The University of Akron Athletics
GAME PREVIEW: Akron vs Malone, Saturday, Dec. 19 at 2 PM | James A. Rhodes Arena
December 18 | Men's Basketball
GAME PREVIEW: Akron vs Malone, Saturday, Dec. 19 at 2 PM | James A. Rhodes Arena
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Follow Akron Basketball on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram | Follow Coach Groce on Twitter
Live Stats| TuneIn - Akron-IMG Sports Network | Akron Basketball Schedule
Akron Zips (1-1) Mid-American vs. Malone (0-0) Great Midwest
Saturday, Dec. 19 • James A. Rhodes Arena • Akron, Ohio • 2 PM ET
Malone Head Coach
Casey Kaufman (Heidelberg '12)
Overall Record: 72-70 (6th Season)
Record at MU: 72-70 (6th Season)
AKRON ZIPS Head Coach
John Groce (Taylor '94)
Career Record: 236-173 (13th Season)
Record at Akron: 56-42 (4th Season)
MAC Record at Akron: 28-26 (4th Season)
Overall MAC Record: 62-56 (at Ohio and Akron)
All-Time Series
Akron Leads: 5-0 - Groce vs. Malone: 1-0
Last Meeting: Akron 81, Malone 64 at James A. Rhodes Arena on Nov. 5, 2019
First Meeting: Akron 81, Malone 69 in Akron Nov. 30, 1972
Broadcast
Radio: Akron Sports Network - Dave Skoczen (PxP), Joe Dunn (Analyst) WHLO 640 AM (flagship), iHeart Radio, TuneIn.com/Akron Zips
Live Stats:Â GoZips.com/Schedule - Live Stats
What's Ahead
The University of Akron men's basketball team continues its 120th season of collegiate basketball on Saturday, Dec. 19 at James A. Rhodes Arena as the Zips play host to Malone. Tipoff is set for 2 p.m.
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Akron was originally scheduled to open Mid-American Conference play against Kent State, but due to positive COVID-19 tests and contact tracing in the Kent State basketball program the game was postponed to a later date.
The Zips' radio broadcast will air on the Akron-IMG Sports Network WHLO 640 AM with Dave Skoczen and Joe Dunn 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-Malone Series
Saturday's game marks the seventh meeting in series history between Akron and Malone, and the second meeting for a Groce coached squad. Akron holds an all-time 6-0 series advantage while Groce is 1-0 against the Pioneers.
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The series started in the 70's as the two teams met four times from 1971 to 1978 all in Akron. Akron won the first meeting 81-69 on December 1, 1971. Over the next two seasons, Akron picked-up a pair of victories 104-74 and 81-65 and the final win of the 70's came on December 30, 1977 as Akron defeated Malone 92-78.
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Saturday's game marks the third regular season meeting in Akron's Division I era. The Zips hosted the Pioneers during the 2009-10 season on December 12 and the Zips posted a 62-30 victory. Akron and Malone met in an exhibition contest before the 2015-16 season as the Zips posted a 113-69 win on November 5, 2015. Akron opened the 2019-20 season on Nov. 5 with an 81-64 victory over Malone.
Scouting the Pioneers
Malone is a member of the NCAA Division II Great Midwest Athletic Conference. In 2019-20, the Pioneers finished 10-8 in league play and 17-13 overall. Malone fell 81-79 in overtime against Kentucky Wesleyan in GMAC Tournament semifinal game.
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Malone has seven players returning from last season's squad, including three starters and 3-of-4 top scorers from a year ago. Last season's top two scoring threats, Jaret Majestic and Marcus Ernst are back. Majestic led the Pioneers with 16.2 points per game on the strength of a team-high 103 made 3-point field goals. He shot 38.7 percent from beyond the 3-point stripe and 39.1 percent from the field. Majestic added 4.0 rebounds (119 Rebs) and 2.1 assists (64 assists) per game.
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Ernst was the leading rebounder, pulling down a team-best 8.8 rebounds (264 Rebs) per game and was the squad's second leading scorer with 14.1 points on average. He also led the team with 29 blocked shots.                                                                         Â
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Rounding out the scoring leaders is Bo Myers with 12.6 points per game, which stood as the third-best last season. He added a second-best 5.0 rebounds (151 Rebs) and 1.1 assists (32 assists) per game.
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Defensively, Malone allowed opponents to score 73.2 points a night on 45.8 percent shooting from the floor and 35.4 percent from 3-point range, allowing 7.7 long distance strikes per night. The Pioneers caused 359 turnovers (12.0 to/g) with 187 steals (6.2 stl/g). Malone slightly outrebounded the opponent by a +1.9 margin as the opponent to grabbed 1,031 (34.4) total boards compared to their 1,091 (36.3) total rebounds.
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. 22 the Zips are scheduled to open Mid-American Conference play against the Ohio Bobcats at James A. Rhodes Arena. Tipoff is slated for 2 p.m. Fans can follow the action on ESPN3, 640 WHLO AM or GoZips.com.
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Follow Akron Basketball on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram | Follow Coach Groce on Twitter
Live Stats| TuneIn - Akron-IMG Sports Network | Akron Basketball Schedule
Akron Zips (1-1) Mid-American vs. Malone (0-0) Great Midwest
Saturday, Dec. 19 • James A. Rhodes Arena • Akron, Ohio • 2 PM ET
Malone Head Coach
Casey Kaufman (Heidelberg '12)
Overall Record: 72-70 (6th Season)
Record at MU: 72-70 (6th Season)
AKRON ZIPS Head Coach
John Groce (Taylor '94)
Career Record: 236-173 (13th Season)
Record at Akron: 56-42 (4th Season)
MAC Record at Akron: 28-26 (4th Season)
Overall MAC Record: 62-56 (at Ohio and Akron)
All-Time Series
Akron Leads: 5-0 - Groce vs. Malone: 1-0
Last Meeting: Akron 81, Malone 64 at James A. Rhodes Arena on Nov. 5, 2019
First Meeting: Akron 81, Malone 69 in Akron Nov. 30, 1972
Broadcast
Radio: Akron Sports Network - Dave Skoczen (PxP), Joe Dunn (Analyst) WHLO 640 AM (flagship), iHeart Radio, TuneIn.com/Akron Zips
Live Stats:Â GoZips.com/Schedule - Live Stats
What's Ahead
The University of Akron men's basketball team continues its 120th season of collegiate basketball on Saturday, Dec. 19 at James A. Rhodes Arena as the Zips play host to Malone. Tipoff is set for 2 p.m.
Â
Akron was originally scheduled to open Mid-American Conference play against Kent State, but due to positive COVID-19 tests and contact tracing in the Kent State basketball program the game was postponed to a later date.
The Zips' radio broadcast will air on the Akron-IMG Sports Network WHLO 640 AM with Dave Skoczen and Joe Dunn 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-Malone Series
Saturday's game marks the seventh meeting in series history between Akron and Malone, and the second meeting for a Groce coached squad. Akron holds an all-time 6-0 series advantage while Groce is 1-0 against the Pioneers.
Â
The series started in the 70's as the two teams met four times from 1971 to 1978 all in Akron. Akron won the first meeting 81-69 on December 1, 1971. Over the next two seasons, Akron picked-up a pair of victories 104-74 and 81-65 and the final win of the 70's came on December 30, 1977 as Akron defeated Malone 92-78.
Â
Saturday's game marks the third regular season meeting in Akron's Division I era. The Zips hosted the Pioneers during the 2009-10 season on December 12 and the Zips posted a 62-30 victory. Akron and Malone met in an exhibition contest before the 2015-16 season as the Zips posted a 113-69 win on November 5, 2015. Akron opened the 2019-20 season on Nov. 5 with an 81-64 victory over Malone.
Scouting the Pioneers
Malone is a member of the NCAA Division II Great Midwest Athletic Conference. In 2019-20, the Pioneers finished 10-8 in league play and 17-13 overall. Malone fell 81-79 in overtime against Kentucky Wesleyan in GMAC Tournament semifinal game.
Â
Malone has seven players returning from last season's squad, including three starters and 3-of-4 top scorers from a year ago. Last season's top two scoring threats, Jaret Majestic and Marcus Ernst are back. Majestic led the Pioneers with 16.2 points per game on the strength of a team-high 103 made 3-point field goals. He shot 38.7 percent from beyond the 3-point stripe and 39.1 percent from the field. Majestic added 4.0 rebounds (119 Rebs) and 2.1 assists (64 assists) per game.
Â
Ernst was the leading rebounder, pulling down a team-best 8.8 rebounds (264 Rebs) per game and was the squad's second leading scorer with 14.1 points on average. He also led the team with 29 blocked shots.                                                                         Â
Â
Rounding out the scoring leaders is Bo Myers with 12.6 points per game, which stood as the third-best last season. He added a second-best 5.0 rebounds (151 Rebs) and 1.1 assists (32 assists) per game.
Â
Defensively, Malone allowed opponents to score 73.2 points a night on 45.8 percent shooting from the floor and 35.4 percent from 3-point range, allowing 7.7 long distance strikes per night. The Pioneers caused 359 turnovers (12.0 to/g) with 187 steals (6.2 stl/g). Malone slightly outrebounded the opponent by a +1.9 margin as the opponent to grabbed 1,031 (34.4) total boards compared to their 1,091 (36.3) total rebounds.
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. 22 the Zips are scheduled to open Mid-American Conference play against the Ohio Bobcats at James A. Rhodes Arena. Tipoff is slated for 2 p.m. Fans can follow the action on ESPN3, 640 WHLO AM or GoZips.com.
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