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Ohio Basketball Topic
Topic: Official Game 21 Thread: Akron
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Ted Thompson
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Posted: 1/20/2026 10:34 PM
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Use this thread to talk about anything game-related. For away games, we'll have a separate travel thread.

Date: Friday January 23rd, 2026 8:00 PM

Opponent: Akron  (15-4, 6-1 MAC)

Site: Convocation Center

TV/Webcast: ESPNU

Radio: The Varsity Network App (free) 

Akron statistics and roster 

Akron message board:   ZipsNation

Bobcat1998
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Posted: 1/21/2026 6:50 AM
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We are going to get boat raced so hard in this game. Captain Chrapos will get tossed, Kuany will get 2 mins and Ajay Sheldon will get 38 mins with 2 points, 0-for-8 from 3, 5 TOs and zero assists. Dior, coming off a great game, will play 3 mins.
Pete Chouteau
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Posted: 1/21/2026 8:01 AM
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Boals had his excuse pre-loaded in the NIU postgame going straight to short turnaround to get ready for Friday.
bobcatsquared
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Posted: 1/21/2026 8:29 AM
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Pete Chouteau wrote:expand_more
Boals had his excuse pre-loaded in the NIU postgame going straight to short turnaround to get ready for Friday.
Well, Akron did tipoff at 6:30 last night, a half-hour before Ohio's game got underway.
FearLeon
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Posted: 1/21/2026 9:46 AM
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Bobcat1998 wrote:expand_more
We are going to get boat raced so hard in this game. Captain Chrapos will get tossed, Kuany will get 2 mins and Ajay Sheldon will get 38 mins with 2 points, 0-for-8 from 3, 5 TOs and zero assists. Dior, coming off a great game, will play 3 mins.
It certainly feels like Akron can name the score on Friday night. I saw nothing on Tuesday night against NIU to make me feel any differently.
GoCats105
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Posted: 1/21/2026 10:48 AM
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Bobcat1998 wrote:expand_more
We are going to get boat raced so hard in this game. Captain Chrapos will get tossed, Kuany will get 2 mins and Ajay Sheldon will get 38 mins with 2 points, 0-for-8 from 3, 5 TOs and zero assists. Dior, coming off a great game, will play 3 mins.
Either this will happen or they'll play their best game of the season and BillyTheCat and friends will come on here and puff their chests about how wrong everyone is.
Bobcat1998
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Posted: 1/21/2026 11:08 AM
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GoCats105 wrote:expand_more
We are going to get boat raced so hard in this game. Captain Chrapos will get tossed, Kuany will get 2 mins and Ajay Sheldon will get 38 mins with 2 points, 0-for-8 from 3, 5 TOs and zero assists. Dior, coming off a great game, will play 3 mins.
Either this will happen or they'll play their best game of the season and BillyTheCat and friends will come on here and puff their chests about how wrong everyone is.
I truly hope the latter happens. I really want this team to succeed. I had really high expectations. I thought Simmons would go 15 and 7, Breath would go 8 and 8 and Conners would go 9 and 3 apg. Conners torched us when he came to the Convo with App State. Breath was in a pretty decent conference. Simmons torched us. That is what is frustrating. Elliott's regression and the transfers not living up shows me that there is something off with Boals and his staff. This team can win a MAC title, no doubt about it. I just haven't seen it yet.
M.D.W.S.T
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Posted: 1/21/2026 11:47 AM
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FearLeon wrote:expand_more
We are going to get boat raced so hard in this game. Captain Chrapos will get tossed, Kuany will get 2 mins and Ajay Sheldon will get 38 mins with 2 points, 0-for-8 from 3, 5 TOs and zero assists. Dior, coming off a great game, will play 3 mins.
It certainly feels like Akron can name the score on Friday night. I saw nothing on Tuesday night against NIU to make me feel any differently.
Our only saving grace... Jack hits a different gear in big games.

Friday night at 8PM on ESPNU is a big game. Akron's gym doesn't hold much to begin with, but their 2-3K fans are sitting right on top of you and they're rowdy. Especially against us.

I'd like to see what Groce's win % is in these such games. I'm guessing it's high 80's or 90's.

This team isn't very good, but they CAN be good in stretches. ie Buffalo, UMASS, Marshall. If our plethora of 3's are dropping, they can get out front and hold a lead. If they're laying bricks, we're gonna be down 20 fast.
100%Cat
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Posted: 1/21/2026 12:05 PM
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It certainly feels like we're going to need a fluke like Dior Conners pulling a Bean Willis-esque performance vs Akron for us to have a chance without Simmons. Can Dior bang in about 8-10 threes? Unlikely, but not impossible.
SBH
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Posted: 1/21/2026 12:10 PM
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Simmons will play.
GroverBall
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Posted: 1/21/2026 12:29 PM
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Quote:expand_more
Friday night at 8PM on ESPNU is a big game. Akron's gym doesn't hold much to begin with, but their 2-3K fans are sitting right on top of you and they're rowdy. Especially against us.
Friday's game is a home game for the Bobcats.
M.D.W.S.T
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Posted: 1/21/2026 1:15 PM
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GroverBall wrote:expand_more
Friday night at 8PM on ESPNU is a big game. Akron's gym doesn't hold much to begin with, but their 2-3K fans are sitting right on top of you and they're rowdy. Especially against us.
Friday's game is a home game for the Bobcats.
Even better.
Andrew Ruck
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Posted: 1/21/2026 1:26 PM
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The date was February 22nd, 2025. The 14-12 Bobcats were coming off an underwhelming Tuesday night 2 point win over CMU and before that were 3-6 in their last 9 games. The Akron Zips came to Athens 13-0 in the MAC. BobcatAttack oohed and ahhhed over John Groce and debated by how many dozen we would lose by. The Bobcats built a 68-42 lead mid-way thru the 2nd half, at which point Groce pulled his starters and rolled over to accept defeat.

11 months later and here we are again. Looking forward to this one, a chance to really get things moving in the right direction in a big way. Hopefully there are some others still excited to cheer on their guys with optimism. Let's go Cats.
bobcatsquared
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Posted: 1/21/2026 3:08 PM
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Zips are among national leaders in most offensive categories:

5th in FG% at 52% (Miami is 1st at 54%)
3rd in effective FG% at 61% (Miami is 1st at 64%)
14th in 3 FG% at 39% (Miami is 1st at 42%)
3rd in scoring at 93.6 (Miami 2nd at 93.9)

Akron is deep and have players off the bench that can get hot and lead the Zips in scoring on any given night. Ohio needs all players (including Simmons) playing at their best on both offense and defense for a repeat of last year's result in the Convo.
Last Edited: 1/21/2026 3:11:23 PM by bobcatsquared
OhioCatFan
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Posted: 1/21/2026 4:02 PM
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100%Cat wrote:expand_more
It certainly feels like we're going to need a fluke like Dior Conners pulling a Bean Willis-esque performance vs Akron for us to have a chance without Simmons. Can Dior bang in about 8-10 threes? Unlikely, but not impossible.
For some reason, I think Conners can get hot like that and "pull a Bean" as I used to call it. I remember back then I told folks that OHIO "lived and died by the Bean." Let's hope he proves me right! Go OHIO!
bobcat 2000
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Posted: 1/21/2026 4:53 PM
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boat raced? yea akrons a good team but idont think we lose by more than 12- 15. how the hell did miami be 19-0 and top 25? perhaps steel does the cupcake schedule like a lot of top schools do. i checked the top 25 and it shows just how little respect there is for mac teams . there are teams with 3 -5 losses that are in the top 15. kansas is some thing like 13-5 and they,re ranked 19. if we or miami had a 13-5 record there wouldnt even be a sniff of votes to even be considered for top 25. how would miami have done against lousville. probably be blown out . wouldnt be suprised if miami doesnt get an at large bid this year although thee is a slight chance. that could mean miami might be the frist ranke dd team to not be in the top 25.
BillyTheCat
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Posted: 1/21/2026 9:02 PM
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If OHIO played Miami’s non league schedule this board would still be in melt down over lack of quality opponents.
M.D.W.S.T
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Posted: 1/22/2026 8:59 AM
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BillyTheCat wrote:expand_more
If OHIO played Miami’s non league schedule this board would still be in melt down over lack of quality opponents.
I've said it a few times, but I'm begging for the shittiest schedule they can put together. I want to play OSU Mansfield twice a year. Is Ohio Dominican available? Hammer the non-con and roll into MAC play like Miami on an undefeated record and get every call your way. Get the national media screaming about ranking them. I haven't heard any of the talking heads mention their dead last SOS ranking. All I hear about is how this is the best MAC team in decades. And of course this is all happening to Miami of all people, during a year we have the toughest G5 non-con in the country. Ooof. Wheres the tylenol?
SBH
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Posted: 1/22/2026 9:07 AM
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BillyTheCat wrote:expand_more
If OHIO played Miami’s non league schedule this board would still be in melt down over lack of quality opponents.
Having seen Miami twice, I must say their bitching/whining/jawing rating is MUCH lower than ours as well. Our team is unlikeable, frankly.
spongeBOB CATpants
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Posted: 1/22/2026 9:42 AM
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I was at the Akron game in Athens last year, what a performance that was. Planning on being there Friday night. Repeating that effort and efficiency this year? Doubtful. Be prepared for their guards to put on an absolute clinic.

Zips are led by 4th year senior, Tavari Johnson, a rare breed. In his 4th season at Akron, he's progressed from spot starting averaging 4 points a game to leading the team and conference averaging 20 points a game. Kid shoots a ton of 3's so hopefully he's cold because there's not much you can do to stop them if he's on.

Akron is super efficient on offense so we can't afford many turnovers or second chance shots, a tall task for this Ohio squad based on the body of work. If we're going to win, we need a slow paced grind it out type of game limiting Johnson's attempts.
SBH
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Posted: 1/22/2026 10:03 AM
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I don't believe we're capable of playing a slow, grind-out style. Akron has seen the tape - pressure/trap Pav and our offense falls apart.
FearLeon
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Posted: 1/22/2026 11:20 AM
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SBH wrote:expand_more
If OHIO played Miami’s non league schedule this board would still be in melt down over lack of quality opponents.
Our team is unlikeable, frankly.
You are not wrong. Hard to explain the roster construction of personalities/attitude that we see on the court. The showboating/flexing (up 30 or down 30) after made baskets, smack talk with opposing players (up 30 or down 30) and arguing with officials (up 30 or down 30) makes this team a difficult watch.
Last Edited: 1/22/2026 5:21:04 PM by FearLeon
bobcat 2000
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Posted: 1/22/2026 4:45 PM
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i don,t think racing a boat has anything to do with a basketball gane.
Bobcat Love's Sense of Shame
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Posted: 1/22/2026 10:42 PM
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bobcat 2000 wrote:expand_more
i don,t think racing a boat has anything to do with a basketball gane.
We should consider joining the ACC or Big 10 for boat racing.
OhioCatFan
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Posted: 1/22/2026 11:58 PM
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Bobcat Love's Sense of Shame wrote:expand_more
i don,t think racing a boat has anything to do with a basketball gane.
We should consider joining the ACC or Big 10 for boat racing.
Or maybe we could get our asses whipped by Marietta College:

https://tinyurl.com/4xsvddh9
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