Akron Battles Defending MAC Champs Buffalo at the JAR

Tuesday, January 28

Akron, Ohio

7 PM

University of Akron

Buffalo

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Akron Battles Defending MAC Champs Buffalo at the JAR

January 27 | Men's Basketball

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Akron Zips (16-4, 6-1 MAC) vs Buffalo Bulls (13-7, 4-3 MAC)
Tuesday, Jan. 28 • James A. Rhodes Arena • Akron, Ohio • 7 PM • ESPN+

Buffalo Head Coach
Jim Whitesell (Luther '82)
Overall: 400-308 (25th season)
Record at UB: 13-7 (1st season)
MAC Record: 4-3 (1st season)

AKRON ZIPS Head Coach
John Groce (Taylor '94)
Career Record: 227-169 (12th Season)
Record at Akron: 47-38 (3rd Season)
MAC Record at Akron: 20-23 (3rd Season)
Overall MAC Record: 54-53 (at Ohio and Akron)

All-Time Series
Akron Leads: 34-30 - Groce vs. Buffalo: 0-5 (5-9 Overall)
Last Meeting: Buffalo 82, Akron 46 at Quicken Loans Arena on March 14, 2019
First Meeting: Akron 84, Buffalo 74 in Akron 1954-55 season
MAC Tournament: Buffalo Leads: 3-1

Broadcast
TV/Video: ESPN+ – Michael Reghi (PxP) and Jacki Windon (Analyst)
Live Stats: (GoZips.com/Schedule) - Live Stats
Radio: Akron Sports Network - Steve French (PxP), Joe Dunn (Analyst), WARF 1350 AM (flagship), iHeart Radio, TuneIn.com/Akron Zips

What's Ahead
Akron returns home to battle defending MAC Champions Buffalo on Tuesday, Jan. 28 at 7 p.m. The divisional series is scheduled to be broadcasted on ESPN+ and can be heard on at SportsRadio1350.com, iHeart Radio, and TuneIn.com/AkronZips. Fans can also follow the action on GoZips.com via Live Stats.

Akron is coming off two road wins against Eastern Division opponents, Miami (81-60) and Ohio (88-86), and owns a 16-4 overall record with a 6-1 league mark. Akron opened league play against five consecutive western division opponents. All other league foes played at least two divisional opponents during that stretch. Akron defeated Eastern Michigan on the road in the MAC season opener (69-45), Western Michigan (84-69, H), Ball State (75-60, H), Northern Illinois (72-49, A) and fell to Toledo (99-89, H).

Scouting the Bulls
Buffalo enters the contest with an 13-7 overall record and 4-3 in MAC play and under new head coach Jim Whitesell. The Bulls are coming off an 70-66 loss to Kent State. Buffalo is 7-4 (2-2 MAC) at home, 3-2 (2-1 MAC) on the road and 3-1 in neutral site games.

Buffalo has five players scoring in double figures in points, led by Jayvon Graves with 16.6 points per game. Graves has buried a team-best 45-of-129 from long distance (.349) and is shooting 42.6 percent from all areas of the court with 120 field goals. He is second in assists (55), third in rebounding (99, 5.0) and steals (27) and fourth in blocked shots (10).
Davonta Jordan follows in scoring with 12.4 points per game on 38-of-94 (.4040) from deep. He is the squads assists leader (109) and is first in steals (44). He is second on the glass (101, 5.1). Jordan shoots 47.0 percent from the floor with 95 made field goals. Jeenathan Williams is the third leading scorer with 11.9 points and 4.5 rebounds per game. He has 22 steals and 20 blocks.
Rounding out the double digit scorers are Antwain Johnson and Josh Mballa with 10.5 and 10.2 points per game, respectively. In addition Ronaldo Segu adds 8.9 points per outing with a third-best 47 assists.
Defensively, Buffalo limits its opponents to 76.0 points per game on 44.7 percent shooting from the floor and 33.8 percent from 3-point range, allowing 6.5 long distance strikes per night. The Bulls caused 307 turnovers (15.4 to/g) with 171 steals (8.6 stl/g). Buffalo slightly outrebounds the opponent by a +3.5 margin. The opponents snagged 757 (37.9) total boards compared to the 827 (41.4) total rebounds secured.

The Akron-Buffalo Series
Tuesday's game marks the 65th meeting in series history between Akron and Buffalo, and 15th meeting for a Groce coached squad, sixth at Akron. Akron holds an all-time 34-30 series advantage while Groce is 5-9 overall and 0-5 at Akron. In three of those four setbacks, the Zips led at halftime and took a one possession game to the final minutes. The Zips and the Bulls have met four times in postseason play with Buffalo holding a 3-1 edge.

The Bull won three games against the Zips last season, including an 82-46 win in the quarterfinals of the MAC Tournament. The No. 21/22 ranked Bulls defeated the Zips at Alumni Arena (77-64) and started the series sweep when the No. 24/25 ranked Bulls defeated Akron at James A. Rhodes Arena 76-70 on Feb. 12. The Bulls swept the 2016-17 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 10 meetings.

The Last Meeting...
The University of Akron men's basketball team was unable to overcome a hot-shooting Buffalo (29-3) squad in the quarterfinals of the Mid-American Conference Tournament on Thursday, March 14, as the 18th-ranked Bulls registered an 82-46 victory over the Zips (17-16) at Quicken Loans Arena.

Akron was unable to overcome its lowest shooting mark of the season as the Zips connected on 23.7 percent of its attempts from the field and four shots from beyond the arc. The Bulls capped their performance on the day shooting 44.1 percent, including connecting on eight triples.

Buffalo capitalized on a 55-36 edge in rebounds in the tilt en route to posting a 44-20 margin in points in the paint, while collecting 32 points from its bench to advance to the tournament semifinals.

The Zips were directed by a 16-point effort from sophomore Loren Cristian Jackson (Chicago, Ill.). A game-high 23 points from Jeremy Harris headlined five Bulls scoring in double figures. Joining him with double-digit scoring afternoons with 13, 12, 11 and 10 points, respectively, was Jayvon Graves, Dontay Carruthers, Nick Perkins and CJ Massinburg.

Zips Improvement Under Groce...
In the first year under Groce (2017-18), the Zips had to find their groove again with a brand new roster, virtually starting from scratch. That year the Zips finished with a 14-18 overall record and 6-12 league mark, ranking 234th in offensive efficiency (101.8), 270th defensive efficiency (109.9) and 198th in pace of play (67.8). Akron lost in the first round of the MAC Tournament.

In year two (2018-19), The Zips dramatically improved on the defensive side of the ball, finishing No. 22 defensive efficiency (94.1) and No. 1 in the MAC. Akron climbed 248 slots, however the slower tempo 254th (66.2) and offensive efficiency 259th (100.0) needed improvement. The Zips finished 17-16 overall and 8-10 MAC while advancing to the quarterfinals of the MAC Tournament.

This season, the Zips picked up the pace, improving 172 spots in the tempo ratings, ranking 95th (69.9). The new pace of play directly effects the offensive efficiency rating as the Zips climbed 229 spots for a No. 30 (112.1) ranking in the NCAA. On the defensive side of the ball, Akron stands at 125th (100.2). Looks like Akron is finding the perfect balance for sustained success.

Creating Space
The Akron Zips are 7-1 in the last eight games, including six MAC wins by double figures. During that stretch, the Zips have outscored the opponents by a +12.0 margin (+96, 643-547). In the six league games, Akron holds a +12.9 margin (+90, 558-468). The Zips defeated UMass (+6, 85-79), EMU (+24, 69-45), WMU (+15, 84-69), BSU (+15, 75-60) and NIU (+23, 72-49) before falling to Toledo (-10, 99-89). Akron bounced back with a win over Miami (+21, 81-60) and Ohio (+2, 88-86).

Long Distance Attacks
Akron is shooting 40.0 percent as a team from beyond the 3-point arc (203-of-507), ranking 5th NCAA and 1st MAC. The 203 made 3-pointers ranks 17th NCAA and 1st MAC while attempts rank 58th NCAA and 4th MAC. Akron averages 10.2 triples per game, standing 13th NCAA and 1st MAC.

The long distances attacks are spearheaded by Loren Cristian Jackson with 59 while Channel Banks and Xeyrius Williams follow with 54 and 53, respectively. Jackson ranks 30^th in the NCAA, while Banks and Williams rank 59^th and 69^th, respectively. Cheese has 31 made 3-pointers.

Akron in the MAC
The Zips have posted a 54-33 mark (.621) in the last 87 games against the MAC East dating back to the start of the 2012 league schedule. Akron is 6-3 against the MAC East at the conference tournament during that stretch. Akron is 110-53 in the regular season against the West Division (.679), including winners of 53 of the last 70 regular-season games since divisional play began during the 1997-98 season. Akron is 63-16 (.808) 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, and is 174-86 overall (.670), including a 108-23 mark in MAC play at home (.829). The Zips' 174 wins are the most in the league during that stretch. The Zips have won 94 of their last 137 MAC games (.688).

Defending the JAR
Akron is 10-1 at James A. Rhodes Arena and had a 12-game home court winning streak snapped by Toledo. The Zips only allow opponents to score 61.5 points per game at home on 37.4 percent shooting from the field (253-of-677) and 29.2 percent from deep (64-of-219). Akron has allowed 677 total points in 11 games – 99 points was the most for the opposition at Rhodes Arena this season. In fact, Akron has held seven teams to 60 points or less, including five teams to 50 or less.

2020 Vision
Four different players have scored at least 20 points 17 times this season. Tyler Cheese own six of those performances, scoring 20 points three times coupled with 23- 21- and 25-point efforts. Loren Cristian Jackson follows with seven 20-plus point performances, registering a career-high 35 points in addition to a 33-, 28-, a pair of 26- and a pair of 20-point efforts. Xeyrius Williams and Channel Banks round out the 20-point performers list as Williams posted a career-best 25-point, 23-point and 20-point games. Banks is also a career-high with 21 points. In addition, the Zips have five 19-point efforts by Williams (NC Central, Miami), Cheese (YSU, Toledo) and Jackson (YSU).

Strong Defensive Stance and Sacrifice
The Akron Zips have limited opponents to scoring 60 points or less in 11 games, including six games of 50 points or under. The Zips allow only 65.4 points per game, ranking No. 84 in the NCAA for scoring defense and 4th MAC. Akron limits opponents to 39.9 shooting from the floor (51st NCAA, 2nd MAC) and 30.4 from long distance (67th NCAA, 2nd MAC). Akron has caused 273 turnovers (13.7 t/g) with 98 steals (4.9 stl/g). In addition, players are sacrificing their bodies by taking charges as Banks leads with 19 followed by Jackson (15) and Cheese (14).

Zips Scoring in Bunches
The Zips have four players averaging double figures in scoring led by Loren Cristian Jackson with 18.5 points per game followed by Tyler Cheese (15.9), Xeyrius Williams (14.5) and Channel Banks (11.3). Over the first 20 games, the Akron Zips have seen at least three players score in double digits in every game. Akron had five double-figure scorers against Malone (Williams 17, Banks 15, Cheese 15, Reece 13 and Jackson 12) ... four against Miami (Jackson 20, Williams 19, Cheese 18, Banks 12), West Virginia (Williams 20, Banks 16, Jackson 16 and Cheese 15), YSU (Cheese 19, Jackson 19, Banks 12 and Reece 10), Southern (Cheese 21, Williams 15, Banks 14, and Reece 11), Concord (Banks 19, Sayles 16, Williams 12 and Tribble 11), Liberty (Banks 17, Jackson 17, Williams 15 and Cheese 12) and Ohio (Jackson 35, Chees 16, Banks 12 and Williams 12).

Pass the Cheese
Senior Tyler Cheese ranks second in scoring for the Zips, averaging 15.9 points per game, ranking 8th in the MAC. He registered double-digit points in 18-of-20 games with a season high of 25 points. He posted games of 23, 21, 20 (x3), 21, 19 (x2), 18, 17 (x2), 15 (x2) and 12. Cheese is fourth on the squad in 3-pointers made (31) and is shooting at a 37.3 percent clip from deep (31-of-83). In the MAC, he stands 5th in free throw percentage (.802, 65-of-81), 11th assists (3.3) and 16th in 3-point FG percentage.

ARE YOU XEYRIUS?
Senior Xeyrius Williams impacts both sides of the floor for the Zips, nearly averaging a double-double with 14.5 points and 9.5 rebounds per night. He owns team-highs in rebounds (190) and blocked shots (23). Williams is shooting 88.2 percent from the free throw line (30-of-34). In the NCAA, Williams ranks 9th in defensive rebounds per game (7.8), 39th rebounds per game (9.5), 34th total rebounds (190) and 50th double-doubles (7). He ranks among the league's best in seven categories including rebounding (2nd), defensive rebounds (2nd), blocked shots (5th), 3-pointers made (6th, 2.7), scoring (13th) and 3-point FG percentage (23rd, .358). He has scored with double figures 16 times this season, including a career-high 25 points against Marshall. He has seven double-doubles this season and grabbed double-digit rebounds 10 times, including a career-best 15 rebounds against Tulane. He earned MAC East Player of the Week two times.

R&R In The Paint...
Senior Deng Riak and Junior Camron Reece are huge pieces for the Zips frontcourt and they don't let the defense relax. Combined, the two big-men average 11 points and 10 rebounds per game which allows the offense to flow and forces defenses to pick their poison.

Riak is the Zips defensive anchor, seeing plays before they happen and making sure the four other players are in position to guard. He averages 20 minutes per game, scores 4.0 points and grabs 4.6 rebounds on average. He secured 88 total rebounds and blocked 12 shots.

Reece clocks 18-minutes per game and averages 6.4 points on 60.3 percent shooting from the floor. He scored in double-digits five times this season, including a career-high 13 points on two occasions, vs Malone and Marshall. Reece is an electric player that gets the crowd involved as a result of his supreme athleticism and high-flying dunks. He grabs 4.4 rebounds per game and posted eight blocked shots. Reece has made 28-of-40 free throws for a 70.0 free throw percentage.

Like Money in the Bank$
Senior Channel Banks ranks 7th in the NCAA in 3-point field goal percentage and 1st in the MAC, draining 46.6 percent from long distance. His 2.7 triples per game leads the Zips and ranks 5th in league play and 62nd in the NCAA. Banks has buried 54-of-116 from deep and ranks in the 59th in the NCAA. Banks scored in double figures in 12 games which includes a career-high 21 against UMass.

Action Jackson
Junior Loren Cristian Jackson is the leading scorer for the Zips, averaging 18.5 points per game and ranks 3rd in the MAC. He scored double-digit points in 17 games, including a season-high 35 points against Ohio. He leads the squad in assists (101), dishing out 5.1 helpers per game while making 75-of-87 from the charity stripe (.862). Jackson buried a team-best 59 triples. Jackson is ranked in the top of the MAC in six categories, including free throw percentage (1st, .862), 3-point FG made (2nd, 2.9), 3-point FG percentage (2nd, .457), assist/to ratio (2nd, 2.4), scoring (3rd, 18.5) and assists (4th, 5.1). In the NCAA, Jackson ranks 8th in 3-point FG percentage, 30th 3-point FG made, 34th 3-pointers per game , 41st assist/turnover ratio, 43rd free throw percentage, 54th assists per game and 56th total assists. He earned MAC East Player of the Week twice.

The Broadcasts
The Zips game is available for broadcast on ESPN+ with Michael Reghi calling the action and Jacki Windon providing analysis. The Zips' radio broadcast will air on the Akron 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/AkronZips. Fans can also follow the action on GoZips.com via Live Stats.

UP NEXT
Akron returns home to battle Buffalo on Tuesday, Jan. 28 at 7 p.m. The game is scheduled to be broadcasted on ESPN+ and can be heard on at SportsRadio1350.com, iHeart Radio, and TuneIn.com/AkronZips. Fans can also follow the action on GoZips.com via Live Stats.