2026-2027 Schedule

[tpsjugglerdude]

While the team hasn’t even been put together yet, the schedule is already coming together. 

Akron @ Bucknell 12/2

Tulane @ Akron 12/5 

 

 

 

[kreed5120]

Akron will also start the season off on the road on 11/2 against a Sun Belt team. Opponent still TBD.

[Zips1991]

So I'm guessing the three-game deal with Bucknell is two homes games and a road game? I'm honestly a little surprised we are playing them on the road but I guess it's fine.

[NWAkron]

And they still can't get a home and home with YSU or CSU.

[Zips1991]

39 minutes ago, NWAkron said:

And they still can't get a home and home with YSU or CSU.

My understanding is Akron doesn't want a home and home with either. We only want to play them at home.

[kreed5120]

Outside of a few years under Calhoun both programs have been fairly bad. Maybe an outlier decent season here or there. I'm not sure what the appeal is in scheduling either of them.

[Zippy87]

Just now, kreed5120 said:

Outside of a few years under Calhoun both programs have been fairly bad. Maybe an outlier decent season here or there. I'm not sure what the appeal is in scheduling either of them.

 

I do think a game against Cleveland State would garner a tad more interest from the average fan than another generic opponent. But nothing significant. 

[kreed5120]

Just now, Zippy87 said:

 

I do think a game against Cleveland State would garner a tad more interest from the average fan than another generic opponent. But nothing significant. 

 

I actually feel it hurts our brand as I'd like to believe we're a level above both those programs. I feel that's the reason the only Horizon programs we agree to H&H with are the ones like Wright State who consistently compete at the top of the conference.

[infofan]

My understanding was Akron played at YSU in an exhibition game last november with the expectation theyd play an exhibition at Akron next year. both schools splitting the proceeds even to go toward their respective NIL funds.  As for horizon league games weve played Milwaukee, Ft Wayne, Oakland,  NKU, as well as Wright St.  Dont know what the issue is with Cleveland and Ytown, but with budget issues these "local" games seem to make sense for all teams involved

 

[exit322]

29 minutes ago, kreed5120 said:

 

I actually feel it hurts our brand as I'd like to believe we're a level above both those programs. I feel that's the reason the only Horizon programs we agree to H&H with are the ones like Wright State who consistently compete at the top of the conference.

 

We're a mid-major whose ceiling is winning three games in Cleveland in early March (that also draws very very average crowds).  Better to play as many local teams fans might actually care about that we can, even if we're "a level above them."

[kreed5120]

4 minutes ago, exit322 said:

 

We're a mid-major whose ceiling is winning three games in Cleveland in early March (that also draws very very average crowds).  Better to play as many local teams fans might actually care about that we can, even if we're "a level above them."

 

Did you watch CSU 1st round game in the Horizon League tournament? They hosted the game and there may have been a few dozen people in the stands. If even CSU fans don't care about CSU basketball why would Akron fans?

Edited 2 hours ago by kreed5120

[GJGood]

1 hour ago, Zips1991 said:

So I'm guessing the three-game deal with Bucknell is two homes games and a road game? I'm honestly a little surprised we are playing them on the road but I guess it's fine.

I like it. I feel like a team will generally come together as a unit more with more road games early in the season. I like the idea of playing someone seen as someone you should defeat on the road. Helps a little with metrics being on the road too.

Now if we could play schools like Bucknell on the road and schools from “bigger” conferences at home I think that would be a good metrics strategy.

 

 

[HoopsFan03]

Is like to see us play an Ohio team outside of the Mac every year.

 

1. Ohio St

2. Cincinnati 

3. Dayton

4. Xavier

5. Wright St

6. CSU

7. YSU

[kreed5120]

4 minutes ago, GJGood said:

 

Now if we could play schools like Bucknell on the road and schools from “bigger” conferences at home I think that would be a good metrics strategy.

 

 

We need to be at least able to play them on a neutral court. Mid-majors used to be able to build an at-large resumé by picking up 2-3 nice wins in a MTE. Those opportunities really aren't there anymore.

Edited 2 hours ago by kreed5120

[exit322]

12 minutes ago, kreed5120 said:

 

We need to be at least able to play them on a neutral court. Mid-majors used to be able to build an at-large resumé by picking up 2-3 nice wins in a MTE. Those opportunities really aren't there anymore.

 

After the MAC's tournament performance, we don't need to concern ourselves with that possibility anymore.

[NWAkron]

22 game MAC schedule.

[kreed5120]

Just now, exit322 said:

 

After the MAC's tournament performance, we don't need to concern ourselves with that possibility anymore.

 

Some of us are fans of the sport, not just Akron. By we I mean mid-majors as a whole. A program like Belmont could have made the tournament if instead of getting neutral court wins against Toledo and St. Francis they picked up wins over mid-tier P5 programs. They were never given that opportunity.

[exit322]

1 hour ago, kreed5120 said:

 

Some of us are fans of the sport, not just Akron. By we I mean mid-majors as a whole. A program like Belmont could have made the tournament if instead of getting neutral court wins against Toledo and St. Francis they picked up wins over mid-tier P5 programs. They were never given that opportunity.

 

They don't need to concern themselves with that, either.  The expansion to 76 allows the tournament to get rid of 8 more of the pesky mid-majors before the money schools can beat what's left of them.  It's not giving more shots to mid-majors.