The University of Akron Athletics
University of Akron
Central Michigan
Akron's First #MACtion Road Test at Central Michigan
January 07 | Men's Basketball
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Akron Zips (9-5, 1-0)Â vs. Central Michigan (12-2, 1-0)
Tuesday, Jan. 8 • McGuirk Arena • Mount Pleasant, Mich. • 7 PM • ESPN+
Central Michigan Head Coach
Keno Davis (Iowa, 1995)
Career Record: 184-154 (11th season)
Record at CMU: 110-99 (7th season)
MAC Record: 43-64 (7th season)
AKRON ZIPS Head Coach
John Groce (Taylor '94)
Career Record: 203-154 (11th Season)
Record at Akron: 23-23 (2nd Season)
MAC Record at Akron: 7-12 (2nd Season)
Overall MAC Record: 41-42 (at Ohio and Akron)
All-Time Series
Akron Leads: 33-14 Groce vs. Central Michigan: 1-0 (4-2Â Overall)
Last Meeting: Akron 69, Central Michigan,63 Feb. 10 at James A. Rhodes Arena
First Meeting: Akron 29, Central Michigan 23 1938-39 season in Akron
In Akron:19-5, Neutral: 1-0, In Mount Pleasant: 13-9
Broadcast
TV/Video: ESPN+ – Adam Jaksa (PxP), Matt DeVries (Analyst)Â
Live Stats: GoZips.com/Schedule - Live Stats
Radio: Akron-IMG Sports Network - Steve French (PxP), Joe Dunn (Analyst) WARF 1350 AM (flagship), iHeart Radio, TuneIn.com/Akron Zips
Quick Hits
• A win would give Akron its first road victory of the season (0-2) and four-straight over CMU
• A win would also snap CMU's six-game winning streak and perfect home mark (7-0)
• Akron lost all five games by six points or less. (18 points total)
• The Zips are ranked 10th in the NCAA for scoring defense only allowing 60.4 points per game
• Akron is ranked 19th in 3-pointers/game (10.0) and FG% Defense (38.6), 35th in 3-point FGs attempted (414), 39th in scoring margin (+13.2), 41st in fewest TO (164), 44th in 3-point FGs made (140), 47th in 3-point FG% Defense (30.1), 51st in TO/game (11.7) and 58th in TO margin (2.9)
What's Ahead
The Akron men's basketball continues the 27th season of Mid-American Conference play on the road against Central Michigan on Tuesday, Jan. 8 at 7 p.m. at McGuirk Arena. Under the leadership of second-year head coach John Groce, Akron enters league play with an 9-5 overall mark and 1-0 in league play and coming off a 56-48 win over Western Michigan in the MAC opener. Akron is 7-1 at Rhodes Arena, 0-2 on the road and 2-2 in neutral site games this season.Â
SCOUTING THE CHIPPEWAS
Central Michigan enters the contest with a 12-2 overall record and 1-0 in MAC play. The Chippewas opened league play with a 84-77 road win over Miami. The Chippewas are currently riding a six-game winning streak while their last setback was Nov. 30 at TCU (89-62). In addition, CMU played Youngstown State and eventually won 100-94 after three overtime periods. Central Michigan is 7-0 (0-0 MAC) at home, 3-1 (1-0 MAC) on the road, and 2-1 in neutral site games. CMU averages a MAC-best 87.7 points per game on 47.6 percent shooting from the floor (417-of-876) and 35.4 percent effort from beyond the 3-point arc (116-of-328), draining 8.3 triples a game. In addition, the Chippewas shoot 64.4 percent from the free throw line (278-of-432) with 19.9 bonus buckets a night.Â
CMU have five players nearly scoring in double figures led by Larry Austin with 18.6 points per game. Austin shoots 52.4 percent from the field with a team-high 100 made field goals. He also leads the squad in made free throws, assists, and steals, draining 59 bonus buckets (.551), dishing out 70 assists and swiping 33 passes.
Shawn Roundtree follows with 15.5 points per game on 47.0 percent shooting from the floor (62-of-132) with 22 made 3-pointers. Roundtree is second in assists with 44 helpers. He has 20 steals. In addition, Dallas Morgan (6.9 ppg) and Matt Beachler (6.3 ppg) have also drained 22 long-distance buckets.
David DiLeo rounds out the double-digit scorers with 12.5 points per game, shooting 37.6 percent from floor and 34.2 percent from downtown. He leads the squad from beyond the 3-point arc (64) and on the glass (178) while adding 34 assists and 24 steals. Teammates Kevin McKay and Luke Meyer contribute 9.9 and 9.7 points per game, respectively.Â
Rounding out the double-digit scorers are Kevin McKay and David DiLeo with 13.3 and 11.6 respectively. McKay shoots 56.8 percent from the field with 71 made buckets. McKay paces the Chippewas on the glass, grabbing 7.4 rebounds for a103 total boards while adding 27 steals and 15 blocked shots. DiLeo leads the team from behind the 3-point arc, connecting with 38-of-92 (.413) shots from deep. Additionally, Rob Montgomery averages 9.4 points per game with a team-best 18 blocked shots.
Defensively, CMU limits its opponents to 74.3 points per game on 43.5 percent shooting from the floor and 30.8 percent from 3-point range, allowing only 7.1 long distance strikes per night. The Chippewas caused 238 turnovers (17.0 to/g) with 127 steals (9.1 stl/g). Central Michigan holds the edge on the glass, outrebounding the opponent by a +2.7 margin and limiting the opponent to grab 517 total boards compared to the 555 total rebounds secured.
The Broadcasts
The Zips' game is scheduled to air on ESPN+ as Adam Jaksa will call the action and Matt DeVries provides analysis. Fans can also follow the action on GoZips.com via Live Stats or by Zips' radio. The Zips' radio broadcast will air on the Akron-IMG Sports Network SportsRadio 1350 AM (WARF) in Akron (flagship) with Steve French calling the action and Joe Dunn providing analysis. The pregame show starts 30 minutes prior to the contest. The free audio stream is available at SportsRadio1350.com, iHeart Radio, and TuneIn.com/Akron Zips.
The Akron-Central Michigan Series
Tuesday's game marks the 48th meeting in series history between Akron and Central Michigan, and seventh meeting for a Groce coached squad, second at Akron. Akron holds an all-time 33-14 series advantage while Groce is 4-2 overall.Â
The Zips have won 18 of the last 20 meetings as Akron claimed last season's sole meeting 69-63 at James A. Rhodes Arena. The Zips have won three straight games against the Chippewas, dating back to the 2015-16 season. Central Michigan's last win came on January 12, 2016 at McGuirk Arena (92-81). Later that season (Feb. 5), the Zips won 92-87 at home. In addition, Akron posted an 89-85 win at McGuirk Arena on Jan. 10, 2017. UA is 13-9 at McGuirk Arena, 19-5 at Rhodes Arena, and 1-0 in neutral site games against CMU.
The Last Meeting...
The Akron Zips used a combination of good team defense and balanced scoring to elevate past the visiting Central Michigan Chippewas at James A. Rhodes Arena, earning a 69-63 Mid-American Conference win. Akron had a trio of scorers in double figures as Daniel Utomi tallied 20 points and Jimond Ivey contributed 19 to go with seven assists and four rebounds for the Zips. Eric Parrish scored 21 points.
After taking the lead late in the first half, Akron never relinquished it and held off Central Michigan's attempts to rally down the stretch. Utomi had a key 3-point play at the 3:34 mark of the second half to boost the lead to eight after the Chippewas closed to within five at 58-53.
Against a Central Michigan team that entered the game third in the MAC in scoring at 78.8 points per game, Akron locked in defensively and held the Chippewas to 5-of-22 shooting from beyond the arc.It was defense that kept Akron close in the midst of a slow start and despite giving up a significant size disadvantage to the taller Chippewas, the Zips (11-13, 4-8 MAC) kept the rebounding battle close, with both teams corralling 37 caroms.
Additionally, Akron committed just 11 turnovers, maximizing their scoring chances on a day when neither side shot better than 44 percent from the field. The Zips struggled from the floor in the early going, making just one of their first seven field goal attempts as Central Michigan edged out to an early lead. Thanks to solid defense, Akron was able to stay in the game and when Ivey sank a 3-pointer from the top of the key with 12:04 remaining in the first half, it brought the Zips to within two, 8-6, despite their shooting woes.
Akron Starting MAC Play
For the second consecutive season, Akron and Western Michigan opened MAC play. The Zips won, improving to Akron is 19-8 in MAC openers and 11-1 at home since joining the league in 1992. Over the last 13 seasons, the Zips are 12-3 in MAC openers and 8-0 at home. Akron has won the last 8-of-9 MAC openers.
Zips in the MAC
The Zips have posted a 49-27 mark (.645) in the last 76 games against the MAC East dating back to the start of the 2012 league schedule. Akron is 5-3 against the MAC East at the conference tournament during that stretch. Akron is 101-48 in the regular season against the West Division (.678), including winners of 44 of the last 56 regular-season games since divisional play began during the 1997-98 season.
Akron is 55-13 at home in league play since the start of the 2011 MAC schedule (.809). UA has seen a ton of success in league play since the start of the 2004-05 season, and is 162-77 overall (.678), including a 100-20 mark in MAC play at home (.833). The Zips' 162 wins are the most in the league during that stretch. The Zips have won 82 of their last 115 MAC games (.713).
Akron is 29-18 all-time in the MAC Tournament, going 22-7 in its last 29 tournament games. The Zips have won at least one game in the MAC Tournament every year since the 2004-05 season and have made nine MAC Tournament title game appearances in the last 11-of-12 seasons with an unprecedented 12-of-13 semifinal appearances. The Zips' runs of the consecutive title game (11) and semifinal appearances (12)Â are the longest streaks in MAC history. The Zips are 24-12 at Quicken Loans Arena. Akron is 6-6 in opening round games, 1-0 second round, 10-3 in the quarterfinals, 9-3 semifinals, and 3-6 in title games.Â
Strong Defensive Stance
The Akron Zips have limited opponents to scoring only 60.4 points per game which ranks No. 10 in the NCAA for scoring defense and first in the MAC. Akron limits opponents to 38.6 shooting from the floor (19th) and 30.1 from long distance (47th). Akron has caused 164 turnovers (11.7 t/g) with 76 steals (5.4 stl/g). Jimond Ivey leads the team in takeaways with 17 steals, Loren Cristian Jackson is second (15) and Tyler Cheese is third (14).Â
Fight to the Finish
The Akron Zips are currently 9-5 overall and 1-0 in MAC play, picking up seven wins at home and two wins on a neutral floor. Akron won all nine games by a +22.6 margin and currently rank 39th in the NCAA and third in the MAC with a +13.2 scoring margin. Taking it a step further, in Akron's five setbacks, the Zips have only lost by a combined total of 18 points, falling by six points or less in each contest. Akron fell 72-69 to No. 16 Clemson, 73-68 to Illinois State, 68-65 to Purdue Fort Wayne, 75-74 to Marshall and 68-62 to No. 6 ranked Nevada. In addition, the Zips have not allowed an opponent to score more than 75 points this season.
Another 1,000 Point Scorer?
As Jimond Ivey entered the 1,000 point club, teammate Daniel Utomi is close to becoming the 45th member. Utomi is leading the Zips' scoring efforts with 15.5 points per game and 217 points scored this season and is 105 points shy of the 1,000 mark. The Junior wing led last year's squad with 16.7 points per game and 535 total points. As a freshman he notched 143 points for an 895 career total. In addition, Utomi is ranked in the NCAA's Top 50 players in two categories. He is 45th in 3-point FG per game (3.07) and 50th overall in 3-point FG attempts (113). In addition, He is ranked 56th in 3-point FG made (43).
Ivey Passes 1,000 Career Points
Senior guard Jimond Ivey reached the 1,000-point career milestone against Tennessee State with an old-fashioned 3-point play. He became the 44th member of the Zips' 1,000 point club after scoring 19 points to finish with 1,013 points in 111 games. In 2018-19, Ivey has scored 189 points, averaging 13.5points per game as Akron's third leading scorer. Over his four-year playing career at Akron, Ivey averages 9.3 points per game. He appeared in 114 total games with 75 starting appearances and 1,057 total points. Last season, Ivey set Akron's single-game scoring record with a 48-point performance on the road at Ball State (1/27/18).
Raising the Bar
Loren Cristian Jackson didn't show any signs of rust as the sophomore transfer from Long Beach State has scored double-digits in 8-of-14 games which includes a career-high (26), three 20-plus point performances and three consecutive game efforts . He continues to raise the bar, setting and resetting career-highs in points. He set a new personal best by scoring 25 points against No. 16 Clemson and broke his personal record against Marshall with 26 points on a career-high 9-of-18 (.500) shooting from the floor with an exceptional 5-of-8 (.625) showing from downtown. He followed with a 23-point performance against Tennessee State and started the three-straight performances with a 12-point showing at Purdue Fort Wayne. He scored 12 points the last time out against Western Michigan.
Pass the Cheese Tre
Junior Tyler Cheese set a career-high scoring mark against Alabama State with 19 points on 3-of-4 shooting from downtown and a 7-of-9 effort from the floor. He added a career best five assists. Cheese has scored in double figures 5-of-12 games with 14 points against Marshall, 13 points against Youngstown State and Clemson and 12 points against Carnegie Mellon. Cheese currently ranks fourth in team scoring with 8.9 points per game.
Like Money in the Bank
Junior college transfer Channel Banks has scored in double digits 6-of-12 games this season and is currently fourth on the team in scoring with 8.9 points per game. He is shooting 37.5 percent (24-of-64) from long distance. Those 24 made 3-point field goals ranks third on the team as Dan Utomi (43) and Loren Cristian Jackson (32) leads the way. Banks led the squad in scoring with 15 points (Cedarville) and 17 points (Chicago State), while adding a 10-point performances against Alabama State and Detroit Mercy. He has scored double figures the last 2-of-3 times out, 11 against No. 6 Nevada and 13 against Carnegie Mellon.
From Down Under
Junior transfer Deng Riak missed 3-consecutive games with a shoulder injury, but is back and leading the Zips defensive efforts. The defensive floor general leads the team lead in blocked shots (10). He is third on the team in rebounds, averaging 5.2 boards per game (57), fifth in scoring with 6.3 points per contest and has seven assists and five steals. Riak scored 69 points on 43.6 percent shooting from the field. He is 3-of-9 from deep (.333).
Olojakpoke Returns to Action
After having his 2017-18 campaign cut short due to season ending heart surgery, junior frontcourt specialist Emmanuel Olojakpoke returned to action. EMan played 13 minutes in Akron's season opener, scoring two points while causing havoc in the paint. Olojakpoke grabbed four rebounds, blocked two shots and had one steal. To date, played in 13 games with one start. He has 29 points (.600), 22 rebounds, five blocked shots and four steals.
UP NEXT
The Zips continue league play on the road, traveling to DeKalb, Ill. to play Northern Illinois on Saturday, Jan. 11 at 4:30 p.m. ET (3:30 p.m. CT). The third league contest of the season is scheduled to be aired on ESPN+ and Akron-IMG Sports Radio Network 1350 AM (WARF) in Akron (flagship) with Steve French calling the action and Joe Dunn providing analysis. The free audio stream is available at SportsRadio1350.com, iHeart Radio, and TuneIn.com/Akron Zips.
ZIPS LIVE
Zips LIVE, presented by Lee Hyder and Associates, is Akron's radio show airing live from the Spaghetti Warehouse (510 South Main Street) with men's basketball head coach John Groce and women's basketball head coach Melissa Jackson and host Bill Morgan. The weekly hour-long radio show covering Zips Athletics airs locally on Akron-IMG Sports Network flagship Fox Sports Radio 1350 AM (WARF). Podcasts are available on GoZips.com and iHeart Radio.Â
Zips Basketball Weekly with... John Groce
Zips Basketball Weekly with John Groce presented by Wentz Financial Group is Akron's weekly television show, airing Tuesday nights at 7 PM on SportsTime Ohio with head coach John Groce and host Joe Dunn. Watch replays on www.GoZips.com.
