MAC 2025-26 SZN

[Let'sGoZips94]

Kent is getting demolished early by Purdue, down 21 with 5 minutes to go in the first half. 

Edited December 30, 2025 by Let'sGoZips94

[kreed5120]

Ball State must be playing Sisters of Charity School for the Blind as they were up 48-8 at the half.

[NWAkron]

Kent blows

[zipsrule]

Purdue beats Kent 101-60.

[Let'sGoZips94]

Anyone who thinks Kent is on the same level as Akron is kidding themselves. 

 

Gillespie was served a massive slice of humbled pie among the trees tonight. You love to see it. 

 

Also, per Kent's forum, one of their 11 posts stated Cian Medley was in street clothes. Darn shame. Hope it heals in May. 

Edited December 30, 2025 by Let'sGoZips94

[kreed5120]

OU @ CMU game on ESPN+ right now. Sloppy play by both teams. 

[Zips1991]

I know UMass is not that great but they're only -2.5 tonight at EMU. If I were a betting man (which I'm not at this present moment), I'd be on that for UMass. At least on the moneyline.

[NWAkron]

Great game in Toledo now

[NWAkron]

75 -75 1.43 left

[kreed5120]

2 hours ago, Zips1991 said:

I know UMass is not that great but they're only -2.5 tonight at EMU. If I were a betting man (which I'm not at this present moment), I'd be on that for UMass. At least on the moneyline.

 

Both those teams have had a very up and down season. Hard to know which team shows up for each of them, Jekyll or Hyde.

[Zips1991]

3 hours ago, Zips1991 said:

I know UMass is not that great but they're only -2.5 tonight at EMU. If I were a betting man (which I'm not at this present moment), I'd be on that for UMass. At least on the moneyline.

I'm here to admit I was wrong. 😆 

[LZIp]

1 minute ago, Zips1991 said:

I'm here to admit I was wrong. 😆 

What a disappointing addition umASS is looking to be to the MAC. Putting a lot of money into football and can’t win a game. Basketball is looking more mid to lower tier of the conference rather than a contender.

[kreed5120]

58 minutes ago, LZIp said:

What a disappointing addition umASS is looking to be to the MAC. Putting a lot of money into football and can’t win a game. Basketball is looking more mid to lower tier of the conference rather than a contender.

 

I think next year is the first full season that UMass will see that financial commitment for football they have talked about. Even then with the state of the program it will probably take them time to compete.

 

Basketball is a different story. IMO Frank Martin is a washed has been who the game has passed by. His tough coaching style doesn't work in today's player empowerment era. Not to mention despite having an NIL budget that is 2-3x+ most MAC schools he seems to struggle at evaluating talent as his roster is on par with several MAC schools who are shopping TJ Maxx and Walmart clearance bins for players. 

[RoyalBlu]

Agree it's a rough start for UMass, but I wouldn't completely write them off just yet, although an 0-3 start to the MAC season (BG next) is very possible. Problem with UMass -- like any team switching leagues (remember Akron from the Mid-Con to the MAC???) -- is adapting to the style of play, particularly against the elite teams.

 

Simply put, like most MAC teams not named Akron, Miami, or Toledo, UMass does not have enough shooters on their roster. They will either have to lock teams up defensively, or mug teams inside to have a chance most nights. It will take them awhile to adapt. This year? Next year? Who knows.

 

Martin is definitely old school. But I don't think he's completely over the hill.  Let's see what this team looks like come February.

 

Note: Buffalo and Kent are teams that seem to be transitioning towards Akron's style of play with more shooters on the floor. Like UMass, we'll see what those teams look like in February.

 

[clarkwgriswold]

Eastern gave up 53 second half points to OU, which had scored 15 first half points, to give the Bobcats a last second win.  Their forum was a fun read.   PCCC tried to give the game away against NIU but held on.  

[Blue & Gold]

 

[kreed5120]

1 hour ago, Blue & Gold said:

 

That Toledo job is sneaky good depending on the criteria you're looking at. Kowalchoke l think is the 3rd highest paid coach and has been at Toledo for 15 years. He has never made the NCAA tournament and their fanbase still worships him. They constantly come up with excuses for them being "robbed".

 

Meanwhile, at Akron Dambrot made 10 straight MAC finals appearances and multiple trips to the Big Dance. A vocal minority wanted him gone because he didn't make the tournament for a 4 year stretch.

 

I guess that's just the difference between a winning program and another that is content with being good, not great.

Edited Wednesday at 11:45 PM by kreed5120

[RoyalBlu]

As an urban university Toledo is not in really great shape. But it is still waaaaay better than Akron.

I agree it is the best job in the league considering infrastructure, location, recruiting and at least a solid foundation for winning.

 

What can't be overstated is the fact Toledo's prime recruiting areas - Columbus, Cleveland, Detroit, Chicago, Indianapolis - are all prime prep hoops hubs and all 3-hour drives or less.

 

Akron stands tall with arguably the best coach in the league who has carried the league during a relative down stretch. Credit to him for taking advantage of the situation. But without his one strong financial donor, in the current portal landscape, it's tough seeing Akron even close to Toledo - all things considered.

 

And that goes without mentioning Akron's financial woes and the enrollment issues all universities face these days.

 

i'll take Groce over Kowalczk any day of the week .... but I'll take Toledo over Akron any day of the week as well. Tough to say that  living in Northeast Ohio, but in terms of college basketball, I stand by it.

 

Edited yesterday at 02:40 AM by RoyalBlu

[Captain Kangaroo]

58 minutes ago, RoyalBlu said:

As an urban university Toledo is not in really great shape. But it is still waaaaay better than Akron.

I agree it is the best job in the league considering infrastructure, location, recruiting and at least a solid foundation for winning.

 

What can't be overstated is the fact Toledo's prime recruiting areas - Columbus, Cleveland, Detroit, Chicago, Indianapolis - are all prime prep hoops hubs and all 3-hour drives or less.

 

Akron stands tall with arguably the best coach in the league who has carried the league during a relative down stretch. Credit to him for taking advantage of the situation. But without his one strong financial donor, in the current portal landscape, it's tough seeing Akron even close to Toledo - all things considered.

 

And that goes without mentioning Akron's financial woes and the enrollment issues all universities face these days.

 

i'll take Groce over Kowalczk any day of the week .... but I'll take Toledo over Akron any day of the week as well. Tough to say that  living in Northeast Ohio, but in terms of college basketball, I stand by it.

 

I think the last 40 years is a pretty relevant statistical sampling, and over that time period Akron’s basketball success dwarfs Toledo’s. 

[MDZip]

Miami picked up 22 votes in the AP poll and currently sits 30th 

[RoyalBlu]

1 hour ago, Captain Kangaroo said:

I think the last 40 years is a pretty relevant statistical sampling, and over that time period Akron’s basketball success dwarfs Toledo’s. 

I agree!!!

 

But while there is no way of knowing, I would say, if Toledo matched Akron's success, with their infrastructure - arena, recruiting ability, location - they would be in another conference by now. Missouri Valley at the least. Perhaps even the American. Akron is still in the MAC.

 

Edited yesterday at 04:48 AM by RoyalBlu

[kreed5120]

10 hours ago, RoyalBlu said:

I agree!!!

 

But while there is no way of knowing, I would say, if Toledo matched Akron's success, with their infrastructure - arena, recruiting ability, location - they would be in another conference by now. Missouri Valley at the least. Perhaps even the American. Akron is still in the MAC.

 

 

Toledo still prioritizes football. No way would have they gone to the MVC if they were ever offered. 

 

As for the rankings, I would say Akron is probably the best at the moment. You're correct there is doubt if this will continue long-term given that much of our funding comes from 1 booster so if something happens and that money quits coming in we would be in a similar position financially as most of the other MAC programs.

 

UMass is probably setup the best long-term. They already have more money to spend currently and they have a deeper pool of boosters. They mainly just need to find the right coach.

Edited 22 hours ago by kreed5120

[zippy5]

10 hours ago, RoyalBlu said:

I agree!!!

 

But while there is no way of knowing, I would say, if Toledo matched Akron's success, with their infrastructure - arena, recruiting ability, location - they would be in another conference by now. Missouri Valley at the least. Perhaps even the American. Akron is still in the MAC.

 

but, why haven't they reached our success?

[RoyalBlu]

4 hours ago, zippy5 said:

but, why haven't they reached our success?

They don't have Groce ... or even Senderoff, which is not to say I think TK is a top 3 coach in the MAC.

 

[zippy5]

He hasn't been there 40 years