Zippy87

What does this even mean? I can understand that UA probably doesn't have the budget for it, but "I wish several local high schools didn't have nicer seating than my D1 college" means I have problems?

I agree with this. I think even starting with replacing the bleachers on the sidelines would go a long way. I have no idea on potential cost.

KD was still here 13 years, and there was the very unique situation of Duquesne's tie to his father. He had received offers many times before and, while he did consider 1 or 2 others, always turned them down. That's just to say that I also think it would take a unique circumstance for Groce to leave. This is a snippet from Terry Pluto's recent article about him: But after what happened at Illinois and then reviving his career at Akron, Groce sees life differently. “One of the things I’m most proud of is how the players who completed his eligibility here have also graduated,” said Groce. “We’ve had good guys in the program. One of my goals is to make sure they are better people for having played here.” The Zips have a 3.0 grade point average. Groce said after coming to the Zips, he changed his recruiting approach. He takes fewer chances with players when it comes to character issues. At Illinois, he had some players arrested during his tenure. “Obviously, who has to have physical talent to play at this level,” said Groce. “But talent isn’t enough. We are careful to bring in guys who fit our team and our culture. We are careful of red flags. We want guys with the right work ethic and attitudes.” Groce signed a contract extension in 2022 that carries him through the 2029-30 season. His base salary is $650,000. John and Allison Groce have three children and have been married 22 years. Living in Akron for eight years is their longest stay during their marriage. With his success, it’s possible Groce can be romanced by a major program. In his last four years, his record is 95-38. The 53-year-old Groce doesn’t seem in a hurry to go anywhere. “Faith and family are important to us,” said Groce. “I’ve always lived and coached in the Midwest. I love coaching at Akron.” I also found this interesting: “It used to be that you just had to recruit players,” said Dambrot. “Now, you have to recruit people in your community to back your program (financially). John has immersed himself in Akron. People know him and like him.” Dambrot said Akron has “one of the best” NIL programs in the MAC, which helps in the recruitment of players. “Then you add John, an experienced coach and a good one,” said Dambrot. “He’s also a good person. He has them set up to be successful for a long time.”

This right here is my biggest concern: "Defense has been an uphill challenge for the Zips all year. In a cavernous NBA arena, sometimes the only thing that travels is defense. A cold shooting night by the team immediately makes any game for this Akron team much more difficult." Only three players of the ten in the rotation - Tavari Johnson, Nate Johnson, and Shammah Scott - have played in a game at Rocket Arena before (Lyles did not log any minutes in last year's tournament). Last year's team was built on defense, and they had to grind out wins in both the semifinals and final. This year's team is the exact opposite - built on offense. The two couldn't be more different: 2023-24 ORtg: 109.6 (108th of 362) DRtg: 98.5 (47th of 362) 2024-25 ORtg: 115.1 (35th of 364) DRtg: 101.8 (107th of 364) Taking it a step further, here's Groce's other MAC Champion teams: 2021-22 Akron Zips ORtg: 109.8 (36th of 358) DRtg: 97.3 (97th of 358) 2011-12 Ohio Bobcats ORtg: 104.4 (116th of 344) DRtg: 92.9 (27th of 344) 2009-2010 Ohio Bobcats ORtg: 105.7 (96th of 347) DRtg: 98.3 (114th of 347) As Zipped Up says, defense travels anywhere, while offense doesn't always follow suit. But the Zips team that came closest to winning a tournament game is the one that most closely resembles this year's group. Let's hope they can lock in defensively and that the shots fall for us en route to a Saturday celebration.

I get that it's a business, but I'd be stunned to see Groce leave with 6 seniors expected back next year from a really good team.

I agree with this. Obviously with KD, there were personal reasons for Duquesne with his dad playing there. I also think Athletics post-Guthrie are much more supportive than what Groce had when he first arrived or KD had toward the end.

I don't think he will leave. He's well-paid, leads the best program in the MAC, has wonderful support from donors, and will have a loaded senior class next year. I do hope people realize how lucky we are, though. To have a legendary coach in Keith Dambrot for 13 years and then immediately shift to another legendary coach in John Groce for 8 years now and counting? That type of longevity - while winning - just doesn't happen often at the mid-major level. If either guy didn't have that loyalty and bring that longevity, we could have very easily become what Buffalo is now.

Who quit before this?

#7 seed is one game above .500 and #8 is also below .500. Further support of my argument to cut this to six teams with the top two getting a first round bye.

My Predictions: #1 Akron over #8 BGSU #4 Toledo over #5 Ohio #3 Kent over Western Michigan #2 Miami over #7 Eastern Michigan #1 Akron over #4 Toledo #3 Kent over #2 Miami Akron beats Kent for a third time this season to capture the crown.

Imagine your season ending on this play.

What's the story here?

Updated the OP

Anyone know why the students are wearing those on their heads?

These are the shirts every Nike team will wear on the bench, not just us.

Worth noting he has been dealing with an injury, which may account for some of that. But I think Sharron has a shot to be MAC Freshman of the Year. Key contributer on the best team as a true freshman, 7.7 PPG while shooting 42.3% from distance with solid playmaker skills and improved defense as the year has gone on. I'm not sure who would be ahead of him at point aside from Tavari going into next year. Not saying Duke is going to come calling, but I'd be willing to bet he will get some offers from schools with more NIL to offer than we do and maybe even a lower P5 offer.

Yeah, I keep trying to tell myself it won't happen. He seems like a great young man - I believe Groce mentioned him in the same breath as Enrique earlier this year. But he will definitely have some tempting offers this summer.

I can't envision Tavari and Sharron starting together, personally. I do think they can offer Sharron starter-type minutes, though. Shammah is 4th in MPG this season but has only started 1 game. Harris N. Johnson Okonkwo Scott T. Johnson Young Lyles Hardman MMK Mahaffey Brisco Unless there's a transfer from the top 8 listed, I would guess MMK and/or Brisco to be the most likely to be on the outside looking in in regard to PT. I could see it, with JG targeting another combo guard-type in the portal.

Anyone catch if Harris was on the bench tonight?

Assuming Okonkwo and Scott do return... Okonkwo/Lyles/Brisco Harris/MMK N. Johnson/Mahaffey Scott/Hardman T. Johnson/Young Could see Mahaffey and Brisco as possible transfers? I have to think JG would want one more guard to add to the mix.

One thing I'll say for CMU is they can hang around in games. 3 point loss vs Akron 2 point loss both times vs Ohio 6 point loss vs Miami 2 point loss at Toledo They also have several close wins over lesser teams. Jarusevicius has been playing really well for them and was the guy who carried them in their close loss against us, with 32 points and 10 rebounds.

Someone check my work, but I think CMU is #8 unless they lose to NIU. https://bball.notnothing.net/mac.php?sport=mbb

- Ohio locks up the #3 seed with a win over Toledo. They could drop as low as #6 with a loss. - Kent State only gets to #3 if Ohio loses and they win. I can't find a scenario otherwise where they aren't #4 or #5. - BGSU, Western Michigan, Ball State, and Central Michigan could all land at #8.

Updated the bracket in the original post...big changes today.