South Carolina State Bulldogs

[kreed5120]

Figured I'd get the discussion started for our next game. It appears to be another typical home OOC cupcake matchup...shocker

SDSU lost by 15 to the same Bethune-Cookman team that we beat quite handedly earlier this season. Akron should no have no trouble winning the next 2 and will head into conference play a respectable 11-2.

[phil]

I heard somewhere that we have to pay these teams to come to Akron. Not sure if that is correct or if that we pay their expenses. Does anybody know if we pay these teams and any idea how much we pay them to play in Akron?

[wadszip]

I heard somewhere that we have to pay these teams to come to Akron. Not sure if that is correct or if that we pay their expenses. Does anybody know if we pay these teams and any idea how much we pay them to play in Akron?

I'm not sure, but I doubt it is much, if anything. SCSU is on the winter Tour De Ohio. They played OSU Sunday, play Akron tomorrow then play Miami on Saturday. I'm guessing OSU payed them enough to make a week long trip in Ohio worth it. At least, I hope that is the case.

As for the team, I watched them against OSU on BTN. They aren't good, especially on offense. Of course, they have a couple of quick guards that could give Akron trouble. But they don't shoot well and don't really have much in an offensive set that should give the Zips trouble in the half court. It's drive and shoot, or drive and dish to a "big" who then makes a dribble and shoots a fallaway from the middle of the lane. Unless those guards get to the basket at will, don't see how they generate much offense.

They look pretty good on defense, but they let OSU get a ton of open looks from 3. OSU is a pretty bad shooting team, but they went 8 of 22 against them. If things are typical, look for Akron to shoot another 30 from out there, and hopefully making 12 or 13. They should get a ton of good looks.

[kreed5120]

I heard somewhere that we have to pay these teams to come to Akron. Not sure if that is correct or if that we pay their expenses. Does anybody know if we pay these teams and any idea how much we pay them to play in Akron?

We would only pay for guarantee games, games in which we face someone at home but don't agree to play them at their house in a future year. A team like OSU from what I read will pay between 80-110k to get a decent mid major to come to their place. A conference like the MWC conference reportedly pays 3k-10k for a division 1 cupcake, which is what I'd imagine Akron pays. Reportedly a team like Hiram gets 1k-2k to take a beating by a mid major.

Edit: Personally IDK why Akron doesn't accept the paycheck to play 1 road game vs. a big name B1G per year in a guarantee game. It would provide a nice influx of cash that can be re-invested in the program, but more importantly it would expose them to a team of a similar caliber that they could expect to play in round 1 or round 2 of the NCAA tournament so perhaps they won't be so overwhelmed when tourney time comes. A loss wouldn't really hurt them, but an upset or playing a tight game would provide credibility to their bubble hopes.

Edited December 29, 2015 by kreed5120

[K92]

Playing a quality B1G on the road would be great but they are too scared schedule us.

[Balsy]

This'll be the first home game I'll attend this season and I can already anticipate the two emotions I will have. Either; or; .

[phil]

I wonder if KD could call Bob Hurley and get a game with Arizona State or call Groce and get a get at Illinois. He knows the MAC coaches who move on to bigger programs. Could he use these contacts to get away games against good competition or would these coaches shy away from a game with Akron?

[ace]

I wonder if KD could call Bob Hurley and get a game with Arizona State or call Groce and get a get at Illinois. He knows the MAC coaches who move on to bigger programs. Could he use these contacts to get away games against good competition or would these coaches shy away from a game with Akron?

Id be surprised if either of them go for it sadly. What would be really nice is if kd and shaka decide to play each other again and we get some games with Texas, but i don't see that happening either

[zippyman23]

We would only pay for guarantee games, games in which we face someone at home but don't agree to play them at their house in a future year. A team like OSU from what I read will pay between 80-110k to get a decent mid major to come to their place. A conference like the MWC conference reportedly pays 3k-10k for a division 1 cupcake, which is what I'd imagine Akron pays. Reportedly a team like Hiram gets 1k-2k to take a beating by a mid major.

Even conferences like the MWC and A10 will payout between 80-110k, For Akron, 35-60k is the range I have heard depending on the opponent, but that was from a few years back.

[clarkwgriswold]

I hope the Zips don't overlook SCSU in anticipation of that huge Lipscomb matchup this weekend.

[kreed5120]

Akron might receive 35-65k if they are playing an A10 or MW, but if it was a power conference team it would be well more. USA today posted an article in 2012 that stated OSU paid 6 teams 90k+ each. The teams were Valparaiso, VMI, Texas-Pan American, USC Upstate, Lamar, and Miami (OH). That same article stated that CMU made $260k or about 87k each from 3 games vs. Minnesota, Nebraska, and Iowa State.

[zippyman23]

Not necessarily. It's supply and demand. There's schools in those conferences that have much better attendance than most P5 schools. They'll pay just as much, if not more than some of the P5 schools because that is what the market dictates.

[skip-zip]

National Rating Update:

Going into this game, Pomeroy has us moved up slightly to #46

That only a few spots lower than Dayton, and about a dozen spots lower than Cincy (after their loss yesterday) as the only schools in Ohio ahead of us.

It's interesting to think that we could post two more wins over the next few days, and if things fall right, AKRON could be the highest rated team in the State of Ohio by the end of the weekend.

[gozips19]

Where is Xavier ranked? They have to be top ten.

[kreed5120]

Xavier is #7. We won't be jumping them.

[skip-zip]

Ok, my bad. I've been looking at this Pomeroy a few times over the last couple of weeks, and I never looked high enough to see Xavier.

I guess that also demonstrates that I don't look at who's at the top of the national rankings this early in the season either. Because, that's a pretty impressive start for the Musketeers.

OK...I'll take #4 for now, especially since were ahead of all of the MAC teams and the Suckeyes.

[ZachTheZip]

Up 10 at half. Want to win by 25+.

[wadszip]

Up 10 at half. Want to win by 25+.

Well, that didn't come close to happening. Luckily, they had no answer for Big Dog because that was a pathetic showing. SCSU had to have 20 layups. As it has been all season, quick guards simlply destroy this team.

Edit: I will add one other positive. Again, mostly due to Big Dog, this was the best foul shooting I can remember.

Edited December 31, 2015 by wadszip

[Zipgrad01]

Well, that didn't come close to happening. Luckily, they had no answer for Big Dog because that was a pathetic showing. SCSU had to have 20 layups. As it has been all season, quick guards simlply destroy this team.

Edit: I will add one other positive. Again, mostly due to Big Dog, this was the best foul shooting I can remember.

That spells disaster vs tourney type teams

[Z.I.P.]

_{Yes, our defense left a lot to be desired tonight. But DaDog made 14 of 16 free throws! And we know where we need to improve. Meanwhile Ohio is destroying the best team from the Big West (record wise) UC-Riverside, now 9-6. [Edit, UC-Irvine is 10-5 and of course my Rainbow Warriors are 10-2, don't tell my UH posse I forgot the team] OU Up 20. Setty is having one of his once-a-month career games.}

Edited December 31, 2015 by Z.I.P.

[phil]

We shot 82% from the foul line and shot twice as many foul shots 32 than South Carolina State. They had no answer for Big Dog. He was unstoppable tonight and made 14 of 16 foul shots. I said before the season that Big Dog would be a consistent double digit scorer if he could shoot foul shots.

Aron Jackson also had a nice game scoring 10 in 11 minutes.

I agree that we gave up way to many points in the paint. Our guards, Josh, Robotham, and Antino looked a step slow on defense. We need good guard play in the MAC. Antino had a nice drive to the basket. He can be so quick. Kwan seemed to miss several fade away jumpers. Does anyone know if Pat will play on Sat?

[zipsrule]

After the win, we fell to #57 (from #46) in the kenpom rankings.

[zippy5]

Wait till we beat Lipscomb

[ZachTheZip]

RPI dropped to 101. What a hit to the ol' SOS. Lipscomb will be an even bigger anchor.

[skip-zip]

Obviously, 2 more wins this week is far outweighed by the SOS drop. That sucks, but we should have learned that long ago. Nearly every year we get to this point in Nov. and Dec., to creep into the national conversation, a we blow it by scheduling a few too many cupcakes for anyone to take us seriously.