is falling.

Oregon State was Iona's Super Bowl as they lose to Green Bay 80-75.

He has been in multiple games prior to the standard clean up duty moments. Yesterday, they subbed him in multiple times in the first half. I posted earlier in this thread that his weakness(es) being unknown are more impressive because that means he's not an obvious negative when he's on the court.

UMass beats Oregon St. 73-65. Nice win for UMass.

Toledo wins 75-68 vs. Troy.

Out of likes, but agreed.

This looks eerily similar to what Akron did vs. Virginia in the National Championship game in 2009.

Toledo is currently playing Troy in the Coconut Hoops event, down 30-36 at the half. Was hoping to watch this one, but it's on the dreaded FloHoops. UMass plays Oregon State in 30 minutes on ESPN+.

I've had a decent chuckle every time I watch this team dominate D1 competition or think about how we have 5 guys on the bench that would probably be starting or significant role players at the very least on most mid majors. What a job Groce, his staff, and Bud Wentz have done at building this program back up.

Get Illinois State into the MAC yesterday.

Miami OH hasn't played anyone (nor will they until MAC play); they're still riding last year's success and the offseason hype, which infuriates me when some other CBB accounts have them ranked ahead of Akron for these reasons. Kent's schedule is weird because they've played some decent mid majors (Troy & UNCW) but only at home, losing to Troy and beating UNCW. They have yet to play a true road game and their wins outside of UNCW (who apparently was missing a player or 2) leave a lot to be desired. 2 of their next 3 games come against non DI opponents, with the lone DI opponent being a home matchup vs. Austin Peay, so we won't really know much about Kent until they play @Portland, @UMass, and @Purdue in back to back to back games (nice scheduling with coast to coach travel, Pinky). Buffalo has the nicest resume thus far among the 3. 5-0 with wins vs. Southern Miss (gave South Carolina a run for their money before losing by 4 and recently beat UT Martin who has had an incredible start to the season), Big East DePaul, and Vermont. VMI, Bucknell, and Canisius are their next 3, so losing one of those will hurt their solid start, but then they get St. Bonnie at home which will be a great litmus test. Long story short - the MAC has had a nice start to the season. Both Akron and Kent each play 6 teams on the current list - 3 MAC and 3 OOC each. There are two SBC schools on the list, both of which are available for Akron to play in February, so there could be a 4th OOC and 7th overall for Akron. Kent is less likely to add a 4th OOC and 7th overall at the moment having already played Troy. As much fun as the power conference games are for us as fans, these high mid major games need to be where Akron focuses the schedule going forward unless something changes in the power conference mindset or scheduling rules.

Mid Major Top 25 Here is a look at how some national people view Akron & Yale. These are two of the best mid majors on paper with very different styles. Yale is very slow but incredibly efficient. In fact, Yale ranks 320th with 68.8 possessions per game but ranks #22 in effective FG% (58.8%) and #2 in 3P% (45.8%) while averaging 84 PPG (#77 nationally). In contrast, Akron ranks 97th in possessions per game with 75.4 with the 37th best effective FG% (57.6%), 28th best 3P% (39.7%), and 25th most PPG (92.2). Both offenses are potent, but which method will prevail tonight? If Akron dictates the pace, can Yale keep up with efficiency? If Yale dictates the pace, can Akron become more efficient? Yale has some size but it's not a key part of their style. Only one of their two players above 6'7" plays double digit minutes (6'10" Aletan). As @clarkwgriswold mentioned, their team is essentially Townsend. There isn't much beyond him as Yale is only 8 deep. It will be crucial for Akron to control the pace of play as I'm not sure Yale has the horses in the barn to keep up for 40 minutes, unless Townsend is a heroic thoroughbred. Cannot wait for this game. Revenge Tour 2025 continues!