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Hey, it also got them a 1st round upset of Miami OH in Cleveland, and for that we thank them haha! Here's another factor - height is only useful if it's in the game. 6'10" Chabi Barre would've been useful at many points last season; for whatever reason, Groce didn't play him. If Pierce at 7' ultimately doesn't fit the system CofC ends up playing next season, he'll be an Akron Zip in 2027-28.

Bettiol was probably the best back to the basket traditional big in the MAC last season. UMass paid him a good amount of money. All that got UMass was an 8th place finish in the MAC and 2nd round finish in MAC tournament. As you said, money is better spent elsewhere, especially since Ford has shown the ability of developing raw bigs.

Bring on the Minutewomen. Zips don't back down!

7 footer who averaged 1/1 as a sophomore and probably getting paid high 6, low 7 figures. He would've been a good chunk of Akron's budget and likely not worth the $$$. Akron 3-peated in the MAC with nobody over 6'8"/6'9" - our money was well spent on legitimate production, not a measuring tape.

A Gillespie replacement would cost $1M+. Of course they're not going to find that in the portal. Just like how we aren't going to add a proven Amani Lyles or Enrique Freeman. Those type of players you have to develop. I assume Williams will play PF for Kent, but he isn't as good as Gillespie. There are a few international players coming to the MAC that I struggle to project what they're impact will be so this statement could be off base. The only MAC team as of right now that I feel has added more than they lost is Ball State, who I still view as a middle of the pack team. Much of that is because they really stepped up their financial commitment as part of the deal with their new coach. Miami, Akron, Toledo (in addition to Kent) all have taken a step back, at least on paper. We'll see how the coming weeks play out. Dhani Miller from Kent looks like a baller. I expect him to make all-freshman team and wouldn't be surprised if he wins FOY.

He had 20/3 vs. Kent. I don't quite understand his game because he isn't a lights out 3P shooter but doesn't get too many rebounds either.

They have added 3 portal bigs so far (lost 2 grad bigs, 2 portal bigs) but none seem like a swap for Gillespie. Williams maybe swaps Whaley ... maybe. But one from EMU looks like just a rim protector and the other looks like a serious project. Both Kent starting guards portaled (both to losing programs) and SF (Safford) graduated, so they still got a ton of work left to do. In fact, all Kent's new signees are coming from losing programs so that lockerroom should be interesting.

Hopefully Akron can help him develop to achieve his potential. Read the comments on this. A lot of believers in the kid.

last time there was a big guy position battle there was a broken jaw and criminal charges involved.

Hey that's a longer college highlight video than LeBron!

Kent added Cam Williams from Portland. It looks like a fairly solid add.

Hate to trigger but is this Maishe Dailey 2.0?

We'll see what additions we still have added to the roster. My comment was more regarding the current state of the roster. I'm just not sure I see a PF on the roster as of right now (unless I'm missing someone obvious) and recently the Zips have been starting 3 guards, 1 SF, and 1 big. I saw some mention MMK, but we only saw him at the 5 last season and don't see him playing big minutes at the 4 unless he adds ability to score beyond 5 feet from the basket.

I like to think that a former Mr Basketball in Ohio would be able to become a good MAC player. So, I think it's a good addition!

I doubt White will be the starting PF. I look at him as more of a physical 3 & D type.

I think Colin White could be a 3-4 in the MAC. He supposedly has a physical streak in him. This stings Toledo where the fan base wanted him back home. The key now is for White to measure up to his prep credentials as a MAC player.

Just the name makes me cringe. The end of his time with the Zips was not great.

Here's hoping the kid can stay healthy. It's never good when your college highlights video is under 2 minutes.

I know, it just sucks.

Helps when you have 2x-3x the amount to spend on players.

Not sure it's that - given a juco signing this could be a "2027 move" as well. Get him a year here and then he starts next year?

So, of course Groce manages to get a 7 footer at his new job. https://247sports.com/player/braden-pierce-46118228/college-346132/

Forsythe was a valuable rotation player.

Currie and Forsythe vibes.

This is probably the hardest team in recent memory to project because there's so many players that we just don't know what we will get. The only things I'm confident in are that Steveskie will start, and that one of Burton/Barre will start (unless we add another big!).