kreed5120

I actually meant to click 71-100 for rushing. That's what I get for trying to vote before my morning coffee ?‍♂️

Good, we need that last line of defense. We've been getting badly beat over the top.

@Z.I.P. I appreciate you sharing your story. I'm not sure its that people don't care. I think everyone has just came to the realization that barring some surprise 8 figure donation that a new arena isn't going to happen anytime soon. I'm not sure if you recall, but a few years ago the city actually did try to get a downtown arena paid for by including it as part of a ballot issue that would have raised sales tax. The arena was removed prior to election day as tax payers made it clear they didn't want their tax dollars used for it. The sales tax increase measure still ended up failing. The University itself is facing its own well documented budget problems. The money isn't there for an arena. Personally, I know the JAR is a bit dated relative to these cathedrals we've come used to experiencing in the sports entertainment world, however, it's structurally fine and completely serviceable. The University trying to keep up with the joneses is what has gotten it in the financial mess that it is currently in. Getting the annual budget into the black should be the Universities main focus.

If I had to guess I'd say it's because that's not a glory position so the best athletes aren't "wasting" their time with it. I'm getting even a little more off topic here, but just want to answer your question with an example. I'm not a huge soccer fan, but am a casual follower. Those that have followed the game more closely told me the one position that the US consistently produces elite talent at is goalkeeper. The reason they said we're able to do that is because kids here growing up view that position more highly than other countries where they treat it like being a catcher in baseball so US goalkeepers typically attract a higher caliber of athlete than other countries to the position.

I honestly don't know what to expect this season. I think we can potentially be pretty good in a pretty down MAC or we might struggle to even make it to Cleveland. Xeyrius sophomore year at Dayton was pretty great. His junior year was pretty terrible. Cheese at times showed flashes that he could be an All-MAC caliber player and at times was just invisible. LCJ I think can be good for us if he doesn't force too many low percentage shots. Hopefully a season of experience under Banks and Roscoe's belt will make both more comfortable on the floor. Riak should anchor what I expect to be a really good MAC defense. Hopefully he worked on some hand eye control as if he could just catch and dunk a simple dump off pass, I'll be happy. It's guess work what we'll be getting from anyone else.

You're comparing apples to oranges. Your definition for basketball success is that Akron had to win the title game while Akron football just had to make it to the title game. Dambrot made it 9 times to the title game, winning 3 times. Bowden made it to the title game 1 time, winning 0 times. Honestly, I don't see how the two are comparable at all.

Where are you inferring that? The program has stunk for the 30+ years that its been in FBS and that includes the 7 years that Bowden coached it. If you want to go ahead and say that Bowden was the best coach in those 30 years that's fine and I won't argue that point, but that's like calling someone the tallest midget. The guy went 35-52 overall and 23-33 in MAC play. He's not gods gift to the Akron football program like some people are trying to make him out to be.

Bowden had only 1 winning season in his entire tenure here. You guys are making it sound like we fired Bobby Bowden. He needed to go. Arth may or may not end up doing worse, time will tell, but I'd rather the program strive to try to be great (even if it fails at achieving it) than just settling for 5-7 seasons.

We lost a ton of talent on the defensive side of the ball and it's not like the team was even that talented last year going 4-8. I was expecting a rough season, but we may end up being worse than I expected. Hopefully some of the underclassmen can use this season as a way to progress so the season isn't a complete lost cause. I'm kind of treating this as a year 0 for the current coaching staff.

Does anyone know when the full schedule will be published?

I expect to see a lot of growing pains this season. I'm optimistic for the long-term future, however, I'm seeing 4-8 this season. I'd love to be proved wrong.

I'm just taking it as someone who we thought was on scholarship this year is in reality paying their way. Perhaps with a promise to be on scholarship next season. You see that type of stuff happen in football all the time.

WVU, Louisville, Marshall, and potentially Liberty (if that's who we play game 2) should all be pretty good tests. UMass and Tulane should offer us opportunities to pick up some wins over teams from more prestigious conferences. The rest so far look like legitimate cupcakes. Cleveland State may end up giving Chicago State a run for their money as being the worst team in D1 basketball given the recent mass exodus of their players. Overall I'd say the schedule is alright given where we're at in our rebuild.

I haven't received anything yet about renewing, but thanks for bringing it to my attention. I'll certainly try to take advantage of it.

? Mr. Moneybags here with his court side seats

It should be a good boost to the local economy. It's suppose to bring 1500 jobs to Akron with all 1500 employees making at least $15/hr. Also, Amazon does offer programs to help pay for employees higher education so it may lead to a small uptick in Akron's part-time student enrollment. All-in-all I'd say this should be more beneficial to the local economy than a Community College would have been.

These are the OOC games I've heard of so far. I'm not sure if the list is 100% accurate. In total it's either 10 or 11 games depending how many games we play as part of the "Battle of the Capital" tournament. This means there is still somewhere between 2-3 games left TBD. Of those I'd expect one to be some random NAIA team. @WVU Cleveland State (not sure where the coaches vs. cancer game will be played this year) @Marshall UMass @Louisville YSU N.C. Central USC Upstate Akron's also participating in the Battle for the Capital, which is a 4 team tournament. The field includes Liberty, Towson, Tulane, and obviously Akron so we're likely playing at least 2 of those team, maybe all 3.

I suppose it's possible 1 or 2 of the "incoming freshmen" are going to play at a prep school for a year.

You can watch replays of the game on ESPN+. I did for 1-2 basketball games that I missed.

I don't know the real solution. As @clarkwgriswold said season tickets are already insanely cheap. It comes out to like $4 per game for GA admission. I do agree single game tickets should be more like $8-$10 per game instead of $15-$20 at least until demand indicates otherwise. Even with reduced prices I don't think we'll see attendance improve much. Students can get in for free and they still don't show up. It's all about trying to create that fun atmosphere to make going to the game on a Tuesday night "the cool thing to do". I for one would like to see better promotions. Maybe have a dollar dog night or buy 1 get 1 ticket night. I was watching an EMU game on ESPN+ and they had craft beer night where you paid $x-number for a ticket, got x-number of drink tickets, and a GoT themed stein that read "House Eagle". Of course doing a promotion like that would require the JAR opening up beer sales.

Considering the athletic program is operating at a $20+ million annual deficit and there is talks of slashing the athletic budget, I'd agree it is already in a world of hurt.

You seem to be just furthering my point. If you can't get students interested now what's the chances of getting them interested once they graduate? The basketball program is going to be in a serious world of hurt 20-30 years from now once us old geesers are gone.

They might be a recognizable brand if you're in your mid 30s+, but to the average college age student they're just another team that doesn't move the needle whatsoever. They've made the tournament only 1x this century.

He appears he has quire a few D1 offers and I'd say Akron is probably his best offer with either Sam Houston State or Louisiana Tech being the next best. http://www.verbalcommits.com/players/kenneth-lofton-jr

According to this we're going to be in the Global Sports Classic. It's a 5 team field, however, only 3 teams have been selected thus far (Akron, Louisville, and NC Central). https://www.bloggingthebracket.com/2018/10/24/18020280/2019-20-college-basketball-early-season-tournaments-events-mte-neutral-site-showcases-thanksgiving