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Ohio Basketball Topic
Topic: Official MAC Tournament Semifinals Thread: Akron
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Ted Thompson
3/14/2024 11:48 PM

Use this thread to talk about anything game-related. For away games, we may have a separate travel thread.

Date: Friday March 15th, 2024 7:30 PM

Opponent: Akron  (22-10, 12-2 MAC)

Site: Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse in Cleveland

TV/Streaming: CBS Sports Network

Radio: Ohio Radio, The Varsity Network App (free)

Akron statistics and roster 

Akron message board:  ZipsNation.org

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FearLeon
3/15/2024 12:07 AM
In the quarters from 3 point land:

Akron 3-23
Ohio 9-29

Jaylin Hunter is due right?

LFG
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GraffZ06
3/15/2024 2:42 AM
Coach Boals has taken a flawed team with no post presence, which endured 3 major injuries, and has gotten us to 20 wins and the conference semis.

No matter what happens, that's a tremendous job. Everything from here is gravy.

Torvik giving us a 45% chance to win. Calling 73-71 Akron.

I think this will be another defensive struggle bus, and whichever team can get a couple big buckets down the stretch likely wins.

I also think whomever wins this game, wins it all.
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person
FJC31
3/15/2024 7:10 AM
GraffZ06 wrote:expand_more
Coach Boals has taken a flawed team with no post presence, which endured 3 major injuries, and has gotten us to 20 wins and the conference semis.

No matter what happens, that's a tremendous job. Everything from here is gravy.

Torvik giving us a 45% chance to win. Calling 73-71 Akron.

I think this will be another defensive struggle bus, and whichever team can get a couple big buckets down the stretch likely wins.

I also think whomever wins this game, wins it all.
I imagine Boals probably regrets not finding a use for that last scholarship. One more big and I think this team is around 23-25 wins and favorites.

All said, it’s been a really impressive run down the stretch to keep finding ways to win at the time when it matters most. The biggest silver lining is the development of Hadaway. If AJB doesn’t go down, he’s likely not playing at this level. EJ4 and Miles spending time injured also opened the door for Sheldon.

The confidence those two have now is unmatched. Cornish has been coming into his own as well.

I agree whoever takes this game, wins the MAC. Not ready to see our season end yet.
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Bobcat1998
3/15/2024 7:58 AM
Loved seeing 11 boards each from AJC and Hadaway. Aidan almost had a double-double. We need to keep up that rebounding. Freeman and Ali Ali are a handful and they'll be extra motivated by Groce for sure after we beat them.
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LuckySparrow
3/15/2024 8:02 AM
We can win this game and this tournament.

We know the formula. Force turns, hit 3s. If we continue to limit turnovers on offense and hit FTs... amazing. Need to have a plan if Akron decides to blanket Clayton tightly at the perimeter. Points in the paint will be harder to come by compared to last night.
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person
Cbus Convo
3/15/2024 9:03 AM
It feels like the first team to get to 70 will win this game. If we limit our turnovers and keep them off the offensive glass I like our chances.
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M.D.W.S.T
3/15/2024 9:25 AM
FJC31 wrote:expand_more
Coach Boals has taken a flawed team with no post presence, which endured 3 major injuries, and has gotten us to 20 wins and the conference semis.

No matter what happens, that's a tremendous job. Everything from here is gravy.

Torvik giving us a 45% chance to win. Calling 73-71 Akron.

I think this will be another defensive struggle bus, and whichever team can get a couple big buckets down the stretch likely wins.

I also think whomever wins this game, wins it all.
I imagine Boals probably regrets not finding a use for that last scholarship. One more big and I think this team is around 23-25 wins and favorites.

All said, it’s been a really impressive run down the stretch to keep finding ways to win at the time when it matters most. The biggest silver lining is the development of Hadaway. If AJB doesn’t go down, he’s likely not playing at this level. EJ4 and Miles spending time injured also opened the door for Sheldon.

The confidence those two have now is unmatched. Cornish has been coming into his own as well.

I agree whoever takes this game, wins the MAC. Not ready to see our season end yet.

I bet Javonte Brown has a few regrets about taking the money.

An extra $1K per game to be on a 12 win team that gets blown out in the first round by the team you left on read.
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FJC31
3/15/2024 9:41 AM
M.D.W.S.T wrote:expand_more
Coach Boals has taken a flawed team with no post presence, which endured 3 major injuries, and has gotten us to 20 wins and the conference semis.

No matter what happens, that's a tremendous job. Everything from here is gravy.

Torvik giving us a 45% chance to win. Calling 73-71 Akron.

I think this will be another defensive struggle bus, and whichever team can get a couple big buckets down the stretch likely wins.

I also think whomever wins this game, wins it all.
I imagine Boals probably regrets not finding a use for that last scholarship. One more big and I think this team is around 23-25 wins and favorites.

All said, it’s been a really impressive run down the stretch to keep finding ways to win at the time when it matters most. The biggest silver lining is the development of Hadaway. If AJB doesn’t go down, he’s likely not playing at this level. EJ4 and Miles spending time injured also opened the door for Sheldon.

The confidence those two have now is unmatched. Cornish has been coming into his own as well.

I agree whoever takes this game, wins the MAC. Not ready to see our season end yet.

I bet Javonte Brown has a few regrets about taking the money.

An extra $1K per game to be on a 12 win team that gets blown out in the first round by the team you left on read.
Losing out on Brown might be a blessing in disguise. Choosing an equal or better program is one thing, choosing a 12 win team (that you're not even starting on) brings into question how much he cares to me.

Also -- 3 rebounds in 9 minutes while getting bodied and frustrated by Wiz last night.
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Bobcat Love's Sense of Shame
3/15/2024 9:56 AM
GraffZ06 wrote:expand_more
Coach Boals has taken a flawed team with no post presence, which endured 3 major injuries, and has gotten us to 20 wins and the conference semis.

No matter what happens, that's a tremendous job. Everything from here is gravy.

Torvik giving us a 45% chance to win. Calling 73-71 Akron.

I think this will be another defensive struggle bus, and whichever team can get a couple big buckets down the stretch likely wins.

I also think whomever wins this game, wins it all.
Yep. I've been critical of Boals this year, but in the end he got this team to a point where they have a puncher's chance to get to the tournament. That's the job at our level.

Think there are still valid critiques about roster construction, and that we were a guy or two away from being the league's best team. But have to feel good about the team's momentum right now.
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GoCats105
3/15/2024 10:41 AM
By the numbers in MAC standings:

Offense
Ohio - 77.8ppg (2nd)
Akron - 74.7ppg (4th)

Defense
Akron - 66.1 (1st)
Ohio - 70.1 (4th)

Scoring Margin
Akron - 8.6 (1st)
Ohio - 7.7 (2nd)

FG%
Akron - 2nd
Ohio - 3rd

Opponent FG%
Ohio - 2nd
Akron - 4th

3Pt FG%
Ohio - 4th
Akron - 7th

Opponent 3Pt FG%
Akron - 1st
Ohio 5th

3PT FGs made
Ohio - 1st
Akron - 4th

Rebounding Margin
Akron - 1st
Ohio - 8th

Turnover Margin
Ohio - 1st
Akron - 6th
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shabamon
3/15/2024 11:04 AM
No disrespect to Kent and BG (though disrespect to either is permitted), but I honestly believe this is now the MAC Championship. It's big nuts time.
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person
Victory
3/15/2024 11:05 AM
GraffZ06 wrote:expand_more
Coach Boals has taken a flawed team with no post presence, which endured 3 major injuries, and has gotten us to 20 wins and the conference semis.

No matter what happens, that's a tremendous job. Everything from here is gravy.

Torvik giving us a 45% chance to win. Calling 73-71 Akron.

I think this will be another defensive struggle bus, and whichever team can get a couple big buckets down the stretch likely wins.

I also think whomever wins this game, wins it all.
I'm getting an even lower score of about 71.5-69.5.

The winner of this tournament is going to be no better than a 14 and could easily be worse.

Root for Kent State this afternoon. I think nearly all of us agree that we have a better chance against them. Who would have though we would be saying that back in October.
Last Edited: 3/15/2024 1:25:27 PM by Victory
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Deciduous Forest Cat
3/15/2024 11:25 AM
shabamon wrote:expand_more
No disrespect to Kent and BG (though disrespect to either is permitted), but I honestly believe this is now the MAC Championship. It's big nuts time.
We survive tonight, we'll certainly be the favorite Saturday, but don't we know better than thinking anything is automatic? Doubt Kent in Cleveland at your own peril. BG has Agee, who can dominate a game from inside and we always struggle with those orange people. Win tonight and we'll have another war on our hands, period.
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GoCats105
3/15/2024 12:04 PM
In the two previous matchups, Ohio actually hung pretty well with Akron/Freeman on the boards. In Game 1, Ohio outrebounded Akron 31-29 and Game Akron outrebounded Ohio 32-29. Both of those games seemingly came down to timely shooting from 3pt range, free throws and turnovers, all of which should give Ohio a slight edge IF...big IF...they're hitting.

Freeman absolutely went off against Miami posting 30 and 12, so looks like he's primed for a MAC Tournament MVP run. Gotta keep him in check as much as possible.
Last Edited: 3/15/2024 12:04:39 PM by GoCats105
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ctb
3/15/2024 12:08 PM
GraffZ06 wrote:expand_more
I also think whomever wins this game, wins it all.
Agreed.
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MonroeClassmate
3/15/2024 12:10 PM
GoCats105 wrote:expand_more
By the numbers in MAC standings:

Offense
Ohio - 77.8ppg (2nd)
Akron - 74.7ppg (4th)

Defense
Akron - 66.1 (1st)
Ohio - 70.1 (4th)

Scoring Margin
Akron - 8.6 (1st)
Ohio - 7.7 (2nd)

FG%
Akron - 2nd
Ohio - 3rd

Opponent FG%
Ohio - 2nd
Akron - 4th

3Pt FG%
Ohio - 4th
Akron - 7th

Opponent 3Pt FG%
Akron - 1st
Ohio 5th

3PT FGs made
Ohio - 1st
Akron - 4th

Rebounding Margin
Akron - 1st
Ohio - 8th

Turnover Margin
Ohio - 1st
Akron - 6th

Maybe so but I would look closely at the trend lines. Go back to include the two point loss to Toledo and I bet most all these metrics flip or more strongly favor the Bobcats.
Last Edited: 3/15/2024 12:20:58 PM by MonroeClassmate
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Kevin Finnegan
3/15/2024 12:12 PM
Boals has 98 wins at OHIO. I can't think of a better way to get to the century mark than with a couple more W's in Cleveland.
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MonroeClassmate
3/15/2024 12:19 PM
LuckySparrow wrote:expand_more
We can win this game and this tournament.

We know the formula. Force turns, hit 3s. If we continue to limit turnovers on offense and hit FTs... amazing. Need to have a plan if Akron decides to blanket Clayton tightly at the perimeter. Points in the paint will be harder to come by compared to last night.
Guard Clayton on the perimeter and the weapon becomes MILES BROWN. He is has been having loads of fun. His enthusiasm has been apparent during this streak. He’s healthy enough and locked in to going out by playing his last collegiate game in the big dance. While Tribble, Ali and Freeman have the same senior desires, they simply don’t have teammates as locked in to what needs to be done as Miles.
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Alan Swank
3/15/2024 12:36 PM
GoCats105 wrote:expand_more
In the two previous matchups, Ohio actually hung pretty well with Akron/Freeman on the boards. In Game 1, Ohio outrebounded Akron 31-29 and Game Akron outrebounded Ohio 32-29. Both of those games seemingly came down to timely shooting from 3pt range, free throws and turnovers, all of which should give Ohio a slight edge IF...big IF...they're hitting.

Freeman absolutely went off against Miami posting 30 and 12, so looks like he's primed for a MAC Tournament MVP run. Gotta keep him in check as much as possible.
How they call the game underneath will most likely determine the outcome. If they let them play and Freeman gets a bit frustrated, advantage OU. It's a slugfest, we're in trouble. Anything in the middle will come down to who makes their free throws.
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SBH
3/15/2024 12:57 PM
shabamon wrote:expand_more
No disrespect to Kent and BG (though disrespect to either is permitted), but I honestly believe this is now the MAC Championship. It's big nuts time.
I could definitely see either Kent or BG walking away with the trophy.
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Urban Bobcat
3/15/2024 2:02 PM
Based upon first round performances the Cats are the best team left in the field.
The Cats are leaps and bounds better than earlier in the season.

What scares me is that Akron has been shooting like crap from three lately.
Akron seems to be due for a great long-range night.
I am hopeful our defense doesn't allow this to happen.
Last Edited: 3/15/2024 2:16:55 PM by Urban Bobcat
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ts1227
3/15/2024 2:57 PM
I don't know that there is a result in this game that would surprise me. Tossup slightly favoring Akron, but if one team gets hot and it ends up a runaway, I wouldn't be shocked either.

As mentioned, winner is a heavy favorite tomorrow regardless.
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spongeBOB CATpants
3/15/2024 3:59 PM
Heading to the Land from cbus at 4:45, will be speeding but #WhoCaresGoBobcats #DestroyAkron
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Ted Thompson
3/15/2024 5:15 PM
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