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The LCJ jersey hits next week.

Most likely not because not only would they have to invest $100+ million in facilities, but they would then need add women's sports to stay title IX compliant. I do think the MAC should adopt a more eat what you kill mentality when it comes to paying out NCAA tournament credits. The current system gives little to no incentive for the Northern Illinois, WMU of the world to try to contend. They get their money regardless so they have no further incentive to want to improve.

At the moment I think I prefer him coming off the bench and leading the 2nd unit. I always felt the 5 you finish the game with is more meaningful than the 5 you start the game with.

Disappointed I didn’t see UA in the news today. Notre Dame College in South Euclid is shutting down. They are partnering with 9 schools to help transition students. Cleveland State, Kent State, and various other universities listed, but not Akron. Cost of attendance is approx. 30k for Ohio residents alone. Even just 200 students from there would give us 6million in annual revenue + all the other economic value a student brings to the campus area and potential future value. A student taking up one extra seat in a half empty classroom costs virtually nothing to the school. Straight profit. When we’re like 50% of our peak enrollment, have well documented financial issues (that seem to be addressed somewhat thankfully), and competition is tough for students, I don’t understand why you wouldn’t pounce at every opportunity to better your situation.

https://influxermerch.com/products/university-of-akron-navy-basketball-jersey-25-enrique-freeman?Color=Navy&Size=S Enrique Jerseys are available

Per 92.3 The Fan and other sources. "Now, according to multiple reports today, they're heading back to the MAC. The Mid-American Conference board voted today to add UMass as a full member, starting with the 2025-26 school year."

two thoughts on this: 1) if UA goes his entire career without releasing a jersey, even worse 2) Pretty sure it has to be somewhat affiliated to have the logo and "Zips" on the back of the jersey

we pulling for OU tonight at BG to try to keep them on track for a 2/3 game vs. Toledo in Cleveland?

I don't think it matters. The failure by UA to not have player merch, especially Freeman, available to the public is an absolute failure.

I have a friend who works in higher ed transfers, formerly at Akron but now at one of those nine colleges. He said Akron is accepting those kids, but they never take the time to be proactive enough to get onto those press releases. That is an issue in its own right.

I think YSU cares about those championships and that's enough. To stick with YSU as our subject, YSU really cannot rise any higher. Even if the university had aspirations to move up to D1-A (as we used to call it), the university simply does not have the resources to make that move plus stagnant and decling enrollement ends any hope of that move for many universities. The entire MAC, so-called D-1A, is now at risk of falling even lower than they have ever been due to circumstances that these universities did not create; if the MAC and other G5 conferences were second-tier to the P5 before 2023, now we're a de facto farm system for the Power 4. In this environment, how often do you think a MAC member will make this playoff system that begins this fall? I think the answer is never, but that does not mean I'll not support the Zips within any subdivision they end up in or for any post-season level in which they participate.

Just in time for his last month with the team. Thanks UA

Not a good sign. This team is regressing when they should be getting better. Maybe not winning, but playing the game better. This team either has a bad culture or coaching. You decide.

Unfathomable! Play that team 20 times, we should win all 20. Play that team 50 times with a 10 point second half lead, we should win 50. I think we have more bad stretches of play than good this year. Cinderella is a world away! My Zips basketball life is slip, slip, slipping away!

This is great news IMO. Besides UMass being a strong basketball program, I think (or at least hope) there are advantages to branching out into new media markets. I've said before here that while I don't have any objections to the MAC taking on affiliate members in non-revenue generating sports, I don't think the MAC should take schools for football only. I especially hated this with Temple. If you want refuge for your sorry football team, you have to give us your good basketball team. Glad the MAC braintrust seems to have learned that lesson.

I've been pounding the drum for WKU since the MAC stupidly declined to bring them aboard during the last realignment situation. I would love to see them get added along with some FCS football programs (and their basketball) like Richmond. If the MAC wants to catch up to the Sun Belt, they have to be proactive with their expansion.

Definitely didn’t see that coming but then looked up their 2024 schedule and saw they are already playing 5 MAC games this year!

I'm sure she is working hard and has played OK. Phenomenal is a bit of a stretch. Motivational coach speak, I guess. Nobody has looked phenomenal since MAC play started.

Not so sure about your timeline. I see little improvement thru the course of this season. When I watch them play I don't look for W's. I look for improvement in how they execute plus individual player growth. I think we have a good coach, but I think he has found the MAC is tougher than he thought. Recruiting has to pick up if we are to challenge for the league crown. I couldn't agree more that Bass will be gone before any turnaround. I wouldn't be surprised if she leaves with a year left to finally play for a winning program.