2024-25 Season

[Blue & Gold]

1 hour ago, kreed5120 said:

If we did that, people would moan, like they do in the football thread. Claiming it destroyed our players confidence and derailed our season.

Our basketball program is much further along than our football program. 

While our football program simply needs W's, I wish our basketball schedule was strong enough to allow us, with an upset or two, to be ranked nationally.  The most buzz the team ever had (in my memory) was Zeke's senior year when we were ranked #25 for about a week.

[Captain Kangaroo]

3 hours ago, LZIp said:

Exactly. Which is why I'm a proponent of scheduling OOC tough. Worst case scenario you come out better and more prepared for tourney time. Best case scenario (albeit unrealistic), you have a chance at an at-large if you pull off some upsets.

I'm sort of with you on this. But we've lost pretty much every "measuring stick" OOC game we've played dating back to the Huggins days. We've shown well in a few, but never win.

 

A few of the many examples -

• Huggins lost to Pitt twice. One being at the Coliseum. 
• Dambrot lost all the challenging Bracket Buster games (VCU multiple times, Nevada, Gonzaga etc)
• Groce has done the same. St Bonaventure last year is a good example...a chance to move up in weight class, and we fell short for the umpteenth time.

The Zips annually float in the netherworld between the Horizon and the Missouri Valley. Good mid-major basketball. But not at-large-worthy. I've had season tickets for almost 30 years. I wish it would change. But we are who we are (can we add that to the ongoing cliche list?)

 

 

[clarkwgriswold]

2 hours ago, Captain Kangaroo said:

I But we are who we are (can we add that to the ongoing cliche list?)

 

 

It is what it is.  🤣

Edited October 30 by clarkwgriswold

[kreed5120]

3 hours ago, Blue & Gold said:

Our basketball program is much further along than our football program. 

While our football program simply needs W's, I wish our basketball schedule was strong enough to allow us, with an upset or two, to be ranked nationally.  The most buzz the team ever had (in my memory) was Zeke's senior year when we were ranked #25 for about a week.

If we were running it back returning our starters, I'd understand this more. This is virtually an entirely new team in a sport where chemistry can overcome talent. It's going to take several months before this team realistically "peaks". These early season OOC games are when Groce needs to evaluate what rotations work and don't work.

Edited October 30 by kreed5120

[1981 grad]

3 hours ago, Captain Kangaroo said:

I'm sort of with you on this. But we've lost pretty much every "measuring stick" OOC game we've played dating back to the Huggins days. We've shown well in a few, but never win.

 

A few of the many examples -

• Huggins lost to Pitt twice. One being at the Coliseum. 
• Dambrot lost all the challenging Bracket Buster games (VCU multiple times, Nevada, Gonzaga etc)
• Groce has done the same. St Bonaventure last year is a good example...a chance to move up in weight class, and we fell short for the umpteenth time.

The Zips annually float in the netherworld between the Horizon and the Missouri Valley. Good mid-major basketball. But not at-large-worthy. I've had season tickets for almost 30 years. I wish it would change. But we are who we are (can we add that to the ongoing cliche list?)

 

 

I think I still remember the loss to VCU at the Jar.  We were down by 1 with seconds remaining on the clock and we got the ball down to Zeke and he got fouled and made his free throws.  VCU came back and somebody lost their man and they won at the buzzer.  

Edited October 30 by 1981 grad

[Let'sGoZips94]

The full article.

 

Edited October 31 by Let'sGoZips94

[clarkwgriswold]

The Tip-off reception was a very nice event.  As always, Groce worked the room like a pro.  The team really seems to enjoy each others' company.  As before, there was a lot of talk about character, selflessness and core principles.  Nate was the player chosen to take the stage with Groce and answer questions. There was a discussion about how hard it is to get teams to come to the JAR to play the Zips. Most of the kids did a nice job of going around the room and interacting.

 

Lyles looks much bigger through the chest and shoulders.  Tavari looks like he grew a couple of inches.  You could pass Seth Wilson on the street and have no idea he was a D1 basketball player.  Josiah Harris moves and looks the part of a real player.  Hardman, the OSU transfer, is purportedly the best shooter on the team with a great shot and a quick trigger.  Eric Mahaffey was sporting a large knee brace for a sprained MCL and will likely be out another couple of months (redshirt?).  Brisco is likely to redshirt.  Okonkwo wasn't there as he was in class.

 

The team will be very deep (10-11 players) and is looking to play at a very fast pace and will be able to mainatin pace due to their depth.  Rebound the ball and off to the races.  After the YSU game, the YSU coach called Groce and thanked him for showing them they needed more cardio as the Zips pace wore them down, while Groce thought the Zips had not played fast enough.

[kreed5120]

2 hours ago, Let'sGoZips94 said:

The full article.

 

An interesting read from the article is that it sounds like top MAC players are fetching offers between $200k-$400k to play elsewhere. The MAC will likely remain top heavy moving forward as only about 4 schools seem to care about investing in it.

[Hilltopper]

Groce did a good job explaining that our OOC schedule this season features some of the best mid-major programs this season. Ark St, St Mary's, N Kentucky and Milwaukee are all predicted to be March madness contenders. Sit back and enjoy the ride. By March we will be there too.

Edited October 31 by Hilltopper

[Let'sGoZips94]

3 minutes ago, Hilltopper said:

Groce did a good job explaining that our OOC schedule this season features some of the best mid-major programs this season. Ark St, St Mary's, N Kentucky and Milwaukee are all predicted to be March madness contenders. Sit back and enjoy the ride. By March we will be there too.

 

That doesn't include Yale and Vermont, which are perennial March contenders. I love this schedule. Sure the "big names" aren't on it and there isn't even a flashy early season tourney, but the competition should be some of the best we've seen in recent memory. 

 

10 minutes ago, kreed5120 said:

An interesting read from the article is that it sounds like top MAC players are fetching offers between $200k-$400k to play elsewhere. The MAC will likely remain top heavy moving forward as only about 4 schools seem to care about investing in it.

 

I laughed at the coach who said they haven't had anyone good enough to be plucked and paid. 😂

[Blue & Gold]

This is... AWESOME 🔥🔥🔥

 

[blueandgold]

12 minutes ago, Blue & Gold said:

This is... AWESOME 🔥🔥🔥

 

Excellent!

[egregiousbob]

On 10/24/2024 at 9:39 AM, UA1996MAENG said:

It is certainly a part of it.  Yes, find a special coach and things could get better, but there are basic population dynamics that affect college athletics in states and regions that are oversaturated with universities and colleges as Ohio and other nearby states certainly are. College enrollment in Ohio is stagnant except for Ohio State and Cincinnati. I know, OU and BG had larger freshman classes this fall.  Sustainable?  We'll see.  Working in secondary education, I see that the yearly cohort of college-viable high school graduates is shrinking as well, especially among males. The decline in participation in high school football is also playing a role in this problem.  Up a bit in the last two years, participation in high school football is down nationwide by about 13-15% since 2006. That's not insignificant; the pool of candidates is shrinking and this affects not Ohio State but the mere mortals of CFB. 

 

15 hours ago, Let'sGoZips94 said:

The full article.

 

 

The Akron/Bud Wentz Zips.

 

Fearful his support will dry up when next recession hits.

 

 

[clarkwgriswold]

1 hour ago, Blue & Gold said:

This is... AWESOME 🔥🔥🔥

 

 

This was played at the reception and really made an impact.  Good stuff.

[Captain Kangaroo]

1 hour ago, egregiousbob said:

 

 

The Akron/Bud Wentz Zips.

 

Fearful his support will dry up when next recession hits.

 

 

It wouldn't just be Bud tightening his donation belt if a major recession hit. Every school would feel it.

[RoyalBlu]

8 hours ago, egregiousbob said:

 

 

The Akron/Bud Wentz Zips.

 

Fearful his support will dry up when next recession hits.

 

 

Article also mentioned Toledo's Justin Ingram was perhaps the best recruiting assistant coach in the league. Surely this is debatable, but considering how TK was running through assistant coaches there for awhile, the fact Ingram has stayed and obviously delivered is a big plus.

 

On another note, these are the kind of articles the ABJ and PD used to trot out several times a season. But nothing close to this right now. In Groce and others used to say NE Ohio had the best 'MAC' media coverage in the league. But that is far from the case these days.

 

[clarkwgriswold]

31 minutes ago, RoyalBlu said:

Article also mentioned Toledo's Justin Ingram was perhaps the best recruiting assistant coach in the league. Surely this is debatable, but considering how TK was running through assistant coaches there for awhile, the fact Ingram has stayed and obviously delivered is a big plus.

 

On another note, these are the kind of articles the ABJ and PD used to trot out several times a season. But nothing close to this right now. In Groce and others used to say NE Ohio had the best 'MAC' media coverage in the league. But that is far from the case these days.

 

 

I'm curious to see how it is once the season starts.  Michael Beaven was at the Tip-off Reception front and center.  Anything is an improvement over the disinterested George Thomas we had there for a while.

[zippy5]

47 minutes ago, clarkwgriswold said:

 

I'm curious to see how it is once the season starts.  Michael Beaven was at the Tip-off Reception front and center.  Anything is an improvement over the disinterested George Thomas we had there for a while.

What a loser that guy was 

[clarkwgriswold]

Groce commented on the difficulties in scheduling at the reception and laid out the strength of mid-majors on the schedule.  I took a look and the following schools are all one or more mid-major top 25s-  Princeton (ranked as high as #3); St. Mary's (ranked as high as #4); OU (ranked as high as #11); Yale (ranked as high as #13); Arkansas State (ranked as high as #17); and Toledo (ranked as high as #19). 

[Let'sGoZips94]

3 days away from the first game... and I'm getting excited. I remember the feeling in the spring of not knowing what would come of this team post-Freeman. Who would've thought Groce would come back with arguably his deepest team? I have no idea how good the top-end talent will be because they're all new guys, but I do know we are legitimately 10-11 deep. 

 

F: Okonkwo, Lyles

W: Harris, MKK

G: NJohnson, TJohnson, Scott, Young, Gray, Wilson, Hardman

 

Again, true level of production is TBD, but I can't recall a Zips team that is expecting to get legitimate production from their 10th and 11th guys. What leaps will Lyles, NJohnson, TJohnson, and Scott take? How does Young fair as a true freshman? Can Okonkwo establish himself as a force down low? How will the 3 pt shots of Harris, Wilson, and Hardman be? I think Gray will be our most consistent player (Tyler Cheese-esque). 

 

Despite this, Akron isn't getting any love in the preseason expectation opinions. Ohio and Toledo are the representatives from the MAC for the mid-major rankings, and even Kent is getting more love. Akron's "dark horse" ride will last as long as it takes the chemistry to come together. If that's sooner rather than later, look for the Zips to quickly climb the mid-major ranks. 

Edited November 1 by Let'sGoZips94

[kreed5120]

On 10/30/2024 at 10:51 PM, Let'sGoZips94 said:

 

That doesn't include Yale and Vermont, which are perennial March contenders. I love this schedule. Sure the "big names" aren't on it and there isn't even a flashy early season tourney, but the competition should be some of the best we've seen in recent memory. 

 

 

I laughed at the coach who said they haven't had anyone good enough to be plucked and paid. 😂

I assumed that quote was from the Buffalo coach since his team was terrible and he's only been in the MAC for a season.

[Let'sGoZips94]

We have a good one in Groce. 

 

[RoyalBlu]

On 11/1/2024 at 2:09 PM, clarkwgriswold said:

Groce commented on the difficulties in scheduling at the reception and laid out the strength of mid-majors on the schedule.  I took a look and the following schools are all one or more mid-major top 25s-  Princeton (ranked as high as #3); St. Mary's (ranked as high as #4); OU (ranked as high as #11); Yale (ranked as high as #13); Arkansas State (ranked as high as #17); and Toledo (ranked as high as #19). 

 

Sorry, this is a pet peeve of mine.

 

I still don't buy this scheduling 'difficulties' mantra. A lot of this is about relationships, and I can't believe Groce has so few coaching relationships that he can't get a Big 10 game or a few A-10 games or others. AND HE'S COACHED IN THE BIG 10.  I haven't looked, but other than St. Mary's I'm doubtful any of the rest above are in Kenpoms Top 100.

 

Toledo has games with Purdue and I think Houston. Kent has games with Alabama and Auburn. Those come off the top of my head. Say what you want about Pinky, It would be interesting to compare quality (power conference) non-conference games between he and Groce. Yes, you have to play the bulk of these games on the road. But the reward is worth it, when you can get it.

 

And let's face it. Playing Ohio, Toledo, Kent or Akron - to a P5 school - are all about the same.

 

 

[Blue & Gold]

4 hours ago, RoyalBlu said:

 

Sorry, this is a pet peeve of mine.

 

I still don't buy this scheduling 'difficulties' mantra. A lot of this is about relationships, and I can't believe Groce has so few coaching relationships that he can't get a Big 10 game or a few A-10 games or others. AND HE'S COACHED IN THE BIG 10.  I haven't looked, but other than St. Mary's I'm doubtful any of the rest above are in Kenpoms Top 100.

 

Toledo has games with Purdue and I think Houston. Kent has games with Alabama and Auburn. Those come off the top of my head. Say what you want about Pinky, It would be interesting to compare quality (power conference) non-conference games between he and Groce. Yes, you have to play the bulk of these games on the road. But the reward is worth it, when you can get it.

 

And let's face it. Playing Ohio, Toledo, Kent or Akron - to a P5 school - are all about the same.

 

 

I’m all for A-10 matchups and I’m still waiting on our new Big East pals to throw us some bones.

Edited November 8 by Blue & Gold

[clarkwgriswold]

3 hours ago, RoyalBlu said:

 

Sorry, this is a pet peeve of mine.

 

I still don't buy this scheduling 'difficulties' mantra. A lot of this is about relationships, and I can't believe Groce has so few coaching relationships that he can't get a Big 10 game or a few A-10 games or others. AND HE'S COACHED IN THE BIG 10.  I haven't looked, but other than St. Mary's I'm doubtful any of the rest above are in Kenpoms Top 100.

 

Toledo has games with Purdue and I think Houston. Kent has games with Alabama and Auburn. Those come off the top of my head. Say what you want about Pinky, It would be interesting to compare quality (power conference) non-conference games between he and Groce. Yes, you have to play the bulk of these games on the road. But the reward is worth it, when you can get it.

 

And let's face it. Playing Ohio, Toledo, Kent or Akron - to a P5 school - are all about the same.

 

 

 

Groce thanked Dustin Ford for all of his hard work in working out the schedule so I got the sense that he's the primary guy in charge of scheduling.   He also spoke of just how easy it was to schedule his first year when everyone knew they had limited talent and how it's become tougher and tougher with the improvement in the program.