2025-26 season in process

[kreed5120]

46 minutes ago, lance99 said:

They would have to win the Perdue Game AND hope they go deep in the Big Ten(being Ranked at the time) Torment AND The Zips make it to the Title Game AND run the table being ranked in the process getting there.....

While I agree beating Purdue would be a big boost, I penciled it in as a loss because beating them is unrealistic. Then again so is going 30-3.

[clarkwgriswold]

Notes from the Tip-off Reception:

*  Evan Mahaffey is the real deal.  He could be one of Akron's best ever by the time he is done here.

*  Cody Head is better than expected.

*  The Serbian will get some minutes.

*  The team is fully healthy as of a week ago.

*  Barre is a good fit as he can get up and down the floor.

*  Nate had 9 serious high money NIL offers.

*  The entire team looks like they've spent a lot of time with the strength and conditioning coach.  

*  They beat Wright State in an exhibition.

*  Every player that has completed their eligibility at UA in the last 9 year left with a degree.

*  Every scholarship player who has completed his eligibility at UA in the last nine years has played professionally.

*  26 practices so far.

*  They are going to play fast again this year.

*  The emphasis in practice all pre-season has been on defense.

*  The JMU Game will include the ring presentation and raising the banner.

*  There will be two fan experiences- trips to Vegas and New Orleans.

*  This group is really tight on and off the court.

*  The proceeds of the YSU scrimmage are being split between the schools' collectives.

Edited Wednesday at 01:05 AM by clarkwgriswold

[zvillezip]

I think you mean Eric Mahaffey instead of Evan in your first point.

[Let'sGoZips94]

4 minutes ago, zvillezip said:

I think you mean Eric Mahaffey instead of Evan in your first point.

 

I was wondering the same thing.

 

40 minutes ago, clarkwgriswold said:

Notes from the Tip-off Reception:

*  Evan Mahaffey is the real deal.  He could be one of Akron's best ever by the time he is done here.

*  Cody Head is better than expected.

*  The Serbian will get some minutes.

*  The team is fully healthy as of a week ago.

*  Barre is a good fit as he can get up and down the floor.

*  Nate had 9 serious high money NIL offers.

*  The entire team looks like they've spent a lot of time with the strength and conditioning coach.  

*  They beat Wright State in an exhibition.

*  Every player that has completed their eligibility at UA in the last 9 year left with a degree.

*  Every scholarship player who has completed his eligibility at UA in the last nine years has played professionally.

*  26 practices so far.

*  They are going to play fast again this year.

*  The emphasis in practice all pre-season has been on defense.

*  The JMU Game will include the ring presentation and raising the banner.

*  There will be two fan experiences- trips to Vegas and New Orleans.

*  This group is really tight on and off the court.

*  The proceeds of the YSU scrimmage are being split between the schools' collectives.

 

- What were your expectations for Head that he is exceeding in practice? 

- I think our front court is going to surprise some teams. We're larger on average and more athletic. 

- This team, theoretically, should play faster than last year's squad. We're a few guys deeper at each spot and healthy (knock on wood).

- Love this. The $20 ticket price has been validated with this information. Good for both programs.

[NWAkron]

1 hour ago, clarkwgriswold said:

Notes from the Tip-off Reception:

*  Evan Mahaffey is the real deal.  He could be one of Akron's best ever by the time he is done here.

*  Cody Head is better than expected.

 

That seems to be the company line, depending on whose company you keep.

[csims0917]

36 minutes ago, zvillezip said:

I think you mean Eric Mahaffey instead of Evan in your first point.

Why not both! Lol

[Z.I.P.]

7 hours ago, clarkwgriswold said:

Notes from the Tip-off 

*  The Serbian will get some minutes.

 

If THAT's all that happens with Oggi, then either this team is so packed with talent it's headed to the Top 25 or, I fear the coaches are giving too much deference to the returning (and veteran transfer) players.  Have you SEEN the film??  Ogg (as in "Oh, GEE!" I'm still working on how to refer to him if we meet outside a locker room) competed and scored and rebounded strongly against all-European youth competition.  IF he stays more than a year or two, he could be the guy who does what you predicted one of the Mahaffey brothers would do.  I really hope he gets time to show his ability vs US college kids on the floor at Beeghley Center coming up shortly.  And, I was wondering if coach Weigand has taken him to eat at Belgrade Gardens or any of the other Serbian chicken palaces in the municipality of Barberton... 🐔 🤔 

[clarkwgriswold]

Yes, I mixed up my Mahaffeys!  

[kreed5120]

4 hours ago, Z.I.P. said:

If THAT's all that happens with Oggi, then either this team is so packed with talent it's headed to the Top 25 or, I fear the coaches are giving too much deference to the returning (and veteran transfer) players.  Have you SEEN the film??  Ogg (as in "Oh, GEE!" I'm still working on how to refer to him if we meet outside a locker room) competed and scored and rebounded strongly against all-European youth competition.  IF he stays more than a year or two, he could be the guy who does what you predicted one of the Mahaffey brothers would do.  I really hope he gets time to show his ability vs US college kids on the floor at Beeghley Center coming up shortly.  And, I was wondering if coach Weigand has taken him to eat at Belgrade Gardens or any of the other Serbian chicken palaces in the municipality of Barberton... 🐔 🤔 

 

I feel part of the issue with highlight reels is that you only ever see the good, not the flaws.

 

The league he played in I frankly never heard of. I'm sure it's a higher level of competition than the MAC, but from my own ignorance I'm not sure how it compares to college basketball as a whole. He was an 8th or 9th man on his team.

 

He's coming to Akron, which already has a lot of guard depth. He also joined the team late so he has just maybe 2 months now to learn the system. Compared to ~5 months to years for the other guys he'll be fighting for minutes. He can certainly earn playing time, but I see his minutes ramping up as the season progresses.

 

 

[Z.I.P.]

5 hours ago, kreed5120 said:

 

I feel part of the issue with highlight reels is that you only ever see the good, not the flaws.

 

The league he played in I frankly never heard of. I'm sure it's a higher level of competition than the MAC, but from my own ignorance I'm not sure how it compares to college basketball as a whole. He was an 8th or 9th man on his team.

 

He's coming to Akron, which already has a lot of guard depth. He also joined the team late so he has just maybe 2 months now to learn the system. Compared to ~5 months to years for the other guys he'll be fighting for minutes. He can certainly earn playing time, but I see his minutes ramping up as the season progresses.

 

 

The FIBA websites are currently inoperable, but I thought Oggi was shown getting major minutes for Serbia's either U-20 team or earlier at U-17 in international comp.  Besides the team in Bosnia he played for last season, he earlier was part of Partizan Belgrade, a major well known Euro sporting club, probably on their youth team.  I also found a SI story pointing to the interest Kansas coach Bill Self (among many ranked programs) had in the Yugo.  His height is listed as either 6-5 or 6-6 in all the sites I saw, but that could have been 17/18 y.o.

 

Kansas Could Pivot to New European Recruit Following Dame Sarr Miss https://www.si.com/college/kansas/basketball/kansas-could-pivot-to-new-european-recruit-ognjen-stankovic-following-dame-sarr-miss

[zippy5]

Great to hear that Head is exceeding expectations. Hopefully it lasts

[Blue & Gold]

On 10/28/2025 at 9:04 PM, clarkwgriswold said:

 

*  Cody Head is better than expected.

 

Did one of the assistant coaches mention this? I was surprised he wasn't dressed to play vs. YSU tonight.

[clarkwgriswold]

8 hours ago, Blue & Gold said:

Did one of the assistant coaches mention this? I was surprised he wasn't dressed to play vs. YSU tonight.

It's puzzling.  Could be any number of reasons.

[NWAkron]

4 hours ago, clarkwgriswold said:

It's puzzling.  Could be any number of reasons.

really could use Kobe Mitchell about now.  

[clarkwgriswold]

1 hour ago, NWAkron said:

really could use Kobe Mitchell about now.  

...or Taylor Currie.

[MDZip]

Just for fun I was looking back at recent Akron successes in the MAC tournament. Akron was first eligible for the MAC tournament in 1993, it didn't even qualify for the tournament at all until 1998 and won only three games total until 2007 when it made the final (although the previous year the Zips were seeded third and their one win put them into the semifinal a streak that would continue for 12 years, then two years of not making the semifinal, then making at least the semis every year since it has been played). 

 

Despite the Zips never making a championship until 2007, and not winning one until 2009, they are 6-6 overall now (only one behind the three all-time leaders Ball St, Ohio and Kent (all of whom have made at least 32 appearances). Zips have 17. 

 

Despite the Zips having won only three games by 2007, they have the highest winning percentage in MAC tournament history at .607. Zips have as many wins as they have missed championship appearances since 2007. 

 

Just wanted to put in a little thanks to Keith Dambrot and John Groce for making these last 20 years so enjoyable. Now go win an NCAA tournament game (for us!). 🤣

[Zippy87]

10 hours ago, MDZip said:

Just for fun I was looking back at recent Akron successes in the MAC tournament. Akron was first eligible for the MAC tournament in 1993, it didn't even qualify for the tournament at all until 1998 and won only three games total until 2007 when it made the final (although the previous year the Zips were seeded third and their one win put them into the semifinal a streak that would continue for 12 years, then two years of not making the semifinal, then making at least the semis every year since it has been played). 

 

Despite the Zips never making a championship until 2007, and not winning one until 2009, they are 6-6 overall now (only one behind the three all-time leaders Ball St, Ohio and Kent (all of whom have made at least 32 appearances). Zips have 17. 

 

Despite the Zips having won only three games by 2007, they have the highest winning percentage in MAC tournament history at .607. Zips have as many wins as they have missed championship appearances since 2007. 

 

Just wanted to put in a little thanks to Keith Dambrot and John Groce for making these last 20 years so enjoyable. Now go win an NCAA tournament game (for us!). 🤣

 

I was telling my son on the way home from the Tipoff event how lucky we have been as Zips fans. Most MAC schools would love to have had just one of KD or Groce, and we have been fortunate to have had both. Probably two of best coaches in MAC history. 

[clarkwgriswold]

Ohio.com article on Tavari-

 

https://www.beaconjournal.com/story/sports/college/zips/2025/10/31/tavari-johnson-returns-akron-zips-mens-basketball-ncaa-transfer-portal/86983272007/

[Zippy87]

It will be interesting to watch this team grow over the course of the year and see the rotations develop. You're replacing about 37 PPG from last year's rotation (Nate, Gray, Seth, Okonkwo) that is going to have to come from some internal growth from returning players and/or the combo of the Mahaffeys, Head, Stankovic, and Barre. 

 

Eric Mahaffey was apparently going to start as a true freshman last year, so that certainly suggests Groce viewing him very highly. 

 

I think Evan probably gives you modest offensive production along with elite defense. 

 

I know very little of Cody, but @clarkwgriswold mentioned the coaches really like him. He may be an important scorer off the bench. 

 

I've heard enough good things about Barre to believe he can be an energy big who chips in a few points around the rim.

 

Stankovic is kind of the wild card to me. His size and skill suggests he could be an offensive mismatch against many teams. 

 

I'm excited to see it all unfold. The journey of the season is the most enjoyable part of being a fan, seeing where we start vs where we finish.  

[Zippy87]

 

Isaiah Johnson Night on 2/14 - assuming we are putting his number up?

[csims0917]

Trading card night + autograph night sounds like I need to get a card binder!

[Let'sGoZips94]

48 minutes ago, Zippy87 said:

 

Isaiah Johnson Night on 2/14 - assuming we are putting his number up?

 

If anyone goes to the Trading Card game and doesn't want their cards, let me know. I am a big time card collector and will ironically be unable to attend due to my weekend shifts at the local card shop.