Let'sGoZips94

Bummer. A 5'11" so-so shooter was exactly who I was hoping would stick around the Kent program.

HS kids aren't free nowadays. Who knows how much cheaper the worthwhile players actually are, if at all. Until there is framework for a multi year commitment in this era, I'd be targeting strictly Portal guys. If cost becomes an issue, don't carry 15 guys.

I would think twice about recruiting another HS player ever again.

Players have 5 years to play 5 years of college ball from the time they graduate high school or the time they turn 19 - whichever comes first. No more redshirts (which is a good thing).

Because he redshirted.

OU essentially replaced Pavs but have not addressed their biggest flaw which was defense. They are really banking on these international players it seems.

No. Willis Jr. missed the entire season. Who knows if he's the same player as he was at WMU, and that was during a really bad year for the MAC (23rd or 25th ranked conference when he was averaging double digits). A 6'2" without a 3P shot is an interesting add as the MAC will seemingly be as tall as it has ever been next season. Not impressed with either of Kent's or Toledo's Portal classes so far. BG & Balls have had the best Portal classes along with Akron IMO. Simon thrives in the Portal but can rarely get the pieces to fit together on the court. Balls looks like they'll have a pulse for the first time in years. I can't tell what Toledo, Kent, Miami OH, and Ohio are doing with their classes. Akron is getting bigger and more physical while maintaining athleticism. This final piece Akron adds will complete the roster and I'm curious to see who that is. If they can add another 6'7"-6'9" Forward or a sniper from 3 (G or F), look out.

There will be a lawsuit to make this retroactive for the latest crop of applicable individuals, but otherwise, this should stand. Good move by the NCAA.

6'5" G from Oregon. Didn't play last year it appears.

6'5" G from Southern Illinois.

6'4" G from NIU

5'10" G from Richmond. 6 ppg and shot 39% from 3P.

EMU, BUGS, Balls, and Akron are at the top of the MAC Portal classes (not in any particular order).

If they had better shooters, I would totally agree. However, I think the physicality was their way of attempting to win ugly because they knew they didn't have the shooters.

Their biggest issue was shot making. 46.9% FG and 34.6% 3P isn't going to get it done. They blow Miami OH out in Cleveland if they shoot better than 3-15 from 3P.

Correct, Buffalo was pretty good with Freitag. They were nothing special without him and even with him failed to beat any top MAC teams. Toledo needed to beat Akron in the Title Game to hit 20 wins and they didn't. Overall they weren't very good. I never said I think Kent will be better. The discussion is about the MAC as a whole, which does not require improvement from Kent. I said I believe they'll be competitive per usual. Groce's 1st year wasn't during the NIL/Portal era. Invalid comparison and it's much easier nowadays to take a sizeable leap in a coach's 1st year. I also never said EMU was bad, but 4-14 in the MAC isn't good. There is room for them to improve to good. Akron & Miami OH being 35-1 vs. the MAC wasn't the reason the MAC failed to have more than 3 20-win teams. Only 4 teams had winning records in conference - Akron, Miami OH, Kent, and Toledo. Everyone else just beat up on each other because nobody was particularly good. I know you dislike Frank Martin, but dismissing his K-State resume and only focusing on his Final Four at South Carolina is disingenuous. The guy is a good coach. Again, my point is the MAC can absolutely be better next year. Not saying it will, not saying it won't, but any sort of confidence either way is silly.

Toledo, Kent, and Buffalo weren't all that great last year, with Kent being the only 20+ win team of the bunch (they lost to Akron 3x, including 2 significant double digit losses). Miami OH should very likely be significantly worse, but that was expected. Very much looking forward to seeing their schedule, too, to see if they actually challenge themselves this year. Who knows if Akron will be weaker; every year Akron loses top talent and every year they retool and keep on humming. EMU's improvement will come more from a coaching standpoint than anything. WMU as well. BG has had some really nice additions. Whether or not any are as good as Campbell is likely irrelevant to their overall success as they weren't a 20-win team with Campbell. UMass is very much an incomplete. They still have one of the best coaches in the MAC. If he can find the talent - especially shooting - that he lacked last year, they'll likely be dangerous.

As the MAC focuses on getting bigger, a 5'10" guard who averaged 6 ppg with a 30% 3P rate from Marquette isn't very threatening IMO. I don't know how anyone can say with any confidence that next year's MAC won't be as good as this year. The bottom of the MAC looks to be getting better and there were only 3 20-win teams last season. For as amazing as Miami OH's undefeated regular season was, they weren't spectacular and their metrics/rankings reflected that. Plus, the MAC is going to an even schedule this year thanks to NIU's official departure.

This is so cool.