RoyalBlu

My guess is Zips or DePaul ... Akron only out of state team on his list, DePaul the only power conference team. All others pretty much the same.

If Zips are going to scrimmage YSU ... why don't we play them. Easy game for both. Ditto Cleveland State.

It's not unusual for a player to make a major jump between freshman and sophomore year once they have had time to process what they have gone through take one step back so to speak then take two steps forward. The sad part is the portal encourages quick exits before the player has a chance to go through the entire 'freshman' process. Wouldn't be surprised to see him back at the D1 level before his college career is done.

BG is the team to watch ... most new coaches to the MAC underestimate the competitiveness of the league, and the fact most teams have more than one 'rivalry game.' Losing skids can happen fast to the unaware, but this coach and the AD who hired him know the MAC. Would not be surprised to see BG as a Top 4 MAC Tournament seed, and a tough out in Cleveland.

Akron is by far the most accomplished program on that list. I'm guessing it's really a 2-team race: DePaul and Zips.

Less than a month before games begin. With no MAC media day to trigger conversation/debate here is one pre-season MAC prediction. 1. Akron - All the pieces in play with or w/o Ali Ali. 2. Toledo - Until proven otherwise, still a power. Is TK changing offense with a pair of 6-10 post players? 3. Ohio - Not much interior size, but tons of guards and wings that can score. 4. Kent - Maybe not the best, but teams will have to go through them to win it all. 5. B. Green - A proven new head coach with proven transfer talent coming in. 6. NIU - Quietly building a solid program that could tickle 20-wins. 7. Ball St. - Lost a lot of top tier talent to the portal. Lots of unknowns 8. Miami - Rebuilding program should be tough at home. 9. Buffalo - How the mighty have fallen. 10. Eastern Michigan - Like BSU, lost a lot to portal/NBA. 11. Central Michigan - Chips always have talent, but just can't seem to keep them around. 12. Western Michigan - Some veteran players of interest but lacking much depth. Overall: If the top six teams all become 20-game winners - and the bottom three are good for 10 or 12 wins - the league should be fairly strong overall. If 2/3 teams at the top can somehow break out that would be special as well.

Your point ... is on point. Bowling Green, 2002 I believe beat Michigan and had a strong non-con record, but lost three games to Kent (E8) and was snubbed for an at-large. In the Bracket Buster years I believe Miami defeated a top tier Mid-Major (can't remember who) and was snubbed. So there truly is no guarantee teams like 2018 Buffalo would have gotten an at-large if needed, based on NCAA selection history. ... What would be interesting, however, is seeing what happens when 2 or more MAC teams pull off non-con upsets then rank in Top 60 or so KenPom going into the MAC Tournament. Would that be enough to get that second bid?

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???