MAC Basketball

[Bob_The_Cat]

OU brought back a sweet 16 team last year and couldn't get it together. I know Akron didn't switch coaches, but you never know how the season will play out.



Is Toledo eligible next year?

OU was still a damn good basketball team this year. They only lost to one MAC team - Akron - 3 times. I agree that we don't know how the season will play out, but he Zips' returning roster + Dambrot's track record gives me confidence they'll be playing Saturday night in Cleveland.

Not sure on Toledo...I thought it was only one year, could be wrong though.

The Bobcats were still a solid team, but I maintain that had Groce stayed, Ohio probably wins every out of conference game sans maybe Memphis. This group was absolutely perfect for Groce's system and personality. Christian knew that he had to try to play a similar style to what they played last season in order to have the best chance to win. That style of play is not his specialty, however, and to me it appeared that the returning players never fully accepted Jim as "their" coach. In Groce's system, that team had all the talent to spend the majority of the season in the top 25. It never really seemed like things were fully clicking even when they were winning games.

To me, it simply looked as if the Bobcats won games based solely on better talent. Then, when matched up against teams of equal or better talent, they lost because of opposing coaches knowing how to better use their own talent. I think Christian is a good coach and will do well at Ohio when he has players that fit his system, but this year was kind of a lose lose situation in a way. The perception is that if you win it's mostly because of the superior talent that Groce brought in, and if you lose, it's mostly because Groce is a better coach.

 

[czvo]

The Bobcats were still a solid team, but I maintain that had Groce stayed, Ohio probably wins every out of conference game sans maybe Memphis. This group was absolutely perfect for Groce's system and personality. Christian knew that he had to try to play a similar style to what they played last season in order to have the best chance to win. That style of play is not his specialty, however, and to me it appeared that the returning players never fully accepted Jim as "their" coach. In Groce's system, that team had all the talent to spend the majority of the season in the top 25. It never really seemed like things were fully clicking even when they were winning games.

To me, it simply looked as if the Bobcats won games based solely on better talent. Then, when matched up against teams of equal or better talent, they lost because of opposing coaches knowing how to better use their own talent. I think Christian is a good coach and will do well at Ohio when he has players that fit his system, but this year was kind of a lose lose situation in a way. The perception is that if you win it's mostly because of the superior talent that Groce brought in, and if you lose, it's mostly because Groce is a better coach.

Absolutely, 100% spot-on.

 

[Steve_424]

The Bobcats were still a solid team, but I maintain that had Groce stayed, Ohio probably wins every out of conference game sans maybe Memphis. This group was absolutely perfect for Groce's system and personality. Christian knew that he had to try to play a similar style to what they played last season in order to have the best chance to win. That style of play is not his specialty, however, and to me it appeared that the returning players never fully accepted Jim as "their" coach. In Groce's system, that team had all the talent to spend the majority of the season in the top 25. It never really seemed like things were fully clicking even when they were winning games.

To me, it simply looked as if the Bobcats won games based solely on better talent. Then, when matched up against teams of equal or better talent, they lost because of opposing coaches knowing how to better use their own talent. I think Christian is a good coach and will do well at Ohio when he has players that fit his system, but this year was kind of a lose lose situation in a way. The perception is that if you win it's mostly because of the superior talent that Groce brought in, and if you lose, it's mostly because Groce is a better coach.

You think they would have gone 14-1 non-conference, instead of the 9-6 record they had? 28-3 going into the MAC Tournament? (Unless they would have beat Akron once or twice, which puts them at 29-2 or 30-1 in your scenario.

Groce is a great coach and was a perfect fit at OU, but that seems a bit far-fetched.

 

[Steve_424]

Some Offseason MAC Basketball Notes:

- As most predicted, Quincy Diggs is back with the Zips. Those close to the program say he's in outstanding shape and looks great in offseason workouts/scrimmages.

- Anrio Adams has transferred from Kansas to Ohio. Anrio is highly talented, being named a top 100 prospect coming out of high school. Adams was outspoken last year on Twitter about not getting enough playing time. He's also known for his bench...appetite? He'll be eligible starting in 2014-2015, with three years of eligibility remaining.

- Finally in some sad news, MAC Legend Charlie Coles passed away. R.I.P. Charlie.

 

[Casualties14]

Abreu managed to avoid jail time also

 

[Bob_The_Cat]

Some Offseason MAC Basketball Notes:

- As most predicted, Quincy Diggs is back with the Zips. Those close to the program say he's in outstanding shape and looks great in offseason workouts/scrimmages.

- Anrio Adams has transferred from Kansas to Ohio. Anrio is highly talented, being named a top 100 prospect coming out of high school. Adams was outspoken last year on Twitter about not getting enough playing time. He's also known for his bench...appetite? He'll be eligible starting in 2014-2015, with three years of eligibility remaining.

- Finally in some sad news, MAC Legend Charlie Coles passed away. R.I.P. Charlie.

Also missed this Ohio news...Bobcats received a 2014 verbal from Tariq Owens, a 6'9" "stretch" PF from Florida. Tariq is a 3* recruit per scout and rivals. Had a pretty impressive offer list as well: Miami (The U), Temple, VCU, Florida Gulf Coast, USF, and Seton Hall with Georgetown, Cinci, and Maryland with reportedly high interest. Tariq is a huge get and he was so impressed with his visit to Ohio in early June that he canceled all his other visits when he got home. This is a commit that should definitely stick.

It's going to be really exciting to get Adams and Owens in town. Assuming all goes well, the two highest rated recruits Ohio has landed in a looooong time will have three years together on the court. That's freaking awesome.

 

[Steve_424]

Another side note:

Akron's Zeke Marshall and Ohio's DJ Cooper are teammates on Philadelphia's Summer League squad.

 

[Bob_The_Cat]

Another side note:

Akron's Zeke Marshall and Ohio's DJ Cooper are teammates on Philadelphia's Summer League squad.

I'm interested to see what Zeke and DJ do together. Their skill-sets on offense go together pretty well.

Another side note...AFTER committing to Ohio, Owens was upgraded to a 4* prospect and moved up to the #86th ranked player in his class by scout.com. Not very frequent that a player gets moved up after committing to a mid-major.

 

[Steve_424]

Zips incoming freshman Aaron Jackson made Sportscenter's Top Ten.

 

[Steve_424]

Back to the main discussion...I really think Akron and OU are going to separate a bit from the MAC in coming years. Both are recruiting higher-caliber players, both have made picked up some national attention (OU's NCAA Tournament run, Akron's win streak/ranking), and the rest of the MAC seems to be declining a bit. I expect Akron to win the MAC once again, with Demetrius Treadwell being a POY candidate.

C-Pat Forsythe/Isaiah Johnson
PF-Demetrius Treadwell/Nick Harney/Kwan Cheatham
SF-Reggie McAdams/Jake Kretzer
SG-Quincy Diggs/BJ Gladden/Aaron Jackson
PG-Nyles Evans/Carmelo Betancourt

 

[Pick6]

^ I hear the newcomers are looking very good

 

[Steve_424]

UA picks up an under-the-radar recruit in local guard Josh Williams.

 

[Mac]

delete

 

[Steve_424]

Anrio Adams, we hardly knew ya...

Amos Leaves Ohio Two Months After Transferring

 

[Steve_424]

Akron defeated Bluffton handily in their annual exhibition warmup.

A few items of note:

- Treadwell, Harney, and Diggs all looked fantastic. Obviously it was against Bluffton, but this trio could do some serious damage in the MAC.

- Carmelo Betancourt started at point guard over Nyles Evans, although Evans ended up playing two more minutes than Melo.

- Kwan Cheatham played 20 minutes, making one wonder if he may not redshirt after all. Ibitayo, Gladden, and Jackson got the least amount of playing time.

- The Zips next play Coastal Carolina in in six days in their home opener. Expect Akron to come out fired up - Coastal Carolina beat the Zips last year in the first game of the season in OT. Both Treadwell and Harney sat that game out due to a compliance error.