Zippy87

Absolutely screwed by whoever is running instant replay. Wow.

I'd be curious to know if he had any two-way offers aside from Minnesota last summer. It always seemed like a curious fit to me - a legitimate Finals contender with a deep, talented roster - instead of a rebuilding/tanking team where more opportunity may have been available. Before the Pacers drafted him, the Minnesota Timberwolves, San Antonio Spurs, Los Angeles Clippers, Toronto Raptors, Golden State Warriors, Detroit Pistons and Utah Jazz were among teams he interviewed with. Maybe he can find his way to Utah or to the Clippers and have more opportunity.

How can you sell GA tickets without knowing the schedule though? I definitely understand what you're saying, I just think they're limited in what they can do.

I just locked in my seats the other day. I believe deposits were available the day after we won the MAC.

Worth noting just 71 players have filed as early entry candidates for NBA Draft 2026, the lowest total in over 20 years. With the player pool much smaller than usual, maybe there's a shot? I would think a summer camp invite, at least.

I don't have a negative outlook at all. It would be pretty hard to not take a step back from a 29-win team who went 17-1 in conference. I think we'll be good. I think we'll contend in the MAC. But I don't expect a team as good as last year, and that's OK.

Since joining the MAC, LCJ is the only guard who scored more points in a Zips uniform than Tavari. TJ is also 4th all-time in assists. Part of three MAC Champions, and last year doesn't happen if he follows Nate in the portal. I agree his last game was disappointing, but he had a major impact as a Zip.

My primary concern is that the majority of the roster was somewhere else last year. Two of the reasons we have been so successful are player development and a winning culture passed down from class to class. Freeman to Lyles. Castaneda to Tribble to Johnson. We don't really have any of that going into next year. The other thing we just don't know is how these guys will play in big games. I think we'll be OK, because I think every other MAC team took a step back and are dealing with the same issues. But I think it takes some blue and gold colored glasses to believe we'll be better than any of the previous three years. I'd love to be wrong, though.

I definitely expect a step back this season, but I expected one had Groce stayed, too. Tavari, Shammah, and Amani are all really tough to replace. With that said, I do think this team can be competitive in the conference, if for no other reason than I believe in Coach Ford.

Staveskie and Burton were the only players who started all year for the previous teams. Pence began the season as a starter, but came off the bench for the final 13 games (he did play well). Hammer Jr. (14.2 MPG) and White (8.7 MPG) played but not significant minutes. Wilson redshirted. We won't have many proven commodities to start the season, but there's plenty of talent and opportunity to show that talent.

White/Hammer Jr. Halligan/MMK Burton/Barre Pence/Head/Henderson Steveskie/Wilson/Perkins Obviously nothing set in stone and several guys who can play multiple spots. I have absolutely no idea how good they'll be, but there's talent on the roster for sure.

Players like TJ and Amani who stayed at one school their entire careers - in the MAC at least - are likely a thing of the past. If Enrique was a junior now, he'd probably be going elelsewhere. We are likely going to have brand new teams basically every year. At least under the current system.

He redshirted, but I am also not saying Akron is recruiting over anyone else because we got him. We have no idea what players like Wilson or Henderson for Ball State will do in the MAC.

Because they got a kid that averaged 3 MPG at TTU last year?

Rich Brisco committed to Rider.

Personally, I think this season will be unlike any other and damn near impossible to predict. Of the 15 players named as All-MAC 1st-3rd teams, I believe Luke Skaljac is the only one with eligibility remaining returning to his school. With so much turnover everywhere, I think it's damn near impossible to project who will do what next season. This level of universal turnover is unprecedented in the MAC. Now, that doesn't mean there isn't talent, or there won't be good teams. I just don't think we'll know who that will be until we see every team on the floor for 8-10 games.

"Our up-tempo style"

Agreed.

I'm not sure I agree with that last part. Your donations are investments in your university and its students, because I'm assuming you are personally invested in its success.

The difference IMO is that simply making the NCAA Tournament is bigger than anything the football team will ever realistically be able to do. I'd imagine a lot more people watch Match Madness (especially the first two days) than the Snoop Dogg Bowl, the Potato Bowl, or whatever other meaningless bowl game Akron would make.

People will always look for return on an investment. I donate and support men's basketball because I have seen my support and the support of others lead to consistent success on the court, MAC Championships, and NCAA Tournament berths. The sad reality for football is we haven't had a winning record in the conference in almost a decade. We've only had an overall winning record in 9 of 40 seasons, and only 1 of the last 20. The ceiling for the program is winning the MAC and playing in a smaller bowl that only matters to fans of the two teams playing and degenerate gamblers. And we are pretty far away from that ceiling. I attend a football game or two each year. I obviously hope they do well. But I can't blame fans/alumni for not giving their hard-earned money to the program instead of giving to men's basketball, men's soccer, or another winning program at UA.

Home opener should be Deborah Cook Appreciation Night. Wow!

Luke Getsy made a 5K donation to football. Edit: @kreed5120 beat me to it!