Let'sGoZips94

So a win on Friday or a Toledo win on Friday secures a potential semi final matchup with Rootstown Junior College?

Three things. 1) What a win. 2) Would love to see Balls have this type of game against Toledo in the semi finals - and come out on top. 3) Michael Lewis looks like David Koechner if all of Koechner's hair left his head, and all I can think about when I see Michael Lewis is this scene from Semi Pro (warning: profanity)

I'd have to imagine a commitment from LeBron would've led to other high-profile recruits joining him, Dru, and Rome at Akron.

Melo would've been a rookie in the NBA, no?

Who termed it? Us, or their scumbag HC?

Toledo, OU, and Balls on the opposite side of the bracket - yes please.

Stripes or Toledo? Or both?

Basketball needs to either 1) get rid of the circle near the basketball altogether or 2) shrink it to be directly under the hoop. That's a charge all day but because X had to stay outside of the circle, he got into the landing space of the Toledo player. Stupid rule.

We have had some STUPID turnovers. Thank goodness we're rebounding well.

Bama's football team is safe as the NCAA cash cow that it is. Making an example of their basketball team, however, is completely on the table, especially since this involves a murder. Bye Oates.

It's going to be interesting to see what comes out of this investigation. If Oats knew about this interaction and never disciplined Darius, Oats may see his newly signed contract go poof.

Interested to see what this number does as the late/sharp money comes in.

That started a 2 game stretch of minimal defense being played, and we've since rediscovered Groce's ZFence. That needs to be brought tonight along with our shot making abilities, as limited as they may be at times. If we don't have the former, we'll get run out of the gym. If we don't have the latter, it'll be a close loss I think. Bring both and we win.

In Toledo's 10 pt win at the JAR, they shot 50% from 3 (9-18) and 52% overall from the field. Akron was stone cold for the first quarter of the game, and ended up with a pedestrian 34% (from 3) and 40.9% (FG) shooting day. Toledo shot 17 more free throws while Akron "committed" 23 fouls to Toledo's 12 (the being at home helps with the refs comment from the Detroit SW Campus fan is hilarious). Any opinion that states Toledo can execute a simple game plan, slow down X/Freeman, and win because they're "vastly superior" is laughable at best. Groce in March and guess what... It's almost March.

Depends on who you ask. Legitimately some sites and experts don't consider Gonzaga/WCC among mid majors.

That settles it. None of my kids are allowed to attend Ball State.

Of course, but the financial commitment of FBS level football vs. FCS level football is large. UD's basketball arena received the FBS level football stadium commitment.

I keep having to remind myself we are without our 3rd best player - Dawson. Keep Calm and Groce in March.

Allegedly NOT related to a fatal shooting of a player This story is bizarre.

The only mid major (not including basketball-only Dayton).

Sean Lewis is now getting interest from Notre Dame for their recently vacant OC position. https://footballscoop.com/news/notre-dame-offensive-coordinator-search-updating-interviews-in-person-meetings-more

What screwed up love triangle lands KSUcks the 1 seed?

Their nationwide ranking is middle of the MAC since MAC play, or their defensive ranking in the MAC is middle of the pack? If it's the latter, that's largely due to half the MAC not playing a lick of defense, either. Miami, Buffalo, EMU, etc. all blow defensively, especially EMU. In fact, the only time "defense" has ever been used in Ypsilanti was for Emoni Bates in court. From what I saw, I wasn't impressed with their defense as much as what they were able to get away with. Seemed like there was a lot of hand checking, bodying, etc. - not sound defense. I'm all for that stuff as long as it's called both ways, and it wasn't. Just an unfortunate game all around.

Toledo is 330th in the nation in opponent points per game. The day they "defend hard" will be the same day OU becomes a dry campus. We came out ice cold indeed, but that was largely influenced by the mauling of Freeman (and any Akron player that got into the paint) that was allowed to take place from the get-go; it forced more jump shot attempts. Very poorly officiated game that heavily catered to Toledo's strengths and really minimized their weakness. 23-12 was the foul differential in favor of Toledo, which led to a 28-11 free throw advantage. Props to Toledo for knocking 82% down, but Akron also made 82% - just had 17 less attempts. Love the fight in our guys to keep that as close as we did. Cleveland will be a different story, and ultimately where it matters. Toledo's regular season trophy case is quite full; their MAC tourney case is more bare than Rachel Phelps at the end of Major League.