(08-28-2013 08:08 AM)The Optimist Wrote:  

(08-28-2013 04:59 AM)Wadszip Wrote:  

(08-27-2013 07:27 AM)The Optimist Wrote:  I agree that Akron is the favorite. However, I would say Ohio is at the point where there will not be any rebuilds.

I expect the Top 4 in the MAC to include Toledo, Akron, Ohio and someone else.

Even with a solid freshman class and Willis being eligible (who I'm not high on), I still think OU lost too much to be a top three team. I'd put it like this:

Akron

Toledo
Buffalo

Ohio
Kent
WMU

Even if Ohio rebuilds this year, it will be the last time you can say that. There is a lot of talent coming up and I don't see Christian leaving, so Ohio will be in the mix from 2015 on. But Akron (based on recruiting and coaching stability) will be there and hopefully Kent, Buffalo and Toledo will also be there. There is a lot of hoops potential. But a lot of it depends on Kowalczyk staying at Toledo, Bobby Hurley staying at Buffalo and Kent staying dedicated to hoops. ... I also think John Cooper, again if he stays at Miami, could get the Redhawks back in the mix.

I'm a bigger MAC hoops fan than football fan. Unlike most, I think the MAC has a chance to reclaim itself as a premier mid-major league.... a lot will depend on paying the coaches already in the league ... right now only Dambrot and Christian are safe from being plucked off.

I am also a bigger MAC hoops fan... I think there is more hope here.

Even with all that Ohio lost, I think there is still too much talent to not have them top 4 in the MAC. I didn't mean to imply they would be Top 3.... Just that I'm not sure who will be the 4th team that gets a bye to Cleveland...

Consider this starting lineup...
PG-Willis (Texas Tech STARTER)
SG-Kellogg (Returning 4 year starter)
SF-Hall
PF-Ndour (JUCO who was almost playing in the Big Eas this yr... Considered one of the best JUCO recruits nationally)
C-Smith (returning starter)

To me, almost every team in the MAC would kill for that kind of talent. TJ Hall may sum it up the best.... He isn't a returning starter... Would he be if he played on any MAC team other than Ohio and Akron? Without a doubt. This is a guy who played a great game against North Carolina in the Sweet 16 two years ago...

It'll take some time for this group to gel, but there is too much talent for them to not win 20 games and be top 4 in the MAC.

I also don't see Christian leaving. Very good chance this is a 2 bid league shortly.

I agree that Ohio will still be one of the more talented teams in the league, though there are legit questions. Mainly, will Kellogg bounce back? He has the tools to be one of the better guards in the league but he really struggled with his shot last season. 2. How much of a drop-off will there be from Cooper to Willis? I know Willis started at Texas Tech, but from talking to people who follow the Big 12, he isn't a starting caliber PG at a solid Mid-Major program, let alone a "BCS" program. That TT team he played on was bad. I'd say both Akron and Ohio would've beat them by double digits. Actually, it wouldn't surprise me if Stevie Taylor ends up being the starter. That may be harsh since he was a freshman on a bad team, but I'll have to see how he does this year before penciling him in as plus-level MAC player. 3. How well will all the new players adapting to new roles come together? If they come together quickly, then OU has the talent to fight for a top 3 seed. Even if it takes half the season to gel, it could cost the team some games early ... even in MAC play. But OU should be a tough out come MAC tourney time ... ala some of the recent Akron teams.

I like Hall, he played well against Akron last year and should help pick up some of the scoring that was lost. The JUCO PF could be a nice addition as well, though I don't know a lot about him.

I don't think OU is going to struggle, but think that this could end up being the "worst" JC team at Ohio. Even with the Anrio Adams news, OU's future is definitely bright.

EMU Dave,

Yeah, I forgot to mention EMU. As much as I hate the style of play, Rob Murphy is another guy EMU has to keep around in order for the MAC to get back to where it was in the 90s. But EMU will definitely be in the mix again for a top 4 seed.

Overall, I'm glad I'm not alone in thinking the league is going to bounce back. Akron and OU are just going to get better, and it seems like the coaching is in place (if they stay) where Toledo, Buffalo, Kent, EMU and Miami could step up where those first two programs don't run away and make it a big two and little 10 situation. Plus, if the league can get to the point where there are consistently four top 100 teams, is more incentive for UMass to join full-time, which would be a major coup.

I know it's now officially football season, but can't help but to talk some MAC hoops.