2025-26 Post Mortem and Looking Ahead to 2026-27

[Let'sGoZips94]

 

[Let'sGoZips94]

If we can find a way to achieve this while increasing the size of our backcourt, look out. 

 

[NWAkron]

everything should be settled this week? look forward to the new Zips:  ""Bowen and Four Dudes."

[kreed5120]

Just now, NWAkron said:

everything should be settled this week? look forward to the new Zips:  ""Bowen and Four Dudes."

 

Bold of you to assume Bowen is returning.

[Let'sGoZips94]

12 minutes ago, kreed5120 said:

 

Bold of you to assume Bowen is returning.

 

We'll likely find out today or tomorrow.

[Zippy87]

The MAC is going to be WIDE open. 

[kreed5120]

2 minutes ago, Zippy87 said:

The MAC is going to be WIDE open. 

 

I still feel Miami has the most returning talent as of right now, but the MAC as a whole will likely be weak. 

 

Dhani Miller from Kent seems legit. I wouldn't be surprised if he has a Blyden type freshman year. 

 

We'll have to see how the portal plays out. 

[Let'sGoZips94]

14 minutes ago, kreed5120 said:

 

I still feel Miami has the most returning talent as of right now, but the MAC as a whole will likely be weak. 

 

Dhani Miller from Kent seems legit. I wouldn't be surprised if he has a Blyden type freshman year. 

 

We'll have to see how the portal plays out. 

 

Miami OH, as of now, has lost everything that made them special. Skaljac is the only returning threat and I'm curious to see if he's as productive without Elmer/Byers/Suder spreading the floor. Wouldn't be surprised if he hits the Portal knowing the supporting cast is gone. 

Edited Monday at 02:57 PM by Let'sGoZips94

[kreed5120]

10 minutes ago, Let'sGoZips94 said:

 

Miami OH, as of now, has lost everything that made them special. Skaljac is the only returning threat and I'm curious to see if he's as productive without Elmer/Byers/Suder spreading the floor. 

 

I never indicated they would be great or even good. Nor did I indicate they would be the favorite post portal. They are kind of the favorites as of right now because they're slightly less gutted than everyone else. The MAC as a whole will likely be down substantially from this season. I would be shocked if there is any MAC team as good next season as Akron or Miami were this one. Partly why both teams were so good is they had a lot of returning pieces, which allowed for good chemistry. No MAC team will have that next year.

 

Edit: It should be noted they still have Ipsaro, who was probably their best player in OOC play. It's to be seen if he lost anything post injury.

Edited Monday at 03:07 PM by kreed5120

[Let'sGoZips94]

14 minutes ago, kreed5120 said:

 

I never indicated they would be great or even good. Nor did I indicate they would be the favorite post portal. They are kind of the favorites as of right now because they're slightly less gutted then everyone else. The MAC as a whole will likely be down substantially from this season.

 

At this particular point in time, I guess that's true. How long that statement remains true, I don't know. Woolfolk was a senior - does he have another year of eligibility somehow? They're losing ~half their PPG, all of their matchup advantages, and the returning pieces of Skaljac/Kirby/Atlason/Ipsaro aren't overly special. Most of the MAC teams will be able to find comparable pieces in the Portal in all likelihood. 

 

Every team for the most part is being decimated nowadays by the Portal. 3 of the worst programs in the MAC had coaching changes along with the top team in the MAC. Not to mention we're finally dropping the boat anchor that was NIU. It's hard to say if the MAC will be down, how much it'll be down, etc.

Edited Monday at 03:15 PM by Let'sGoZips94

[Zips1991]

I don't know how it's going to happen yet, but I have a feeling the Akron Zips will win the MAC again next season.

[kreed5120]

55 minutes ago, Let'sGoZips94 said:

 

At this particular point in time, I guess that's true. How long that statement remains true, I don't know. Woolfolk was a senior - does he have another year of eligibility somehow? They're losing ~half their PPG, all of their matchup advantages, and the returning pieces of Skaljac/Kirby/Atlason/Ipsaro aren't overly special. Most of the MAC teams will be able to find comparable pieces in the Portal in all likelihood. 

 

Kind of gets back to the point I've made before. Think about how much of a better place Miami basketball would be today if instead of building a ~$250 million arena they opted for a more modest $70M-$100M arena. They could have then fundraised that $100M (what AD claims they will get for arena) in donations to endow their ACE fund (or whatever they call it). Having an extra ~$5 million a year in perpetuity to pay players would go much further to guaranteeing success than trying to build a Big 12 caliber arena as a MAC school.

Edited Monday at 04:10 PM by kreed5120

[ZipsBBjunkie]

I still struggle labeling Miami special … just sort of makes my stomach turn because we should have beat them, they got lucky what at least 5x, and got beat in first rd of MAC tourny by a team that didn’t end up making the final. To me they will

always be a mediocre team that got more than a few breaks. I get the undefeated thing is always a statement because it is so rare but I sure would love to see them brought way back down to Earth next season. 

[Let'sGoZips94]

40 minutes ago, ZipsBBjunkie said:

I still struggle labeling Miami special … just sort of makes my stomach turn because we should have beat them, they got lucky what at least 5x, and got beat in first rd of MAC tourny by a team that didn’t end up making the final. To me they will

always be a mediocre team that got more than a few breaks. I get the undefeated thing is always a statement because it is so rare but I sure would love to see them brought way back down to Earth next season. 

 

Their crash is going to be hilarious. 1) They almost have to play a tougher schedule because every legitimate P4 under the sun is going to want to shut them up for all the yapping they did this year about nobody playing them. Not to mention they won't dodge second games vs. Akron & Kent. 2) Their top talent that gave them the mismatch advantages they had is all either in the Portal or graduated. 3) I doubt they experience the same friendly whistle treatment they benefitted from all year. 

 

When they go back to averaging 2k fans at most per game, good luck dealing with the donors forking over tens of millions for the new arena that was sold to them based on a fluke season. 

Edited Monday at 04:50 PM by Let'sGoZips94

[ZipsBBjunkie]

6 minutes ago, Let'sGoZips94 said:

 

Their crash is going to be hilarious. 1) They almost have to play a tougher schedule because every legitimate P4 under the sun is going to want to shut them up for all the yapping they did this year about nobody playing them. Not to mention they won't dodge second games vs. Akron & Kent. 2) Their top talent that gave them the mismatch advantages they had is all either in the Portal or graduated. 3) I doubt they experience the same friendly whistle treatment they benefitted from all year. 

 

When they go back to averaging 2k fans at most per game, good luck dealing with the donors forking over tens of millions for the new arena that was sold to them based on a fluke season. 

And you have Steele ending up either ‘stuck there’ and them stuck with him (I’m not convinced he’s anything above average.) Or he finds a way to jump ship if they can manage another decent season / run, and they are starting over and stuck with that stadium project! 

[Let'sGoZips94]

Just now, ZipsBBjunkie said:

And you have Steele ending up either ‘stuck there’ and them stuck with him (I’m not convinced he’s anything above average.) Or he finds a way to jump ship if they can manage another decent season / run, and they are starting over and stuck with that stadium project! 

 

He hasn't signed that extension to my knowledge, and him not leaving says a lot about what CBB thinks of his abilities.