Zips Host No. 25/24 Ranked Buffalo on Tuesday

Tuesday, February 12

Akron, OH

7:00 pm

University of Akron

Buffalo

Tickets

February 11 | Men's Basketball

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Game Notes (PDF) | ESPN+ | Live Stats | Akron-IMG Sports Network | Season Tickets | Akron Basketball Schedule
Akron Zips (14-9 6-4) vs. No. 25/24 Buffalo (20-3, 8-2)
Tuesday, Feb. 12 • James A. Rhodes Arena • Akron, Ohio • 7 PM

Buffalo Bulls Head Coach
Nate Oats (Maranatha Baptist '98)
Overall Record: 84-42 (4th Season)
Record at UB: 84-42 (4th Season)
MAC Record: 44-20 (4th Season)

Akron Zips Head Coach
John Groce (Taylor '94)
Career Record: 208-158 (11th Season)
Record at Akron: 28-27 (2nd Season)
MAC Record at Akron: 12-16 (2nd Season)
Overall MAC Record: 46-46 (at Ohio and Akron)

All-Time Series
Akron Leads: 34-27 - Groce vs. Buffalo: 0-2 (5-6 Overall)
Last Meeting: Buffalo 80, Akron 68 at Alumni Arena on Feb. 27, 2018
First Meeting: Akron 84, Buffalo 74 in Akron 1954-55 season

Broadcast
TV/Video: ESPN+ – Michael Reghi (PxP), Jacki Windon (Analyst)
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 win over a Top 25 opponent
• Akron Ranks in the NCAA Top 67 teams in 10 Categories
• The Zips are ranked 13th in the NCAA for scoring defense only allowing 62.0 points per game
• Akron is ranked 19th in 3-point FGs attempted (657), 30th in FG% Defense (40.2), 30th in 3-point FG% Defense (30.3), 42nd in TO/game (11.4), 51st in fewest TO (262), 59th in scoring margin (+8.1), 60th in 3pt/game (9.0), 62nd in TO margin (2.4), 67th in 3-point FGs made (208) and 93rd in Personal Fouls per game (17.0)

What's Ahead
For the fifth time in Akron's Division I history, the Zips will host a Top 25 team as the No. 25/24 ranked Buffalo Bulls come to James A. Rhodes Arena. The Mid-American Conference's top offense (Buffalo) and top defense (Akron) are set to clash on Tuesday, Feb. 12 at 7 p.m. Akron is 0-30 all-time against Top 25 opponents and 0-4 at home. The game 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.

The Broadcasts
The Zips' game is scheduled to air on ESPN+ as Michael Reghi will call the action and Jacki Windon 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-Buffalo Series
Tuesday's game marks the 62nd meeting in series history between Akron and Buffalo, and 12th meeting for a Groce coached squad, third at Akron. Akron holds an all-time 34-27 series advantage while Groce is 5-6 overall and 0-2 at Akron.

The Bulls swept last season's series with an 87-65 win in Akron and an 80-68 win in Buffalo. The Zips swept the regular season series in 2015-16 and 2016-17 and have won four of the last seven meetings.

In 2016-17, Akron defeated Buffalo 89-83 at Alumni Arena and 91-90 at James A. Rhodes Arena. During the 2015-16 season, the Zips claimed a 75-71 (Jan. 5) win on the road and 80-70 (Feb. 16) win at home. However, Akron fell 64-61 to the Bulls in the 2016 MAC Championship game at Quicken Loans Arena.

Since the 2014-15 season, Akron and Buffalo are at a 5-5 stalemate as the Bulls won 2-of-3 meetings that season, including a 68-59 win on March 19 in the semifinal game of the MAC Tournament at Quicken Loans Arena. The Zips are 1-2 against the Bulls in the MAC Tournament all-time.

Scouting the Bulls
Buffalo enters the contest after remaining in the Top 25 for 14-straight weeks which is the longest stretch in the history of the MAC. The Bulls are 20-3 overall and 8-2 in the MAC with an unblemished 10-0 record at home. On the road, Buffalo is 8-3, dropping games to Marquette (103-85), Northern Illinois (77-75) and Bowling Green (92-88). The Bulls are 2-0 in neutral site competition this season.

Three players are currently averaging double figures for the Bulls, led by C.J. Massinburg with 18.4 points per outing. He is shooting 48.4 percent from the floor (133-of-275), and 42.7 percent from long range with 64 made 3-point field goals (64-of-150). Massinburg also leads the squad at the free throw line (75-of-97, .773). He is second in steals (30) and third on the glass (140 rebs, 6.4 rebs/g) and assists (67).

Jeremy Harris follows with 14 points per game. Harris is second on the squad from deep, draining 46 triples at a 28.8 rate (160 attempts). He shoots 40.3 percent from the floor (121-of-300). He is second in rebounding (148 rebs, 6.4 rebs/g) and third in assists (67) and fourth in steals (23).

Nick Perkins rounds out the double-digit scoring with 13.7 points per game. He makes 46.3 percent of his shots (111-of-240) with 26 made 3-pointers (26-of-72, .361). He is the top rebounder (173), pulling down 7.5 per game.

The Bulls also have two players that nearly average 10 points per a game, in Dontay Caruthers (9.6 ppg) and Jayvon Graves (9.2 ppg). Caruthers drains 59.1 percent of his shots (75-of-127) while Graves connects 43.9 percent (76-of-173). Graves buried 31 triples at a 34.4 percent rate and Caruthers hit 11 3-pointers at a 42.3 percentage.

Defensively, Buffalo allows opponents to score 71.2 points a night on 41.8 percent shooting from the floor and 31.9 percent from 3-point range, allowing 7.3 long distance strikes per night. The Bulls caused 373 turnovers (16.2 to/g) with 168 steals (7.3 stl/g). Buffalo outrebounds the opponent by a +3.0 margin as the opponent to grabs 860 (37.4) total boards compared to the 928 (40.3) total rebounds secured.

Defending the JAR
Akron is 11-1 at home this season and 5-0 in league play. The Zips only allow opponents to score 56.8 points per game at home, and only 56.4 in the four league games. Akron has allowed 681 total points in 12 games and 282 points in the four MAC games. Akron's only loss at home was by one point to Marshall (75-74). The Herd is the only team to score more than 67 points at Rhodes Arena this season. In fact, Akron has held nine teams to 60 points or less, including four teams to 50 or less.

Marshall (75), Central Michigan (67), Northern Illinois (65), Tennessee St. (60), Detroit Mercy (59), Carnegie Mellon (55), Alabama St. (54), Kent State (53), Cedarville (50), Western Michigan (48), Eastern Michigan (49), Chicago St. (46)

Zips in the MAC
The Zips have posted a 51-28 mark (.645) in the last 79 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 105-51 in the regular season against the West Division (.673), including winners of 48 of the last 63 regular-season games since divisional play began during the 1997-98 season.

Akron is 59-13 at home in league play since the start of the 2011 MAC schedule (.819). UA has seen a ton of success in league play since the start of the 2004-05 season, and is 167-81 overall (.673), including a 104-20 mark in MAC play at home (.839). The Zips' 167 wins are the most in the league during that stretch. The Zips have won 87 of their last 124 MAC games (.702).

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) 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.

Strong Defensive Stance
The Akron Zips have limited opponents to scoring 60 points or less in nine games, including five games of 50 points or under. The Zips allow only 62.0 points per game which ranks No. 13 in the NCAA for scoring defense and first in the MAC. Akron limits opponents to 40.2 shooting from the floor (30th) and 30.3 from long distance (30th). Akron has caused 318 turnovers (13.8 t/g) with 128 steals (5.6 stl/g). Jimond Ivey leads the team in takeaways with 31 steals, Loren Cristian Jackson is second (25), Tyler Cheese (23), Channel Banks (17), Daniel Utomi (13). In addition, players are sacrificing their bodies by taking charges as Jackson has taken 20, Cheese 19 and Channel Banks 11.

Fight to the Finish
The Akron Zips are currently 14-9 overall and 6-4 in MAC play, picking up 11 wins at home, one on the road and two wins on a neutral floor. Akron won all 14 games by a +17.7 margin and currently rank 59th in the NCAA and fifth in the MAC with a +8.1 scoring margin. Taking it a step further, in six of Akron's setbacks, the Zips only lost by a combined total of 20 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, 68-62 to No. 6 ranked Nevada and 88-86 to Central Michigan. Zips fell 73-56 @NIU and 68-61 @ Miami. Akron limits opponents to 56.8 points at James A. Rhodes Arena.

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 13.9 points per game and 320 points scored this season and is two 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 a 998 career total. In addition, Utomi is ranked in the NCAA's Top 100 players in three categories. He is 45th (1st MAC) overall in 3-point FG attempts (176), 67th (2nd MAC) in 3-point FG per game (2.83), 66th (3rd MAC) overall in 3-point FG made (65) and 112th (6th MAC) in 3-point FG percentage (35.7).

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 305 points, averaging 13.3 points per game as Akron's second leading scorer. Over his four-year playing career at Akron, Ivey averages 9.5 points per game. He appeared in 123 total games with 83 starting appearances and 1,173 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 15-of-22 games, including six straight games. He notched a career-high 26 and four 20-plus point performances, Marshall (26), Clemson (25), Tennessee State (23) and Northern Illinois (22). 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 scored double figures in 9-of-the-last-10 games 22 points (NIU), 19 points (Kent State), 13 points (Miami), 12 points four times (WMU, CMU, @CMU, Ohio), 11 points (Toledo), 10 points (EMU).

Pass the Cheese Tre
Junior Tyler Cheese had a career game against Central Michigan with 20 points and 12 rebounds. It was his first career double-double. Cheese has scored in double figures in 10 games CMU (20), Alabama State and Toledo (19), @Miami (17), @CMU (16), Kent State (15), Marshall (14), vs.Youngstown State (13), vs.Clemson (13) and Carnegie Mellon (12). Cheese currently ranks fourth in team scoring (10.3 ppg) with 62 assists and 23 steals.

Like Money in the Bank
Junior college transfer Channel Banks has scored in double digits six times this season and is currently fifth on the team in scoring with 7.7 points per game. He is shooting a second-best 34.4 percent (33-of-96) from long distance. Those 33 made 3-point field goals ranks third on the team as Dan Utomi (65) and Loren Cristian Jackson (47) lead the way. Banks led the squad in scoring with 15 points (Cedarville) and 17 points (Chicago State), while adding 10-point performances against Alabama State and Detroit Mercy. The last time he scored double figures was against No. 6 Nevada (11) and Carnegie Mellon (13).

From Down Under
Junior transfer Deng Riak missed three 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 (19). He is third on the team in rebounds, averaging 5.8 boards per game (115), sixth in scoring with 5.3 points per contest and has nine assists and six steals. Riak scored 105 points on 39.8 percent shooting from the field.

UP NEXT
Akron will travel to Muncie, Ind. for an East/West matchup with Ball State at 2 p.m. Fans can also follow the action on ESPN3, Akron-IMG Sports Radio Network 1350 AM (WARF) in Akron (flagship). The free audio stream is available at SportsRadio1350.com, iHeart Radio, and TuneIn.com/Akron Zips.