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.

[ZippyRulz]

We should hereafter decline the NCAA tournament and go to the NIT which would be much more fun. We could get a high seed and host a first round game.

 

 

 

 

 

Edited Monday at 10:35 PM by ZippyRulz

[kreed5120]

13 minutes ago, ZippyRulz said:

We should hereafter decline the NCAA tournament and go to the NIT which would be much more fun. We could get a high seed and host a first round game.

 

So we get the luxury of hosting a program like South Alabama or UIC? Yeah, I think I'll pass. We can schedule those teams in November or December if we really want to play them.

[Let'sGoZips94]

Buckle up for the craziest coaching carousel in the history of coaching carousels. Rumor is Bill Self will be retiring. UNC and Kansas will be open in the same offseason, and it potentially doesn't end there. 

Edited Wednesday at 03:22 AM by Let'sGoZips94

[Let'sGoZips94]

 

Kent is taking a big hit to their team GPA. 

[kreed5120]

3 minutes ago, Let'sGoZips94 said:

 

Kent is taking a big hit to their team GPA. 

 

Maybe he will find more consistent playing time and better production at a low major, like NIU.

[NWAkron]

Assisting with the search for Charleston’s next head coach is Collegiate Sports Associates.

Mack owes the college $1.3 million in his buyout, and the two programs have also agreed to a home-and-home series.

 

[Let'sGoZips94]

LOL. This guy made a big deal in the post game presser about being back. Can't spell Kowalchoke without a L.

 

[NWAkron]

All you had to do is watch his obnoxious mother in the stands to know that Blyden was out for himself on the court.  He was never going to stay a second year.  The Zips current coaching staff interviews the recruit's family as well.  You don't see Zips' parents acting like fools and seeking attention.

[kreed5120]

1 hour ago, Let'sGoZips94 said:

LOL. This guy made a big deal in the post game presser about being back. Can't spell Kowalchoke without a L.

 

 

I don't know if he made a big deal. He was just asked after losing to Akron if he would be back and he just responded absolutely. Really what else was he to say? "Hell no, I'm ditching this pathetic sh**hole."

 

Toledo fans seemed convinced he would return because apparently one of Toledo's assistants is a family friend. You would think they would have learned after Simmons ditched their program last year.

[Illini Zip]

7 minutes ago, kreed5120 said:

 

I don't know if he made a big deal. He was just asked after losing to Akron if he would be back and he just responded absolutely. Really what else was he to say? "Hell no, I'm ditching this pathetic sh**hole."

 

Toledo fans seemed convinced he would return because apparently one of Toledo's assistants is a family friend. You would think they would have learned after Simmons ditched their program last year.

As much as I don’t like Todelo they should still be compensated for their efforts developing him when he lands a bigger deal elsewhere. 

[kreed5120]

2 minutes ago, Illini Zip said:

As much as I don’t like Todelo they should still be compensated for their efforts developing him when he lands a bigger deal elsewhere. 

 

Not something that I disagree with. I was more just pointing out any 19 would have probably said something similar if put on the spot infront of the local media, his coach, and fellow players. Not like he took to social media and left a heartfelt post saying he was going to run it back or something.

[72 Roo]

2 hours ago, NWAkron said:

All you had to do is watch his obnoxious mother in the stands to know that Blyden was out for himself on the court.  He was never going to stay a second year.  The Zips current coaching staff interviews the recruit's family as well.  You don't see Zips' parents acting like fools and seeking attention.

This kid is good and will play well at a higher level. It will also be interesting to see how many transfers he undertakes in the years ahead. I bet this is not his last. His mom's antics really turned me off. So glad we don't have that in our program.