Zippy87

Akron Out: Mikal Dawson In: James Okonkwo (UNC), Seth Wilson (WVU), Josiah Harris (WVU), Isaiah Gray (Cornell) Rumored Interest: Tyran Cook (VMI), Sean Moore (Fairleigh Dickinson), Markus Harding (Central Michigan), Deuce Turner (San Diego), Isaiah Gray (Cornell), Rashad Bishop (Georgetown College), Derrin Boyd (Lipscomb), Tom House (Florida State), Eric Acker (LIU), Keenan Fitzmorris (Stony Brook), Zed Key (Ohio State), Drissa Trayore (St. Johns) Ball State Out: Jalin Anderson, Joey Brown, Trent Middleton, Micah Bell, Basheer Jihad, Davion Bailey In: Peyton Sparks (Indiana) Bowling Green: Out: Ejay Greer, Rashaun Agee, PJ Edwards, Marcus Hill, Anthony McComb III In: Braelon Green (Arizona State), Youssef Khayat (Michigan) Buffalo Out: Isaiah Adams, Kanye Jones, Jonnivious Smith, James Graham, Zaakir Williamson In: Noah Batchelor (Maryland), Ben Michaels (Long Island Lutheran) Central Michigan Out: Markus Harding, Paul McMillan IV, Noah Adamczyk, Max Majerle, Jemal Davis, Derrick Butler, Aidan Rubio, Anthony Pritchard, KJ Odour, Josiah Sanders In: Kyler Vanderjagt (Belmont), Jakob Heady (Bethune-Cookman), Quentin Heady (South Suburban College) Eastern Michigan Out: Tyson Acuff, Cyril Martynov, Andrew Wells, Derik Pranger, Julius Ellerbe, John McGriff, Connor Serven, Javantae Randle In: Kent State Out: Reggie Bass, Jalen Sullinger, Julius Rollins, Tyem Freeman In: Anthony Morales (Boston University), Cian Medley (St. Louis) Miami Out: Ryan Mabrey, Jacquel Morris, Julien Lewis In: Kam Craft (Xavier) Northern Illinois Out: Yanic Niederhauser, Zarique Nutter, Will Lovings-Watts, Zion Russell, David Coit, Keyshawn Williams In: Dom Gooden (Hillsborough CC), Joe Munden (Fairleigh Dickinson) Ohio Out: IJ Ezuma, Ike Cornish In: Victor Searls (Ashland), Jackson Paveletzke (Iowa State) Toledo Out: Ra'heim Moss, Dante Maddox Jr., Tyler Cochran, Ben Wright, Marko Maletic In: Colin O'Rourke (Wisconsin-Parkside), Seth Hubbard (WMU) Western Michigan Out: GB Artis-White, Seth Hubbard In: Junior Sileu (AZ Compass Prep)

We definitely need to add scoring. We averaged 74 ppg as a team this year and the seniors accounted for 48 ppg. We have two open scholarships pre-portal. Lyles and T. Johnson would be the two I'd consider possibilities to leave (although I think Tavari stays). Our top target is probably a guard who can create offense. I don't think Groce goes into next season with Tavari as his primary PG. Next priority should be a big.

In the press conference someone asked if he'd have a say in his replacement and KD deferred to the AD, but then said "But I'm strong-willed" with a smile. He also said later that he felt the program could go to even higher levels "if the people in the room don't change".. he said "the AD, President" after, but I think it meant more than that. I really think it will be Dru with the rest of the staff staying on. I have no idea how he is as a game coach, but LeBron will get much more involved if it's Dru and thats not a small thing. I also don't think KD does this if he doesnt know there are places there for McFadden and Weigand.

I know many here don't want to hear it but I really think it was personal for him with his father. They said in his presser today that his dad was buried in his Duquesne letterman sweater. He knew it meant a lot to him and he wanted to take on that challenge for his dad.

Congratulations to KD on an incredible career. If anyone questions his motives in going there, watch the press conference and listen to him talk about his father. He changed Akron basketball for the better and helped us get where we are today, I'm forever grateful to him for it.

Now that the MAC Tournament is over, I wonder what it's future looks like. Back in May of 2020, they announced the change to only the top 8 teams making it. A quote from the announcement back then: “The plan covers four years and will be evaluated as the economic situation stabilizes and improves. The changes affect scheduling formats, post-season championship formats, and the elimination of post-season championships in select sports. Additionally, reductions will be made in championship operational expenditures,” MAC assistant commissioner Ken Mather said in a statement. With this plan covering four years, the 2025 MAC Tournament would be the last under this plan. UMass will be joining for the 25-26 season, so that all adds up. Personally, I'd like to see at least the top 2 seeds get a bye again. In a one bid league, it gives your better teams over the course of the season a reward. The eight team format really doesn't offer any great advantage to higher seeds.

Interesting...

https://twitter.com/UAkron_AD/status/1769538442688344574?t=lgXlN8hqxsXw3Cshv-e4ww&s=19

Akron opens as a 12.5 point underdog

1:30 PM

If anyone finds out any information on tickets, please share!

Didn't know where to post this, but love to see it

Love hearing about Freeman, Tribble, and Ali being involved in recruiting last summer and how much they've helped build a winning culture. It feels like our younger guys really look up to them.

Anyone going to the watch party?

I was so thrown off by the foul I didn't even see who was/wasn't open.

This is what March is all about IMO. So cool.

Dukes pull it off! Happy for KD, Rick, Dru, and Terry!

For those who missed it

Never seen anything like that 😂

ESPN and CBS both have us as a 14 in Pittsburgh right now. If we do play in Pittsburgh, it'd be Thursday-Saturday according to the TV schedule.

Updated the original post. Is next season too early to hang Enrique's name up in the JAR?

I always choose to remember that team for the way they responded to the MAC Tournament. Lost their starting PG, didn't have anyone ready to step in - I remember Betancourt cramping against Kent in the regular season finale because the minutes were just too much of a jump - lost that game to Kent. Had one week to figure it out. Beat Kent in the semis and then pounded Ohio in the final while mostly running the offense with players than hadn't done it all season. KD's best coaching job IMO and incredible resilience from the players.

We'll have plenty of time to discuss next year but my only thought right now is winning last night and 2 out if the last 3 is going to be a helluva recruiting help for our coaches.

Did anyone go the last time they had this at the JAR? Worth going?