Akron's board already has a brief update on their summer progress with their new transfers. There are some there that believe they have a very high ceiling and that their additions are top notch. But for me, their only transfer with considerable playing time was the player we looked at, Gray. I believe others mentioned their pair of West Virginia transfers as well. Bart Torvik had WV ranked over 100 for last year so, if you can't crack the lineup there, not sure you're garanteed to be more than adequate in the MAC.
The thing I think they don't realize is just how good Freeman was for them. Such a lucky grab. Walk on so no need to gamble a scholarship. Being able to not only coach him up for 5 years but to keep him for the last two years after the changes of NIL. Will any mid major be able to grow and keep a talent like that in the future?
Of course, we never really know where things stack up for next year, but I have to think Akron will tumble quite a bit.
Now, we just need an update from the summer proceedings at the Roundhouse.
Go Bobcats!!!
I'm high on Akron's ceiling, but also think the floor is lower than most anticipate. Gray is a 'bully' PG which should do well in the MAC. But if the PF from WVU (Josiah Harris) is not a near double-double guy or better, then I think the Zips will not be near as strong as most anticipate. Also, Akron's 3-point shooting is still a ??? as well.
While personally not a fan of today's chuk-n-duk basketball on the college and pro level, I grudgingly recognize you have to have a solid element of outside shooting to be viable these days.
It seems like Toledo is headed back in that direction along with the Bobcats. Akron is to be determined. CMU is a darkhorse, but at least it seems like that coach knows what he wants and annually gets it.
Kent??? They tried to be a 3-point team last year and it didn't look good on the court or in the standings. I think their late 2024 MAC Tournament run convinced them a return to their past (physical) defensive ways is best.
Sullinger aside (and he's gone) Kent looked a lot different in March than the rest of the year.
What that means for 2025, who knows. They have no stellar portal guys IMO. But that may look a lot different come January.
Akron, Ohio, Toledo in some form or fashion at the top of the 2025 MAC with Akron the 'on paper' favorite.
Last Edited: 7/5/2024 2:22:28 PM by OUcat