kreed5120 Posted Tuesday at 04:15 PM Report Share Posted Tuesday at 04:15 PM 6 minutes ago, Zippy87 said: I won't pretend to know who is/isn't willing to come to the JAR or if any of these opponents would interest people. Cleveland State,Youngstown State - If we are going to play a Horizon League (or similar level) team, let it be regional foes. If nothing else, you'd potentially draw more road fans. Xavier, Cincinnati, Dayton - I'm guessing none of these schools will play us, but maybe if we offered a 2-for-1 or even 3-for-1? Duquesne - Obvious connections to the staff there and I think would be a good, competitive game most years. All in all, the options are unfortunately probably pretty limited. Probably the only way we'd get someone like Cincinnati or Xavier is if our "home game" is in Cleveland and they get a share of ticket revenue. Although that would probably only work for an OSU as I'm not sure there are many Cincy or Xavier fans in the Cleveland area. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zippy5 Posted Tuesday at 04:32 PM Report Share Posted Tuesday at 04:32 PM 17 minutes ago, Let'sGoZips94 said: I don't know what the plan is for the Akron Basketball Classic, but year 1 saw 4 competitive teams with 0 name interest. If that can be pitched to more recognizable programs, the ABC could be an answer to our prayers. I think the only thing a bigger name wants less than playing us at the JAR is having a neutral site game at the JAR 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Illini Zip Posted Tuesday at 05:10 PM Report Share Posted Tuesday at 05:10 PM We finished the season with a 91 net rating. I would think if we can just get into the top 75 consistently there will be teams like Cincy and Xavier who might want a road test game that can’t hurt them. Worst case is it would be a Quad 1 loss for them. We are not far off. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reslife4Life Posted Tuesday at 05:13 PM Report Share Posted Tuesday at 05:13 PM The best matchup we had the last couple years IMO was the Bradley home and home. Of course we got smoked there and we beat their banged up squad here. But anything in the Missouri Valley, A10, or Ivy league would be beneficial 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ZIPS96 Posted Tuesday at 06:16 PM Report Share Posted Tuesday at 06:16 PM I’m hoping Princeton was a home and home so the come the the JAR this coming season. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zippy5 Posted Tuesday at 07:10 PM Report Share Posted Tuesday at 07:10 PM 53 minutes ago, ZIPS96 said: I’m hoping Princeton was a home and home so the come the the JAR this coming season. Pretty sure that's the case Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ZipsFan31 Posted Tuesday at 07:40 PM Report Share Posted Tuesday at 07:40 PM When it comes to scheduling a school like Akron can’t get in state P4 games because the schools are scared to get embarrassed if they lose. what we have to focus on is going to top 16 programs on the road… this will give us practice at the 1st round of the NCAA tournaments level of play. And those teams like to bring in top mid majors to pad their resume and get practice for their 1st round match up. we need to play Kansas Duke Kentucky Michigan State, UConn. For free on the road. For home game try and get top mid majors home and home. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zippy87 Posted Tuesday at 07:41 PM Author Report Share Posted Tuesday at 07:41 PM 2 hours ago, Illini Zip said: We finished the season with a 91 net rating. I would think if we can just get into the top 75 consistently there will be teams like Cincy and Xavier who might want a road test game that can’t hurt them. Worst case is it would be a Quad 1 loss for them. We are not far off. I think this is a really underrated point. Quad determination is a huge factor now in scheduling. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Let'sGoZips94 Posted Tuesday at 07:48 PM Report Share Posted Tuesday at 07:48 PM 7 minutes ago, ZipsFan31 said: When it comes to scheduling a school like Akron can’t get in state P4 games because the schools are scared to get embarrassed if they lose. what we have to focus on is going to top 16 programs on the road… this will give us practice at the 1st round of the NCAA tournaments level of play. And those teams like to bring in top mid majors to pad their resume and get practice for their 1st round match up. we need to play Kansas Duke Kentucky Michigan State, UConn. For free on the road. For home game try and get top mid majors home and home. Didn't Bud Wentz say that Kansas and other programs alike told us no? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Illini Zip Posted Tuesday at 07:51 PM Report Share Posted Tuesday at 07:51 PM 1 minute ago, Let'sGoZips94 said: Didn't Bud Wentz say that Kansas and other programs alike told us no? He did. A year ago on a podcast that @Blue & Gold posted. I don’t remember the teams he mentioned. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zippy5 Posted Tuesday at 07:52 PM Report Share Posted Tuesday at 07:52 PM (edited) 10 minutes ago, Let'sGoZips94 said: Didn't Bud Wentz say that Kansas and other programs alike told us no? Kansas hosted Oakland and Furman Auburn hosted Vermont, Kent, Richmond Arizona hosted Davidson WVU hosted UMass Houston hosted Troy and Toledo JMU @ Wake OU @ Memphis etc etc .... Do we really think these teams are all scared of us vs the teams they scheduled? Edited Tuesday at 07:59 PM by zippy5 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HoopsFan03 Posted Tuesday at 08:04 PM Report Share Posted Tuesday at 08:04 PM At St Mary's is exactly the type of game we need to play. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ZipsFan31 Posted Tuesday at 08:05 PM Report Share Posted Tuesday at 08:05 PM I think it has to do with what we accept as payment. If we go there for free then they will schedule us… it’s an honor to get to play others teams. I would imagine you don’t get paid, unlike football Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kreed5120 Posted Tuesday at 08:29 PM Report Share Posted Tuesday at 08:29 PM 30 minutes ago, zippy5 said: Kansas hosted Oakland and Furman Auburn hosted Vermont, Kent, Richmond Arizona hosted Davidson WVU hosted UMass Houston hosted Troy and Toledo JMU @ Wake OU @ Memphis etc etc .... Do we really think these teams are all scared of us vs the teams they scheduled? Yes, it's most likely they just don't want to play us on the terms that we prefer. We probably ask for a larger payout than they wish to pay. If it's that much of a pain to schedule P5 opponents, we can negotiate as part of our football deals. If Rutgers, Minnesota, or a Nebraska want to pay us to come play football at their stadium, negotiate us going to play basketball there as well. Football drives the boat at these B1G/SEC schools so if it benefits their football program, they'll sacrifice basketball. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Let'sGoZips94 Posted Tuesday at 08:32 PM Report Share Posted Tuesday at 08:32 PM 13 minutes ago, zippy5 said: Kansas hosted Oakland and Furman Auburn hosted Vermont, Kent, Richmond Arizona hosted Davidson WVU hosted UMass Houston hosted Troy and Toledo JMU @ Wake OU @ Memphis etc etc .... Do we really think these teams are all scared of us vs the teams they scheduled? I don't know if it has much to do with being scared or not. I would imagine @ZipsFan31 is correct regarding the payment. I'm just saying that Bud Wentz has blatantly told Zips fans we've tried for bigger opponents, but they don't want to play us - whether that be risk assessment, payment terms, scheduling terms, etc. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zippy5 Posted Tuesday at 08:53 PM Report Share Posted Tuesday at 08:53 PM Perhaps we need to take a smaller payment then. Or just keep doing what we're doing 🤷♂️ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Let'sGoZips94 Posted Tuesday at 10:02 PM Report Share Posted Tuesday at 10:02 PM 1 hour ago, zippy5 said: Perhaps we need to take a smaller payment then. Or just keep doing what we're doing 🤷♂️ I don't think P4s pay schools like Akron, at least not very often. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clarkwgriswold Posted Tuesday at 10:11 PM Report Share Posted Tuesday at 10:11 PM 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." 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zip JD Posted Tuesday at 10:53 PM Report Share Posted Tuesday at 10:53 PM On 3/24/2025 at 3:01 PM, 1981 grad said: I am hoping that one year under Groce he can improve his game like all the returning players. Needs to get stronger, better defense, and rebound. Love how he moves without the ball and his quick release. He can be unstoppable. 100%. I remember when Groce couldn't play Tavari b/c of him being such a liability on defense (reminds me of Young). Tavari just had the biggest stop of the MACC. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Illini Zip Posted Tuesday at 11:02 PM Report Share Posted Tuesday at 11:02 PM 48 minutes ago, clarkwgriswold said: 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." Sounds like something the coach of Louisville would say after barely escaping 82-76 back in 2019. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clarkwgriswold Posted Tuesday at 11:38 PM Report Share Posted Tuesday at 11:38 PM (edited) 2 hours ago, Zip JD said: 100%. I remember when Groce couldn't play Tavari b/c of him being such a liability on defense (reminds me of Young). Tavari just had the biggest stop of the MACC. Young's size and lack of strength and this point can be taken advantage of my a larger offensive player but I was impressed by his perimeter on the ball defense. He was really good at pestering a dribbler. Edited yesterday at 01:01 AM by clarkwgriswold 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ZipsFan31 Posted Tuesday at 11:42 PM Report Share Posted Tuesday at 11:42 PM I do think the biggest factor is relationships and favors. If 2 ADs are friends or 2 coaches are friends that helps. I know Groce has ties to Butler and Thad Matta… I would love to pull a favor and play Butler at Butler 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clarkwgriswold Posted Tuesday at 11:50 PM Report Share Posted Tuesday at 11:50 PM 6 minutes ago, ZipsFan31 said: I do think the biggest factor is relationships and favors. If 2 ADs are friends or 2 coaches are friends that helps. I know Groce has ties to Butler and Thad Matta… I would love to pull a favor and play Butler at Butler The other part of the story I mentioned above about the coach saying they'd "never do this again" was Groce saying those words came from one of his coaching buddies. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RoyalBlu Posted yesterday at 02:28 AM Report Share Posted yesterday at 02:28 AM (edited) 10 hours ago, akzipper said: I agree completely. Our OOC home opponents are boring and MAC schedule isn't much better. When the most exciting opponent is NKU, there's definitely a problem. I'm just not sure how to fix that. Which schools are willing to play in Akron? I guess that's the biggest problem. Most Mids have trouble bringing teams in. Dayton is the only one I can think of that consistently stacks their home schedule. Somehow 10 of their first 13 games were all at home and those remaining 3 were in Hawaii. I hate to be a Debbie Downer but ... Under both Dambrot and Groce which teams of note have the Zips beat? Not just majors, but quality mid-majors as well? There have been near misses - Nevada, Dayton, Ark. State - but nothing of note comes to my mind. At least Boals and another coach close by have some notches on their belts. Zips don't just need to step up scheduling, ... BUT ALSO BEAT SOMEBODY. PS -- All this talk about 'nobody wants to play us' is pure smoke. Who has Akron defeated in men's basketball that would put fear into these power conference teams. Kent? Miami? Omaha? Does Akron's loss to Arizona strike fear into Indiana, Illinois, West Virginia, Cincinnati and others. C'mon folks. The program is rock solid, not a one-year wonder. It truly is time to full tilt boogie. Dance on the edge. Step up to the plate and take some swings. Edited yesterday at 02:41 AM by RoyalBlu 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zippy5 Posted yesterday at 02:41 AM Report Share Posted yesterday at 02:41 AM too many near misses to count Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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