Let'sGoZips94

63' goal Akron!

Akron had 14 Q1/2/3 games last year, excluding Arizona. All but 2 non-conference games that fell in those categories were road games. Not including any questionable MAC programs (directional Michigans, Balls, NIU, BUGS, etc.), Akron should have at least 12 Q1/2/3 games this year with 2 of those being home games (JMU and Princeton). The difference is, I didn't count Milwaukee and Bucknell in those 12, and both could end up being Q2/Q3 (similar to how Omaha was a huge surprise last year; Milwaukee would be less of a surprise). With the addition of UMass, the MAC should have an elevated NET this season, meaning 2-3 more programs could sneak into the Q2/Q3 discussion. All of this to say, around half the schedule (at least) could end up being Q1/Q2/Q3 vs. last year which saw 18 Q4 games.

I may be able to enjoy it more if we had a 6'8" Serbian sniper throwing up 12+ ppg...

The precedent was set today that the actions of previous regimes should not penalize the current roster. Whatever moral high horse you want to stand on is your choice, but I don't view accepting an inconsistent and undeserving punishment for the current staff & roster as morally just - especially from the morally bankrupt NCAA. The amount of times they've screwed over the University... F em. Auburn and NMSU weren't penalized for failing APRs in the same time frame as Akron, and the APR doesn't even work with the current model and landscape for college athletics. Akron has had YOY improvements under JoeMo that haven't been enough to pull us out of the hole Arth dug, so they've clearly been working towards correcting the problem. I also don't think Akron loses this case if they choose to fight it, especially if they were able to get the NCAA killer Dave Yost's assistance in the fight. A win vs the NCAA would be great publicity. Show me 7 automatic losses on this schedule. It's the most winnable schedule we've had in a long long time, and 6-6 should be the minimum threshold for success this year. Akron is known for having a losing football program - the PR can't get worse. Might as well try to get rid of the cloud hanging over the season. Joe Mo and player(s) have liked tweets today mentioning their BS punishment and suggesting that Akron should fight it. Coaching and playing with this looming over the program can't be fun or easy. Having a spine and standing up to the NCAA could give the program a jolt.

I loathe the double non DI games, but the rest of this schedule is fantastic. James Madison & Princeton AT HOME to start the season is incredible. The Paradise Jam features 3 games, with Iona being the first game. They have a new head coach this year, so as long as Akron takes care of business, they will play the winner of Evansville/Oregon State. The other side of the bracket includes Green Bay, Yale, UMass, and Charleston, so there is some really good competition in the tournament that could be added to the schedule. Well done Groce & Co.

For someone who preaches "how does the University benefit the community", you sure are hellbent on making sure the University is stuck with the "banned from postseason play" label, which certainly does NOT benefit the community.

I can agree with this. There already is a decent #FreeAkron campaign based on the precedent, too. If Akron is successful this year and ends up being bowl eligible or even in contention for the MAC Championship Game, look out. It'll be similar to the JMU postseason campaign from a couple years ago.

Akron needs to lawyer up and fight the postseason ban. Precedent was just set.

This will likely involve punishment for CMU.

Looks like the MAC will be the rotating piece in this, as we are the only team from last year's event not participating this year.

If Connor is moving on to play somewhere else, we owe him big time for opening this roster spot. John: "Son, you know I love you right?" Connor: "Yes dad. I love you, too." John: "Awesome. Now get the hell out of here. I have a 6'8" Serbian sniper - basically the next Nikola Jokic - ready to commit and need the roster spot." (how that conversation went - probably)

We'll be quite a bit bigger while maintaining a high level of athleticism. I expect our defense to be the same if not improved. Quite frankly, I think we're even more athletic this year. If everything comes to fruition with this Serb get, Akron will be scary.

He's a 6'8" guard/forward. Think Ali Ali but a better shooter.

Do we have anyone leaving?

Holy...

Akron just got a commitment for the 2025 class from a 6'8" Serb. Is someone departing that we aren't aware of?

What in the world?

Don't you dare bad mouth the popcorn. Shriveled up hot dogs and questionable burgers? Sure. The popcorn has nostalgic immunity to criticism though.

4.0 GPA according to his bio.

What a picture.

This is a little off topic, but is our soccer program able to recruit the world like apparently Groce is? This is a pretty big piece of information that shows just how deep Bud's pockets are along with the other financial support for the program.