menu
Logo
99+
Bobcat Attack Menu
Logo
99+
Ohio Basketball Topic
Topic: Official Game 19 Thread: Akron
Page: 1 of 4
Ted Thompson
Administrator
Member Since: 11/11/2004
Location: MAC Play
Post Count: 7,943
mail
Ted Thompson
mail
Posted: 1/21/2024 3:57 PM
settings_applications edit_note

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

Date: Tuesday January 23rd, 2024 7:00 PM

Opponent: Akron  (14-4, 6-0 MAC)

Site: James A. Rhodes Areno

TV/Streaming: ESPN+

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

Akron statistics and roster 

Akron message board:  ZipsNation.org

FearLeon
General User
Member Since: 3/13/2005
Post Count: 5,128
mail
FearLeon
mail
Posted: 1/21/2024 4:33 PM
settings_applications edit_note
Have to think Freeman goes for 28 points and 14 rebounds in this one.
Bobcat Love's Sense of Shame
General User
BLSS
Member Since: 7/30/2010
Post Count: 4,643
person
mail
Bobcat Love's Sense of Shame
mail
Posted: 1/21/2024 4:51 PM
settings_applications edit_note
The next 7 games are basically our season.

@Akron
@Kent
Buffalo
Miami
@Ball State
@Toledo
Kent

Very tough stretch. 1-6 is on the table. We really, really need to defend the home court vs. Miami and Kent to stay around.500.
Urban Bobcat
General User
UB
Member Since: 9/14/2007
Location: Athens, OH
Post Count: 857
person
mail
Urban Bobcat
mail
Posted: 1/21/2024 8:07 PM
settings_applications edit_note
Somebody has to beat Akron.
FearLeon
General User
Member Since: 3/13/2005
Post Count: 5,128
mail
FearLeon
mail
Posted: 1/21/2024 8:41 PM
settings_applications edit_note
If Groce goes back to the NCAA Tourney this year, I think we’ve seen the last of him in the MAC. Perfect time for him to get a second chance at a power 6 job with Freeman off to pro ball somewhere.
Bobcat Debate 73
General User
Member Since: 11/27/2007
Post Count: 204
mail
Bobcat Debate 73
mail
Posted: 1/21/2024 11:33 PM
settings_applications edit_note
Will be in Akron for the game. Have an Akron donor’s seats. Hoping for the underdog Bobcats to take down Groce’s Zipps.
WxM
General User
WM
Member Since: 1/21/2020
Post Count: 257
person
mail
WxM
mail
Posted: 1/21/2024 11:56 PM
settings_applications edit_note
As a fan, I enjoy these types of games. Nothing to lose. Either they do what's expected of them or pick up a bonus win.
M.D.W.S.T
General User
Member Since: 12/24/2021
Post Count: 3,656
mail
M.D.W.S.T
mail
Posted: 1/22/2024 9:06 AM
settings_applications edit_note
WxM wrote:expand_more
As a fan, I enjoy these types of games. Nothing to lose. Either they do what's expected of them or pick up a bonus win.
I hope the game against EMU was a turning point for them. Obviously, Akron is a heavy favorite, but like you said - nothing to lose. They're playing with house money this season. Expectations are zilch. Your two best players are injured. You're playing .500 ball. Go out and just run dudes off the floor. Try to score 100 every night. Even if you lose 130-100, make a run. Mix it up. Have a little fun. Your back is against the wall... lets see whatcha got. Get creative.
SBH
General User
SBH
Member Since: 12/20/2004
Post Count: 4,671
person
mail
SBH
mail
Posted: 1/22/2024 9:22 AM
settings_applications edit_note
Bobcat Debate 73 wrote:expand_more
Will be in Akron for the game. Have an Akron donor’s seats. Hoping for the underdog Bobcats to take down Groce’s Zipps.
Does that mean you've scored the Leaf Filter seats? (Matt Kaulig)
Andrew Ruck
General User
Member Since: 12/22/2004
Location: Columbus, OH
Post Count: 5,632
mail
Andrew Ruck
mail
Posted: 1/22/2024 10:16 AM
settings_applications edit_note
Bobcat Love's Sense of Shame wrote:expand_more
The next 7 games are basically our season.

@Akron
@Kent
Buffalo
Miami
@Ball State
@Toledo
Kent

Very tough stretch. 1-6 is on the table. We really, really need to defend the home court vs. Miami and Kent to stay around.500.
I guess I see what you're saying, but we will be favored in 4 of those 7 games.
Bobcat Love's Sense of Shame
General User
BLSS
Member Since: 7/30/2010
Post Count: 4,643
person
mail
Bobcat Love's Sense of Shame
mail
Posted: 1/22/2024 10:37 AM
settings_applications edit_note
Andrew Ruck wrote:expand_more
The next 7 games are basically our season.

@Akron
@Kent
Buffalo
Miami
@Ball State
@Toledo
Kent

Very tough stretch. 1-6 is on the table. We really, really need to defend the home court vs. Miami and Kent to stay around.500.
I guess I see what you're saying, but we will be favored in 4 of those 7 games.
We're going to be favored vs. Buffalo, for sure. Miami at home, and Ball State on the road. Maybe Kent at home? Is that the fourth you're seeing?

Ball State has played everybody tight, including Akron. We haven't won a true road game in a long time. We have a shot of course, but it's gonna be a tough win.

Kent just seems more talented than us, even though they've struggled.

Id be ecstatic with 4-3. Think we'd have to get pretty lucky to get there.
greencat
General User
Member Since: 3/13/2005
Post Count: 2,835
mail
greencat
mail
Posted: 1/22/2024 11:09 AM
settings_applications edit_note
Bobcat Love's Sense of Shame wrote:expand_more
The next 7 games are basically our season.

@Akron
@Kent
Buffalo
Miami
@Ball State
@Toledo
Kent

Very tough stretch. 1-6 is on the table. We really, really need to defend the home court vs. Miami and Kent to stay around.500.
I guess I see what you're saying, but we will be favored in 4 of those 7 games.
We're going to be favored vs. Buffalo, for sure. Miami at home, and Ball State on the road. Maybe Kent at home? Is that the fourth you're seeing?

Ball State has played everybody tight, including Akron. We haven't won a true road game in a long time. We have a shot of course, but it's gonna be a tough win.

Kent just seems more talented than us, even though they've struggled.

Id be ecstatic with 4-3. Think we'd have to get pretty lucky to get there.
I really really really want us to beat Fiami. Their two big guys worry me...both the fat one and the skinny one. Some BigTen school needs to pony up and buy that skinny one after this season.
FearLeon
General User
Member Since: 3/13/2005
Post Count: 5,128
mail
FearLeon
mail
Posted: 1/22/2024 11:21 AM
settings_applications edit_note
greencat wrote:expand_more
The next 7 games are basically our season.

@Akron
@Kent
Buffalo
Miami
@Ball State
@Toledo
Kent

Very tough stretch. 1-6 is on the table. We really, really need to defend the home court vs. Miami and Kent to stay around.500.
I guess I see what you're saying, but we will be favored in 4 of those 7 games.
We're going to be favored vs. Buffalo, for sure. Miami at home, and Ball State on the road. Maybe Kent at home? Is that the fourth you're seeing?

Ball State has played everybody tight, including Akron. We haven't won a true road game in a long time. We have a shot of course, but it's gonna be a tough win.

Kent just seems more talented than us, even though they've struggled.

Id be ecstatic with 4-3. Think we'd have to get pretty lucky to get there.
I really really really want us to beat Fiami. Their two big guys worry me...both the fat one and the skinny one. Some BigTen school needs to pony up and buy that skinny one after this season.
Chubbs is a baller. Wish we had him too.
M.D.W.S.T
General User
Member Since: 12/24/2021
Post Count: 3,656
mail
M.D.W.S.T
mail
Posted: 1/22/2024 11:24 AM
settings_applications edit_note
greencat wrote:expand_more
The next 7 games are basically our season.

@Akron
@Kent
Buffalo
Miami
@Ball State
@Toledo
Kent

Very tough stretch. 1-6 is on the table. We really, really need to defend the home court vs. Miami and Kent to stay around.500.
I guess I see what you're saying, but we will be favored in 4 of those 7 games.
We're going to be favored vs. Buffalo, for sure. Miami at home, and Ball State on the road. Maybe Kent at home? Is that the fourth you're seeing?

Ball State has played everybody tight, including Akron. We haven't won a true road game in a long time. We have a shot of course, but it's gonna be a tough win.

Kent just seems more talented than us, even though they've struggled.

Id be ecstatic with 4-3. Think we'd have to get pretty lucky to get there.
I really really really want us to beat Fiami. Their two big guys worry me...both the fat one and the skinny one. Some BigTen school needs to pony up and buy that skinny one after this season.
Best hope to mitigate the fat one is just keep moving on offense - which we don't do very well - keep him out of the paint, keep him tired and running after Hadaway and AJC.

On the defensive side...

Hope he misses a lot of shots?

Hadaway weighs about 100 pounds less, AJC I wouldn't say is known for his staunch D. Might be a long night of Wiz.

Shoot them out of the gym. Don't let him get set and get position down low.

The rest of their team is certainly beatable. That dude is so girthy though, he could have the whole team in foul trouble immediately.
Last Edited: 1/22/2024 11:26:33 AM by M.D.W.S.T
shabamon
General User
Member Since: 11/17/2006
Location: Cincinnati
Post Count: 7,300
mail
shabamon
mail
Posted: 1/22/2024 11:31 AM
settings_applications edit_note
Chance to take the MAC's only bit of land on the imperialism map.

https://www.reddit.com/r/CollegeBasketball/comments/19ch2... /
MonroeClassmate
General User
MC
Member Since: 8/31/2010
Post Count: 2,323
person
mail
MonroeClassmate
mail
Posted: 1/22/2024 12:22 PM
settings_applications edit_note
FearLeon wrote:expand_more
If Groce goes back to the NCAA Tourney this year, I think we’ve seen the last of him in the MAC. Perfect time for him to get a second chance at a power 6 job with Freeman off to pro ball somewhere.
I guess anything could happen. BUT, having Freeman FALL into his lap when Freeman just as easily could have matriculated to Kent or CSU and the NCAA allowing Ali Ali a weird exemption does a big time program go for him as coach? Akron likely has two MAC loses by now if Ali not allowed to play. Groce could say he developed a big but could not say he has recruited great players in a while.

When is the last time in NCAA history that a walk on has reached the level of success that Zips Freeman has achieved?
FJC31
General User
FJC31
Member Since: 3/31/2022
Post Count: 2,255
person
mail
FJC31
mail
Posted: 1/22/2024 12:34 PM
settings_applications edit_note
MonroeClassmate wrote:expand_more
If Groce goes back to the NCAA Tourney this year, I think we’ve seen the last of him in the MAC. Perfect time for him to get a second chance at a power 6 job with Freeman off to pro ball somewhere.
I guess anything could happen. BUT, having Freeman FALL into his lap when Freeman just as easily could have matriculated to Kent or CSU and the NCAA allowing Ali Ali a weird exemption does a big time program go for him as coach? Akron likely has two MAC loses by now if Ali not allowed to play. Groce could say he developed a big but could not say he has recruited great players in a while.

When is the last time in NCAA history that a walk on has reached the level of success that Zips Freeman has achieved?
Xavier Castenada, Loren Jackson, Tyler Cheese, Xeryius Williams, and Aziz Bandaogo (even though he transferred) to name a few.

I also can’t tell if your last statement/question is intended to go against Groce because it most certainly works in his favor.
M.D.W.S.T
General User
Member Since: 12/24/2021
Post Count: 3,656
mail
M.D.W.S.T
mail
Posted: 1/22/2024 12:50 PM
settings_applications edit_note
MonroeClassmate wrote:expand_more
When is the last time in NCAA history that a walk on has reached the level of success that Zips Freeman has achieved?
Scottie Pippen was a team manager.
Jeff Hornacek.
Duncan Robinson.
Andre Drummond.
Dennis Rodman was a janitor at the airport or something wasn't he? Though I guess they probably didn't have scholarships anyway at that level.

I can't recall any other big names, but those are some real big ones.
Bobcat Love's Sense of Shame
General User
BLSS
Member Since: 7/30/2010
Post Count: 4,643
person
mail
Bobcat Love's Sense of Shame
mail
Posted: 1/22/2024 1:17 PM
settings_applications edit_note
MonroeClassmate wrote:expand_more
When is the last time in NCAA history that a walk on has reached the level of success that Zips Freeman has achieved?
Freeman will be the second best walk on in this game. See: Corna, Quinn.
Andrew Ruck
General User
Member Since: 12/22/2004
Location: Columbus, OH
Post Count: 5,632
mail
Andrew Ruck
mail
Posted: 1/22/2024 1:23 PM
settings_applications edit_note
Bobcat Love's Sense of Shame wrote:expand_more
The next 7 games are basically our season.

@Akron
@Kent
Buffalo
Miami
@Ball State
@Toledo
Kent

Very tough stretch. 1-6 is on the table. We really, really need to defend the home court vs. Miami and Kent to stay around.500.
I guess I see what you're saying, but we will be favored in 4 of those 7 games.
We're going to be favored vs. Buffalo, for sure. Miami at home, and Ball State on the road. Maybe Kent at home? Is that the fourth you're seeing?

Ball State has played everybody tight, including Akron. We haven't won a true road game in a long time. We have a shot of course, but it's gonna be a tough win.

Kent just seems more talented than us, even though they've struggled.

Id be ecstatic with 4-3. Think we'd have to get pretty lucky to get there.
Yes, a lot of time between now and then but if we played at Kent today we would no question be favored. But yes, of those 4 games as favorites, 3 of them will be small lines and toss ups while the 3 underdog games will not be.
GraffZ06
General User
Member Since: 1/5/2005
Location: Dayton, OH
Post Count: 2,433
mail
GraffZ06
mail
Posted: 1/22/2024 1:56 PM
settings_applications edit_note
Bobcat Love's Sense of Shame wrote:expand_more
When is the last time in NCAA history that a walk on has reached the level of success that Zips Freeman has achieved?
Freeman will be the second best walk on in this game. See: Corna, Quinn.
QFT.

You know it!

He's still leading the MAC in points per minute. Just wait...
M.D.W.S.T
General User
Member Since: 12/24/2021
Post Count: 3,656
mail
M.D.W.S.T
mail
Posted: 1/22/2024 2:27 PM
settings_applications edit_note
GraffZ06 wrote:expand_more
When is the last time in NCAA history that a walk on has reached the level of success that Zips Freeman has achieved?
Freeman will be the second best walk on in this game. See: Corna, Quinn.
QFT.

You know it!

He's still leading the MAC in points per minute. Just wait...
I didn't feel like cross-referencing the other teams, but surprisingly this is true as far as OU goes. LOL.

You know who is last... The Wizard of Moving Screens.
https://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/schools/ohio/men/202...
ohiocatfan1
General User
O1
Member Since: 9/6/2016
Post Count: 396
person
mail
ohiocatfan1
mail
Posted: 1/22/2024 2:51 PM
settings_applications edit_note
Can't see this being anything but a blowout loss.....hope I'm wrong.
greencat
General User
Member Since: 3/13/2005
Post Count: 2,835
mail
greencat
mail
Posted: 1/22/2024 5:15 PM
settings_applications edit_note
M.D.W.S.T wrote:expand_more
When is the last time in NCAA history that a walk on has reached the level of success that Zips Freeman has achieved?
Scottie Pippen was a team manager.
Jeff Hornacek.
Duncan Robinson.
Andre Drummond.
Dennis Rodman was a janitor at the airport or something wasn't he? Though I guess they probably didn't have scholarships anyway at that level.

I can't recall any other big names, but those are some real big ones.
Jim Boeheim actually walked on as a guard at Syracuse and averaged 15ppg one year

Lots in football:
Stetson Bennett, Baker Mayfield, Hunter Renfrow, JJ Watt, Clay Matthews, Santana Moss; plus a number of good kickers and punters.

Top NCAA baseball walk-ons include:
Ozzie Smith
Shane Bieber
David Eckstein
Ryan Howard
bobcatsquared
General User
B
Member Since: 12/20/2004
Post Count: 5,844
person
mail
bobcatsquared
mail
Posted: 1/22/2024 5:20 PM
settings_applications edit_note
There's only one name (if including football): Rudy Ruettiger.
Showing Messages: 1 - 25 of 97
reply
vertical_align_top
vertical_align_center
vertical_align_bottom
add_comment
chevron_forward
MAC News Links



extra small (< 576px)
small (>= 576px)
medium (>= 768px)
large (>= 992px)
x-large (>= 1200px)
xx-large (>= 1400px)