2026 Off-Season Tracker

[kreed5120]

Just now, exit322 said:

Yeah, I think the B12 is far enough ahead of the ACC you could call it a P3.  But even in football the ACC did get a team to the NCG.  So, maybe it's a p4

 

Whatever one wants to call it there is distinct gaps in the level of play between the conferences. Duke can make it to the title game and even win this year. That doesn't change the fact if you look from top to bottom the ACC as a whole was much weaker than the B1G and SEC this year.

[kreed5120]

We'll see how things play out, but I wouldn't be surprised to see the Zips try to win with defense next year. Young and Eric have the capability of being All-MAC defenders. Cody, not sure how big of a role he'll have but certainly figures to be in the rotation, has decent size for a guard. As someone else pointed out the closest we've come to a win in the tournament was against UCLA and that was a defensive focused team.

[Illini Zip]

We played UCLA in the 2021-2022 season. All of the changes in college basketball were just getting started. There was still some parity throughout the ranks. Not to say a defensive-minded approach isn’t the answer. 

[kreed5120]

1 minute ago, Illini Zip said:

We played UCLA in the 2021-2022 season. All of the changes in college basketball were just getting started. There was still some parity throughout the ranks. Not to say a defensive-minded approach isn’t the answer. 

 

My comment was also more about building to the strength of the current roster.

[Illini Zip]

5 minutes ago, kreed5120 said:

 

My comment was also more about building to the strength of the current roster.

You’re right about Young and Eric Mahaffey. Eric needs to limit the stupid fouls, but he’s so long and athletic. And Young gets right in their grill. I just don’t see us making a push up the defensive ranks until we can land another effective 7 foot shot blocker. And I’m not confident with what Barre would bring next year. 

[Let'sGoZips94]

16 minutes ago, kreed5120 said:

 

My comment was also more about building to the strength of the current roster.

 

Not sure defense is the strength with the current roster; not sure it isn't, either. Point being, the roster is a bit of a blank slate so they can target whatever style they want.

[exit322]

1 hour ago, kreed5120 said:

 

Whatever one wants to call it there is distinct gaps in the level of play between the conferences. Duke can make it to the title game and even win this year. That doesn't change the fact if you look from top to bottom the ACC as a whole was much weaker than the B1G and SEC this year.

 

That works for me.

 

Also Akron's (or any MAC team's) approach going into next year's NCAA tournament is to enjoy the three wins in Cleveland they just got and then get focused on the offseason, because the dance is dead to the little guy.

[tpsjugglerdude]

28 minutes ago, exit322 said:

Also Akron's (or any MAC team's) approach going into next year's NCAA tournament is to enjoy the three wins in Cleveland they just got and then get focused on the offseason, because the dance is dead to the little guy.

 

I'm glad you're not in charge of our team.

 

[NWAkron]

In the MAC, you have to coach to win the MAC not an NCAA game.

[Reslife4Life]

1 hour ago, NWAkron said:

In the MAC, you have to coach to win the MAC not an NCAA game.

Yes but you can’t just expect to win the mac tournament and then say “great job guys! I’m glad we got this moment because we don’t have a chance next week”

[kreed5120]

1 hour ago, NWAkron said:

In the MAC, you have to coach to win the MAC not an NCAA game.

 

I don't feel the two are mutually exclusive.

[exit322]

30 minutes ago, Reslife4Life said:

Yes but you can’t just expect to win the mac tournament and then say “great job guys! I’m glad we got this moment because we don’t have a chance next week”

 

I don't expect the team to say that, you're absolutely right.