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Think what you will. This is a forum open to all opinions. I can tell you the talk in Pittsburgh was that our BBall collective was the best in the MAC. It has some serious backing. Just perhaps Bud knows that and getting serious money into the collective is more critical than opening it up to the public. FWIW, Groce is in one three guys who will require NIL money to come here. They are big time talents, for the MAC that is, and we have the money they are seeking. They like everything about our program which could tip the scales in our favor if the money is the same.

Here are the All-MAC selections solely from the recruiting classes of 2022 and 2023. Akron has the most during that span, yet the least amount of wins. To me, that is two fold. It’s a reflection of how well this staff is recruiting, and on the flip side, shows just how far the program was behind its peers before Joe Moorhead’s arrival. Most of the All-MAC selections from 2022 and 2023 hail from recruiting classes before 2022. Northern Illinois is currently the only team with no All-MAC selections from either recruiting class of 2022 or 2023. Kent State and Central Michigan only have one. That should change in the coming years as most of the players that were redshirted receive more playing time. How many of those players land on an All-MAC team remains to be seen. AKRON = 7 WR - Alex Adams (TP - LSU) WR - Shocky Jacques-Louis (TP - Pittsburgh) WR - Daniel George (TP - Penn State) OL - Anthony Whigan (TP - Penn State) DL - CJ Nunnally (JUCO) LB - Bryant McCoy (HS) DB - KJ Martin (TP - West Virginia) BALL STATE = 2 RB - Marquez Cooper (TP - Kent State) DL - Sidney Houston (TP - DII) BOWLING GREEN = 4 WR - Odieu Hilare (TP - Alabama A&M) TE - Harold Fannin (HS) DB - Jalen Huskey (HS) DB - Jordan Oladokun (TP - Samford) BUFFALO = 2 OL - Desmond Bessent (TP - San Diego State) DB - Devin Grant (HS) CENTRAL MICHIGAN = 1 WR - Jesse Prewitt (TP - DII) EASTERN MICHIGAN = 3 RB - Jaylon Jackson (TP - Lamar) LB - Chase Kline (TP - Michigan State) LB - Joe Sparacio (TP - Boston College) KENT STATE = 1 WR - Chrishon McCray (HS) MIAMI = 5 RB - Rashad Amos (TP - South Carolina) WR - Cade McDonald (TP - Michigan State) DL - Brian Ugwu (TP - Rutgers) LB - Ty Wise (TP - Indiana) DB - Yahsyn McKee (TP - Mercer) NORTHERN ILLINOIS = 0 OHIO = 3 WR - Sam Wiglusz (TP - Ohio State) DL - Rayyan Buell (JUCO) K - Nathanial Vakos (HS) TOLEDO = 4 RB - Peny Boone (TP - Maryland) TE - Anthony Torres (TP - Western Michigan) LB - Dallas Gant (TP - Ohio State) K - Luke Pawlak (TP - Montana State) WESTERN MICHIGAN = 2 RB - Jalen Buckley (HS) WR - Kenneth Womack (TP - Sacred Heart) P5 = 14 G5 or Lower = 11 HS = 7 JUCO = 2

Eastern Michigan's arena did wonders for their program and fan support.

Just because the public hasn't been as involved doesn't mean the behind the scenes work isn't on pace or ahead of other G5s. We just had a class of 5 seniors graduate - 3 of which spent 4+ years each at Akron, including an All American. There's clearly something in the background that has been in place to incentivize being at Akron. Instead of calling BS on Wentz, maybe we should be looking at applauding what he's probably heavily funding.

I'll never forget the Eastern Michigan TV crew pumping up the White Out vs the Zips last season. You know, all hundred people that were in the seats wore white.

Dan Hurley - is that you?

Yes, it appears to still be a work in progress. Even the donate link doesn't work (at least not for me). It's still nice to see something is being worked on to avoid us from falling behind.

Bud Wentz just tweeted out the website. It's actually FearTheRooCollective.com . I can confirm this URL does work, although the website isn't complete.

Great first touch receiving that long ball on the run! Superb goal.

I was among those who were upset with the way Dambrot left. I did not root for him at Duquesne. Having said that, KD is still a fellow Zip alumnus who seems to care about the university. I am rooting for him in his future endeavors. When it comes to Dru. Why exactly would any Zips fan not root for him? Seriously! Please give me one reason. I am waiting...

the winner of the North.....will play Marshall in Columbus on April 13 for first place in the league with a win or a tie against BGSU, Michigan State would be the team to battle an excellent Marshall team Zips can guarantee finishing no lower than 2nd......with a win over Dayton. Ohio State hosts Xavier this weekend...with a win , Ohio State would finish 2nd in the south Louisville has already played all of their 4 matches so they will end with 6 points Marshall plays Butler in the other match this weekend

I don't think he's going to go there either. I'm more saying even the Dukes make more sense than Akron if he's looking to move back to the area.

Updated for the PF position.

I'm very much aware. The arena will house the hockey team as well. The basketball program will play second fiddle in their own home arena. As I said before, their basketball program is a distant third in popularity behind football and hockey. That won't change.

The only people suggesting it are randoms on Twitter. Some radio idiots in Pittsburgh are acting like it's a guarantee he ends up with Duq, but they are delusional. Saying Bronny will play for Dru and Lebron is going to pump millions and millions into the program. Lebron is going to pay his own son to play for them? How does that even make sense? If he ends up there that just means he isn't good enough for a big conference. These are the same morons who said they'd make it to the Elite 8. They haven't followed the Dukes for decades. But now all of a sudden they act like it's a national powerhouse.

As for Dawson I see he references being a grad transfer. That's great new if he got his degree. As I recall, he initially was delayed in starting his Zip career due to some academic issue. As for Bronny, it's not happening. If somehow it did, he'd have the talent to do well in the MAC (though I don't think he's an NBA talent) but he'd have to buy into the Groce way. Also, the media train that would bring could be a huge distraction.

I think the real issue is accurately measuring others as there is no easy way of determining what others spend. The UMass AD, in an interview after making the move to the MAC official, stated only a few MAC programs have collectives for men's hoops. He stated UMass collective is significantly more substantial than anything in the MAC and it should give them a competitive advantage. I don't think it's that Akron has been spending significant sums. I would imagine it's more that many of the smaller G5 have nothing in place. A school like WMU might have more in total, but basketball seems to be a pretty low priority. I imagine football and hockey eat up the vast bulk.

Yeah, okay, I hate to keep calling BS on Wentz, but he doesn't even have a website operational and he claims we're on pace or ahead of other G5s? I would not be surprised if we're behind even a few other MAC schools - though not many. WMU, Toledo and OU come to mind.

My flight is delayed.

Shooky scores in the US Open Cup win. Awesome effort and sweet 1st pro goal!!!

I think ZipsNation can do better than this type of comment.

Come to Akron Bronny!

It's a nice arena. Pretty bare bones in terms of decor in the common areas. Decent amount of concession space. Nice padded seats all around. Nice scoreboard and ribbon boards. Good sized parking deck right next door. All paid for by the local government, not JMU. Not a palace and not a dump. Still has that new arena smell. We will see how it ages.

Had a really rough year coming back from injury. Was not the same player as last year. Rarely attacked the basket and just settled for a 3 point shot. Further, he did not shoot the ball well from long range. I would think the coach guided him to seek another team but that is mere conjecture. Although he was a great guy, this is addition by subtraction with regard to how the team will be next year.

Love the breakdowns @catdaddyp!

Groce's son has Akron as a potential landing spot for his college career. Dartmouth is another D1 offer. Also offered by Wooster, John Carrol, Mount Union, and Baldwin Wallace

Despite his experience here, I think Arth is fairly well regarded in NFL circles. Some guys are great position coaches/assistants but don't have the administrative and motivational skills to be an effective head coach. Maybe he's one of those guys.

Coaching in the NFL is a riot. Once you're in, you're in. Jon Cooley, who Arth had on his staff here in 2019 and was on the Kent staff in 2018, is on his 2nd NFL team already.

I hope somebody gives him a shot. My fear is he will not test well and that will be frowned upon. His game speed is much faster than what a lot of players would test at because he reads and reacts so quickly. If that makes sense? It’s what separates many incoming freshman and younger players from the veterans. The vets can typically play faster because they are more comfortable and react quicker. I forgot to add his size would be a disadvantage as well. 5’10” 215 isn’t exactly what most pro teams are looking for. Assuming that’s his actual size at this point.