RoyalBlu
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Posts posted by RoyalBlu
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3 minutes ago, RoyalBlu said:
Would really like to know what the 'secret scrimmage' format was: Was it a 'game scrimmage' w/20-minute halfs and a break in between. Was it officiated? Was the scrimmage 2 20-minute halfs, 1-on-1s, 2-on-2s. Officiated? Was it more structured? 20-min man-to-man, 20-min zone and so forth? Was it fully officiated.
As you can see, these 'secret scrimmages' can have a variety of formats. So the final 'score' may not be really indicative of a true 'game' score. And again, officiating (or none) could make a difference as well.
In the end, not too bummed about the score.
BTW .... who remembers the year Akron blew the doors off Michigan in a 'secret scrimmage.' How did that turn out for Akron and for Michigan???
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1 hour ago, NWAkron said:
YSU wanted that scrimmage more. Bad omen. Fortunately, Groce's teams peak in March...or at least they did in 2022.
Would really like to know what the 'secret scrimmage' format was: Was it a 'game scrimmage' w/20-minute halfs and a break in between. Was it officiated? Was the scrimmage 2 20-minute halfs, 1-on-1s, 2-on-2s. Officiated? Was it more structured? 20-min man-to-man, 20-min zone and so forth? Was it fully officiated.
As you can see, these 'secret scrimmages' can have a variety of formats. So the final 'score' may not be really indicative of a true 'game' score. And again, officiating (or none) could make a difference as well.
In the end, not too bummed about the score.
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38 minutes ago, LZIp said:
Your post reads as you questioning whether Ali is eligible and also that he isn’t. Do you know something?
I know nothing ... (wish I did) ... I am questioning if he is eligible. I haven't seen or heard any official or unofficial word either from this board or from the athletic department. That's why I hedged a bit on Zips being consensus MAC favorites. Like I said ... Zips are certainly MAC favorites w/Ali, but just one of several contenders w/o him.
Hoping for the best ... but just my opinion.
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1 hour ago, zipsrowdy88 said:
One thing:
I’ve now heard on a few accounts that we just got a good ole fashioned ass kicking from YSU. Seems like they simply just wanted it more. Not super worried still, but definitely nervous for this first game. SDSU is LEGIT! We are favored tho, sports books are not dumb.
Thoughts?
The big unknown ... X2. Was Ali Ali a participant in the YSU scrimmage, and has there been any confirmation Ali Ali is eligible for the season?
Having asked those questions I will say the Zips should still be solid contenders to win the MAC, but perhaps not solid favorites as they are now w/o Ali. That said, there truly is no solid MAC favorite, if the Zips aren't it. Ali lifts Akron above Ohio, Toledo and Portage, his loss just puts the Zips beside those three. At that point, the deciding factor is the best coach among the four. Hmmmm. Wouldn't want to put that to a vote (even knowing the answer) to keep from delivering bulletin board material.
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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.
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If Zips are going to scrimmage YSU ... why don't we play them. Easy game for both. Ditto Cleveland State.
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7 hours ago, Blue & Gold said:
Kobe Johnson scored 32 points last night as Walsh upset D1 Oakland. Good job, Kobe!
It's good he's found a level where he can excel, but what raises my eyebrow is that he did this against a D1 team. Every time he was on the floor with the Zips he looked like a deer in headlights and as if the defenders were just a little bit too quick for him & made him rush his shot just a bit too much.
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.
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41 minutes ago, Let'sGoZips94 said:
1. Akron
2. Ohio (Ike Cornish could be a force this year)
3. BUGS (the Southern Utah coach is legit)
4. Toledo
5. PCCC
6. Balls
7. NIU
8. Buffalo
9-12. Who Gives A 💩
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.
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2 hours ago, Let'sGoZips94 said:
Akron is by far the most accomplished program on that list. I'm guessing it's really a 2-team race: DePaul and Zips.
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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.
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46 minutes ago, mrelegazna said:
Like I said in an earlier post, I also lament that there are no high majors on this schedule, so we agree there. But the Can't schedule last season notwithstanding, it's not an automatic thing that surefire tourney-destined high majors are willing to schedule us.
On the other hand, we have ZERO teams scheduled outside of the top 200 at barttorvik.com (Kenpom rankings aren't out yet I don't think) except our opening round Cayman opponent. Instead, we loaded up on teams that are MAC-level and slightly better. I would rather have this schedule than one where we swap in, say, Michigan State and UNC but also swap out a couple for Chicago State and Utah Tech. We already know beating teams like Mississippi State doesn't really move the needle.
I love that. It's a steady diet of teams that are MAC level or slightly better, and that should have us greatly prepared for the conference season
At any rate, the only way a MAC school is going to get an at-large is if they run the table in non-con against mid- and low- majors, and Akron has never been able to do that. Indeed, Buffalo 2018 is the only example of any MAC school doing it that I can think of.While you may be right that losing to a Top 30 team might not count against you, you would have to beat everyone else either way. The committee has shat on mid-majors for like 20 years now. They will say, "Yes, team X beat Texas, but they lost to Gardner-Webb so ackshually they don't deserve a bid." Hell, the *NIT* is loathe to take on mid-major at-larges, and seeds them way too low IMO when they do.
To go undefeated against every team roughly at or near your average conference skill level all year is INCREDIBLY hard. That's why it's so rare. Even that Buffalo team laid an egg against Northern Illinois. So what I'm trying to say is, the at-large talk is very, very hypothetical/academic, and, IMO, doesn't hinge on whether we got that one annual-top-4-seed-tournament-team on the schedule.
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?
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2 hours ago, Let'sGoZips94 said:
Allegedly they had a P5 on the schedule and something happened with the tournament, so they had to pivot. It takes 2 to tango, and I'm not real sure too many P5s were looking for a last second add to their schedule to risk a potential upset.
My point is I don't think it's right to use the schedule as the barometer for the program's expectations.
My biggest gripe are the two non D1 matchups, but ce la vie. The rest will be fun.
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.
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2 minutes ago, RoyalBlu said:
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.
2 minutes ago, RoyalBlu said: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.
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.
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1 hour ago, Let'sGoZips94 said:
I don't think the schedule is a negative reflection of the program's expectations at all. In fact, the schedule says - at least to me - that Groce & co. expect Akron to be a top end mid major. It's a very competitive schedule, even with the fallout from the Mexico tourney we were supposed to be in.
PCCC played a difficult schedule last year. That prepared them so well, they were blown out by Indiana in the first round of the tourney. The difference between Akron & PCCC last year was roster experience/talent, not schedule difficulty difference.
The MAC is a one-bid league unless one of the teams has 2-3 losses max and loses late in the MAC tourney. Schedule hardly matters.
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.
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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.
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15 hours ago, LoyalZIP said:
Could be a special year, just gotta be careful of the expectations as a Zips fan. Opening in South Dakota is a hell of a challenge, and this board will probably melt down if there’s a bad showing out there.
I’m hoping the previously stated Ali status is true. I heard today that it wouldn’t be determined until closer to the season. Anyway, I feel with all the guys transferring now and getting waivers, there’s no reason Ali shouldn’t be able to play this year. There are guys on their 6th, 7th, 8th years playing without having to sit out.
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.
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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.
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I understand he is the real deal!!!!
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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."
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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.
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Guessing that means Zips are pretty close to getting Young ... gotta luv those PGs.
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6 hours ago, Let'sGoZips94 said:
What a pathetic conference. 7-12 have barely been competitive and have largely stayed 7-12 for the better part of 2 decades.
Also, I forgot Payton returns to KSUcks. I hate that guy.
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.
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On 8/25/2023 at 9:18 AM, zippy5 said:
feel like i've been hearing this since I was in school
Has there been any confirmation --- one way or another -- about Ali Ali eligibility???
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9 hours ago, clarkwgriswold said:
I can't be sure, but I strongly suspect it comes from the same advanced line of thinking that has the Zips playing PCCC in football on a Wednesday night. D!p$h!+$.
7 hours ago, Bigzip1 said:It does no good to have to play them our last game of the season knowing we’ll have to go thru them again to win the conference tournament. We know it’s most likely going to be a dog fight so it’s better to space the games out.
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.
2023-24 Season
in Akron Zips Basketball
Posted
The MAC is considered a 'guards' league ... but interesting that teams with the best 'proven returning guards' are picked third and fifth by the coaches. ... I believe Akron is a certain title contender, but with talented but unproven guards and still undetermined Ali Ali situation, the closer it gets to the start of the season the more uneasy it all seems.