clarkwgriswold

I remember Groce telling a story at some event about how they played a P4 school closely and in the handshake line the opposing coach leaned in and said "we're never doing this again."

But the ones that do get there are likely to be the "Major" mid-majors like Gonzaga and Creighton rather than true Cinderellas.

I said it a couple of days ago. The days of teams like George Mason, OU, Davidson, VCU, FGCU, etc...are long gone.

Article on the end of the Cinderella team- https://sports.yahoo.com/college-basketball/article/march-madness-is-nil-the-death-of-cinderella-150007039.html

As for attendance, the Zips averaged 2203 per game this past season. They averaged 2650 last season. Those numbers are based in the attendances listed in the box scores. This season's top three were PCCC- 4967, Northern Illinois- 3472 and Miami0 2834. Last year's top three were PCCC- 5160, Toledo- 3151 AND Gardner- Webb- 2756.

Amen. The chances on the Zips hitting the jackpot on three head coaches in a row are slim to none. I do think all of the kids returning is a pretty strong indicator he intends to stay. If he moves on I will be very disappointed as I think he's fantastic. I would wish him well as he's been great for the program. I've never understood people who get upset with a coach "moving up" in the coaching world as most of those critics would change jobs in a heartbeat for a promotion and/or the promise of higher pay.

The word on the street is that Connor came to UA to be with his dad and get in a year of practicing against top notch players before heading off to a smaller school to play.

More from the Beacon- https://www.beaconjournal.com/story/sports/college/zips/2025/03/25/akron-zips-mens-basketball-coach-john-groce-transfer-portal-zips-roster/82644146007/

Since he can live with his brother maybe he can be a walk on and not take a scholarship! 😁

6'6", 200 pounds, played regular minutes. I can't imagine he's the big we've been expecting, but maybe.

Here's what it currently says for men's basketball donations- Men's Basketball Payment options coming soon! Contributions to the general fund welcome.

Every year there's a week when you can give to a specific program through the university and I give to basketball. I wonder if there's any advantage or disadvantage to doing that instead of the collective. I'd like the collective option more if I could specifically designate basketball.

The rumor has been percolating for at least a couple of weeks. I wish the kid well. I spoke to him at the re-season tip-ff reception and he seemed like a great kid. The door is now open for that big man to come through.

For most, the jerseys will be interesting pieces in a man cave. Adult men look a little odd in a basketball jersey and they're the ones with the money to spend on such things.

Dear Santa- Please bring us a decent big and the reincarnation of Xeryius Williams.

What a great time to be a Zips fan.

It sure helped PCCC make the NIT.

The only way to take the next step is more money. We lose in the tournament because we have 2 and 3 star players playing against 4 and 5 star players. We have a top 10% coach and effort is never an issue. In the age of NIL the only way to get those 4 and 5 star kids is to pay them and the Akrons of the world are never going to be able to compete with P4 money. Can Akron outspend the PCCCs and BGs of the world? Yes, as long as they have guys like Bud Wentz. However, it is a completely different era now than it was when teams like George Mason, OU, Florida Gulf Coast and the like made their runs.

We likely would have gone deeper but make a run? I'd rather not have found out.

I don't think it is either. I just find the contrast amusing.

See if they have a BOGO deal. I'll take the free one!

Not stupid, but with respect to athletics he seems to be much more of a fan of the Buckeyes. I think KD not being that involved with the program also may temper his enthusiasm.

Playing in the MAC holds the program down. You're never going to attract the top talent as long as you have to commit the resources across all of the different sports to remain in the MAC. There are certainly across the board benefits to being in the conference but being in the MAC does no great favors for basketball. It's all a balance.

He does have a huge heart playing as the third big many nights.

I naively envisioned NIL to handle situations like a Nate Johnson sitting at a table at a card show or car dealership promotional event and signing photos to make a couple hundred bucks, not open bidding from outsiders for players. Schools need not only administrations to commit funding, they need wealthy alums to step up (like Bud). It's those alums and their businesses that can really drive the NIL funding and put money towards facilities.