RoyalBlu

No doubt he's had some injuries, from what I've read. But he also led his team to a state championship game and was twice named POY in Indianapolis as a soph and junior. That said, it does not look like he has grown much or improved much. How that translates to the MAC, who knows. I understand the reservations, but 3-5 years ago getting a player with his credentials as a freshman in April signing period would be considered a plus. No matter what MAC school got him.

Judging from his stats, career, ... perfect example of a guy long on potential and short on 'game.'

One thing is clear ... MAC basketball should be a lot different next season. Only time will tell if it will be better. Ohio has made major inroads getting both size and proven 3-pt shooting out of the portal ... UMass has also added size to go along with a juco PG ... BG has gotten a quality player to return and added some size ... Toledo has added some perimeter experience and some unproven size ... Miami has lost some key pieces, but return as much as anyone in the league plus a stellar recruiting class ... CMU has a new coach from D-II, and has brought several of his former players/recruits with him ... Kent lost a trio of proven 4-year players (that might be a MAC trivia question/answer soon enough) but is still to be heard from re: portal pickups or new prep recruits. Of course now Akron has lost 3 starters - late - off its MAC title team to the portal. Actually 4 if you count Harris, who was starting before he was out with an injury. But returning youth/depth and a solid recruiting class should keep the Zips at the top of the heap -- with time and $$$ to help add to the roster as well. Different, yes. Better, who knows.

NATE had some 'credentials' and not just numbers beside his name. Kind of like winning an Oscar because you're in a great movie ... even though you are not the best actor. TJ has no comparqble credentials, and other than last season, showed no consistency to his game. He fits Akron's system perfectly ... but looking at the portal, there are MANY guards out there just like him. I say Akron has a better chance finding his replacement, than TJ has of finding a comparable winning situation like Akron. But hope the $$$ makes up for it.

Let's start with a baseline: With Groce as head coach Akron is a Top 4 team in the MAC. Period. The talent on hand and how the team progresses will determine the ultimate finish. Using the last two seasons as a template, the non-conference performance seemed to have as many questions as answers. The MAC regular season showed Akron as a Top 4 team in the MAC. The MAC Tournament showed Akron was a title game favorite/winner. As long as Akron lands in the same spot come March - playing for a tournament title - the process will take care of itself. Simply stated, Groce and Co. are likely in the office saying 'I'd rather be us than them.'

I take a different view ... big guys aside (they are rare and coveted) - there are a plethora of unsigned guards and wings in the portal, not to mention prep decomits from coaching changes and the ever available jucos. Time for Groce and Dustin to recalibrate and beat the bushes. As time goes by the asking prices will drop for guards and wings .... then they start looking for winning programs to validate their new decisions. Patience grasshopper.

Strictly a roll-of-the-dice player at this point. Nice if you can get him - AT THE RIGHT PRICE - but I wouldn't lose sleep over it. Style of play, especially for bigs, is an issue, too. And not sure if he is an Akron fit their, either. There are still post players out there. And don't forget, price comes into play now as well. Personally speaking, especially when it comes to a post player, I want to be comfortable with what I'm paying for. Guessing Akron/Groce are the same. Sad that college basketball has come to this. But it is the new normal.

Solid hire for the school and the situation. If CMU is committed to an old school 5-year plan the Chippewas should ultimately have some level of success. Upper Michigan has more than its share of talent as the plethora of success D-2 programs show. CMU is the kind of place where area kids from that region are not likely to jump ship (NIL/Portal) as quickly as others. Establish the program, then fill in with the portal; 2-3 years then solid MAC program. It's been done there before.

The above is very true ... which again begs the question why the Zips don't play more of these games.

Guessing another big is coming in ... No other reason to leave. Sadly, $$$ and minutes talk.

DITTO!!!!!

Great find, interesting website!!!

While it is clearly early ... It looks like Ohio has gotten better with two portal bigs. Seems like Miami will be a bit better just based on so many returnees and experience. Obviously Akron. After that, Toledo still searching for portal help. So is BG and Kent. No clue about UMass. But after that, doubt there is much of a potential threat in the MAC.

Frankly ... I'd rather see the money got to NIL over a new arena. Not sure I would have said this even 5 years ago. But Rhodes Arena has not kept Groce from landing some pretty good recruits. Until Rhodes consistently has 5,000 attendance ... even 3,500 consistently, Rhodes is just fine. Rhodes isn't keeping that extra 2,000 fans/students from consistently buying a ticket.

Miami, Ohio, Toledo and Akron were all ranked a lot lower than I would have anticipated. Thought Miami would have been in the top 100, Ohio inside 150. Toledo just a breath above 300 was a puzzle, too. Expected Akron to be about in the middle. As for Harvard ... that's said about almost all private schools, high school or college. Once you get in, they pretty much make sure you graduate some kind of way. It adds to their elitism.