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Well, I think we've at least destroyed the theory that Akron shouldn't play the very TOP teams on the road. It's ridiculous. We have no reason to be afraid of anyone in D-1. But, many people here still fail to see the many other benefits to playing those games as well, and you touch on a couple of them. But, I don't understand why you feel that the Akron/Villanova comparison should somehow be judged based on whether we won or lost in Columbus?

Yes, you surely lose the atmosphere if you aren't filling the arena. I think the ultimate solution is a small upper section that can be closed off maybe? But I am sure we are getting way ahead of ourselves here. I think the real reason that I often don't like Gonzaga being used as an example is because they are in a less populated area, with a much. much smaller student population.

Kreed, Actually, Little Rock and Akron are more similar than people might think. Both cities are about the same size, and both Universities reside a good distance away from any "major" program in the state. The only real difference is that there are only a few D-1 programs in that state, but that might be relative to the total population too. I'm hoping that we have our sights set higher than a 5k arena with some amenities to take this program through the next several decades, but I can't deny that it's a nice place for a similar program.

I think they probably know where they stand in terms of luring a coach. Matta himself was plucked from an A-10 school after a 4th place finish, but I'm sure he was riding a little popularity wave after making a dramatic Elite 8 run in the tourney that year. What's even probably more alarming for them than the plummeting RPI over the last several years is their nosedive in placement in their own league. It goes 1st, 2nd, 5th, 6th, and 7th. And the top teams in that league are now blowing them out by huge margins. Not looking good for Mr. Matta.

2013 RPI - 9 2014 RPI - 25 2015 RPI - 38 2016 RPI - 74 These players surely didn't sign up to be part of a sinking ship. And as much as we are all disappointed that we did not win down there a couple of weeks ago, I'm sure it was an embarrassment to their program to have their postseason highlighted by a first round NIT game in front of only 4,000 people (some of which were Akron fans), while getting taken to overtime by their supposed "ugly stepsister" school up in NE Ohio. I really believe that Matta and his program really got knocked down a peg when they got booted out of the first round of the NCAAs by their neighbor in Dayton two years ago. We would have likely been the nail in the coffin for him. It's anyone's guess what they decide to do with him, but they are surely very bothered by the rapid slide downward.

I know the younger generation does not pick up maps anymore, but a close examination would definitely show that Cowlumbus is SW of Akron. So, you can take your pick. But if you asked most people on the street who don't know geography, they just assume that it's South because they know that it's in a lower part of the state.

I completely agree with you. In fact, I think you are one of the few people on here who has been "spot on" on many occasions when it comes to understanding who Akron needs to play, and who they need to beat, to reach a higher echelon. "Games That Matter" is a phrase I've used many times in my own posts over the years. But I wasn't referring to the 2016 Zips vs. Michigan or Syracuse. I was referring to the future Zips, even with a better resume, that will likely find themselves snubbed again for a "name" team unless we start to make some big moves to get ourselves respected at that level. And back to the subject at hand.....This tournament that's being discussed is not going to accomplish that.

He might not be using it as an excuse, but certainly understands that it can have impact. This is why I really don't understand their motivation for the articles, especially when they might involve falsely or selectively delivering certain bits of information.

I like the comment right below that, suggesting that Elton apparently always "gushes" about the Zips. And he also suggests that we might have an ineligibility issue with some of those players? That's a reach, considering that it's still 6 months until the season starts. Must be a Ken+ fan

I agree with you that these two paths seem to be the only solution at this point. But, I'll be cynical and say that if we were sitting on the bubble sometime in the future in March, and a Syracuse or a Michigan are sitting there along with us, just like this year, even with inferior "metrics", I assure you that the selection committee will pick them again.

If this was what persuaded us, you have to really question this. This is a big step backwards from the Vegas tournament in 2015, which we won, and that didn't really accomplish anything either. These would also all be "neutral court" games when we could probably get every one of those teams to play us at Rhodes. I really don't get it.

I have no better idea than you as to who it might be. But, do you really think a program of any significance whatsoever is sitting out there right now finding this lineup to be attractive for them to want to be a part of it?

I'd count on TBD being 2 schools that they can find who are willing to fill the spots.

I've read both the ABJ story, and the subsequent story refuting the data from the University. Unfortunately, we live in a world where the lib media has control over public perception, especially for those people who will not look any further into the facts, and just believe what they are told. It happens during every election cycle. Thus, the story that appears on the front page of a big regional newspaper is going to get infinitely more attention that the article the U circulates which refutes the accuracy of some of those numbers. And that's what potential recruits and their families in this region are going to see.

I can tell all of you that there will be plenty more improvements coming to the JAR to take us through the next several years. Whether we like it or not, that's the reality of our current situation.

I didn't create the thread to sway anyone to think one way or another. I just saw it as the most direct representation we've ever had to see where we might stand in reference to the very top of D-1 college basketball. We may have just played someone who's the best team in college basketball, in the same year. I'm pretty sure that has never happened.

And they just put a similar whipping on Miami and Iowa, two Top-25 team, on a NEUTRAL court. So, what does that mean?

This might still be a little premature....but... The way Villanova has dominated in their last two tournament games, they might be the best team in the country right now. So, I can't help but to think about the fact that we played them this year. And we played a great first half, on the road, and actually led by as many as 8 at one time. Have we ever been able to say that we played the best team in the country the year that they may win a national championship? Is it fair to even compare ourselves to them? Why not? We played them this season. Does this put a damper on some people's theory that "We aren't good enough to play the giants in our OOC schedule....We'll just get destroyed"?

I was thinking the same thing. He does show that he can finish at the basket in the highlights, but it looks to me like he's doing that because he has some length vs. his competition, not because of his quickness beating defenders to the rim. I actually think he looks really slow to play at a guard position here.

Pretty funny. Maybe Indiana people don't share the same complex that OSWho fans have? Don't feel that they need the others in the conference to do well to feel better about themselves? Who knows.

I agree that it only helps the individual team that's winning. But in the case of OSWho fans, I think they have always falsely thought that it makes their team look stronger if the other conference teams are doing well. I think it may have started in Football. OSWho fans have developed this perennial hatred for the SEC over the way the SEC has dominated them, and dominated college football over the last decade or two. For instance, I can probably guarantee that every one of them was devastated when Michigan State was pounded by Alabama in January, even though it had nothing to do with their school, and had no bearing on the status of their team at all. In addition, I was in a crowded bar when Middle Tennessee was beating Michigan State last week. You would think that you would get the usual crowd that would cheer for the major upset to happen, but that was not the case at all. There was a ton of very quiet and disappointed Suckeye fans at the conclusion of that game.

Thanks. And he doesn't show up on the roster.

I'm wondering why this has not come up yet in any news story about the incident. I thought I remembered hearing about this, but figured maybe that never happened because none of the news stories indicated that. Everyone reported it as "teammate".

This situation aside, there are PLENTY of examples of things that are "LEGAL" that are stringently frowned upon by the NCAA and/or a school's athletic dept. heads. Just saying. For instance, when all of those idiots down in Cowlumbus were selling their own awards and memorabilia, that's a completely LEGAL activity, but has it's very own high consequences when judged in the eyes of your coaches, school, and the governing body of college athletics. I'm also LEGALLY allowed to call my boss an a-hole, but I can't guarantee that I'd be employed tomorrow if I did that.