RoyalBlu

My last thought ... Hope I didn't mislead. I'm not saying the schedule is indicative of 2023-24 expectations. I am saying, with expectations this justifiably high, why not take a couple of shots at an upset. (BTW, to your point, the selection committee will say in March, to somebody but not necessarily the Zips, why didn't you play a 'tougher' schedule instead of 2 non D1s. Effectively measuring what is a very creditable UA schedule by the fact it does not have any P5s on it. Is that right? No Is that reality? Yes.

And just to be clear, gaining an a-large can be done WITH THIS SCHEDULE. But it means almost exclusively running the non-conference slate (and MAC slate), and then have most of those non-con teams in turn win/contend in their respective leagues. (I think Portage did this the year they were a No. 8 seed). But to me this scenario is much harder to do and is predicated on the ability of multiple other teams to step up as well. IMO, winning 1/2 PC games in non-conference, when you have a quality coach like Groce and a senior-laden team like this one, would be an easier challenge.

Everything you say is true ... except for one thing. The schedule hardly matters WHEN YOU LOSE. But if you play a top end schedule, AND WIN one or two of those top end games, you now stand a legit chance at being an at-large. MAC teams that have put themselves in that position (UB most recently) have won the MAC Tournament, keeping the MAC one-bid. That does not diminish the fact UB was primed to be an at-large, if needed. Again, not saying the schedule is bad. Far from it, and we have seen much worse over the years. Just saying not giving this team A CHANCE to make a splash in non-conference in my mind is a missed opportunity. We're only talking 1/2 games.

Not to be a debbie downer, as it's hard to disagree with Groce and what any reasonable MAC fan can see as well... but I just don't think the schedule - while solid - reflects the expectations inside and outside the program. It doesn't take much (see Portage Co. last season) to take a couple of chances on the road with a team like this to try and hit a home run. Worst case scenario, strength of schedule doesn't dry up even with a loss, as long as Zips hold serve where expected. And even quality losses (5-points or less) have shelf life, nationally, as the season wears on. Evidence: There are still national references to NCAA Tournament loss to UCLA from two years ago when talking about this team. Again, Solid schedule to be sure ... but a one-bid schedule IMO without running the MAC Tournament table.

True ... but ... as I understand it the key to a second - third- fourth- transfer and immediate eligibility is to already graduate. And it's my understanding Ali (when he transferred back to Akron) had not graduated. Has he graduated since then? I don't know. If he has, he should be eligible. If he has not, then he has to appeal, and that is not an automatic yes ... If he graduates at the semester break, will he be eligible then? I have no answers, just questions. PS ... With or without him, this should be a MAC/NCAA contender.

If this is official, it seems Ali Ali does not have to sit out as a second-time transfer, which is great news for the Zips.

I understand he is the real deal!!!!

FWIW .... found this on Xavier website re: prep team shootout at the school this summer. "Keep eyes on Eric Mahaffey for Moeller. Super young senior (still growing) but is coming into his own!! If I'm a low/mid major I'm throwing that kid an offer."

Pretty popular name in MAC circles as his dad (Miami) and brother (Penn State/Ohio State) were pretty celebrated prep players ... guessing Zips see an under-valued recruit much like Ali Ali before him. Hard to think he didn't have anything to offer Cincinnati-Xavier-Miami-Dayton-Northern Kentucky somewhere along the line in his recruiting. But Zips have done well with these types of players in the past.

Guessing that means Zips are pretty close to getting Young ... gotta luv those PGs.

Generally speaking, you are right ... but can't remember NIU being ranked this high pre-season, or Ball State ranked this low. Also, still believe BG is being greatly under-valued.

Has there been any confirmation --- one way or another -- about Ali Ali eligibility???

Only 1 MAC rivalry game to end the season (OU-Miami) ... I think NIU, EMU, WMU is great to end the season as none of those teams will be in the MAC Tournament ... good time for roster tweeking, if needed. Also, don't understand why folks feel Buffalo is a team to be worried about??? ... Bowling Green, however, is another story.

C'mon, really. Maybe he has enough credits to join Ali Ali. Let's be a bit bigger/better than this.

If the promoters are smart they'll add at least one if not two more games to this lineup. Try to get Dayton or Xavier or UC to play CSU, OU, YSU or 'some other school,' then add some cheesy gimmick to it all to lure some casual fans. (Get Huggy to play Santa between games???). Make it an all day ticket. I'm guessing you could get 8-10,000 if promoted well.

Hitting a great 3-point percentage isn't the be all, end all for how he actually delivers. Does he hit the ones that really matter will be the key, and does he make up for poor 3-pt shooting with rebounds, assists and defense? He has to be an all-around player and not just an offensive trigger.

In alphabetical order, early projections for Top 4 teams in the MAC 2023-24: Akron - Senior leadership Bowling Green -- (pay attention people!!!!) Quality transfers galore Kent State -- They usually figure something out Ohio -- Good coach, still in the portal looking Toledo -- Rockets always have firepower everybody else ....

I think this is a very sober opinion that has to be factored into projections for the coming season. Which Ali will be back with the Zips???

This whole Ali Ali deal is starting to seem a little fishy. If he's coming, say so, and work out the details (academia???) later. Either he wants to be at Akron, or he doesn't. Be it now or 24-25. Either the Zips want him at Akron or they don't. Be it now or in 24-25. Or maybe I/we are just frustrated with the whole deal. Yes, he makes the Zips better, if/when he plays. But this is starting to have an air of entitlement about it, and I'm not sure that is worth it.

Not to be a debbie-downer but two questions?: 1. Nobody has said/confirmed Ali would actually be immediately eligible if he came back. I would not be surprised if he is, because likely more of his Butler hours are good at Akron than vice-verse when he left. But still. 2. In this portal era, it is not safe to assume everybody stays if Ali comes back (although hopefully all do). Does Dawson look to exit instead of stay???

I get the digs at "That" program ... but let's face it. A 1.8 GPA (if accurate) for a freshman athlete in any major college sport (FB, Mbb,) is probably more likely than not, no matter what school they are attending, including Akron. I would think any coach would be more worried about that overall FG % than fixing that freshman GPA. And let's not forget, Mr. Carry had a really bad FG % as a senior ... and still was a handful for most teams to deal with.

Copy-Cats .... Anyone notice the pattern of once Akron gets a MAC transfer player from the Portal ... Kent gets a MAC transfer player from the portal. It has happened again. CMU's Reggie Bass headed down the road.

I don't understand what you mean by "cheating out on basketball" ... please explain.

I'm guessing there is both a lot of truth and a lot of revisionist history going on here. Let's face it: (1) Both Sampson and Senderoff have gone on to better things in the last 15 years. (2) If Dakich knew so much hanky-panky was going on at his alma mater, I'm sure the NCAA would have gladly listened and threw the perps under the bus. Instead the NCAA wrist slap for both was for illegal cell phone calls -- that became NCAA legal shortly afterward. That said, if Sampson and Senderoff are such bad coaches, what does that say about Dakich, who can't sniff a basketball job. Daffy Dan was a great sideshow and coach his first tour of duty at BG ... but once he accepted/turned down West Va. he kind of showed his true colors. And when he went back to BG his players never respected him again. That Sampson, McCallum and Senderoff all became head coaches after Indiana's NCAA sanctions says more to me about the severity of the miscues, ... just as Dakich' failure to land another head job speaks for him. I'm sure Indiana would have hung all three (Sampson-McCallum-Senderoff) out to dry w/the NCAA if that would have cleaned out the Hoosiers closet. But it didn't happen. We all have opinions about the quality of their coaching ... but the fact at least Sampson and Senderoff have had a relatively high level of success for a long period of time kind of speaks for itself. And for the most part over the years I believe the Zips vs. Senderoff have had the better of the matchups ... which is what really matters.

Sorry ... did not mean to denigrate? After two close losses last year Akron most likely wins no matter what. Third game theory. Just trying to say that gameplan and that defense was the difference ... and made stronger w/o Jacobs, who to me is the key to Kent, not Carry. IMO.