Let'sGoZips94

Obviously not haha. However, Omaha is still only 217th in NET. In fact, we don't have a single Q1/Q2/Q3 win. Despite this, we are up to 102 NET.

2021-22: 40.7% 3P 2022-23: 25.5% 3P (only 18 games played at Butler) 2023-24: 29.2% 3P

By skewed, I meant the numbers should probably be higher across the board. If the system now was operating this way in December, I think we'd see a few pts added to each person's total. I don't think they're far off, I just think top to bottom we're a bit more lethal than the numbers show (mainly lookin at Seth Wilson, as I believe he should be better than a 4.7 ppg). It's also skewed in my head because guys like Seth, Hardman, Lyles, Scott, etc., can go off for double digits at any point. Nate at 13.7 ppg seems low because of his recent ~20 point performances. This is simply a lethal offense that can afford to have a couple guys experience "off nights" because there are so many weapons. Side note: Okonkwo leading the MAC in RPG with under 8 per game is hilarious coming off a year where Freeman was the best rebounder in the country with over 12 RPG. I wonder how many Freeman would have in the offense with the #1 pace of play in the country? So many opportunities.

This is tracking to be Groce's deepest offensive team during his Akron tenure. It took the entire OOC schedule for guys to figure out how they fit, so the stats are a bit skewed. MMK is our lowest PPG regular contributor, and Seth Wilson is just ahead of him. MMK is giving us more and more, and Seth has been on fire prior to last night. We are 10 deep for full game contributors and 8 deep for true offensive producers. If Harris is able to work his way back, add one to both totals. We are the deepest team in the MAC by far. In fact, our depth is going to be an advantage on Saturday. Miami is about 9 deep, and the bulk of their production comes from their top 3 - Kraft, Suder, Elmer. They are less athletic than Akron is, and while they are a high powered offense, I wouldn't call them a high octane offense. They make their living in the efficiency department. Miami has struggled against tough, athletic teams. If we make our shots, we should win this pretty comfortably. Bringing the whole family to the game. This will be both my daughters' first Zips basketball game, and I'm hoping they aren't disappointed. I do not expect them to be. Groce has these boys locked in.

That year was fascinating. Truly invested fans had the season written off as a rebuild year, but it was much much worse than initially expected from a talent perspective. Despite the talent deficiencies, it was pretty obvious Groce's system was completely different from Dambrot's system (except for 2023-24 when we played through Freeman, as all good coaches do). That season got me excited for the Groce era because his system is very, very fun. It can be frustrating if the talent and execution isn't there, but it's up-tempo and very enjoyable.

Scary that we're able to drop 90 on the road with one of our better shooters lately going 0-fer. That's how deep this team is.

If they played a drinking game for every time someone on the board called for a more productive "big" during Boals' tenure, they'd drink Athens dry - and that's saying something.

I had a post typed out countering your "easy money" statement and apparently I should've posted it haha. Miami at Kent last Saturday was easy money because Miami is such a superior offensive team. Toledo is better than Kent offensively most nights, but they are quite poor defensively. Kent had a once in a lifetime shooting night, firing at a 63% clip from 3 on 19 attempts, and 56.6% from the field. Both are way above their season average, and not something they'll accomplish very often. Toledo also shot 20% from 3 on only 10 attempts. Interestingly, this game seemed to be played more at Kent's pace, as there were only 50 total rebounds in the game.

I wonder what deal Kent made with the devil for a good shooting night.

A Thursday matchup would be more likely with how things are trending. They are 2-3 in the MAC having lost all 3 of their home matchups in the MAC (Balls, WMU, Miami). Previous Kent teams, I'd probably agree with you. This year's Kent team feels different. They do not have the leadership in that locker room to overcome the dysfunction that Pinky has created. Over halfway through the season, and they're one of the worst shooting teams in the country. They have only scored 70+ pts in 5 games this year, and lost their most recent 70+ feat to WMU. Is their defense stout? Metrically, sure, but they held one of Miami's best players to 3 pts and still lost at home by 9 (trailing by double digits for most of the back end of the 2nd half). Their best scorer is out of the season, their top high school recruit is MIA away from the team, and their leading scorers from last year (VCD and Sullinger) are way too one-dimensional in their own ways while each trying to play hero ball. Sullinger is a headcase himself having settled for Kent after the Furman debacle, and it wouldn't surprise me if VCD is experiencing some sort of "prove it" syndrome after not finding a better opportunity in the Portal. Tonight's game at Toledo will tell us a lot about this year's rendition of Pinky's Cirque du SoLame.

Your weekly (or sometimes bi-weekly) laugh-at-Kent-because-they-suck stats update. Kent is now 363rd out of 364 teams in 3P%, shooting an almost impressive 24.9%. Despite their level of suck from beyond the arc, they are still shooting the 73rd most 3s per game 25.4 attempts. In Saturdays heartbreaking (not really) loss to Miami OH, they shot 4-29 from 3. Is it just 3s they are atrocious at? NOPE! They are the 349th team in the country for overall shooting % at 39.1%. Furthermore, their effective FG% is 44.2%, good for 352nd in the country. I will give them credit, though, as they are indeed in the top 300 teams in the country for 2P% with 49% - good for 246th. Shifting gears to the Zips... Possessions Per Game: 75.4 (20th) FGA Per Game: 66.1 (1st) FGM per Game: 29.1 (25th) 3PA per Game: 30.8 (6th) 3PM per Game: 10.9 (6th) Effective FG%: 52.1 (121st) 3P%: 35.5% (84th) 2P%: 51.1 (177th) Shooting %: 43.9% (194th)

Yes, there have been several posts over the past year or so citing sources that talk about how far ahead we are compared to the rest of the MAC in our basketball commitment, including NIL. UMASS next year will surpass us, but we will be closer to UMASS than the other MAC schools. Anybody looking for a big pay day will leave (Young could possibly get a big bag to return to WV) because our NIL isn't setup for pay to play. It's setup to create a multi-year retention system for guys that want to be at Akron.

Yup. I've watched the whole game. Kent is worse than dog doo doo. Refs started calling their bully fouls (they foul on every play) which helped limit the turnovers. Miami is shooting the ball a bit better, although Kraft only has 3 points. Kent shot 13.8% from 3 (4-29) and under 40% from the field. They are simply a heavily flawed team that will need every bit of help from the officials to stay in games. Assuming Miami and Akron both take care of business on Tuesday, next Saturday is going to be a great matchup. From what I saw today and have seen the few times I've watched Miami, advantage Akron.