RoyalBlu

As we close in on the middle of May, I encourage those of you who are interested to check out the new players arriving at Bowling Green, Toledo, Ohio, Eastern Michigan, Central Michigan and Kent. The only prediction I will make is I believe the MAC Middle will be pretty thick next season, and the bottom (NIU-Buffalo aside) rank a bit higher. Generally speaking, it looks like everyone went for size, even if it was more 6-5 to 6-7 wing types, but there are some 6-9 plus guys coming into the league as well. Another interesting tidbit; Miami, Toledo, Kent all have 4 or more freshmen coming in as well. Some of them will have to play.

I see where Harris signed with Cleveland State ... interesting. Thought he would get some A-10, Mo-Valley looks. Even other MAC looks. He didn't play much for Zips due to injury, but his West Virginia resume was pretty solid before that.

It would be sound to say, "Post Season Success" is what Akron is looking for. That might equate to a NCAA Tournament victory ... a 2 or 3-game run in the NIT ... or a championship run in whatever post season tournament the Zips choose to play in. The key here, no matter NCAA, NIT, Whatever, is to get into a 'one-and-done tournament vs. teams you probably don't know,... and rise above. Beating MAC teams you play 3-times a year, and beat, kind of loses its luster over 5-10 years, when that is as far as you get, year after year.

Not trying to 'hype' any team. Just saying take a look at what other programs are bringing in, and how these new rosters look. Yes, most of these teams lost a lot through defection, ejection or graduation. Just saying players these teams are bringing in seem to be interesting pieces. Doubtful any of these teams turn out like the Zips of last season - putting it all together to run through the conference - but, based on in-coming talent (?), the bottom of the league should be higher, the middle of the league thicker, and the top of the league about the same.

This probably belongs in another thread, but looking forward to next season, I would suggest checking out late recruiting being done by Eastern Michigan, UMass, Central Michigan, Toledo and even Kent. MAC teams will definitely be taking on some new personalities around the league. For example, CMU has picked up a pair of 7-footers, and a PG, former Michigan HS POY, originally signed by Michigan. Toledo, UMASS and EMU have hit the portal/juco hard. Kent has hit portal/HS ranks. Looking at some of those rosters is very interesting.

BG will be his sixth (6th) school .... Gotta luv the Portal

I understood none would play Akron ... that's what we always heard ... much less PAY Akron to play them. It's truly a new world we're living in.

'Nagging back injury' at 260lbs ... does not sound promising???

My guess would be Cleveland State or Youngstown

I'm not sure ... but I thought Euros were not eligible for NIL. Am I wrong about that????

Expecting Briscoe and Ravon to start is a real stretch IMO ... doubt if either are more than 12-15-min players before January; Ravon behind Safford, Briscoe behind Gillespie. And when is the last time a solid MAC contender (if Kent is one) started a freshman post player? That said, ... if one or both prove equal to their projections ... come February that could be a formidable MAC baseline, at least athletically, defensively and rebounding. There is no evidence any of those guys, including Gillespie, can be much more than 10-12 ppg scorers at this point.

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.