“Testing the NBA waters” always did sound a bit odd for him.
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This is now just one of the canned lines in the player breakup note… I was on my way to the NBA but on my way I saw Big U had a nice pile of cash and nice things to say about me and I couldnt resist.
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All of Akron’s players are coming back, except the ones who aren’t.
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Yeah, that’s a kick in the groin for them.
Have to wonder if someone got in his ear.
I think this sucks by the way. We as a program need the MAC to be better and entire rosters/players of the year leaving the league doesn’t help.
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I get the sentiment, but this doesn’t suck.
We are a one bid league. We haven’t been to the dance for almost 20 years. The biggest threat losing their best player is great, especially with us losing Craft.
I’ll worry about elevating the MAC after we go dancing a couple times.
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I see both sides here, but I do think there is an argument that the long-term health of the league will depend on the teams in the league actually being good. But you’re also right that we should probably be more concerned with helping ourselves first.
On a different, but related topic, it is funny to watch fans rationalize losing players to the portal. On the Akron board, they’ve all suddenly decided Nate Johnson wasn’t that good. Same on the OU board with AJ Brown. I actually think we’ve done a good job here of expressing the impact of losing Kam Craft and not just deciding that now he’s gone he wasn’t important.
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Last week UCs new ‘GM’ was on the Ryen Russilo podcast. He previously was in the OKC Thunder front office and shared that he sees schools looking to build more of a complete team than stacking talent in each class ie be a superstar in your role vs trying to be the guy. Some schools will do this better than others, which means they may clean house for the chance to rebuild in year 1. We had a great culture last year that created buy in and helped us bounce back from the bump in the road during conference play.
My hope is that the slow or cautious movement from Steele and staff is ensuring we have the best culture and competitive atmosphere. We aren’t going to win the $$ battle ever but we they can sell a great experience, development, and winning that will resonate with the guys we want.
I think Craft is going to be a lot more consistent (9 games playing 15+ minutes with 6 points or fewer was dumbfounding) and impactful this coming season, another year removed from his knee issues. I thought he did a better job of defending and rebounding in the MAC tourney than in the regular season, but those areas will need to improve going to the ACC.
Byers has the range to expand the defense like Craft but hasn’t shown the midrange scoring like Kam. However, Byers was better around the hoop and could finish stronger due to his length. He should be all-MAC next year.
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My guess is that as he tested the NBA waters he received feedback that he needed to test himself against a higher level of competition day in and day out.
That may not be true but if you combine that advice with more money to do so it becomes a desirable option.
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Note to jump ahead … considering the Portal is still open and active - but I’d say as of 4-17-25 the MAC basketball favorites for next season are:
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Miami … only 1 loss of consequence but stellar recruiting class and still room for additions.
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Ohio … no negligible losses, most core players remain, but have added two much needed bigs.
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UMass … A wildcard sure enough but proven head coach already retooling through juco ranks w/size.
4 Akron … Player losses to the portal continue to dribble away, and Akron board hints at possible more to come. But the Zips are still the defending champs until further notice.
- Kent … no portal losses of note, but three 4-year program seniors gone is a rare and big hit for any program. Two solid early incoming recruits, but nothing special in the ranks so far. Time will tell.
All the rest …
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I’d push back a little on OU. They lost AJ Brown and Elmore James to the portal. In addition to that they lost AJ Clayton, Shereef Mitchell and Vic Searls to graduation. That’s three double digit scorers and their first two guys off the bench.
As far as we go I would say we lost two guys of consequence. But I think this board underrates Reece Potter so some may disagree.
And Akron, yeah, we’ll see.
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I call Shenanigans. I went on their site and the roster shows 15 players so clearly some remain. Now, are they walkon’s? Maybe. But those count in my book.
Give Baylor credit. Many institutions have paid players under the table. Baylor stands alone, however, in having a coach who asked that his players lie to the police and say that the money found in a murdered players dorm room came from drug sales when, in fact, it was boosters money. Because a young man losing his life wasn’t tragic enough it was important to defame him as well.
Of course this is the same institution whose President had to resign because he was complicit in covering up atheletes crimes. I used to feel Auburn was the poster child for all that is wrong with college athletics. It is nice to see that Baylor won’t concede the title without a fight
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And remember: Baylor is a religious school.
“Speaking of Hell, Art Briles”
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Reece Potter to New Mexico State per his Instagram.
Somewhat odd choice.
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Perfect sense to me. Up a level in play to a multi bid league but not the heavy hitters where he’d really struggle with his frame.
New Mexico State is not currently in a multi bid league. Disappointing that he didnt get a better offer- maybe the dollars were big. I hope we can compete with local kids with New mexico state