Akron Men's Basketball 2019-20 Schedule Released

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Akron Basketball Schedule | MAC Release | Season Tickets

AKRON, Ohio – The Akron Zips men's basketball program released its 2019-20 non-conference schedule in conjunction with the Mid-American Conference schedule, head coach John Groce and the league announced on Wednesday.

The Zips' 13-game non-conference campaign consists of 14 potential opponents, including three teams with 20 or more wins last season, three NCAA Tournament appearances, two conference champions, the 2019 CollegeInsider.com Postseason Tournament Champions (CIT) and a Roman College Basketball Invitational (CBI) participant.

"Our non-conference schedule is important for our growth as a team," Groce said. "We use this portion of the schedule to challenge our team/players by competing against a variety of quality opponents with different styles of play which ultimately prepares us for the rigors of the Mid-American Conference."

Akron opens the 2019-20 campaign at home against Malone on Tuesday, Nov. 5 before the Zips travel to Morgantown to play Big 12 conference member West Virginia. On Friday, Nov. 8, the Zips are scheduled to play the Mountaineers at the WVU Coliseum. Former Zips' head coach Bob Huggins led his squad to the CBI postseason tournament last season. In addition, the Akron men's soccer team squares-off against the Mountaineers in Morgantown on Thursday night, Nov. 7.

Akron returns to James A. Rhodes Arena for three consecutive games as part of the four-game Global Sports Shootout. Akron opens the tournament against North Carolina Central (Nov. 15), a team that won the Mid-Eastern Conference (MEAC) tournament and secured a bid to the NCAA Tournament. The two additional home games for the exempt tournament are against South Carolina Upstate (Nov. 18) and Youngstown State (Nov. 21).

Akron concludes the Global Sports Shootout in Louisville, Ky., lining-up against the Louisville Cardinals on Sunday, Nov. 24. The Cardinals posted a 20-14 mark last season and earned a seven-seed in the NCAA Tournament. Akron closes the month with a home game against Merrimack (Nov. 29), who is the newest member of the Northeastern Conference (NEC).

The December schedule includes three home games and three games on the road. The Zips start the month with a mid-week game against the 2019 CIT Champions, Marshall, in Huntington, W.Va. (Dec. 4). The Herd posted a 23-14 record in 2018-19 while winning 10 of their last 11 games to close out the season.

Next, the Zips are scheduled to play two home games against Southern University (Dec. 8) and Concord University (Dec. 15) before departing for the Battle of the Capital in Washington D.C. In the nation's capital, the Zips will play Tulane in the opener (Dec. 20), and Akron will face either Liberty or Towson in the second game (Dec. 21). Last season, Liberty posted a 29-7 record while claiming the Atlantic Sun title. The Flames advanced to the NCAA Tournament and defeated fifth-seeded Mississippi State before falling to fourth-seeded Virginia Tech in second round action (Round of 32).

Akron rounds out the non-conference slate by hosting Atlantic 10 opponent Massachusetts (Dec. 30).

"League play is a grind, and we look forward to the challenge every year," Groce said. "The MAC is tough, blue-collar basketball with top-notch coaches and players. The league is strong from top to bottom and the familiarity between each program cultivates intense battles in extremely passionate environments. We have an experienced team that is very excited about this challenge."

As part of the MAC basketball television package, Akron was selected for two nationally broadcasted games. On Friday, Jan. 10, the Zips are scheduled to host Ball State at 9 p.m. and on Friday, Jan. 31, Akron will travel to Kent State for a 6:30 p.m. tip. Both games are to be aired on CBS Sports Network. In addition, the MAC schedule includes eight wildcard dates with 21-day selection windows available for February and March. The conference office will release a full men's basketball television schedule in October.

MAC play opens on the road for Akron as the Zips travel to Ypsilanti, Mich. for the first of two meetings against Eastern Michigan on Saturday, Jan. 4. The Eagles return the favor a month later for the Saturday, Feb. 8 meeting at the JAR.

Akron's home opener is against the second East/West crossover division series opponent in Western Michigan (home, Jan. 7 and away, Feb. 18). The blue and gold are also scheduled to play Ball State (Jan. 10), Northern Illinois (Jan.14), Toledo (Jan. 18) and Central Michigan (Feb. 15) of the MAC West division.

As usual, the MAC East division teams remain the same but the lineup gets shuffled. The Zips will see home and away divisional bouts with Miami (away, Jan. 21 and home, Feb. 22), Ohio (away, Jan. 25 and home, March 3), Kent State (away Jan. 31 and home, March 6), Buffalo (home, Jan. 28 and away, Feb. 29), and Bowling Green (home, Feb. 11 and away, Feb. 25).

Season Tickets
Season tickets are now on sale for the 2019-20 campaign, with ticket packages starting at just $75. The renewal deadline for existing season ticket holders is September 13.

Also available is a $175 Alumni All-Sports plan that includes season tickets for all of our ticketed sports (men's and women's basketball, football, men's soccer, and volleyball).

Akron faculty and staff may purchase Upper Reserved season tickets for $175 and Lower Reserved for $260 plus an applicable Z-FUND commitment. The Zips also offer a family plan allowing two adults and two children season tickets for $210.

Tickets can be purchased online anytime at GoZips.com/Tickets, or from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET on Mondays through Fridays by calling or texting 1-888-99-AKRON (25766) or visiting The C.P. and Cornelia S. Chima Athletics Ticket Office at InfoCision Stadium-Summa Field (located at 375 E. Exchange Street, near Gate 1 at the southwest corner of the venue, at the corner of E. Exchange and S. Union streets).

The University of Akron Athletics

Akron Men's Basketball 2019-20 Schedule Released

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