Rufus

Pavaletzke has been a fan favorite in Athens the past two years, but he's not without his weaknesses, which I think is why it's a little more subdued reaction. He's not a strong perimeter shooter and can be taken advantage of on the defensive end. As for Boals, I think the last 3 or so years have been pretty "meh" for him. He's had a few solid transfers, but also missed/whiffed on several. There was already unrest, feeling like we have clearly slipped below Akron/Toledo/Kent...now add Miami to that group pulling ahead. I think Boals has to show the fan base he can get this program back up into that mix as a threat to win in Cleveland. We're not there right now.

We really have no idea what to expect in Athens. The international guys sound good on paper but how will they translate on this side of the Atlantic? And to be 100% honest, Boals' track record the past few seasons doesn't inspire the most blind belief that this group will be any different from the last one. It feels like a significant recruiting change from previous years, maybe an attempt to salvage jobs here.

As a Bobcats lifer, all I can say is I/we know the feeling. Groce being wildly successful from Day 1 at Akron unfortunately puts the writing on the wall that he will be hired away.

The final score isn't going to show how competitive you guys were today. Good fight, Akron. Tech was white hot this second half. I thought when Watts fouled out that might have been the break Akron needed. Still nothing to be ashamed of for your fan base.

I know, but you're going to get another crack at them.

I'm late to the party here, but from this Bobcat's perspective: 1) You guys play a great brand of basketball. It's effective and fun to watch (even as you beat us soundly). 2) Whoever pulled the first "That's my man" bit during Breath's free throws early in the game...10/10 on timing and delivery. Well done. 3) Please beat Miami.

To quote my 9 year old son playing Fortnite, "We're cooked like fried chicken."

Hell of a season, Zips. I had hopes that Akron could hang tough with Arizona, but that was a tough matchup across the country. Akron was the best team in the MAC all year from the start of the conference season through Cleveland. I look forward to our battles next year, as always! Much respect. 🫡

Creighton was a really tough matchup. I watched them several times this year, including when they blew out #1 UCONN. They have a pretty high ceiling, and Shereef Mitchell at Ohio came from Creighton (where he didn't play much). Creighton is a talented bunch. Congrats on the MAC tourney win, it was much deserved. We'll see you all in Athens in 10 months or so. 👍

Congrats on the tourney win in Cleveland, now go get the MAC a W in the Dance! Side note, if nobody up there makes t-shirts that say "Kent read, Kent add, Kent St." I am going to be very disappointed in all of you. 😁

From my side of the aisle, I will agree, the officiating was horrible both ways. It drives me nuts when officiating is wildly inconsistent. Allowing hacks and slaps one possession and calling a touch foul on the next. Late in the game, there were two possessions close together where an OU player and Freeman were tangled up and fell out of bounds with no call, then a Jaylin Hunter 3 attempt where he clearly got hit on the shooting arm...no calls either way. Shortly after, touch fouls were called both ways. Aside from all of that, it was a great game and atmosphere. Official attendance was around 5700, but the place went from pretty silent with Akron up 10 to really loud after the 10-0 run to tie the game. It stayed loud the rest of the way. I thought we did a pretty solid job on Freeman most of the game, but when the double didn't come or was late, he was nearly unstoppable. Both teams traded blows most of the game. I thought Ali was going to single handedly take it over late when he put Akron up late in the game. We seemed to struggle a lot when we had to sit Clayton/Hadaway and had some funky lineups with some foul trouble. Great game to see in person, and maybe not the last time we see each other this year.

We had 9,018 in the building last weekend when Miami came to Athens. It's been a while since I have seen the place that crowded.

Outside of a couple of games, Hunter has struggled big time from the arc. Last year's 3-point percentage from him seems to have been an anomaly. At least to this point.

Not yet.

AJ Brown is done for the year and Elmore James likely will not play, so 40% of the starting lineup is out. Generally speaking, we don't shoot it well. Or rebound well. Or win tight games. I'd be surprised if Ohio can keep this game within 10 points. EMU rolled over and played dead on Saturday, I don't expect Akron to do that.