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Akron does get some decent CASH support from the business community. But I am talking about VISIBLE support. I can recall walking through the commercial districts of some of those Sun Belt cities and seeing posters in windows, painted signs, and things like that. You never see that in Akron. Most people in Akron think that Ohio State is the home team. I've also witnessed some huge "everyone comes back to campus" homecoming parties, which you never see in Akron either. Akron grads would go to a homecoming gathering in Columbus before they would go to one here. In general, I just think I see a lot higher level of loyalty to the local D-1 schools down south.

We went down there the last time we played there about 10 years ago. Lexington is a great, great town. The tailgating environment is mammoth, and the home fans are all so polite and friendly to their visitors. It feels like the entire state converged on Lexington for the weekend for a big party. And if you're not careful, you'll find yourself singing "My Old Kentucky Home" with the rest of the crowd before kickoff. I HIGHLY recommend this trip. It's only about 5 hrs. away (depending on how fast you drive).

They didn't previously. Not until the most recent coach hiring, when a few people got this idea in their head that 9th place teams winning the MAC tournament and scoring an upset in the Big Dance is a logical path that's bound to repeat itself again.

I've witnessed some of this first hand. A big difference in loyalty down South. The businesses, people and alums of Lafayette support their team. They decorate the friggin town on game days. When have you seen that in Akron? Likewise, Arkansas State grads don't bandwagon with Arkansas, and App. State grads don't bandwagon with the Tarheels. There's something different with that hometown/homeschool loyalty culture here.

It's strange how so many of those wins were in conference games. Yes, the same conference where we've won 4 games this year. Those Dambrot years were so embarrassing.

So am I. But you and I are not the problem.

Considering what we're going through right now, winning 14 conference games, distancing ourselves from the rest of the pack by 3 full games, and advancing all the way to the MAC Final seems like paradise right now. Don't you agree? Oh that's right, that thought wouldn't produce another opportunity for you to find some way to discredit Dambrot's accomplishments again.

It is what it is. Were sitting 2 games out of 4th place, and a game away from the basement. Stopping the gloom around here requires WINNING basketball games. NOW is the time to try to get any kind of momentum possible going into next year.

I keep looking at the standings between games. It appears that this might be our last opportunity to have a shot at finishing in 4th in the MAC East. With another loss, it looks like we're battling OU for last place the rest of the way. I keep hoping for that game I can point to as a turning point to possibly motivate the team, supporters, and disappearing fans, and season ticket sales going into next year. With only 5 more left, those opportunities are fading fast.

You're really trying hard. I applaud the effort.

I briefly found a line in your post that I can agree with 100% Especially the word THOUGHT - Past Tense I'm not trying to argue with you about the coach. I'm just continuing to point out that you are finding every other factor that you can muster to try to stick to your insistence that anything else must be more significant than a long string of consistent success. By the way, comparing our former Head Coach's connection to the best basketball player on the planet to a Bench Coach who once worked with some other future NBA players is just absurd. Do you really think that has remotely comparable value? I wonder how many times the National Media will ask an Akron Assistant Coach to appear on ESPN, etc., to talk about it.

So, coaching at a more "recognizable name school" that sucked during his tenure is an ASSET on the recruiting trail? Unfortunately, his Illinois legacy might not be his only challenge. What's happening right now isn't going to help either. He's often been mentioned as a good recruiter, but you'd be in complete denial if you think he's not in a very, very challenging spot right now in terms of convincing kids to come to a MAC school that will be fighting its way up from the bottom after this season. He's just quite a few years removed from success right now. It would have helped if he could have at least shown that our program was moving forward as this season progressed. I think he really needs to start winning basketball games again to regain credibility. So, just for reference, you're still locked in on your belief that a long string of 20+ win seasons is not valuable?

From a recruiting standpoint, these kids were in Elementary School the last time he was remotely relevant. I'd say it's just as valid to wonder what these kids might think if they look at the most recent 6 years for themselves and see how his teams have tanked ? I know a couple of you will go to your graves continuing to discredit the 20+ win seasons, even when proof of players citing that fact are right in front of you.

Because there isn't much "good" to point out right now. Sorry, we're sitting near the bottom of the league, and I'm not on the "but there was some encouragement in that loss" bandwagon, like a few of the rest of you. But I have stated on multiple occasions who I believe has the greatest chances of making an impact on this program in the future. Yes, I was essentially asking you what is this future "specialist" role you see in Mark K. ?

So, you've looked at his game, and his "specialty" is simply his size? Not too encouraging. You'd think by now that you might be able to find an area where he could help us. I can't find it. I see 28 rebounds in 242 minutes. Incredibly, I see 15 more fouls than points (I didn't know that was possible). I see 20 turnovers vs. 4 assists. So, I guess "running the offense through him" hasn't emerged as a viable option either. Maybe roughing-up an opponent's star big man for 5 minutes a game is an option?

I don't want to say too much more about this situation, which I have addressed a few times dating back to the preseason, but a couple of posts got my attention. I think this should have at least been a warning sign in terms of expectations. The year he spent after high school with IMG which only resulted in offers from a Metro Atlantic team and a MAC team desperate to fill late roster spots should have been another red flag. Recruiters salivate over guys his size. Even if they think it would take a couple of years for them to contribute. That didn't happen. Besides some of the obvious offensive woes, some of which you mentioned, I think this is the important thing to examine right here. I'm stunned that a guy of his stature, who's played 242 minutes, has recorded a TOTAL of 28 rebounds. Even if he can't score, he could help us TREMENDOUSLY in this department. But you're right. He doesn't move his feet well enough. That could have a lot to do with why he commits so many fouls while defending. That's what most guys do who can't move well enough to guard opposing players. And unfortunately, you can't really do much to "teach" a guy to move quicker.

Exhibit A

Please tell me you were just shooting in the dark to form a response, and weren't serious about what you typed here when you hit the "submit" button? Because, this logic is beyond ridiculous. I think you knew that too. So, we can all conclude that the Pitt Panthers are a bigger threat than Ohio State too? Because of geographic proximity? Besides student recruitment, athletes, fan interest, donors, TV attention, and athletic competitions themselves, we even compete against them in our OWN HOMETOWN NEWSPAPER for game info. and features. You can't even imply a 1-to-100 ratio between the impact of Duquesne vs. the impact of OSWho.

Those who are truly keeping score at home can see that Duquesne has already DOUBLED their win total from last year, and did so before the month of February even began, under some really difficult circumstances in terms of personnel availability. As I said earlier, if a few of you enjoy waiting for a loss to occur so you can run to this thread to post something negative (see above), you're clearly displaying your agenda.

I've rooted for Bob Huggins ever since he left here to go to Cincinnati, even though our program tanked after his departure, and he took Buford with him. In one sense, I think I knew that I could always point to his beginnings at Akron to everyone I encounter who's a college basketball fan, once he was successful at a higher level. And I still do that to this day. But more importantly, I simply have rooted for him to do well as my "thank you" for everything he did for Akron, and all of the joy I got to be a part of during my student days.

Unfortunately, not since December. That was the lowest of all of the Conference games this season, which prompted my "waning fan interest" comment. It sucks.

I probably never noticed those two things occurring at the same time.

If that's what you call 2,300 (official tickets "sold" number), and you subtract half of the already-purchased lower bowl blue seats that were empty. You call it decent. I call it embarrassing. I don't think I've seen this level of waning fan interest this long before the end of conference play since the Coleman Crawford days. Even the Evans Lounge, that has always been packed and bustling an hour before gametime, has the atmosphere of a funeral parlor.

I've been waiting for that (and talking about it on this board) all year. Parrish scoring points is a big key to success for this team in the future.

If did, because it was Kent. You perfectly illustrate how long some people will proclaim the greatness of the coach for something accomplished so long ago. In this case, 16 years. His elevation to a "big program" began the slide to where he is today. That was what I was referencing.