Zippy87

Disappointing to fight all the way back and then have a garbage possession like that with a chance to tie or win the game.

It's still early but I'm disappointed with this group. Really thought they had the talent to be special like the 12-13, 19-20, and 21-22 teams. Maybe they still do? Our guard play is not good enough. Our defense is not good enough. We have no frontcourt depth beyond Freeman. Offense is stagnant. Ali Ali would obviously help. I'd like to think Prather might too, but who knows?

Legal action is a must. Guthrie, Groce, Miller all need to keep pushing and refuse to just accept this. Bandaogo was represented by the Morningstar Law Group of Raleigh, NC, who also represented North Carolina wide receiver Tez Walker, a two-time football transfer declared eligible for North Carolina football in October. In both cases once the players hired legal counsel the NCAA cited "new information" and reversed their decisions. They do not want to go to court.

I want to see some fight from our AD on this. Lawyer up. Continue to put constant (and very public) pressure on the NCAA. Not only for Ali, but let every potential recruit out there see that Akron Athletics will have your back in every way possible.

I certainly hope we aren't giving up. Cincinnati didn't. Legal action should be in process as we speak. They need to fight this.

Weren't they supposed to speak more on this today?

Ultimately a winning product is the best way to get more people to games, but the lack of ticket deals/promotions isn't helping either. Or, when they do have a promotion, nobody knows about it and/or it doesn't make sense (Ex: Youth Night was on a Wednesday night game this season).

For anyone who follows Ali on Instagram he posted a story with a picture of he and Groce with some song lyrics. I'm not hip enough to decipher what it means though 🤣

You absolutely cannot go into 2024 without at least bringing in someone to compete with Bullock.

https://www.si.com/college/cincinnati/basketball/report-ohio-attorney-general-writes-letter-to-ncaa-challenging-aziz-bandaogos-eligibility-denial Maybe we can get some help?

What was the argument for Aziz?

I think this is a bit of a flawed roster and it has some odd construction. Of the 8 players in the current rotation, 5 are guards (Tribble, T. Johnson, N. Johnson, Scott, Thornton), one is a true wing (Dawson), one is a stretch big who is allergic to the paint (Hunter), and one is our star big (Freeman). Of the remaining scholarship players, one is in transfer limbo (Ali), one isn't trusted to be out there right now (Lyles), one has apparently had an assortment of injuries (Prather), and two are redshirting (Baker, MMK). I would've added another big instead of getting both Thornton and Scott, but it is what it is now. I still think that, with Ali, this team could be really good. I just don't think they'll come without flaws that I'm not sure can be corrected easily.

Hopefully Ali Ali is in uniform soon. Desperately need more scoring.

Some pregame thoughts... For me, the purpose of these games are to challenge the team to get better. In all likelihood, our season will come down to a few games in Cleveland. I want our guys to be battle-tested by the time those games come and think these experiences will help. Frontcourt depth is a concern for me. If Freeman ever gets in foul trouble (or worse, hurt) we will have that flaw exposed. I was hoping Baker would get minutes, but he's RS. Lyles hasn't played much. Hunter has size but doesn't rebound. The other concern is players who can create offense. Tavari has raw potential but hasn't put it together. Ali Ali will help this a lot, as mentioned earlier. I'm also curious if Prather Jr. will see the floor. When he signed Groce said, "He is an elite shooter that can create opportunities for himself and his teammates with his playmaking skills. Ryan is also a high-level defender that plays with motor and physicality." Sounds like exactly to type of player who can help offensively. Not sure if he's hurt or just not looking good in practice or what, but we need to see what he has to give this team at some point.

Yep I'm frozen

34-16 Utah State points in the paint

We need someone aside from Freeman to step up. Can't be all him.

I was really hoping Baker would play for this very reason. We're thin down low beyond Freeman and Hunter just doesn't work much in the paint. Going to be a big problem any game EF gets in foul trouble.

Dawson has taken one shot. That needs to change.

Utah State seems intent on making anyone but Freeman beat them.

Hoping Ali has a lawyer funded for him?

How has the NCAA not made a call on Ali? The school signed him April 28. How long do you need?

Just got Flo Sports, tell me this isn't the un-game camera angle?