2026 MAC Tournament

[Let'sGoZips94]

Just now, ewbrooman1 said:

Angela Rizzo says our bench is at 106/107. Extrapolate from there. 

 

C119 is where we got tickets using her code. $39 a piece out the door if anyone is interested in making that another Akron section. 

[ewbrooman1]

1 minute ago, Let'sGoZips94 said:

 

C119 is where we got tickets using her code. $39 a piece out the door if anyone is interested in making that another Akron section. 

You may find yourself in a Toledo area, but who knows? Anyone can buy those seats.

[Zips1991]

Akron favored by 7.5 against Toledo.

[Let'sGoZips94]

1 minute ago, ewbrooman1 said:

You may find yourself in a Toledo area, but who knows? Anyone can buy those seats.

 

Hence my push to try and make it an Akron section lol. Tons of tickets available. 

 

We were in a mixed section tonight and the row of Kent fans behind us were annoying (they also did not like me). 

[kreed5120]

7 minutes ago, Let'sGoZips94 said:

 

Good call. Not sure how he has a 5th year but they only celebrated Whaley and Safford. Wouldn't be surprised if he hits the portal to get paid. 

Yes, I wouldn't be surprised if he has 2 dozen high major offers. Assuming he has eligibility.

[Westie]

Man oh man, Zips cobbles that one together tonight. The essence of survive and advance. Sayonara Flashes.

 

Tavari seemed a little off tonight. Maybe under the weather? 

[Let'sGoZips94]

2 minutes ago, Westie said:

Man oh man, Zips cobbles that one together tonight. The essence of survive and advance. Sayonara Flashes.

 

Tavari seemed a little off tonight. Maybe under the weather? 

 

Doubtful. I think Kent took us out of our usual high pace style and Tavari struggled to adjust. His biggest weakness is his size and when Kent decided to switch everything and throw the bigs out on the perimeter to force the ball off the 3P line, Tavari wasn't able to quickly find the passing lanes. 

[Let'sGoZips94]

[1981 grad]

Winning ugly is still winning!!!   Amani Lyles is having a difficult time shooting the 3 ball and is now 0 for 10 in 2 games.  I know of at least one former Akron player that shot the ball well during the season but when it came to the MAC tourney in Cleveland his shooting percentage went way down.  Not sure if Amani is feeling the pressure of the tourney but hopefully tomorrow will be the day he finds his shot.  Zach Halligan has also had a rough time of it lately on offense.  He only played 2 minutes and Groce pulled him after a horrible turnover and he only played 4 minutes tonight.  Yesterday he got pulled in the first few minutes after missing an open 3 and another bad turnover.  I am sure Groce will start him tomorrow but he needs to play better.

 

I think everyone else had solid games.  I am going to give a special shoutout to Bowen Hardman who played 26 minutes and 3 of 6 shooting for 9 points and 4 rebounds.  I do not think he is a great defender but I thought he played really good defense tonight and hit some big three point shots,

 

Can the Zips have one game where they shoot better than 40% from three and show Toledo the door.  I think when they play poorly they are a competitive MAC team but when they are hitting the 3 point shots they should take care of business tomorrow.  Go Zips!!!!

[kreed5120]

3 minutes ago, 1981 grad said:

Winning ugly is still winning!!!   Amani Lyles is having a difficult time shooting the 3 ball and is now 0 for 10 in 2 games.  I know of at least one former Akron player that shot the ball well during the season but when it came to the MAC tourney in Cleveland his shooting percentage went way down.  Not sure if Amani is feeling the pressure of the tourney but hopefully tomorrow will be the day he finds his shot.  Zach Halligan has also had a rough time of it lately on offense.  He only played 2 minutes and Groce pulled him after a horrible turnover and he only played 4 minutes tonight.  Yesterday he got pulled in the first few minutes after missing an open 3 and another bad turnover.  I am sure Groce will start him tomorrow but he needs to play better.

 

I think everyone else had solid games.  I am going to give a special shoutout to Bowen Hardman who played 26 minutes and 3 of 6 shooting for 9 points and 4 rebounds.  I do not think he is a great defender but I thought he played really good defense tonight and hit some big three point shots,

 

Can the Zips have one game where they shoot better than 40% from three and show Toledo the door.  I think when they play poorly they are a competitive MAC team but when they are hitting the 3 point shots they should take care of business tomorrow.  Go Zips!!!!

I will +1 on Bowen. I actually thought he played smart and composed. Didn't really rush anything and made the right plays.

[kreed5120]

Akron opens as -7.5 vs Toledo.

[Zippy87]

A few thoughts:

 

- I would love to see Eric be more aggressive offensively. He's been tentative on that end in the first two games. 

- Sharron hasn't gotten it going offensively, but his defense and energy has been huge. Had some big plays tonight. 

-Halligan is pretty clearly less than 100%. 

- MMK gave us some important minutes tonight. 

- I am going to miss watching Tavari and Shammah next season. Such a special duo. 

- Hopefully Amani hitting those two free throws late give him a confidence boost. It seems like it is mental for him right now. We need him tomorrow. 

[Let'sGoZips94]

Every November we pray and hope that come March, we're in this position. Since 2007, more often than not, we have been. We are a blessed fan base to have experienced so many Saturdays in Cleveland. 

 

On the flip side, Toledo hasn't been written on a bracket since 1980. Let's make sure that streak continues. 

 

Goodnight ZipsNation. When we wake up, it's go time. When we wake up, we prepare ourselves for history to be made as the first ever 3Peat in MAC tournament history. LET'S GO ZIPS!

[Zippy87]

15 minutes ago, Let'sGoZips94 said:

Every November we pray and hope that come March, we're in this position. Since 2007, more often than not, we have been. We are a blessed fan base to have experienced so many Saturdays in Cleveland. 

 

On the flip side, Toledo hasn't been written on a bracket since 1980. Let's make sure that streak continues. 

 

Goodnight ZipsNation. When we wake up, it's go time. When we wake up, we prepare ourselves for history to be made as the first ever 3Peat in MAC tournament history. LET'S GO ZIPS!

 

Saturday we will play for the MAC Championship for the 13th time in the last 19 seasons. We are truly fortunate to have had KD and now Groce, and a ton of really fun and talented players over that timespan. 

[clarkwgriswold]

Zach had a hamstring therapy wrap Thursday night and a back therapy brace last night.  He's obviously hurting and at this point is starting just not to mix up what has worked.  He barely gets into the flow before his sub is coming off of the bench and that seems to be happening earlier and earlier over the last month.  He'll get in later in games for defense but likely won't see many late minutes.  God bless the kid for his effort and attitude.  He's the glue type of player all teams need.

[Hilltopper]

Sections 106/107 for tonight.

[Illini Zip]

8 hours ago, Let'sGoZips94 said:

Three of their top players should have fouled out with 10 minutes left to play. So yes LCJ, I completely agree they are not on our level. The Akron vs Kent State rivalry is simply unsustainable, so they are letting Kent muddy the waters with physical play. But we even beat them at their own game. I’m still geeked up about Scott stuffing the ball down Kent’s throat. Go Zips!!

[Let'sGoZips94]

Just now, Illini Zip said:

Three of their top players should have fouled out with 10 minutes left to play. So yes LCJ, I completely agree they are not on our level. The Akron vs Kent State rivalry is simply unsustainable, so they are letting Kent muddy the waters with physical play. But we even beat them at their own game. I’m still geeked up about Scott stuffing the ball down Kent’s throat. Go Zips!!

 

Do we have a screen grab of that play? It was awesome in person. 

[Illini Zip]

6 minutes ago, Let'sGoZips94 said:

 

Do we have a screen grab of that play? It was awesome in person. 

That should have made Sports Center. Is that still a thing?

[Let'sGoZips94]

Is Toledo capable of playing the defense Kent played last night? Typically defense is optional with Kowalchoke, so even if they do commit themselves on that side of the ball, will it be quality defense? 

 

In my opinion, for Toledo to win,  they'll need to find the ability to play quality defense and and make their shots at an above average rate. Even then, if Akron is on, it might not matter.  

 

Both their men's and women's teams are in the MAC Title. Does that being their basketball fans out of the woodwork? Maybe. Traditionally they've been the B tier school for attendance in Cleveland, being consistently bested by Akron, Kent, and Ohio.  A large crowd child also be an equalizer for them, although I'd have to imagine Zips Nation shows out in strong numbers tonight. The energy and momentum around the basketball program is palpable. NEO basketball fans know Akron is the standard. 8 straight over Kent is dominance. We need to capitalize by getting as many on the Zips bandwagon as possible.

 

Full 40 minutes tonight. Utilize our hockey line changes to keep guys as fresh as possible. Have confidence in our shot making abilities. Play hard, intelligent defense. Leave it all out on the court. Do that, and I believe we'll be making history tonight as the first team to ever 3Peat in the MAC tournament. Do that, and we'll be hearing our name called tomorrow on Selection Sunday for the 4th time in 5 years.  

 

I believe the post-game breakdown goes...

 

1...2...3... ALL FOR ONE, ONE FOR ALL!

4...5...6... FAMILY!

 

 

LET'S GO ZIPS!

[clarkwgriswold]

Sharron is really important tonight as he's our one guard defender that can really man up on those quick small Toledo guards.

[kreed5120]

We can't be the team that allows Toledo to end their nearly half a century drought. Their fans will only become more insufferable than they already are.

[Reslife4Life]

8 minutes ago, Let'sGoZips94 said:

I believe the post-game breakdown goes...

 

1...2...3... ALL FOR ONE, ONE FOR ALL!

4...5...6... FAMILY!

 

 

LET'S GO ZIPS!

I have never been able to distinguish the word after 456, that makes sense

[NWAkron]

9 minutes ago, clarkwgriswold said:

Sharron is really important tonight as he's our one guard defender that can really man up on those quick small Toledo guards.

guards league

[Let'sGoZips94]

Where does this shot rank all-time among important, big time shots in Akron basketball history?