Akron Faces Top-Ranked Bowling Green Tuesday at Home

Tuesday, February 11

Akron, Ohio

7 PM

University of Akron

Bowling Green

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Akron Faces Top-Ranked Bowling Green Tuesday at Home

February 10 | Men's Basketball

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Akron Zips (17-6, 7-3 MAC) vs Bowling Green (12-10, 2-7 MAC)
Tuesday, Feb. 11 • James A. Rhodes Arena • Akron, Ohio • 7 PM • ESPN+

Bowling Green Head Coach
Michael Huger (BGSU, 1994)
Overall Record: 85-71 (5th Season)
Record at EMU: 85-71 (5th Season)
MAC Record: 40-43 (5th Season)

AKRON ZIPS Head Coach
John Groce (Taylor '94)
Career Record: 228-171 (12th Season)
Record at Akron: 48-40 (3rd Season)
MAC Record at Akron: 21-25 (3rd Season)
Overall MAC Record: 55-55 (at Ohio and Akron)

All-Time Series
Akron Leads: 39-26 - Groce vs. Bowling Green: 3-1 (6-7 Overall)
Last Meeting: Akron 91, BGSU 67 - at James A. Rhodes Arena March 5, 2019
First Meeting: Akron 52, BGSU 29 in Akron 1937-38 season

Broadcast
TV/Video: ESPN+ – Michael Reghi (PxP), 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
The Akron Zips are coming off a 59-58 win in the final seconds as the last four games have been decided on the final possession, and Akron stands 2-2 in those games. The Zips will be back on the hardwood at James A. Rhodes Arena on Tuesday, Feb. 11 at 7 p.m. against the top-ranked team in the MAC, Bowling Green. The contest will 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.

The Zips are 17-6 overall record with a 7-3 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 is 5-1 against the West, defeating Eastern Michigan on the road in the MAC season opener (69-45) and again the last time out, Western Michigan (84-69, H), Ball State (75-60, H), Northern Illinois (72-49, A) but fell to Toledo (99-89, H). The Zips are 2-2 in divisional play, defeating Miami (81-60) and Ohio (88-86) on the road and falling to Buffalo at home and Kent State on the road.

Scouting the Falcons
Bowling Green enters the game as the top ranked MAC squad with an 18-6 overall record and 9-2 league mark. The Falcons dropped their MAC opener to Kent at home and then rattled-off eight consecutive wins before falling to Central Michigan. BGSU is coming off a win over Toledo. The Falcons are 11-1 at home, 4-2 on the road and 3-3 in neutral site games this season.

BGSU averages 76.1 points per game on 42.7 percent shooting from the floor and 33.7 percent effort from beyond the 3-point arc, draining 7.8 triples a game. In addition, Bowling Green shoots 74.3 percent from the free throw line with 13.5 per game.

As a result of losing the team's top 3-point shooter, Dylan Frye, BGSU has two players scoring in double figures led by Justin Turner with 19.0 points on 44.6 percent shooting from the floor (124-of-278). He buried a now team-best 29 long-distance buckets and adds 4.9 rebounds per game. Turner is second on the team in assists (47) and has 19 steals and four blocked shots.

Daeqwon Plowden follows with 12.7 points per game on 49.6 percent shooting from the field (114-230) which includes a 37.5 effort from downtown (27-of-72). He is the team's top rebounder, pulling down 8.9 boards per night and has 196 total rebounds. Plowden leads in steals (25) and is second in blocked shots (18) and contributes 18 assists.

Trey Diggs and Caleb Fields supply the Falcons with 7.3 and 7.0 points per game. Diggs has made 61 with more than half coming from deep to lead the squad from beyond the 3-point arc (37). His 37.4 shooting percentage from long-distance is complimented with Fields 24 3-pointers made and 31.1 percentage from deep. Michael Laster owns a team-best 74 assists.

Defensively, BGSU limits its opponents to 72.9 points per game on 41.6 percent shooting from the floor and 34.9 percent from 3-point range, allowing 8.1 long distance strikes per night. The Falcons caused 292 turnovers (12.2 to/g) with 137 steals (5.7 stl/g). Bowling Green slightly outrebounds the opponent by a +1.7 margin as the opponent grabbed 916 total boards (38.2 rebs/g) compared to the 956 total rebounds (39.8 rebs/g) secured.

The Akron-Bowling Green Series
Tuesday's game marks the 66th meeting in series history between Akron and Bowling Green, and 14th meeting for a Groce coached squad. Akron holds an all-time 39-26 series advantage while Groce is 6-7 against BGSU and 3-1 at Akron. The Zips have won 28 of the last 31 games, and split the 2019-20 series as both team protected home court. Akron dropped the last season's series opener at the Stroh Center (73-69) and bounced back with a lopsided 91-67 triumph). Akron swept 2018-19 season's series with an 80-78 win at Rhodes Arena (1/13/18) and an 81-79 win at the Stroh Center (2/20/18). Both games came down to the final possession.

In 2016-17, the two teams split the season series. The Zips opened Mid-American Conference play with an 89-84 win over BGSU at the JAR (1/3/17). BGSU picked up the win in the closing seconds at the Stroh Center, 66-65, snapping the Zips' 17-game winning streak against the Falcons. It was Akron's first loss to BGSU since March 1, 2009, a 50-46 loss at Rhodes Arena. Akron has won eight consecutive games at the JAR and 13-of-14 at the Stroh Center.

In addition, Akron posted three wins in the 2015-16 season, including an 80-66 win during the semifinal round of the MAC Tournament. The Zips have met the Falcons four times in the MAC Tournament with the series being tied at two games apiece. In addition, the 2017 MAC opener was the third time in series history that Akron and Bowling Green have met to open the MAC schedule. Akron holds a 3-0 advantage in conference openers, posting a 53-51 win in 1992-93, 71-45 victory during the 2009-10 season, and an 89-84 win in 2016-17 – all at Rhodes Arena.

Defending the JAR
Akron is 11-2 at James A. Rhodes Arena and had a 12-game home court winning streak snapped by Toledo and fell to Buffalo the next time out. The Zips only allow opponents to score 62.5 points per game at home on 38.1 percent shooting from the field (296-of-777) and 29.1 percent from deep (74-of-254). Akron averages +14.3 scoring margin and has allowed 812 total points in 13 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.

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 142 spots in the tempo ratings, ranking 112th (69.5). The new pace of play directly effects the offensive efficiency rating as the Zips climbed 219 spots for a No. 40 (110.4) ranking in the NCAA. On the defensive side of the ball, Akron stands at 128th (100.1).

The Polls - Zips Rank 16th in Mid-Major Top 25 Poll
For the first time since the 2016-17 season, Akron basketball returned to the The CollegeInsider.com Mid-Major Top 25 Poll at No. 19. The Zips received 194 votes to climb eight spots on the Jan. 6 rankings. The Zips were previously ranked 27th overall with 43 points. Akron jumped five spots to No. 14 with 359 points (1/13/2020). Akron split week three MAC games and dropped to No. 16 with 336 points (1/20/2020). Akron climbs to 12th after two road wins (1/27/20). Zips falls to 16^th after two losses (2/3/20). In 2016-17, the Zips climbed as high as No. 7 in the mid-major poll, receiving 577 votes by Jan. 30.

In addition, Akron received one vote for the AP Poll on Monday, Jan. 27 and Jan. 13. The Zips debuted at No. 63 in the first NCAA NET Rankings and now stands 88th. Akron's highest ranking of the season (34).

In the Ken Pom rankings, Akron is currently 74th overall and has the fourth-best defensive efficiency rating in the MAC after 10 league games (98.8) and stands 128th in the NCAA (100.1). Akron is at the top of the MAC in offensive efficiency according to Ken Pom (111.6) and 40th in the NCAA (110.4).

Strong Defensive Stance and Sacrifice
The Akron Zips have limited opponents to scoring 60 points or less in 12 games, including six games of 50 points or under. The Zips allow only 65.7 points per game, ranking No. 81 in the NCAA for scoring defense and 4th MAC. Akron limits opponents to 40.2 shooting from the floor (54th NCAA, 2nd MAC) and 30.8 from long distance (71st NCAA, 2nd MAC). Akron has caused 321 turnovers (14.0 t/g) with 111 steals (4.9 stl/g). In addition, players are sacrificing their bodies by taking charges as Banks leads with 22 followed by Cheese (18) and Jackson (16).

Creating Space
The Akron Zips are 8-3 in the last 11 games, including six MAC wins by double figures. During that stretch, the Zips have outscored the opponents by a +8.5 margin (+93, 843-750). In the 10 league games, Akron holds a +8.7 margin (+87, 758-671). The Zips defeated UMass (+6, 85-79), EMU (+24, 69-45), WMU (+15, 84-69), BSU (+15, 75-60) and NIU (+23, 72-49. Akron earned wins over Miami (+21, 81-60), Ohio (+2, 88-86) and Eastern Michigan (+1, 59-58). The Zips fell to Toledo (-10, 99-89), Buffalo (-3, 77-74) and Kent State (-1, 68-67). The Zips own a +10.4 scoring margin in all games (+239, 1,749-1,510).

Long Distance Attacks
Akron is shooting 38.2 percent as a team from beyond the 3-point arc (224-of-587), ranking 16th NCAA and 1st MAC. The 224 made 3-pointers ranks 29th NCAA and 2nd MAC while attempts (587) rank 68th NCAA and 5th MAC. Akron averages 9.7 triples per game, standing 19th NCAA and 1st MAC. The long distances attacks are spearheaded by Loren Cristian Jackson with 67 while Xeyrius Williams and Channel Banks follow with 58 and 57, respectively. Jackson ranks 35th in the NCAA, while Williams and Banks rank 95th and 101st, respectively. Cheese has 36 made 3-pointers.

2020 Vision
Four different players have scored at least 20 points 19 times this season. Loren Cristian Jackson leads with eight 20-plus point performances, registering a career-high 35 points in addition to a 33-, a pair of 28-, a pair of 26- and a pair of 20-point efforts. Tyler Cheese owns seven of those performances, scoring 20 points three times coupled with 23- 21 (twice) - and 25-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 six 19-point efforts by Williams (NC Central, Miami), Cheese (YSU, Toledo) and Jackson (YSU, Kent State).

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 (14.3) and Channel Banks (10.8). Over the first 23 games, the Akron Zips have seen at least three players score in double digits in 22 games. Akron had five double-figure scorers against Malone (Williams 17, Banks 15, Cheese 15, Reece 13 and Jackson 12) ... four against Buffalo (Jackson 28, Williams 16, Cheese 12 and Banks 11), 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), Ohio (Jackson 35, Chees 16, Banks 12 and Williams 12) and Kent State (Jackson 19, Cheese 15, Williams 15 and Banks 10).

The Broadcasts
The Zips game will be broadcasted 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 will be on the road four of the next five games, starting with a trip to Mount Pleasant, Michigan to battle Central Michigan on ESPNU. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 14. ESPNU will televise the game which also 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.