Let'sGoZips94

My grandpa (Syracuse grad) texted me about the discrepancy between the number of SEC/Big Ten teams in the field over ACC teams, and said, "What a difference 5 years makes." My explanation was the SEC and Big Ten have had the mega media deals in the last 5 years. Always follow the money. UNC is literally in the field because they lost a bunch of games in a tough schedule.

Absolutely winnable. If we shoot like we did in the QF/SF games in Cleveland, we win.

According to ESPN, their 7'2" C hasn't played since December. They have a 7' sophomore that averages 9.5 ppg. Otherwise, they're heavily guard dominant. They are 247th in the country in 3P%.

vs. Arizona in Seattle. Go Zips.

If we came into the tourney with only one loss, we'd be a top 9 seed probably.

Wally World gave a massive shoutout to Akron before sending it to the official reveal show. Awesome.

We are the highest 13 seed according to this bracketology.

Ball State was a 9 seed in 1989.

Conference Host Nuance: When a conference (like the MAC) is a co-host, the rules don’t automatically bar its member teams from playing there unless the site is their regular home venue or exceeds the three-game limit. The NCAA prioritizes competitive balance and logistics over conference affiliation. NCAA Rules on Hosting and Team Placement The NCAA’s bracketing principles (from the NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Championship Principles and Procedures) include specific guidelines about host sites: Host Institution Conflict: A team cannot play at a site where its home institution is the host if it’s considered a "home game" environment. For example, if Cleveland State were in the tournament, they’d likely be reassigned elsewhere because Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse is just two miles from their campus and they’ve played home games there (e.g., against Robert Morris in 2023-24). Three-Game Rule: As discussed earlier, a team cannot play at a site where it has played more than three regular-season games in that season, regardless of who hosts. This rule applies independently of host status. Conference Host Nuance: When a conference (like the MAC) is a co-host, the rules don’t automatically bar its member teams from playing there unless the site is their regular home venue or exceeds the three-game limit. The NCAA prioritizes competitive balance and logistics over conference affiliation. Does This Affect Akron? Akron, as a MAC member, isn’t inherently disqualified from playing in Cleveland just because the MAC is a co-host. Here’s why: Not Akron’s Home Venue: Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse isn’t Akron’s home court—that’s James A. Rhodes Arena, 40 miles away in Akron. While Akron played the MAC Tournament final there on March 15, 2025, that’s a postseason event, and the regular-season three-game rule still governs. As noted previously, Akron likely didn’t play four or more regular-season games at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse in 2024-25, given their typical schedule and the arena’s primary use for NBA games. MAC as Co-Host vs. Cleveland State: The NCAA’s host conflict rule focuses on the institutional host (Cleveland State) rather than the conference (MAC). Akron has no direct tie to Cleveland State beyond both being Ohio schools, and their campuses are distinct. The MAC’s co-hosting role doesn’t equate to Akron having a "home advantage" beyond geographic proximity, which the NCAA often allows for lower seeds. Precedent: Conference co-hosting hasn’t historically barred member teams from playing at a site. For instance, in 2019, the Big 12 co-hosted in Kansas City, and teams like Kansas State (a Big 12 member) weren’t excluded from playing there, as it wasn’t their home venue. Similarly, Akron’s connection to the MAC doesn’t trigger a hosting conflict at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse.

According to Grok, Akron can play in Cleveland. The MAC Tourney does not count towards the 3+ game threshold. Wow. Yes, you’re correct—there is an NCAA rule that impacts where teams can play in the tournament based on their regular-season usage of a site, and it could affect whether Akron plays in Cleveland for the 2025 NCAA Tournament. Let’s break this down with the rule in mind and apply it to Akron’s situation. The NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament hosting policy, outlined in the NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Championship Principles and Procedures for Establishing the Bracket, includes a provision to prevent teams from gaining a perceived “home-court advantage” at tournament sites. Specifically, a team is generally not assigned to a site where it has played more than three regular-season games in the same season, excluding conference tournament games. This rule is designed to maintain competitive fairness and neutrality. However, the NCAA can make exceptions if logistical constraints (e.g., bracket alignment, travel considerations) leave no viable alternative, though such exceptions are rare. For the 2025 NCAA Tournament, Cleveland’s Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse is hosting first- and second-round games on March 21 and 23. Akron, having won the MAC Tournament on March 15, 2025, at that same venue (then referred to as Rocket Arena in your question, likely meaning Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse), has secured their spot in the tournament. The key question is whether Akron played enough regular-season games at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse during the 2024-25 season to trigger this rule. Typically, Akron plays its home games at James A. Rhodes Arena on campus, which seats about 5,500 fans. Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse, a larger NBA arena with a capacity of over 19,000, is not their regular home venue. However, teams occasionally schedule non-conference games at larger neutral or semi-neutral sites like this for marquee matchups or added exposure. Additionally, Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse has hosted the MAC Tournament championship in recent years, though the tournament games themselves don’t count toward the three-game limit per the NCAA rule. To assess this: Regular-Season Games at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse: Akron’s 2024-25 regular-season schedule would need to include at least four games at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse for the rule to disqualify them from playing there in the NCAA Tournament. Historically, Akron doesn’t play regular-season games at this venue frequently. For instance, in recent seasons (e.g., 2023-24), their non-conference and MAC schedules were primarily at Rhodes Arena or on the road, with no regular-season games at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. The venue is more commonly used for the MAC Tournament, not regular-season play. Without the full 2024-25 schedule (unavailable as of my cutoff), it’s unlikely Akron played four or more regular-season games there, given their typical patterns and the arena’s primary use for Cleveland Cavaliers games and larger events. MAC Tournament Exception: The MAC Tournament final on March 15, 2025, was at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse, but this counts as a postseason game, not a regular-season game. Thus, it doesn’t contribute to the three-game threshold. NCAA Assignment Flexibility: Even if Akron played, say, one or two regular-season games at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse (e.g., a neutral-site non-conference game), they’d still fall short of the four-game limit. The NCAA could then assign them to Cleveland, especially since Akron is just 40 miles away, aligning with the preference to keep lower-seeded teams close to home when possible. As a probable mid-to-low seed (e.g., 12-16), Akron could be slotted into Cleveland unless higher-seeded teams or bracket logistics dictate otherwise. Historically, this rule has impacted other teams. For example, in 2011, Brigham Young University (BYU) was barred from playing in Salt Lake City because they had played multiple regular-season games there, despite its proximity. Akron’s case differs because Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse isn’t their home venue, reducing the likelihood of exceeding the limit. Given this analysis, unless Akron unexpectedly played four or more regular-season games at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse in 2024-25—an improbable scenario based on past scheduling—they can play in Cleveland for the 2025 NCAA Tournament. Their MAC Tournament game there doesn’t count toward the restriction, and their regular home (Rhodes Arena) is distinct from the tournament site. The Selection Committee’s bracket, revealed on March 16, 2025, at 6:00 p.m. EDT, would confirm their placement, but the three-game rule likely won’t bar them from Cleveland. Thus, it remains plausible and permissible for Akron to play there, pending final seeding and logistics.

Oats and Groce have had the most impressive runs as coaches in the MAC. Really hoping Groce finds Akron to be the place he wants to be until he retires. Of those 16 MAC tournaments, how many have found Akron in the Finals? 12 or 13?

The MAC suits are soft, and their officiating reflects that. It's embarrassing and has been for a very long time. They have zero self respect.

Bud Wentz is so happy in this.

No thanks. We're at least a 13 and our chances of an upset increase dramatically in the 12/13 range vs 14. Send us wherever. We're getting our first tourney win this year.

Jim Donovan's daughter (RIP Jim - we miss you).

Agreed. 80/20 at least.

Alabama State won their conference title game, meaning 3/4 ABC participants won their conference's championship and are going dancing, while the 4th finished runner up. Incredible.

Some thoughts... - The key to this game was Akron's aggressiveness in the first half to get the 2nd foul on Suder in the 1st half. He sat the final 7 minutes of the 1st half and although it didn't quite cool him off in the 2nd half, Miami really missed his offense to finish the 1st half. Imagine 7 more minutes of Suder that game; we most likely wouldn't have had a chance at the comeback. - I was watching Seth Wilson pregame. He was standing at the top of the arc trying to make a 3 before going into the locker room. He'd miss short, then long, then rattle it out. Took him more than several attempts to finally make it, and I thought "Oh no, he doesn't have his shot tonight," as he was was seemingly trying to find it. It looked way too mental. Turned out to be exactly the case, and despite not having his shot, he gave us his best effort. He was terrific defensively. - Bowen Hardman showed up quite well when we needed him most. You could tell when our offense was about to let it fly from deep because Groce would sub Hardman and Wilson in. Bowen's couple of 3s towards the latter part of that second half were really what solidified the comeback. - Another terrific performance from Tavari. He and NJ are going to have quite the battle next year for MAC POTY. - Okonkwo and Lyles split their big man duties perfectly tonight. Okonkwo was the physical beef while Amani was the finesse/athletic beef. Thank goodness Amani was in at the end for whatever reason (3P shooting abilities maybe?) because I'm not sure how many bigs are finding that outlet pass and hitting it knowing you have a couple timeouts and your PG right next to you. - Travis Steele coached one heck of a game for most of it. Their defensive gameplan really really really messed with the Zips as they were constantly switching up looks and switching in general. It took away our flow and our passing and dribble-drive lanes. Miami's Achilles heal (lack of athleticism) became too much and once the shots stopped falling, their offense really sputtered late in that game. They are a young team and definitely puckered when the moment was the biggest. Really hoping Suder finds his way into the Portal. If Miami runs it back, they will be out for blood next year. - Lots of complaining by Miami fans about the refs. Pretty laughable IMO. I thought the refs were pretty inconsistent both ways and it's not like Akron had a huge advantage with the 1-and-1. Not to mention their only MAC Title this century came with the aid of a faulty clock operator. Let's go dancing. Go Zips!

Tavari was the on-ball defender, and Lyles made the rebound/outlet pass.

Oh look, all the Suckeyes fans converted to Akron fans this weekend.