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I’ll start with one of the most obvious items - NIL. Bud has done a great job getting us to where we are (and I’d assume there are others involved as well), but it shouldn’t be all on him/them. Anyone reading this can contribute to the Fear the Roo collective. It would be more convenient if the process was easier, but all you need to do is email info@feartheroocollective.com to get things rolling. If you’re able to contribute, you may not think your individual contribution would make a difference. However,“collectively” us diehard fans can be the difference in keeping or obtaining a player that would otherwise go elsewhere. One player can be the difference. The program has a good thing going. In my mind we are currently in the peak of Akron men’s basketball. We have a great coach (who also seems to be a great person), who brings in players who are great representatives of our University, and have a guy leading the NIL who has a vision. Please consider playing a part in our program taking the next step. info@feartheroocollective.com

When Ohio State lost to Oregon this year (the same team they clubbed in the Rose Bowl), Urban Meyer said a big reason was the Buckeyes non-conf schedule. He said the speed and athleticism of Oregon was unlike anything they had seen. Basketball is different but maybe the Zips need to see a Big Boy in December every year so they know what it looks like in March. The Sun Belt and Ivy League aren’t Big Boys. Still, great year, great program and a great coach.

I'm sure P5 teams watched us last night and thought no way we'll ever schedule that juggernaut

More importantly you have to win the measuring stick games. Had we beaten St. Mary's and Yale during OOC play we probably would have been a 12 seed. Scheduling tougher doesn't mean anything if you just lose those games by double figures.

The reality is that as a MAC basketball program this is about as good as it is ever going to get. Maybe someday you might pull off an upset and make it to the round of 32. The only way for it to get better would be for the university and athletic program to completely sell out for basketball, abandoning the financial commitment to the other sports in the athletic department (within the limits of Title IX). That then takes you out of the MAC and searching for another conference. I don't see the university doing any of this. It was a wonderful season. It ended on a down note but it sure was fun in 2025. This was a great group of kids and their comradery and fun nature wore off on Zips fans. We'd be blessed to get most of them back next year and with fewer new faces the team should come up to speed much faster next year then they did this year. Go Zips!

Groce is right. Akron's schedule was 'competitive.' The two Sun Belt games, Milwaukee, Yale are the 'competitive' non-conference games Akron should be playing. Akron's non-con SOS was second-best in the MAC per Kenpom. However, the Zips never played a game above their class. That is the measure, especially going forward. Being 'Best in (Mid-Major/MAC) Class' is great in and of itself. But the object is to step up, in non-conference. Can't wait until the NCAA to see how you measure up. Those recently successful Buffalo MAC teams 'played up' often in the non-conference. That is where Akron has to step up, especially if the bulk of this still young team returns for 2025-2026. If that means a 25-win season instead of 28, that is worth it.

Tavari stepping up. Shammah and Lyles holding their own. Everyone else is not playing well enough for us to win this game.

The difference here is Steph played at Davidson and seems to have passion for it. LeBron, post Dambrot, is more likely to be found sitting courtside at OSU or Duquesne than at an Akron game. Maybe it changes in the future post retirement, but outside of sending out an occasional tweet, he doesn't seem all that interested in Akron basketball at the moment.

This could be stupid but I want people’s opinion…. Would it help the program if instead of the Nike logo we put the LeBron logo on the jersey. Just like Carolina puts the Jordan logo on the jersey. also can we get LeBron to be assistant GM just like Steph is doing for Davison. I know NIL is important and we have a billionaire who has ties to the program.

The 'They won't Play us' argument is old and outdated. Teams can find those. games if they want them. Just commit to playing on the road. Coming off a 30-pt NCAA Tournament loss, make that November game a 20-pt loss. Then make the next NCAA Tournament game a 10-pt game where the pressure now shifts to the higher seed to win down the stretch. At worse you look like Bobby-MO vs. Alabama. At best, you get the upset.

I second, Third. The Collective. Only three of us in this string have commented to The Collective To be Honest, have not contributed. But I am going to look into. I struggle as to contribute to the university or collective. (yea both). Have not bought into the whole NIL thing. But that said I need to pursue. Even if its only $25. With Groce and Wentz there is a window here.

The same issues that plagued us earlier in the year against Yale and St. Mary's (which is on par with those P5 teams you wish we scheduled) resurfaced when we faced a similar type team. We were able to mask those weaknesses during MAC play as no MAC team had the size and athleticism on their front court that an Arizona or St. Mary's has. We could get away maybe playing someone like Harris as our starting PF, but asking Gray to guard someone who is equally athletic and is 5-6 inches taller was just never going to work. So much talk about how Akron was unlucky that Arizona shot the ball well. They shot it well because they had so few contested shots. All their shots were for the most part wide open 3's or shots in or near the restricted zone. Excluding the first half turnovers, they ran a clinic on how offense should be ran.

Still think if Ali hadn’t transferred that 22-23 team could’ve been lethal. Would’ve beat Kent and Toledo at least

I would think that the next step is to win a winnable game in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. Akron had the talent and coaching to win yesterday. They didn't for a lot of reasons with two key reasons being unusually bad shooting by the Zips and unusually good shooting by Arizona.

Cheese, Banks, Williams, Christian-Jackson…that was the crew that had the best chance to do some post season damage. Elite shooting, size, height, athleticism. Oh well…

I hate that now all this team will be remembered for by media, casual fans, and postseason recaps will be that we got blown out in the first round (again). And I really don’t think it was a matter of a “bad matchup” (we got beat fair and square), people that don’t follow the team like us will just point to that and think this team wasn’t anything too special. Of course this team was special, no other Akron team has ever won 28 games before! And it’s not just due to a down conference, this team was special and I hope people remember it that way

I'll start: - I don't think this roster composition will work if you want to beat better teams. Tonight was basically a replay of the St. Mary's game in November. Milwaukee and Yale both beat us up pretty badly on the glass, too. - Losing Harris after 6 games really hurt. His size and scoring ability would've helped in a game like tonight. Aside from the Johnsons, we really lacked guys that could create their own shot. - We desperately need to add a skilled post player. Lyles grew a ton this year and I can't wait to see what he does as a senior. I also think Okonkwo can be serviceable. But you can't run this back next year with just them and hope for a different result. - I really hope the core of this team returns. I'm sure several of them will get NIL offers elsewhere. I hope what we can offer + the Akron culture + a chance at a 3-peat and another shot at March glory will keep them here. - We are now 0-7 in the Tournament. The criticism of KD was his inability to deliver a Tournament winner (0-3 here) and Groce now faces the same challenge (also 0-3 here). I very much believe he can do it. - We have to keep the momentum built toward the end of the year going. I'm not sure why it took Charles leaving for it to get moving, but I loved what I saw with social media, promotions, marketing, just a different energy around the team. It makes a difference with fan engagement and how this team is viewed externally.

I am more embarrassed by this effort than Detroit. Between Abreu being a moron and half the team being sick, they had an excuse.

Thanks for the Season guys. I had a lot of enjoyment watching our team this year. Good luck to the seniors, and I hope everyone else returns next year. Thanks to the coaches as well. GOZIPS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

No reason at all we can’t rule the league and give this another shot next year.

Too. Small.

Will Arizona finish with more blocked shots or dunks? Blocks leads by one, 7-6.

I have just shared my frustrations with the state of the MAC and college basketball in general. But I too want to thank the guys for an entertaining and successful year. And even though we the fan base are dying to get this NCAA monkey off of our back, this year was another step in the right direction. And every player who contributes along the way is appreciated and deserves to be celebrated. So thank you to Seth, Isaiah and Evan. You all seem like great dudes and it’s been a pleasure watching from afar. And now, Tavari, back in the weight room with you. Marvin and Amani improve your driving and shooting and Okonkwo, free throws and finishing around the rim. Because we know Groce & Company with the help of Bud Wentz are not quitting. And I’m not going anywhere either. I have a scholarship chart that apparently needs a couple more spots added to it. Go Zips!!

Playing in the MAC holds the program down. You're never going to attract the top talent as long as you have to commit the resources across all of the different sports to remain in the MAC. There are certainly across the board benefits to being in the conference but being in the MAC does no great favors for basketball. It's all a balance.

With so many players that can come back. I would assume the back ups have a decision to make. Come back and be a back up or go to another team and maybe start. With the 10 man rotation that will help people stay as everyone plays but here is the list to watch for me T. Johnson, N. Johnson, Lyles for sure coming back Scott, Okonkwo I believe they stay Hardman, young, MMK, Harris, 2 redshirt freshman. Are the question marks.

THE NEXT STEP ... has been there for half the MAC over the last 20 years. For the most part, THE NEXT STEP has ultimately been backward. Ball State, Miami, Ohio, Buffalo, and arguably even Toledo have all been poised for THE NEXT STEP but just haven't taken it. As for Akron and Kent, both programs are just sitting on the fence, IMO, capable of falling on either side. Why? Because it takes a serious longterm commitment by the administration to invest in the on-court program, facilities, coaching salaries, advertising, scheduling not to mention NIL. It shouldn't take 15 years to get a practice facility, much less upgrade the arena. It shouldn't take another MAC team to pay its coach a top tier salary, to get you to respond in kind. It should be part of both the athletic budget and the university budget to advertise/promote the team. And so on. Akron and Kent are on the fence, capable of falling into a hole on one side with the loss of a coach or falling 'up' with the right administrative investments. Saying, 'the same for football' is BS, unless the team has reached the point it's a consistent 7/8-game winner-bowl participant/and winner, and regularly sending picks to the NFL Draft. And that's not happening anywhere in the MAC, with the exception of Toledo. For marketing purposes, Ball State, Miami, Ohio Buffalo, Akron, Kent all need to look in the mirror and admit a little more $$$ into men's basketball will go a lot farther than a little more $$$ in football. By a long shot. Until MAC administrations face that fact, (Fill in the school name) will always be a big fish in a small pond. But what's happening now is, mid-majors are no longer big fish in small ponds, but flopping fish searching for air in a fast-sinking pool of water. Head for the lake and swim, instead of gasping for air.

Without knowing what the other players plans are, this would give us a solid foundation to build off of.

I have said the same thing over and over again. Maybe they will listen to you.

I really enjoyed the Alabama St. game this year (SWAC) but I agree we need to scale back on the D-2 & lower schools. One per year. 1st game of the year. Home opener. Drill Walsh or Malone or Heidelberg or someone. But THAT'S IT. ONE PER YEAR.

I saw Mahaffey play in high school & he's legit. 6'5" & athletic. But there's no way that as a true freshman he was grading out higher in practice than anyone on the team, is there? Speaking of Mahaffey, I was going to mention that we're going to have two tall, athletic guards next year in Mahaffey and Josh Henderson (though Josh will only be true freshman). Both athletic 6'5" guards. Josh can shoot the lights out. With one more off season of work I think Amani will be a great Stretch 4 next year. Perhaps 1st Team All-MAC good.

They just mentioned on the March Madness telecast that there have been far fewer upsets in the tournament the last 2 years, which happens to coincide exactly with the NIL era combined with the transfer portal.

As a wise man said ( @csims0917 😉) "We're in limbo." I wish our Big East soccer buddies would throw Men's Basketball a bone or two with scheduling.

The players who made their intentions known during locker room interviews at Climate Pledge Arena are redshirt junior guard Nate Johnson, junior guard Tavari Johnson, senior guard Shammah Scott, senior forward James Okonkwo and junior forward Amani Lyles.

Exactly. As disappointed as I am with the ending. We had a great season. Remember we lost our best 3 players last year. In my opinion, we are losing. #6 and #8 this year. The future is very bright.

The MAC needs new leadership. This is ridiculous. Have some pride man. Or are you being compensated for letting the MAC become a farm system for the power conferences? Inquiring minds want to know.

To look at it a different way, we were the only Ohio program to make the 64 bracket, and the only Ohio public college in the tournament. There’s that I guess.

I think we will have a good chance of being invited to a quality tournament next year. Granted we retain our core squad. But this year was a rebuilding year and the offers were probably not very exciting or beneficial.

To offer an actual constructive comment, I think our best bet is to get bigger at the wing. A 7' would require us to play a half court offense as they can't run up and down the floor. Lyles could play some minutes at PF, but Okonkwo would be a clog to the offense as he doesn't have much range. Adding an Ali Ali type and pairing him with Harris would give us a lot more size in the starting 5 at the 3 and 4 position. It would also allow us to keep our fast paced offense. Embrace the positionless basketball movement.

I don’t disagree at all (aside from the fact that Kent was a true rebuild as they returned Sullinger and VCD, but that’s beside the point). Those games aren’t necessarily about winning. If we do, obviously great for various reasons, but if not we still get the benefit of having film against high major competition to help prepare us in the tourney and it appears losses against good high majors could actually benefit us in seeding when you consider the Miami/Kent drama in the NIT selection.

Schedule The schedule this year featured 4 NCAA tourney teams - Yale, Saint Mary's, Omaha, Alabama State. 4 other teams were top finishers in their conferences/conf tournaments. Alabama State gave Auburn a run for their money. Yale gave Texas A&M a run. Did Auburn & Texas A&M not schedule tough enough opponents in the regular season? The games are played for a reason - results vary day to day and sometimes you have it, sometimes you don't. When Harris got hurt, we lost our stretch 3. I don't know if he helps you in the paint, but at 6'8" with 3P capabilities, he would've helped you vs longer, more athletic teams. I would love to see a lower tier P4 or 2 on the schedule not for the experience against potentially more athletic/talented teams, but to win one or 2 so this program under Groce gets the confidence that they have, not that they "can". Groce has been close vs a couple P4s, but hasn't gotten over the hump at Akron. Need to break through that glass ceiling. Roster Unless there's a drastic shift in the team's mindset, the entire core (except those who are graduating) should be returning. That means another year of development for guys like Okonkwo, Lyles, Hardman, etc. Sounds like we will most likely be bringing in a more P4 big man, which will allow Amani to move into more of the stretch 3/4 role. We'll have a plethora of guards, although I would like to see them bring in someone with the Tyler Cheese build/skill set. Nate is more of a 2/3 than he is a 1/2, so having someone that can increase the size of our backcourt while also being able to handle the backcourt duties would be nice. Otherwise, this roster is fantastic, they just need to keep improving and focus on executing when it matters. Misc. Something that hasn't really been talked about is Dustin Ford. Wentz made the comment during one of his podcast appearances that Ford will most likely be highly sought after as a HC. I really hope we don't lose him.

If I have anything to say about the lineup, next year would look something like: Tavari/Young/Shammah Nate/Shammah/Hardman Harris/Nate/Mahaffey Lyles/Harris transfer Center/Okonkwo/Briscoe(?) To me, that gives us an adequate blend of size/talent/athleticism/shot making ability.

To take the next step... Keep Groce. Keep our players. Akron guys. Need more size at the wing and another big. In the MAC, centers are 6'8" and 225. The wings for Arizona and other major conferences are that size. We got destroyed inside by St. Mary's and Arizona. I often wondered if we would ever see Lykes and Okonkwo in the game together. I don't recall them ever being in the game at the same time. I know that is to protect against fouls. We need that size against teams like Arizona.

My wishlist for next year. We need to get taller. A legit center. 6'10. That would move Lyles and James O. to power forward. Even if that big guy only plays 12 minutes a game. 6'6"-6'8" guard. Another Ali type player. As far as OOC schedule. A10 team. A lower level Big Ten or Big East team. Another Ivy and Horizon game.

Totally agree. Schedule a big dog or two.

We just ended a historic season for Zips basketball. Unless you win the NCAA championship, every team ends the season on a down note. We were all moderately perturbed and disappointed by the end of 2024 but this guard heavy team really turned it on in 2025, dominating the MAC season. Their was a lot of growth in the team with guys like Nate, Tavari, Amani and Shammah making huge steps in their games. There are some critical comments on here occasionally about Gray but that kid came to play every night, often forced to take on the other team's second big. Young looks to have the brightest future of anyone on this team. Hopefully, he won't get stolen away. I'd like to see Okonkwo commit the offseason to building his strength, shooting free throws and working on his hands. I'm really looking forward to seeing Mahaffey. I think he could be the bigger wing this team has missed. On to 2025-26.

With 7 of the top 10 contributors back (presumably), one would hope it’s not a real hectic portal season. Could definitely use one guy north of 6-9 who can mix it up inside. Future is bright with this coach. Some day, we’ll get the right matchup and advance.

At least Shaka just lost.

Imagine if we could make a layup or mid range shot.

Getting absolutely killed on the boards

Okonkwo needs to work all summer at finishing around the rim. Would unlock so much more from him.