The University of Akron Athletics
Men's Basketball Visits Youngstown State Tonight
January 26 | Men's Basketball
GAME 19
Akron (10-8) at
Youngstown St. (6-12)
Monday, January 26
7 p.m. EST
Beeghly Center (6,300)
Youngstown, Ohio
Television: None.
Webcast/Audio Stream/Live Statistics: Webcast
available on Horizon League Network at HorizonLeague.com. Audio stream through ZipsZone
subscription. Live statistics free of charge.
Radio: Akron-ISP Sports Network – SportsRadio
1350 AM (WARF) in Akron and through the
ZipsZone
subscription package. Steve French (play-by-play) and Joe Dunn
(analyst) (6:30 p.m. EST airtime).
Akron Coach Keith Dambrot (Akron '82):
Is in his fifth season at the helm for the Zips, maintaining a
102-46 (.689) mark in that time. Both his win percentage and win
total rank fifth all-time in program history. He is 210-116 (.644)
in his 11th season as a collegiate head coach. Dambrot is 3-0
all-time versus Youngstown State.
Youngstown State Coach Jerry Slocum (The King's [N.Y.]
'75):
Is in his fourth season on the sideline for the Penguins, owning a
36-71 (.336) record in that time. In his 34th season as a
collegiate head coach he is 616-396 (.609).
The Series: Monday serves as the 86th meeting
between the two schools on the hardwood and fourth in as many
seasons. Akron leads the all-time series 54-31, following a 79-59
win last season at Rhodes Arena (Dec. 21, 2007). The Zips have won
three straight and 17 of the last 18 overall match-ups (won 70-61
in last visit to YSU, Jan. 2, 2007).
Up Next: UA opens play against the MAC's West
Division at Toledo on Wednesday at 7 p.m. EST.
Zips Make Turnaround Trip To Youngstown
State...
With a one-day turnaround, the University of Akron men's basketball
team (10-8) visits Youngstown State (6-12) on Monday for a
non-conference match up at 7 p.m. EST at Beeghly Center.
Winners of two of their last three games, the Zips come off a 68-54
home victory over arch-rival Kent State on Saturday. The Penguins
have lost three of their last four games, but look to build off a
64-60 win over Cleveland State on Friday. YSU is 4-5 at home, while
UA is 4-6 in away/neutral games.
Streaks, Storylines, Sidebars...
• The Zips are playing on the road for the third time in
four games and seventh in a 10-game span (dating to the VCU game on
Dec. 17). UA, who is 4-6 in away/neutral games this season,
competes at Toledo on Wednesday.
• Akron led 39-25 at the half against Kent State on
Saturday, but allowed the Flashes to take a 48-47 lead with 8:23
left in regulation. The Zips used a 21-6 run over the final eight
minutes to claim the 68-54 win.
• Saturday's victory over KSU turned into a showcase by
the McKnight brothers. Brett led Akron with a career-high 29 points
(15 in the first half) and six rebounds (five in the second half)
in just 24 minutes off the bench, while older sibling Chris pitched
in 11 points (six in the second half) and six boards in 33 minutes
as a starter. Brett finished the game 10-for-11 from the field
(2-for-2 3-pointers) and 7-for-11 from the line.
• With his performance against Kent State, Brett
McKnight has taken over as the team's leading scorer, averaging
11.1 ppg (17th in MAC). Anthony "Humpty" Hitchens 10.6 ppg (22nd in
MAC) and Nate Linhart 10.3 ppg (23rd in MAC) are also
averaging double-figure points for UA.
• UA's 3-point field goal percentage defense (30.1
percent/91-of-302) ranks first in the MAC, while its field goal
percentage defense (40 percent/361-of-902) is listed second. The
3-point defensive number ranks among the top 25 nationally, while
the field goal defensive percentage is among the top 70.
• The Zips have held their last five opponents to a
combined 36.3 percent (97-of-267) from the field. On Saturday, Kent
State shot 33.9 percent (20-of-59) from the floor and made just
4-of-14 (28.6 percent) 3-pointers.
• The Zips are holding their opponents to 60.5 ppg this
season (ranks third in the MAC and among the top 30 nationally)
(64.6 ppg on the road).
• UA has forced 342 turnovers (19.0 tpg) (KSU had 18),
while committing 248 (13.8 tpg) (15 vs. KSU). The Zips +5.2
turnover margin ranks among the top 10 nationally and first in the
MAC. Akron is outscoring its opponents 374-253 in points off
turnovers (held a 21-13 advantage against KSU).
• Akron is averaging a MAC-best 7.2 3-pointers made per
game, but has been held to six or fewer in the last six games
(5-of-23 against Kent State). The Zips made a season-high 13
versus N.C. A&T (Dec. 13).
• The Zips 71.2 (213-of-299) free throw percentage ranks
second in the MAC. Darryl Roberts leads the conference at 97.4
percent (38-of-39). He is 14-for-14 from the line over the last
five games (2-for-2 against KSU).
• Nate Linhart, a Preseason All-MAC pick, leads UA
in rebounding (5.6 rpg/12th in MAC) and steals (1.9 spg, first in
MAC and among the top 50 nationally) and minutes (32.0 mpg).
• Linhart's 159 career steals (35 this season) (in 116
games) rank him fifth in the school record book (165 is fourth, by
Jami Bosley/1998-2000). His 839 career points (186 this season) and
507 rebounds (101 this season) rank him among the MAC's active
career leaders.
