2026 MAC Tournament

[Illini Zip]

1 minute ago, Let'sGoZips94 said:

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

 

 

I believe that whole motion including Scott taking the shot was drawn up by Groce. That was coming out of a break, correct?

[Westie]

God bless these kids for having to come out and do it again tonight. I’m tired this morning and all I did was attend the game 😂

 

One more boys!!

[roopride]

Game Day day 3!

[csims0917]

38 minutes ago, Let'sGoZips94 said:

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!

Toledo doesn’t have the size and skill in the front court to do exactly what Kent did. But they have damn good guards will make the shots Kent missed 

[csims0917]

9 minutes ago, Westie said:

God bless these kids for having to come out and do it again tonight. I’m tired this morning and all I did was attend the game 😂

 

One more boys!!

Just as exhausting for the fans in my opinion 😂

[Illini Zip]

7 minutes ago, Westie said:

God bless these kids for having to come out and do it again tonight. I’m tired this morning and all I did was attend the game 😂

 

One more boys!!

3 games in 3 days has to be rough. Especially after a game like yesterday. But even though it’s been quite some time since I’ve seen my early twenties I do remember feeling invincible. They should be fine. I’m not expecting anywhere as physical of a game.

[csims0917]

Akron better win today I have a 5k at noon tomorrow and I don’t want to be mourning 

[kreed5120]

I'm probably not going to make the game tonight. We didn't get home until close to midnight and the future Mrs. had to turn around and be up by 6AM for work. She works again tomorrow morning as well. Any bars in the Canton/Akron area you guys recommend to watch the game. It seems many, particularly on a Saturday night, play jukebox music. Any establishments that you know of that play game audio?

Edited 3 hours ago by kreed5120

[UAZipster0305]

Lyles' shooting rhythm is off. When he is up on his toes and bends his knees and has a whole body shooting motion, his FTs are good. Otherwise, he is stiff and flat footed and misses. If I were Kent last night, I would have used bench players to put him on the line.

 

I hope his FT form is better tonight. In any case, I hope Groce tells him no 3's. Aside from his recent poor shooting streak, we need him under the basket for rebounds. His size and strength is wasted on the perimeter, and we have plenty of other sharpshooters. 

[UAZipster0305]

16 minutes ago, kreed5120 said:

I'm probably not going to make the game tonight. We didn't get home until close to midnight and the future Mrs. had to turn around and be up by 6AM for work. She works again tomorrow morning as well. Any bars in the Canton/Akron area you guys recommend to watch the game. It seems many, particularly on a Saturday night, play jukebox. Any establishments that you know of that play game audio?

I'm not in the area and can't help you with a specific spot, but when I have a similar evening planned, I call ahead and ask. A lot of places will be accommodating if it does not interrupt a weekly theme night and if they know you are bringing others or will post to social media for them.

 

Barley House isn't a good option?

[Reslife4Life]

40 minutes ago, UAZipster0305 said:

I'm not in the area and can't help you with a specific spot, but when I have a similar evening planned, I call ahead and ask. A lot of places will be accommodating if it does not interrupt a weekly theme night and if they know you are bringing others or will post to social media for them.

 

Barley House isn't a good option?

I am an anti sports-watching barley house critic. Especially today with it being the st patricks day parade in akron this afternoon, they will be so drained from their one afternoon of good business by 8pm. Possibly one of the basement locations would have it on since they did the watch party for the 2nd kent game. The one in the valley is new

[HoopsFan03]

19 hours ago, kreed5120 said:

About to head downtown for the game. Those who went yesterday and went early today, have you seen any good deals on parking?

We parked at the PNC garage. Only $4. Close walk to Corner Alley. Longer walk after the game of course. Took 15 minutes to get out of the garage after. 

[Blue & Gold]

 

[Blue & Gold]

14 hours ago, mrelegazna said:

Did anyone catch the CBSSN announcer calling this "The Rubber City Rivalry?" 

I laughed out loud, and for posterity I want to register my agreement with the idea that the rivalry name refers to our city only.

💯💯

 

[NWAkron]

The Miami women's team doesn't seem to have a problem playing at 11am.  Up 12-0 on Toledo.

[tpsjugglerdude]

Scott’s block at the end reminded me of the end of the 2011 MAC Championship game against Kent where we blocked it 2 or 3 times. #DancingOnPorrini 

[kreed5120]

1 hour ago, UAZipster0305 said:

I'm not in the area and can't help you with a specific spot, but when I have a similar evening planned, I call ahead and ask. A lot of places will be accommodating if it does not interrupt a weekly theme night and if they know you are bringing others or will post to social media for them.

 

Barley House isn't a good option?

 

Thanks for the response. I'll keep that in mind.

 

The last time I went to watch an Akron game at Barley was the tournament game against VCU. I just wasn't impressed with their setup and given the complaints I read earlier in the year when they were hosting viewing parties it doesn't sound like much has improved.

[Zippy87]

1 hour ago, UAZipster0305 said:

Lyles' shooting rhythm is off. When he is up on his toes and bends his knees and has a whole body shooting motion, his FTs are good. Otherwise, he is stiff and flat footed and misses. If I were Kent last night, I would have used bench players to put him on the line.

 

I hope his FT form is better tonight. In any case, I hope Groce tells him no 3's. Aside from his recent poor shooting streak, we need him under the basket for rebounds. His size and strength is wasted on the perimeter, and we have plenty of other sharpshooters. 

 

Lyles' ability (normally) to stretch the floor opens up the lane for Tavari, Shammah, and Sharron. I can't see Groce telling a normally-good shooter to stop shooting 3s because of two bad games. 

[LZIp]

Sendy was very complimentary of us in his post game presser. Says he thinks we have the best MAC team since Oats’ Buffalo squads..including better than Miami this year.

[kreed5120]

7 minutes ago, LZIp said:

Sendy was very complimentary of us in his post game presser. Says he thinks we have the best MAC team since Oats’ Buffalo squads..including better than Miami this year.

 

Yes, I feel realization is setting in for him that he can't elevate Kent's program to where Akron is currently. His only hope is Akron regressing. I actually thought he coached Kent well and had a solid game plan to disrupt Akron offensively yesterday. Jack's and Joe's just beat X's and O's.

[csims0917]

Kent made some really good adjustments after the first two games. Just didn’t have the skills on offense to fully take advantage. He got them to their ceiling just wasn’t high enough

[Zippy87]

Predictions for tonight? 

 

We destroyed them on the glass in our meeting at the JAR. 37-25 overall and 16-7 on the offensive glass. Could be key tonight. 

[zippy5]

Let's goooooooo 

[UAZipster0305]

4 minutes ago, Zippy87 said:

Predictions for tonight? 

 

We destroyed them on the glass in our meeting at the JAR. 37-25 overall and 16-7 on the offensive glass. Could be key tonight. 

85-73 Zips. Against weaker perimeter defense, our less contested outside shots will fall, and we'll pull away in the second half to then cruise down the stretch.

[tpsjugglerdude]

Shammah Scott never lost to Kent State. He was a perfect 8-0 against them. The majority of our roster has never lost to them. Incredible run.