2026 Off-Season Tracker

[kreed5120]

We've seen how well that has worked for JB Bickerstaff and the Pistons limiting Mitchell /s

[Let'sGoZips94]

44 minutes ago, kreed5120 said:

We've seen how well that has worked for JB Bickerstaff and the Pistons limiting Mitchell /s

 

If Pence is anywhere near as matchup proof as Spida, what a pickup for Dustin & his staff. 

[Blue & Gold]

 

[Let'sGoZips94]

A lot less flexibility in this roster.

 

[Zippy87]

4 hours ago, Let'sGoZips94 said:

A lot less flexibility in this roster.

 

 

They lost a ton, but retaining Skaljac, Atlason, Ipsaro, and Kirby will help them a ton. Stevie Elam is going to be good for them, too. They'll take a step back like us, but I think they'll be a contender again. 

[Let'sGoZips94]

47 minutes ago, Zippy87 said:

 

They lost a ton, but retaining Skaljac, Atlason, Ipsaro, and Kirby will help them a ton. Stevie Elam is going to be good for them, too. They'll take a step back like us, but I think they'll be a contender again. 

 

Not saying they won't be good, but they did not maintain the mismatch advantages that allowed them to be so successful last season. Keep in mind, this is a team that I believe led the country in single possession victories. They did not dominate their competition like Akron did (for the most part), and they achieved those victories over one of the weakest schedules in the country.

[kreed5120]

Woolfork is returning to Miami. That's a significant addition for them.

 

https://x.com/i/status/2086482973264658596

Edited August 9 by kreed5120

[Zippy87]

46 minutes ago, kreed5120 said:

Woolfork is returning to Miami. That's a significant addition for them.

 

https://x.com/i/status/2086482973264658596

 

So they essentially lost Suder, Elmer, and Byers from last year's team. They'll be pretty good again for sure. 

[LZIp]

3 minutes ago, Zippy87 said:

 

So they essentially lost Suder, Elmer, and Byers from last year's team. They'll be pretty good again for sure. 

Where did Elmer go?

[kreed5120]

24 minutes ago, LZIp said:

Where did Elmer go?

Wisconsin 

[Let'sGoZips94]

9 hours ago, kreed5120 said:

Woolfork is returning to Miami. That's a significant addition for them.

 

https://x.com/i/status/2086482973264658596

 

It's a decent addition. He doesn't really make them bigger or more versatile on the perimeter, but he's a decent post player and adds depth down low. 

[Rufus]

On 4/28/2026 at 1:14 PM, kreed5120 said:

I think OU has had a fairly good portal season. They added 2 perimeter players to go along with Simmons. I believe they also added 2 international players, which I have trouble projecting. If either of those international players are quality MAC starters OU can be a serious contender. If not, they will probably have a similar season to the one they just had.

 

We really have no idea what to expect in Athens. The international guys sound good on paper but how will they translate on this side of the Atlantic? And to be 100% honest, Boals' track record the past few seasons doesn't inspire the most blind belief that this group will be any different from the last one. It feels like a significant recruiting change from previous years, maybe an attempt to salvage jobs here. 

[ZIPS96]

[kreed5120]

11 minutes ago, ZIPS96 said:

 

Fairly big pickup for them. They should have one of the best backcourts in the MAC next year and Simmons to accompany them. Definitely a contender for one of those top 4 MAC seeds.

[zippy5]

Cmon Amani..

[Zippy87]

1 hour ago, zippy5 said:

Cmon Amani..

 

I would expect Amani to get some looks from NBA teams on a two-way, or on a G League contract at a minimum. He had a really good summer league for Philadelphia. 

[Zippy87]

We'll never know, but I do wonder if Tavari would have returned if Staveskie wasn't already locked in. TJ did briefly jump in the portal last year before returning. It wouldn't have surprised me to see him follow Groce regardless. 

[Blue & Gold]

 

[kreed5120]

13 minutes ago, Zippy87 said:

 

I would expect Amani to get some looks from NBA teams on a two-way, or on a G League contract at a minimum. He had a really good summer league for Philadelphia. 

 

The max salary for Amani Lyles in the G-League this year would be $130K without a two-way deal. He could probably make around $1 million on a P5 roster, especially after his NCAA Tournament performance. He could be a starting PF on a lot of P5 teams or at least be good enough to be the first big off the bench.

 

That said, Akron has no roster spots available so I don't expect him to return to Akron regardless.

[Let'sGoZips94]

2 hours ago, ZIPS96 said:

 

@Rufus Still some uncertainty from BobcatAttack or does this have people pretty jazzed? He was good last year but didn't have support around him. Is there faith in Boals to finally add the supporting pieces?

[Let'sGoZips94]

52 minutes ago, Zippy87 said:

We'll never know, but I do wonder if Tavari would have returned if Staveskie wasn't already locked in. TJ did briefly jump in the portal last year before returning. It wouldn't have surprised me to see him follow Groce regardless. 

 

Akron got bigger across the board, which was clearly intentional. Assuming the off-season plays out the same with Groce leaving, I doubt Tavari would've been in the plans anyways. 

 

 

 

The MAC is going to be fascinating with this injunction allowing so many pieces to return. 

Edited Sunday at 11:52 PM by Let'sGoZips94

[kreed5120]

34 minutes ago, Let'sGoZips94 said:

 

@Rufus Still some uncertainty from BobcatAttack or does this have people pretty jazzed? He was good last year but didn't have support around him. Is there faith in Boals to finally add the supporting pieces?

 

I imagine they will play a lot of 3-guard line-ups. Considering their top 3 guards are all 6'2" and under and not great defenders, I think their success will depend on their 7 footer. They will need rim protection from him to make up for their defensive deficiencies elsewhere.

[Zips1991]

3 hours ago, Blue & Gold said:

 

Until I see reason to be concerned, I'm not concerned about players from "IU Indy", "Idaho", and "Rhode Island". I'm still more worried about Miami, Kent, and Toledo. 

[Rufus]

13 hours ago, Let'sGoZips94 said:

 

@Rufus Still some uncertainty from BobcatAttack or does this have people pretty jazzed? He was good last year but didn't have support around him. Is there faith in Boals to finally add the supporting pieces?

 

Pavaletzke has been a fan favorite in Athens the past two years, but he's not without his weaknesses, which I think is why it's a little more subdued reaction. He's not a strong perimeter shooter and can be taken advantage of on the defensive end.

 

As for Boals, I think the last 3 or so years have been pretty "meh" for him. He's had a few solid transfers, but also missed/whiffed on several. There was already unrest, feeling like we have clearly slipped below Akron/Toledo/Kent...now add Miami to that group pulling ahead. I think Boals has to show the fan base he can get this program back up into that mix as a threat to win in Cleveland. We're not there right now.

[clarkwgriswold]

On a positive note for them, the Snobcats won't have that whiney puke Aidan Hadaway on the roster anymore.