The University of Akron Athletics
Saturday, December 12
Akron, Ohio
2 PM
University of Akron
vs
Cedarville
Akron Opens 2020-21 Campaign on Saturday Against Cedarville
December 11 | Men's Basketball
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Game Notes PDF | Live Stats| TuneIn - Akron-IMG Sports Network | Akron Basketball Schedule | Coach Groce Weekly Preview
2020-21 Season/Home Opener
Akron Zips (0-0) Mid-American vs. Cedarville (0-0) Great Midwest
Saturday, Sec. 12 • James A. Rhodes Arena • Akron, Ohio • 2 PM ET
Cedarville Head Coach
Pat Estepp (Wisconsin '94)
Overall: 220-146 (13th season)
G-MAC Record: 105-58 (13th season)
AKRON ZIPS Head Coach
John Groce (Taylor '94)
Career Record: 235-172 (13th Season)
Record at Akron: 55-41 (4th Season)
MAC Record at Akron: 28-26 (4th Season)
Overall MAC Record: 62-56 (at Ohio and Akron)
All-Time Series
Akron Leads: 1-0 | Groce vs. Cedarville: 1-0
First Meeting: Akron 70, Cedarville 50 - at James A. Rhodes Arena on Nov. 6 , 2018
Broadcast
Live Stats:Â GoZips.com/Schedule - Live Stats
Radio: Akron-IMG Sports Network – Bill Morgan (PXP)
99.7 FM, Heart Radio, TuneIn.com/Akron Zips
What's Ahead
The University of Akron men's basketball team opens its 120th season of collegiate basketball for the first time of the 2020-21 campaign on Saturday, Dec. 12 as the Zips welcome Cedarville at James A. Rhodes Arena. The showdown with the Yellow Jackets is set for 2 p.m.
The Zips' radio broadcast will air on the Akron-IMG Sports Network 99.7 FM Canton's New Country with Bill Morgan calling the action. The pregame show starts 30 minutes prior to the contest. The free audio stream is available at iHeart Radio and TuneIn.com/Akron Zips. Fans can also follow the action on GoZips.com via Live Stats.
The Akron-Cedarville Series
Saturday's game marks the second time the Zips and the Yellow Jackets will battle on the hardwood. Two seasons ago (2018-19), the Akron Zips broke away late for a 70-50 win over visiting Cedarville in the opener for both teams at The JAR.
Scouting the Yellow Jackets
Cedarville is slated to host Ohio Valley on Friday at 5:30 p.m. EST in what will be the season opener for both teams. This comes after an exhibition at Dayton was cancelled and the first two contests on the schedule at Ohio Dominican and at home against Lake Erie were postponed due to COVID-19.
Junior guard Branden Maughmer heads the list after earning NCCAA All-America Second Team and All-G-MAC First Team honors. He was also part of the G-MAC Defensive Team. Fellow classmates Quinton Green and Kollin Van Horn were All-G-MAC Second Team selections. Senior forward Conner TenHove, a two-time All-NCCAA Midwest Region player and the 2019 NCCAA National Tournament Most Outstanding Player, is another notable returnee. Junior Isaiah Speelman was a double figure scorer and sophomore Jacob Drees logged critical minutes during his rookie season.
Last season, the Yellow Jackets posted a 18-11 overall record and finished 13-5 in Great Midwest (Division II) play.
Starting the Season Off Right
The Zips are 73-46 (.610) all-time in season openers with a 59-12 (.829) home record and 14-34 (.292) on the road. Since the 2004-05, UA is 11-5 (.667) when opening the season, standing 8-1 (.875) at home, 3-4 (.429) on the road and 3-0 (1.000) under head coach John Groce.
In addition, Akron owns a 98-21 (.822) home-opening record and 33-4 (.888) at Rhodes Arena. The Zips have been winners in the last 18-of-19 home opening games. Akron is 18-8 in MAC openers, 10-1 at home since joining the league in 1992. Over the last 15 seasons, the Zips are 11-4 in MAC openers and 7-1 at home. Akron has won the last 7-of-8 MAC openers.
Best Start to a Season
The 2015-16 Akron Zips started the season with a 3-0 winning streak. The three consecutive wins to open the season marks the best start in the Division I era of Akron men's basketball history.Â
In addition, the 13-2 start was the best opening to a season in Akron basketball's Division I era, while the Zips win over the Arkansas Razorbacks marked the fifth consecutive season the Zips posted a win over a Power Five Conference opponent.
Home Sweet Home
The Zips own a 419-130 (.763) all-time record at Rhodes Arena. In the last 15 seasons, Akron has posted a 214-34 (.863) record at the JAR. Under coach Groce Akron is 40-9 (.816) at home.
Akron went 12-4 at Rhodes Arena in Groce's first year as head coach and followed with a 14-3 effort. He became the third Akron coach since 1940 to win his first six home games in the first season as head coach. The Zips rattled off seven straight wins at the JAR before falling in the MAC home opener to Buffalo.
The Zips set the all-time longest home winning streak record at Rhodes Arena with 30 consecutive wins during the 2015-17 seasons, replacing the 26-game run the Zips made during the 1985-87 seasons under head coach Bob Huggins. The streak ranked No. 2 in the NCAA.
The LeBron James Shoe Deal and Nike Apparel
Since June 2008, the Akron men's basketball program has been partnered with Nike under which the Zips' shoes, game uniforms, warm ups and accessories are licensed under the Nike and LeBron James Trademarks. The Zips are just one of three college programs in the country that are partnered with the LBJ line of Nike equipment, the others are Ohio State and Duquesne. Akron rocks six pairs of LBJ kicks in three different styles all customized to Akron Basketball.
The Akron Zips men's basketball team has five different uniforms. Akron will continue to sport the grey set of uniforms modeled after the Team USA uniforms, which were new for 2017-18. The Grey uniforms feature the script Akron on the chest in blue outlined in the university gold. The numbers are depicted the same way which matches the blue piping that outlines the uniform. The shorts feature the Z-logo on both sides of the leg and are piped with the blue.
In 2018-19, the Zips will showcased new home and away, whites and blues, with combinations that brought back the Akron gold. Both sets feature the script Akron across the chest in gold with the white set accented by blue outlines and piping, while the  blues are outlined in white.The pants feature the Z-Logo on one leg and script Akron on the opposite side. Also, the Roo-Head debuts on the waistband.
Speaking of Gold, Akron's "Gold Standard" uniforms are back. Yes, Akron will be rockin gold uniforms once again. The Team USA inspired uniforms feature the script Akron in blue across the chest with the Roo-Head on the sides of the shorts. The waistband features the Z-Logo. The final uniform is a Fear The Roo uniform that is anthracite (dark grey) as the base color. The front of the jersey features the blue and gold Roo Head Logo with a blue number outlined in gold. The shorts features Zips in gold script on the waistband with a Roo Head on the left leg and script Akron logo on the right leg in gold.
UP NEXT
On Tuesday, Dec. 15 the Zips will travel to the Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse in Cleveland, Ohio to play St. Bonaventure hosted by the Zips. Fans can follow the action on ESPN+, 640 WHLO AM or GoZips.com.
Game Notes PDF | Live Stats| TuneIn - Akron-IMG Sports Network | Akron Basketball Schedule | Coach Groce Weekly Preview
2020-21 Season/Home Opener
Akron Zips (0-0) Mid-American vs. Cedarville (0-0) Great Midwest
Saturday, Sec. 12 • James A. Rhodes Arena • Akron, Ohio • 2 PM ET
Cedarville Head Coach
Pat Estepp (Wisconsin '94)
Overall: 220-146 (13th season)
G-MAC Record: 105-58 (13th season)
AKRON ZIPS Head Coach
John Groce (Taylor '94)
Career Record: 235-172 (13th Season)
Record at Akron: 55-41 (4th Season)
MAC Record at Akron: 28-26 (4th Season)
Overall MAC Record: 62-56 (at Ohio and Akron)
All-Time Series
Akron Leads: 1-0 | Groce vs. Cedarville: 1-0
First Meeting: Akron 70, Cedarville 50 - at James A. Rhodes Arena on Nov. 6 , 2018
Broadcast
Live Stats:Â GoZips.com/Schedule - Live Stats
Radio: Akron-IMG Sports Network – Bill Morgan (PXP)
99.7 FM, Heart Radio, TuneIn.com/Akron Zips
What's Ahead
The University of Akron men's basketball team opens its 120th season of collegiate basketball for the first time of the 2020-21 campaign on Saturday, Dec. 12 as the Zips welcome Cedarville at James A. Rhodes Arena. The showdown with the Yellow Jackets is set for 2 p.m.
The Zips' radio broadcast will air on the Akron-IMG Sports Network 99.7 FM Canton's New Country with Bill Morgan calling the action. The pregame show starts 30 minutes prior to the contest. The free audio stream is available at iHeart Radio and TuneIn.com/Akron Zips. Fans can also follow the action on GoZips.com via Live Stats.
The Akron-Cedarville Series
Saturday's game marks the second time the Zips and the Yellow Jackets will battle on the hardwood. Two seasons ago (2018-19), the Akron Zips broke away late for a 70-50 win over visiting Cedarville in the opener for both teams at The JAR.
Scouting the Yellow Jackets
Cedarville is slated to host Ohio Valley on Friday at 5:30 p.m. EST in what will be the season opener for both teams. This comes after an exhibition at Dayton was cancelled and the first two contests on the schedule at Ohio Dominican and at home against Lake Erie were postponed due to COVID-19.
Junior guard Branden Maughmer heads the list after earning NCCAA All-America Second Team and All-G-MAC First Team honors. He was also part of the G-MAC Defensive Team. Fellow classmates Quinton Green and Kollin Van Horn were All-G-MAC Second Team selections. Senior forward Conner TenHove, a two-time All-NCCAA Midwest Region player and the 2019 NCCAA National Tournament Most Outstanding Player, is another notable returnee. Junior Isaiah Speelman was a double figure scorer and sophomore Jacob Drees logged critical minutes during his rookie season.
Last season, the Yellow Jackets posted a 18-11 overall record and finished 13-5 in Great Midwest (Division II) play.
Starting the Season Off Right
The Zips are 73-46 (.610) all-time in season openers with a 59-12 (.829) home record and 14-34 (.292) on the road. Since the 2004-05, UA is 11-5 (.667) when opening the season, standing 8-1 (.875) at home, 3-4 (.429) on the road and 3-0 (1.000) under head coach John Groce.
In addition, Akron owns a 98-21 (.822) home-opening record and 33-4 (.888) at Rhodes Arena. The Zips have been winners in the last 18-of-19 home opening games. Akron is 18-8 in MAC openers, 10-1 at home since joining the league in 1992. Over the last 15 seasons, the Zips are 11-4 in MAC openers and 7-1 at home. Akron has won the last 7-of-8 MAC openers.
Best Start to a Season
The 2015-16 Akron Zips started the season with a 3-0 winning streak. The three consecutive wins to open the season marks the best start in the Division I era of Akron men's basketball history.Â
In addition, the 13-2 start was the best opening to a season in Akron basketball's Division I era, while the Zips win over the Arkansas Razorbacks marked the fifth consecutive season the Zips posted a win over a Power Five Conference opponent.
Home Sweet Home
The Zips own a 419-130 (.763) all-time record at Rhodes Arena. In the last 15 seasons, Akron has posted a 214-34 (.863) record at the JAR. Under coach Groce Akron is 40-9 (.816) at home.
Akron went 12-4 at Rhodes Arena in Groce's first year as head coach and followed with a 14-3 effort. He became the third Akron coach since 1940 to win his first six home games in the first season as head coach. The Zips rattled off seven straight wins at the JAR before falling in the MAC home opener to Buffalo.
The Zips set the all-time longest home winning streak record at Rhodes Arena with 30 consecutive wins during the 2015-17 seasons, replacing the 26-game run the Zips made during the 1985-87 seasons under head coach Bob Huggins. The streak ranked No. 2 in the NCAA.
The LeBron James Shoe Deal and Nike Apparel
Since June 2008, the Akron men's basketball program has been partnered with Nike under which the Zips' shoes, game uniforms, warm ups and accessories are licensed under the Nike and LeBron James Trademarks. The Zips are just one of three college programs in the country that are partnered with the LBJ line of Nike equipment, the others are Ohio State and Duquesne. Akron rocks six pairs of LBJ kicks in three different styles all customized to Akron Basketball.
The Akron Zips men's basketball team has five different uniforms. Akron will continue to sport the grey set of uniforms modeled after the Team USA uniforms, which were new for 2017-18. The Grey uniforms feature the script Akron on the chest in blue outlined in the university gold. The numbers are depicted the same way which matches the blue piping that outlines the uniform. The shorts feature the Z-logo on both sides of the leg and are piped with the blue.
In 2018-19, the Zips will showcased new home and away, whites and blues, with combinations that brought back the Akron gold. Both sets feature the script Akron across the chest in gold with the white set accented by blue outlines and piping, while the  blues are outlined in white.The pants feature the Z-Logo on one leg and script Akron on the opposite side. Also, the Roo-Head debuts on the waistband.
Speaking of Gold, Akron's "Gold Standard" uniforms are back. Yes, Akron will be rockin gold uniforms once again. The Team USA inspired uniforms feature the script Akron in blue across the chest with the Roo-Head on the sides of the shorts. The waistband features the Z-Logo. The final uniform is a Fear The Roo uniform that is anthracite (dark grey) as the base color. The front of the jersey features the blue and gold Roo Head Logo with a blue number outlined in gold. The shorts features Zips in gold script on the waistband with a Roo Head on the left leg and script Akron logo on the right leg in gold.
UP NEXT
On Tuesday, Dec. 15 the Zips will travel to the Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse in Cleveland, Ohio to play St. Bonaventure hosted by the Zips. Fans can follow the action on ESPN+, 640 WHLO AM or GoZips.com.
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