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I hate to be the realist, but if $8 million NIL (on top of whatever we're spending on everything else) is the cost to compete at the G5 level what the point of continuing? People (myself included) gripe about MLB with no salary cap, but at least there are rules in place so a Francisco Lindor or Skenes can stay in Cleveland or Pittsburgh for the first half dozen years of their careers. If MLB operated like college athletics they would be on a Yankees or Dodgers roster day 1. Any late bloomers would join those rosters immediately following a breakout season. There is no way for us to compete.

Pluto didn't write that - Captain Obvious did.

“Right behind”, or just “behind”?

I bet Akron is right behind them !!!

twofold imo - Miami is getting all the love, there's no room for 2 MAC teams to be ranked with mediocre resumes. And 2nd, the mediocre resume, we don't have any good wins.

Pluto - MAC Tournament Pressure

Fair enough, but as you suggest, no one has or wants to front the necessary money. The Proenza days of construction without financial foresight are long gone.

I know it's a tall task, but if we were to beat Miami in the Championship game AND win a NCAA tourney game, it would be a program-changing week for Akron basketball. Not saying anything we don't all know already though, I guess. 😅

Hopefully we pick it up Saturday 😉

I saw on a "Tournament Resume" graphic yesterday that our highest NET win was against Toledo, which really surprised me because I didn't realize they had moved ahead of Kent and BG in the NET. But either way, we're definitely lacking a "big" win.

I can't confirm, but a Saturday makes a lot more sense than a Friday. The new AD seems to be doing a lot more work getting the community behind the team than we're used to, so I'd just be surprised if it were a Friday.

This also feels reasonably cost-effective.

To be clear, Summit Co. voters haven't expressed opposition to a downtown arena, they just don't want to be taxed for it. And I don't think LBJ has been approached to contribute to any Akron basketball facilities or has said he never would. A lot may depend on his next endeavors after retirement, his business interests, and how/where is is splitting his time and residency. It would probably be a good sign for the area if he decides to play a final season with the Cavs.

The AI blurb shows Buffalo playing at Akron. Perhaps we would host Toledo and/or BG as well(?)

I'd love an Akron seat cushion promotion.

We had the longest win streak in the nation at the time if I recall correctly. We had a win over a MTSU team that finished the season 28-6 and a P5 win against Penn State (although they admittedly were terrible). I think what held us back is we had no top 100 wins. Had we beaten Yale or Miami we would probably be getting more love.

What’s interesting is that we just came off of our best regular season ever, and probably played a strong OOC comparatively speaking, but getting no love in the polls. Why were we ranked the year of the Abreu debacle but not now?

A Bowen Hardman bobble head would be nice.

Agree. Fund NIL first.

My guess is that is not accurate for two reasons, 1) This is probably coming from a graphic that was put out last year, showing the home and away schedules over the next couple years. Pretty sure that that graphic wasn’t even accurate for last year’s schedule . 2) although you only posted three teams Sacramento State isn’t on any of them. Although I guess it’s possible that Sacramento State doesn’t play any of those teams, but I still think it’s unlikely that this is accurate. I doubt that Akron would play Toledo, Bowling Green, and Buffalo, away two years in a row.

If Tod gets out of the way his guards could cause them fits.

The AP Top 25 is such an antiquated joke. Akron is not a Top 25 team. Miami OH is not a Top 25 team. Could they be? Sure. Neither resume warrants such a label, though.

The voters of Summit County unequivocally said no 10-12 years ago. Politicians proposed a downtown arena essentially across from Canal Park. It went over in polls like a fart in church, even when they tried to attach it to a levy for a 911 upgrade, so they gave up. In today's climate no one is paying for an arena. Our best hope is an upgrade to the JAR.

Apparently not released yet but Gemini has this to say: Known Matchups and Opponents While the full calendar is pending, the conference has previously announced the home/away pairings for the 2026 cycle under its division-less scheduling model. Team - Known 2026 Home Opponents - Known 2026 Away Opponents Western Michigan - Central Michigan, Kent State, Ohio, Toledo - Bowling Green, Buffalo, Eastern Michigan, Miami (OH) Buffalo - Central Michigan, Bowling Green, Kent State, Ohio - Western Michigan, Toledo, Akron, Miami (OH) Ohio - Eastern Michigan, Bowling Green, Buffalo, Miami (OH) - Central Michigan, Toledo, Kent State, Western Michigan With new coaches at Toledo, BG and CMU, hopefully we could steal a 'non-continuity/rebuilding' win..