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One thing to consider is John continues to have the chance to coach his son at UA - now what, only two years away from celebrating senior night with him at UA which you have to think would be incredibly meaningful. Another son in high school here. A lot of factors behind decision like this. Not to mention, his name could be floated around, certainly he’s established his reputation as one of the best mid-major coaches in the country, but competition for all of these jobs is fierce out there, no guarantee he gets any opportunity to leave.

I had a chance to talk to the Mahaffeys' mom before the PCCC tournament game. She and the whole family were there in UA/Mahaffey gear. I told her how much we enjoyed having her kids and what a fine job they did in raising them. I spoke to both of them at the Tip-off Reception and could not have been more impressed. She indicated they couldn't be happier. Here's hoping that carries over to transfer "silly season."

We need to remember that the pace at which the Zips play on offense detracts from their defense. You can't play at 100% on both ends of the floor. The highest scoring teams generally also give up the highest number of points. The Zips also make some choices in the defense they play. If you pay attention, you see them sag off on the side away from the ball to play help defense if necessary. That's great for helping in the post and on penetration but can be exploited at times on the perimeter. The team also has some players that just don't have the physical skills or size to be great defenders. Despite all of that they were 4th in average points surrendered in the MAC so it wasn't all bad.

You beat me to it @Zippy87! I think the big school vultures may come for Evan and Sharron. I have to hope that the way the Zips have treated the Mahaffeys this season will get him to stay. Sharron will be a junior and has been shown a lot of love and you have to hope that sways him. They're certainly the top returners (with Bowen if he gets another year). As for exits, I don't see a role going forward for Briscoe. I could also see Oggie being disenchanted with his role and moving on. Cody Head and the red-shirt freshman should contribute next year. Groce had a negative big school experience and I have to hope his very positive experience here and being the king of his kingdom is enough for him to resist approaches from other schools. They'll contend. They have the best staff and the best financial support in the MAC. Those alone will keep them in the mix.

Let's assume Brisco leaves but everyone else returns, that gives you three rosters spots to bring in talent. My dream offseason brings in three impact players: 1) Center/post 2) Stretch 4 3) Scoring guard C-Transfer/Barre F-Transfer/Stankovic/MMK W-Mahaffey/Henderson/Halligan G-Transfer/Head G-Young/Perkins

Tavari had 4 points on 2-10 shooting. I don't think we should judge the value of any of these players based on yesterday alone.

On the big stage, Hardman played 21 minutes and went 0-2 with 1 rebound and 0 assists.

Those 1 vs. 19 and 2 vs. 18 seed games would be glorious.

I think Cody Head will help at guard and I have it on good authority that he will be back.

Beyond the immediate money, there is the ecosystem: play professionally somewhere, Bud invests it, grow your nest egg, have a good life after your playing days. I wonder whether that is ever part of the deliberations.

We have addressed the need to figure out the center position one way or another with another portal acquisition likely. But I would also like to bring in another lead guard for a single season to give veteran leadership like Evan did for us. But in this case to help out Young and redshirt freshman Tai Perkins in the backcourt. Also, I think Oggie witnessed enough winning this year to be hooked and is hungry to take on the off-season.

And that's, frankly, why I have no worries this team will reach its ceiling more often than not. Groce gets the most out of these Zips teams.

I would like to see Bowen return to see if he could develop other parts of this game besides 3 pointers, driving to the hoop, rebounding, jumper. I thought his defense got better as the season progressed.

He had a year at OSU where he played 17 minutes. That's the year they're trying to get disregarded.

I'm not opposed to this, but it doesn't address the major problem college basketball is having. Basically, it's like crapping your pants then changing your shirt. The problem CBB is having is the regular season is getting squeezed out by the college football playoff and NFL playoffs on the front end leaving less time for regular fans to pay close attention so everything becomes about March Madness. My questions are these. Why does it have to be March Madness? Why couldn't it be April Madness? Could it be May Madness? Could the season be pushed back to starting a month later and have more time for fan interest to grow? Is it easier for fans in many parts of the country to get to regular season games in January/February or March/April? Now that the players are professionals, school doesn't matter so play whenever it makes it possible for people to be more interested in the sport.

I have a whole new appreciation for this guy.

Terry Pluto: Groce could be a hot name for several openings, such as Butler, where he once was an assistant. His mentor is Thad Matta, who is retiring as Butler’s head coach – but he will be part of the group looking for a replacement. But Groce also has been very content at Akron. He never seems to be looking for another job. He has something very special with the Zips and seems to know it. He will have to rebuild, as key players Lyles, Johnson, Scott and Evan Mahaffey are out of eligibility. Groce will probably figure it out and add players to keep Akron among the MAC’s elite programs. That’s something to remember on this day when the Zips’ season ended.

I hate that we have to go through this every year at this point. He could sign a contract until 2059 but the first thought after the season ends is “Is groce leaving?” It’s unfair to everyone involved in the Akron program that we can’t go 24 hours into the offseason before the speculation starts. It’s that deep-rooted P5/ESPN/SEC/Ohio State bias showing through

Not sure if it has been mentioned, but that no look pass by Sharron Young was sweet. This past week has been huge for my confidence in him taking over next year. He has such a high motor - can be really special.

I wouldn't be surprised if Dustin Ford was offered the job under said scenario. Especially since the closest thing to a Groce hire (coach with previous MAC success) would be Hurley and he doesn't fit the culture we've built. In that case I don't feel it's a given that either leave

OP updated with Tavari's final career numbers.

You're fun. Talk to the committee about who the better team is. Even without Toppin, Texas Tech was a 5 seed vs. Tennessee's 6 seed. Iowa State lost to Toppin-less Texas Tech. 39.3% 3P shooting team vs. 33.4% (Tennessee). The 3 ball is the great equalizer and Texas Tech is NASTY. Arguably would've been a 3 or 4 seed at worse with Toppin. Akron did matchup better vs. them, but that doesn't mean they aren't lethal when they're on. We still needed them to be off.

All of the teams that you cited aren't that much different than Akron. Akron was within 4 with about 8 minutes left. Sometimes those the times that Akron makes a run and it just didn't happen today. We played a good team but we no, were in no way overmatched despite the final score.

Assuming Groce stays and we don't have core players leave, we have a lot of work to do in the portal to contend next season. We have two openings right now, but three questions marks that could increase the number of spots available. Barre - he lost trust to the point where he played behind MMK most of the season. Did his injuries prevent him from ever getting comfortable here, or is he simply not a fit? He seems like a great young man, but I wouldn't be surprised to see him move on. Stankovic - Part of the rotation for the first part of the season, he fell behind Halligan and barely played down the stretch. I doubt that was his expectation when he came here - I wouldn't be shocked to see him leave. Brisco - Seems like a high character young man and you never like to give up on bigs, but he just doesn't look like someone you can count on to play next year, even 10-12 minutes per night. I can definitely see him moving to a lower division team.

You say that as though you can't run a shooter off the 3-point line. There are two sides of a basketball game. You can impact a game defensively despite what you may think. Edit: Go look at the boxscore. Tavari attempted 0 3PA. They ran him off the line and then forced him to drive where they had defensive help. Great defensive teams can take away what you do best.

Tough day for sure. But the memories of last Saturday night will never disappear. Can’t take that away.

Tough day. Great season. Thanks for the memories boys.

Somebody had the chance to title this thread Staying Close to the Vest, and fumbled 😉 Even with the NIL money, JG has to be feeling somewhat ceilinged at Akron. He is still young enough to want another crack at a P4 IMO.

Highlights. First goal build up starts at ~38 seconds 2nd goal build up starts at ~3:39

Took me way too long to realize they were not from NYC

Flint City gets the Cupset 2-0. 🤩

I'm not saying you can't impact the game defensively, nor am I saying Akron's 3P defense is anything to be proud of. Akron's key to success this year was shot making. We weren't built to play the lockdown defensive style you, Zippy87, and some others wanted us to play. Miami OH was shooting borderline logo 3s the other night and making them. High Point's #99 hit a logo 3 to get them back in the game vs. Wisconsin yesterday. You either make your shots or you don't and Akron didn't make enough; the opponents did.