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I also think the loss to Miami demoralized some of them and we experienced a hangover effect. Groce won’t put up with that for long. But the Seniors especially know they have squandered a great opportunity.

i'm really curious and maybe someone can provide some insight... the portal closes the 16th, Akron semester starts Monday the 12th, so what happens if a sophomore or junior isn't committed by Monday or let's the 19th? Does that mean they aren't committing/enrolling until after the spring semester? They can't commit and not be enrolled right? which would mean they can't enroll after a certain point into the second semester correct? which would mean they have i'm guessing until the 18th at best a week after classes start or wait until after the spring semester?

I think they challenged themselves - Purdue, Yale, and Murray State are all projected to make the NCAA Tournament in the most recent bracketology on ESPN. Our problem dating back to the KD years has always been actually winning these games. I don't believe we have ever defeated a program in the Top 25. Our best non-conference wins were probably our NIT wins - Houston, Florida State, Temple.

That’s too bad about Newell. Although, by the end of the season Cravaack was clearly the better player. Whether that was due to Newell not being 100% or something else, I’m not sure. This staff hasn’t had issues landing productive tight ends, so I’m not overly concerned. I’m not surprised to see Witherspoon looking elsewhere. He was a tweener with upside, but hadn’t put on enough weight to consistently play tight end and was a bit slow to be a true receiver. He also dropped a few easy balls in the spring game. I like the players we’ve landed so far — the two WRs, two OL, and the LB. The linebacker really brings it when coming downhill. Linebacker is another position where we’ve been solid year over year since Tibesar’s arrival.

CBSSN needs filler content for their station regardless. Besides, there will be fewer people watching the CFB playoffs Friday than there will be people watching the NFL playoffs on Saturday.

I would imagine they figured neither BG or Akron football would be playing in the Semifinal, and it would appear they were correct. 😉

Just wondering who the bright person was who scheduled this game on Friday night at the same time as the CFP semifinal game. 🙄

Being highly regarded for developing players to transition to P4 programs is not an accolade that excites many of us. I'd prefer being known for winning.

but, why haven't they reached our success?

I don't think its really time to panic, the main problem against CMU was the turnovers. I really hate to say it but when we play these conference games against teams that we are significantly better than, we can play down to the competition. We have said it for years with the neck stepping, in games like this we often see problems like turnovers or lazy shots. I think the team is fine, if we do the same against BG then yes we have a problem, but we have seen this kind of thing year after year

Toledo still prioritizes football. No way would have they gone to the MVC if they were ever offered. As for the rankings, I would say Akron is probably the best at the moment. You're correct there is doubt if this will continue long-term given that much of our funding comes from 1 booster so if something happens and that money quits coming in we would be in a similar position financially as most of the other MAC programs. UMass is probably setup the best long-term. They already have more money to spend currently and they have a deeper pool of boosters. They mainly just need to find the right coach.

Bump for updates.

I agree!!! But while there is no way of knowing, I would say, if Toledo matched Akron's success, with their infrastructure - arena, recruiting ability, location - they would be in another conference by now. Missouri Valley at the least. Perhaps even the American. Akron is still in the MAC.

Miami picked up 22 votes in the AP poll and currently sits 30th

I think the last 40 years is a pretty relevant statistical sampling, and over that time period Akron’s basketball success dwarfs Toledo’s.

Jim was a really good guy. I had him come speak at several business events I organized. PMA, Positive Mental.Attitude!

As an urban university Toledo is not in really great shape. But it is still waaaaay better than Akron. I agree it is the best job in the league considering infrastructure, location, recruiting and at least a solid foundation for winning. What can't be overstated is the fact Toledo's prime recruiting areas - Columbus, Cleveland, Detroit, Chicago, Indianapolis - are all prime prep hoops hubs and all 3-hour drives or less. Akron stands tall with arguably the best coach in the league who has carried the league during a relative down stretch. Credit to him for taking advantage of the situation. But without his one strong financial donor, in the current portal landscape, it's tough seeing Akron even close to Toledo - all things considered. And that goes without mentioning Akron's financial woes and the enrollment issues all universities face these days. i'll take Groce over Kowalczk any day of the week .... but I'll take Toledo over Akron any day of the week as well. Tough to say that living in Northeast Ohio, but in terms of college basketball, I stand by it.

That was a rough one to watch…Western 55 Zips 48 Had a nice run to start the 4th and had our chances but very poor execution down the stretch. Interesting note: Western down 4 key players due to injury so had to go to the volleyball team for a body similar to us last year.

That Toledo job is sneaky good depending on the criteria you're looking at. Kowalchoke l think is the 3rd highest paid coach and has been at Toledo for 15 years. He has never made the NCAA tournament and their fanbase still worships him. They constantly come up with excuses for them being "robbed". Meanwhile, at Akron Dambrot made 10 straight MAC finals appearances and multiple trips to the Big Dance. A vocal minority wanted him gone because he didn't make the tournament for a 4 year stretch. I guess that's just the difference between a winning program and another that is content with being good, not great.

Jose Pedro started 15 games for the zips in fall 2025. Jose will transfer to a conference rival. NOTABLES Played in 16 matches, making 15 starts in 2025… took two shots on goal and recorded four assists… logged 1,235 minutes… helped the Zips post a 13-5-3 (5-2-1 BIG EAST) record… helped the Zips advance to the NCAA Tournament Elite Eight… played in the Liga Revelacao before Akron, reaching the champions phase for famous Portuguese team Rio Ave. QUOTING COACH HIGGINS "Jose is a big pick up for us from an in-conference rival. He has proven that he has the ability to play and thrive in the BIG EAST and we will look to get the best out of him on both sides of the ball."

Realistically, the Staff gave Akron a chance to rack up some good wins that would improve NCAA seeding and maybe, just maybe put them on bubble for an at large bid. After the loss to Yale and especially after loss to Murray State the goal is now to win in Cleveland. Groce and staff is figuring out what is going to get them to rope cutting on Saturday. The kid from Serbia didn't get out of his warm ups last night and has limited limits. He's not going to start. And the viable back up big has a bad injury. Re-set and re-calibrate.

I agree, and I think a starting lineup matters more than some believe. A team can absolutely set a tone early that dictates the rest of the game, and we saw our squad do that multiple times last season. I think Sharron performs better off the bench at this point in his career, too. Personally, I'd like to see more Stankovic and less Halligan. Nothing against Halligan, who plays really hard, but Oggy's ceiling is just so much higher. Evan Eric Lyles Scott Johnson Young Hardman MMK Stankovic Once Barre returns, he can take minutes back from Stankovic. But right now, I'd love for him to get more court time.

adam trick, the stud edge rusher from miami, oh signed with texas tech also...