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This feels like a pretty big MAC Tournament for us. We're about to lose 5/8 of our primary rotation and 73% of our scoring. The transfer portal can change things quickly, but right now we are slated to be young and inexperienced next season. A tournament win would go a long way toward keeping our best underclassmen and drawing some additional talent in the portal.

Right. I don't see how he's to blame for kids' math test results. Also, no one is taking into account how ridiculous standardized tests are. These kids are from disadvantaged backgrounds, so they likely are behind already before starting at the iPromise school. Just because they don't pass the standardized test doesn't mean the school isn't helping to improve their education. Not all "failure" on tests is the same.

You can tell some of you just don't like LeBron. 😂

It would be unwise to chase too big an offer from some deep-pocketed P4 for anyone on our roster if we can get a similar developable (is that a word?) replacement for much less.

26 degrees is the projected high temp for practice #1 next Tuesday, St. Patrick's Day. But it's always 65 inside Stiles.

and it's BAD!! I think only two of 75 seventh grade students passed the state math test and zero in the 8th grade passed.

$150M is too much for Akron IMO. I get it everyone wants the flashy BMW, but Akron isn't in the position to afford the monthly payments or maintenance on that. If Akron was to ever look seriously into building a new arena they should look for a Toyota Corolla. Something that is dependable and gets you from point A to point B with minimal upkeep. To me that would be something like the Stroh Center. In today's dollars that would cost $43 million. Sticking to the analogy I would want an upgraded trim to get capacity closer to 5,500 and maybe a few smaller amenities. Let's say that brings the cost to $65 million. That would be a much more achievable goal.

Considering taxpayers largely fund his iPromise school, no.

I don't think he's a negative. I just don't think his influence is as great as people think. The second he retires from the NBA, he becomes less relevant and that doesn't get better with time. I don't think he sit around thinking about how to get an arena built in Akron. In fact, it would probably create a nightmare he doesn't want in his life. Here is the other problem. A rule of thumb in facilities management says the cost of constructing a facility is only 20% of the cost of maintaining the facility throughout the life of the structure. Who is going to pay for the maintenance alone on the facility? Assume the arena lives for 50 years and is constructed for $150 million, the annual maintenance alone would be around $15 million if my math is right. It's also an average so the climate on the building in Ohio would create even more maintenance. Is LBJ going to pony up for the maintenance also? What is Akron can't draw high dollar events like quilting convention? See the problem here? They could prempt time and just start out calling it The Interbelt Arena.

MAC women's basketball accolades were released today. Only Shaena Brew received recognition. She made the All Freshman Team.

Mods, is it possible to sticky a post? I'm sure all the regulars are well aware of FTR, but we might draw some additional foot traffic from the casual visitors come tournament time. It's useful to make them aware.

Some talk about donating in other threads and it probably deserves its own spot - it's very easy to setup a recurring donation. I encourage everyone to support however they are able. It all adds up and our program deserves the support. https://www.feartheroocollective.com/contribute-zipsmensbasketball

Sources also say Miami OH was turned down by every single P4 school and half the NBA for their basketball schedule, too. The sweaters are spending like drunken sailors. That's a bold strategy Cotton. Let's see how it plays out for them.

I prefer not to think about how we let a good coach leave and take another local school to the conference final, while we missed the conference tournament completely.

If you’re into watching actual coaching and winning basketball , Youngstown State ladies are taking on Green Bay in the Horizon League championship game at noon today after winning a dogfight against Cleveland State in the semis yesterday.

Absolutely. I will also say I believe in Coach Groce and what he is doing more than just about any other coach I've encountered at Akron. He spoke to my son and I at the preseason event and was so kind, personable, and seemed genuinely thankful for our support of the team. You can see why he is so good at recruiting and building a positive culture. But to your point, I feel like my financial support makes at least a small difference because of the smaller roster. I don't feel that way about football at all.

https://akronzippedup.substack.com/p/previewing-the-2026-mac-mens-basketball ZippedUP tournament preview. good read!

All 3 of their fans will be upset.

I hope I'm wrong for the people's sake, but I think history will show LeBron's "influence" on Akron (city/University) as a net negative unless something drastically changes. Unless he's willing to truly commit to growing Akron as a whole, the University would do well in distancing themselves from him as much as possible. Figuring out how to repair/build relationships with the larger Akron-area companies is what UA officials should be focused on in terms of financial support. As a brand, UA would do well in figuring out how to market themselves better to greater-Akron-area families.

I have donated too. I even have a monthly reoccurring donation setup. I wasn't talking just helping financially. I wouldn't be donating if there was no FTR collective to donate to. Yes, I can agree with this point. It's also why I contribute to men's basketball and not football. Not just because of the success, but because I also feel my dollars stretch further. Akron spent some say $1 million on this years basketball which wasn't far behind UMass for the largest dollar amount. An article was released yesterday that Miami (OH) is spending ~$8 million NIL on football this coming year. That's ~6x the amount UMass is spending on basketball. The hard truth is we can't compete in both so it makes more sense to focus on the one we stand a chance with.

Bud is the main driver, but I think the success certainly helps. I have donated many times to Akron basketball. I have never contributed to Akron football. I am sure I'm not alone in that. I'm also sure Bud wouldn't be as likely to drop so much money into the program if he wasn't seeing results on the court.

I would love to "barely" be a billionaire. I don't think LeBron is going to pay for an arena. His financial investments in Akron are almost exclusively in at-risk youth and their families, which I think is pretty cool. But if he wanted to, he absolutely has the money/connections to get something done. I just don't think it is on his future agenda, and that is OK.

Jordan owned a team. There is no arena named after him. He grew up in Wilmington. Not a great place but getting better. All without the help of Jordan's money. This isn't a knock on LBJ. It's a knock at those in NE Ohio who believe that LBJ or some.other savior is going to come along and improve things. People will be waiting around forever.

Not to mention compounding investment returns. I just don't see him being interested in contributing to arena. That doesn't really fit the profile for the charity work he has done. At most he might lend his name and shake a few hands, but he's not cutting a $100M check.