The University of Akron Athletics
Men's Basketball Plays Host to Northern Illinois on Saturday
February 14 | Men's Basketball
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Northern Illinois at Akron Game Notes in PDF Format
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Northern Illinois (11-12, 5-6 MAC) at Akron (16-8, 8-3 MAC)
Saturday, Feb. 15, 2014 • 7 p.m. ET
James A. Rhodes Arena (5,500)
Akron, Ohio
Television: None.
Webcast/Live Statistics: Available at GoZips.com – webcast and live statistics free of charge.
Radio: Akron-IMG Sports Network – SportsRadio 1350 AM (WARF) in Akron (flagship), for free at SportsRadio1350.com and on iHeartRadio. Steve French (play-by-play) and Joe Dunn (analyst) will have the call beginning at 6:30 p.m. ET.
Akron Coach Keith Dambrot (Akron, 1982): Is in his 10th season at Akron, posting a 226-102 (.689) mark. Dambrot is 334-172 (.660) in 16 seasons as a collegiate head coach. Coach Dambrot is 5-4 all-time against Northern Illinois, with all nine meetings coming at Akron.
Series: Akron leads the all-time series 20-9, having won three of the last four meetings overall. The Zips are 12-2 in Akron against the Huskies, winning 10 of the last 11 meetings at the JAR. UA defeated NIU 68-53 in DeKalb last season (Jan. 12) and posted a 75-51 win over the Huskies on Feb. 11, 2011, in Akron.
Akron Returns Home to Face Northern Illinois
The Zips return to James A. Rhodes Arena for a Saturday match-up with Northern Illinois.
News, Notes and Storylines
• Quincy Diggs' 3-pointer with two seconds left rimmed out as the Zips dropped a 57-54 road decision to Western Michigan on Wednesday
• Demetrius "Tree" Treadwell was the lone Zip in double figures, leading the way with 16 points and 12 rebounds for his eighth double-double in the last nine games.
• In MAC play, the Zips have posted wins in 35 of their last 43 league contests (13-3 in 2012; 14-2 in 2013; 8-3 in 2014).
• UA is 54-20 (.730) in the month of February under 10th-year head coach Keith Dambrot, having won 22 of the last 28 games in February over the last three-plus seasons.
• UA has won 22 of its last 24 contests against opponents from the MAC's West Division.
• Akron has hit 10 or more 3-pointers in nine games this season. The Zips are 8-1 when they make double-digit long balls in a game. Akron is third in the Mid-American Conference in 3-pointers made per game (7.2).
• The Akron defense has held the last five opponents to 63 points or less, giving up an average of 54.8 points per game. The Zips are 3-2 in those games while averaging 60.2 points per game. UA has scored 65 or more points twice during that stretch.
• The Zips are 44th in the nation in offensive rebounding percentage, grabbing 34.7 percent of their misses (games through Feb. 13). Demetrius "Tree" Treadwell is 35th in the nation in offensive rebounding (3.29 rpg).
• Ten of the 12 Akron players to see action this season have at least one game with 11 points. Three of those players have at least one 20-point performance: Quincy Diggs (3), Demetrius "Tree" Treadwell (2) and Jake Kretzer (1).
Scouting the Huskies
Northern Illinois enters tonight's game with an 11-12 record and a 5-6 mark in MAC play. The Huskies are coming off an 88-63 win over Central Michigan on Wednesday. NIU is 5-5 on the road this season (3-2 in MAC play).
Dontel Highsmith is the lone NIU player averaging double figures, averaging 10.5 points per game. Darrell Bowie (9.8 ppg) and Travon Baker (9.2 ppg) average at least 9.0 points per game. Bowie is the team's leading rebounder (6.6 rpg).
On the Line vs. Northern Illinois
• An Akron win would be the third-straight for the Zips vs. NIU.
• A win would guarantee the Zips enter the Buffalo game with at least a share of the MAC East lead for the 45th-consecutive league game.
• A Zips win would give Akron 10 or more home wins for the 10th-straight season.
What You May Not Know About the Series
• Northern Illinois is the only MAC team that the Zips have not played in the conference tournament.
• The 29 games played in the series are the fewest of any MAC opponent for the Zips.
Last Time Out vs. Northern Illinois
A career and game-high 20 points by then freshman Reggie McAdams helped propel the Zips to a 68-53 road victory over Northern Illinois on Jan. 12.
McAdams finished the game shooting 6-of-6 from the field and 4-of-4 from behind the arc to lead four players in double figures. Nick Harney (12), Demetrius "Tree" Treadwell (11) and Deji Ibitayo (11) also reached double digits. The win was the seventh-straight overall for the Zips.
For the game, Akron shot 47.8 percent from the floor (22-of-46) and 31.3 percent from long range (5-of-16). The Zips won the rebounding battle 38-33 in a game that saw a combined 46 fouls and 59 free throw attempts.
Darrell Bowie led Northern Illinois with 13 points.
Akron at Western Michigan Recap
Quincy Diggs' 3-pointer with two seconds left rimmed out as the Akron Zips dropped a 57-54 road decision to Western Michigan on Wednesday
For the second-straight game, Diggs was tabbed to take the last shot. This time, his 3-pointer was on line, but rolled in-and-out to snap an eight-game winning streak for the Zips over the Broncos.
Demetrius "Tree" Treadwell led Akron with 16 points and 12 rebounds for his eighth double-double in the last nine games. Diggs had nine points while Kwan Cheatham, Jr., pitched in with eight points.
David Brown led Western Michigan with 17 points.
The Stretch Run
UA is 54-20 (.730) in the month of February, including a 22-6 (.786) mark the last three-plus seasons, under 10th-year head coach Keith Dambrot. UA is also 34-5 (.872) at the JAR in February under Dambrot.
#4PetesSake
On Dec. 14, director of basketball operations Dan Peters took a medical leave of absence to begin treatment for pancreatic cancer. The Zips will honor Peters by wearing a patch this season with a purple ribbon and the words "4 Pete's Sake."
Upward Trend at the Line
One are the Zips have struggled this season is at the free throw line. However, Akron has seen an upward trend at the charity stripe over the last five games. The squad is shooting 75.9 percent at the line over the last four contests (60-of-79). The Zips have shot at least 75.0 percent in four of those contests, the four highest shooting totals of the season at the stripe (92.9 percent vs. BSU; 75.0 percent at KSU; 75.0 percent vs. EMU; 75.0 percent at WMU).
MAC Play Notes
• Akron is just the 13th team in the MAC's 67-year history to open play as a two-time defending regular season champion.
• The Zips were the last undefeated team in MAC play this season, going 3-0. This was the third-straight season that Akron was the last team to post a loss against a league foe (3-0 in 2011-12; 13-0 in 2012-13).
• Akron is 79-35 against the West Division (.693), including winners of 22 of the last 24 contests, since divisional play began during the 1997-98 season (49-14 under head coach Keith Dambrot).
• The Zips have posted a 22-7 mark in the last 29 games against the MAC East dating back to the start of the 2012 league schedule. Akron is 3-1 against the MAC East at the conference tournament during that stretch.
• Akron is 24-4 at home in league play since the start of the 2011 MAC schedule.
• UA has seen a ton of success in league play since the start of the 2004-05 season. Akron is 115-44 overall (.723), including a 67-11 mark in MAC play at home (.859). The Zips' 115 wins are the most in the league during that stretch.
• The Zips have won 35 of their last 43 regular-season MAC games.
• Since 2011, the Zips are 20-5 (.800) in the month of February against MAC teams.
Tracking Akron's Start to League Play
• How does the Zips 8-3 start to MAC play compare to other seasons in the Keith Dambrot era? Akron has now started 8-3 or better for the third-straight season has had at least seven wins through 11 games in 9-of-10 seasons under Dambrot (6-5 in 2010-11).
• Akron's 4-0 start on the road was the second-best road start to MAC play in school history. The Zips started 7-0 on the road during the 2013 league schedule before finishing a program-best 7-1 in MAC away games. Akron is 5-2 away from Rhodes Arena in league play.
Going for the Three-peat
As the two-time defending Mid-American Conference regular season champions, the Zips will look to do something that is rare in the league...win three-straight regular season crowns. In 67 years of basketball, 12 teams before the Zips had a chance to three-peat (including shared titles), with only one program claiming three-straight regular season titles. From 1948 through 1951, founding member Cincinnati won four-straight titles. In fact, of the 11 previous back-to-back champs not to three-peat, only three finished second in their bid for a third title.
Collecting MAC Wins at a Record Pace
Akron enters the 2014 MAC season looking place its name in the league record books.
With a 35-8 record in conference play over the last two-plus seasons, the Zips have a chance to challenge several league marks.
Overall, nine teams have won 40 or more conference games over a three-year stretch with the Zips needing five more wins this year to become team No. 10. If the Zips win their final seven MAC games, they would tie five teams for the second-most wins over a three-year stretch in MAC history (42).
The only team to break 40 wins in 50 games (two 16-game, one 18-game schedule) was Kent State from 2006-08 (40-10). For Akron to break the 50-game wins record, the Zips will need to go 14-4 in league play (6-1 over the final seven games).
The most wins for Akron in a three-year stretch in MAC play is 38, as the Zips went 38-12 from 2006-08 and 38-14 from 2005-07.
If the MAC Tournament Started Today...
If the MAC Tournament started today, the Zips would be the No. 4 seed and would have a double bye into the quarterfinals on March 13. Here's how the seeding would break down: 1. Toledo; 2. Buffalo; 3. Western Michigan; 4. Akron; 5. Ohio; 6. Eastern Michigan; 7. Northern Illinois; 8. Miami (Ohio); 9. Kent State; 10. Bowling Green; 11. Ball State; 12. Central Michigan.
Inside the Scoring Numbers
The Zips have been one of the top defensive squads in the league over the last 10 seasons. In 328 games under head coach Keith Dambrot, the Zips have held 237 opponents to 70 points or less, going 194-43 (.819). Akron has held 185 of those foes to 65 points or less, going 163-22 (.881). The Zips are 32-59 (.352) when allowing more than 70 points.
Now Starting for the Zips...
So far this season, the Zips have used seven different starting lineups, with 10 different players getting at least one start. Only one player, Demetrius "Tree" Treadwell, has started every game this season.
Lights, Camera, Action
The Zips will appear on television at least 14 times this season, with the possible addition of one wildcard game, plus TV games during the MAC Tournament. Akron is 5-6 on the year, defeating Bowling Green 65-63 on TWC Sports Channel in its last TV appearance (Feb. 9).
Who to Guard Tonight?
• One aspect of the Zips' lineup that makes it so hard to defend is the ability for any player to lead the squad in scoring. Last season, eight different players led Akron in scoring, with only two players holding top scoring honors in back-to-back games. Zeke Marshall was the only player to lead the Zips in scoring in more than back-to-back games, leading Akron in four-straight contests.
• So far this season, six Zips have had at least a share of top scoring honors, Demetrius "Tree" Treadwell being the only player to hold at least a share of top scoring honors in three-straight games.
Road Warriors
• Like their non-conference schedule, the Zips will open Mid-American Conference play in a familiar way...on the road. Akron will play seven of its first 11 league games on the road. Akron opened MAC play 4-0 before its loss at Kent State (Feb. 1).
• During the non-conference portion of the schedule, the Zips put their frequent flyer memberships to work. Akron played four true road games and three games in Hawaii at the Hawaiian Airlines Diamond Head Classic. Adding up the round trip miles, the Zips logged 15,941 miles before MAC play began in January.
Zips Get Program Win No. 1,500
With its 65-63 win at Bowling Green on Feb. 9, Akron became the 55th Division I program to win 1,500 games all-time. The Zips joined Minnesota, USC, Montana State, North Dakota and California as programs to eclipse 1,500 victories this season. Akron's has 1,500 wins are the most by any Mid-American Conference team.
RPI Watch
• In games through Feb. 13, the Zips hold the No. 90 spot in the RPI Forecast rankings.
• The Zips have 10 opponents (15 total games) on their schedule with an RPI of 125 or higher, including Iowa State (13), Toledo (31), Saint Mary's (48), Ohio (68), Eastern Michigan (81), Middle Tennessee (84), Cleveland State (85), Oregon State (95), Buffalo (104) and Western Michigan (113). South Carolina (167) is just outside the top-125. The Zips are 5-7 against those opponents.
A Look at the Polls
• Akron is ranked No. 16 in the Feb. 10 CollegeInsider.com Mid-Major Top-25 Poll. Seven opponents appeared in the poll, including No. 4 Toledo, No. 12 Ohio, No. 18 Saint Mary's and No. 24 Cleveland State. Western Michigan (17), Buffalo (11) and Eastern Michigan (1) received votes.
• One opponent appeared in the Feb. 10 AP and USA TODAY Coaches polls. Iowa State is ranked No. 11 in the AP poll and No. 14 in the Coaches poll.
The New Block Party
There's a new block party in Akron following the graduation of Zeke Marshall, the all-time blocked shots leader at Akron and in the Mid-American Conference.
Demetrius "Tree" Treadwell became the first player not named Zeke Marshall to swat five shots in a game in the past eight seasons (at Eastern Michigan). Quincy Diggs, Pat Forsythe and Isaiah Johnson have each posted at least one game with four blocked shots this season. They are the only four players with four swats in a game since the 2007-08 season.
Home Cooking
Akron is 128-19 (.871) at Rhodes Arena under 10th-year head coach Keith Dambrot (9-1 overall, 3-1 MAC this season). UA has now won 45 of its last 49 games at the JAR (.918). The Zips have recorded 12-straight winning campaigns at home, including this season, and have won at least 13 home contests in eight of the last nine years. UA's last losing record at home came in 1995-96.
Long Range Leaders
The Zips have been one of the top 3-point shooting teams in the MAC this season, sitting in the top-two in the MAC in 3-point percentage (3rd, .341) and in 3-pointers made per game (3rd, 7.2) (games through Feb. 12). In fact, the Zips are the only team in the league with three players with 30-plus 3-pointers made: Jake Kretzer (44), Reggie McAdams (41) and Quincy Diggs (33). Pat Forsythe and Isaiah Johnson are the only Zips without a 3-point make or attempt.
A Mix of Youth and Experience
On paper, the Akron roster may look like a youthful one, but it is also an experience roster. The Zips list nine freshmen and sophomores on the roster. UA's five sophomores have made 230 appearances and 62 starts in their Akron careers. In fact, two sophomores – Pat Forsythe and Jake Kretzer – have appeared in every game at Akron, while Reggie McAdams has made 56 appearances in 57 possible games.
Solid Bench Play
The Akron bench has been the catalyst for success under 10th-year head coach Keith Dambrot and this year was no different. So far this season, the Zips' bench holds a +10.9 scoring advantage (28.3-17.4). UA reserves are hitting 42.9 percent from the floor and 38.3 percent from long range. The Akron backups average 2.8 steals and 13.8 boards per game. Over the last 12 games, the UA reserves hold a 301-160 scoring advantage (25.1-13.3).
