Leaderboard

It would be great to bring that back. It’s call fan involvement. Just like if they did any brief coaches or player interviews after practices and/or games. Create some interest. When fans get to know, or learn something about the players and coaches they are more likely to have a connection with the program and get involved. This leads to interest, ticket sales, merchandise buying etc etc. I’m continually amazed why this isn’t done. Give an intern an iPhone and take 15 minutes before or after practice then post on social media - it’s really not that hard!

Agree. As a former OT with a big waist and even bigger feet, I enjoyed shopping Zips gear that actually fit. Plus it was great to pick up cleats for my three boys. Cheaper than Dicks and in sweet Akron colors.

Thad Matta, Chris Holtmann, and the Saint Louis HC all tweeted congratulatory videos to Groce. Butler, DePaul, and Saint Louis would all look great on the schedule. Just saying...

It's not strictly for bashing the rest of the league, but there doesn't need to be a concerted effort to constantly defend Kent like there has been on this board for the past 2-3 months; propping them up when they don't deserve it, defending their mediocre success, etc. I'm well aware of their undeserved NIT run this year and the historical differences between them and CMU. However, the MAC last year was the same exact rating as the MAC this year despite Akron & Miami OH being much much better. The last two years, CMU is 19-17 in the MAC. Kent is also 19-17 in the MAC. Kent had an opportunity at a NIT run this year because of LOSSES to UC Irvine, Auburn, and Bama. Otherwise, they've ultimately had the same success these last two seasons. CMU fired their coach. Kent extended theirs and doubled his salary (none of this even touches on the character problems that have been a constant at Kent under Sendy, or that Sendy allegedly doesn't even want to be at Kent but is too crappy to get hired by Fordham). That's funny, you're allowed to laugh, and it doesn't need explained away. Kent being an utter failure is the only positive in the existence of Kent; otherwise, they do nothing but harm the University of Akron by siphoning enrollment and funding in an already lesser-populated area.

As mentioned somewhere before ... It's a MAC Thread, indicating topics/comments about OTHER TEAMS from around THE MAC, - both to make fun of or not - are supposedly ok here. If this is strictly for bashing the rest of the league, ... then let's make that clear for all.

I have nothing positive, and will never have anything positive to say about Kent or Ohio U.

I used to work around the yard in a Bowden Football camp t-shirt I got in one of those grab bags. It was not a good advertisement for Bowden's camps!

Being 6'1, I was an easy target.

Oh my gosh it's an AKRON forum. If I want to make fun of Kent for loving & rewarding mediocre success, I'm going to make fun of Kent for loving & rewarding mediocre success. What is with the defensiveness when it comes to Kent on this forum recently?

Half empty? Half full? Kent went to MAC Tournament title game with a .500, 8th place MAC team last year, and to the NIT Elite 8 with a barely third place MAC team this year. You can use numbers to justify just about anything.

I still didn't think CMU was all that good that year. They went 12-6, but that was in large part because the MAC was very bad. When 2 cupcakes face-off someone has to win. They finished that season #277 in Kenpom and I imagine NET was similar. Personally, I think it's a positive for CMU. They could have continued riding it out with a coach that was below average (.417 winning percentage in MAC games), but not dumpster fire horrendous. By firing him they're saying they think they can do better. Maybe that means they plan to invest more in their program. Time will tell.

Wow, in 2023-24 he was 18-14, finished fourth in the MAC and was named the MAC coach of the year.

John Groce Named The Hugh Durham National Coach of the Year Award Recipient https://gozips.com/news/2025/4/3/mens-basketball-john-groce-earns-2025-hugh-durham-award

I hadn't been that excited since we were joining the ACC.

I still miss the sale the athletic department used to have in conjunction with the spring game. You could get some decent gear out of that sale. The grab bags were also a fun deal, especially if you wanted to add to your collection of Matthew Wilson bobbleheads!

In Bud we trust. Will the administrator please remove this topic for the next decade.

oh we get another year of NIU. yay