Akron Returns Home for Second Meeting with Miami

Saturday, February 22

Akron, Ohio

4 pm

University of Akron

Miami

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Akron Returns Home for Second Meeting with Miami

February 21 | Men's Basketball

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Akron Zips (20-6, 10-3 MAC) vs Miami RedHawks (10-15, 3-9 MAC)
Saturday, Feb. 22 • James A. Rhodes Arena • Akron, Ohio • 4 PM • ESPN3

Miami Head Coach
Jack Owens (Eastern Illinois '99)
Overall: 41-50 (3rd season)
Record at Miami: 41-50 (3rd season)
MAC Record: 18-30 (3rd season)

AKRON ZIPS Head Coach
John Groce (Taylor '94)
Career Record: 231-171 (12th Season)
Record at Akron: 51-40 (3rd Season)
MAC Record at Akron: 24-25 (3rd Season)
Overall MAC Record: 58-55 (at Ohio and Akron)

All-Time Series
Series Tied: 32-32 - Groce vs. Miami 3-3 (9-6 Overall)
Last Meeting: Akron 81, RedHawks 60 at Millett Hall on Jan. 21, 2020
First Meeting: Miami 45, Akron 14 in Oxford on Feb. 20, 1915
In Akron:19-9, Neutral: 2-1, In Oxford: 11-22

Broadcast
TV/Video: ESPN3 – 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 back at James A. Rhodes Arena for the second installment of the MAC Eastern Division series against Miami on Saturday at 4 p.m. The Zips claimed the first game of the series earlier in the season and recently secured their 20th victory of the year. Akron is riding a four-game winning streak. 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 20-6 overall record with a 10-3 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 7-1 against the West, defeating Eastern Michigan twice in the MAC season opener on the road (69-45) and at home (59-58), Western Michigan twice (84-69, H) and (71-67, A), Ball State (75-60, H), Northern Illinois (72-49, A) but fell to Toledo (99-89, H). The Zips are 3-2 in divisional play, defeating Miami (81-60), Ohio (88-86) and Bowling Green (74-59) on the road and falling to Buffalo at home and Kent State on the road.

Scouting the RedHawks
Miami enters the contest with a 10-15 overall record and 3-9 in MAC play. The RedHawks snapped a four-game losing streak by defeating Northern Illinois the last time out, 65-60. Miami is 8-5 (3-3 MAC) at home, 1-8 (0-6 MAC) on the road and 1-2 in neutral site games. The RedHawks have been outscored 985-946 in the second half this season.

Miami has two players averaging double figures in points led by Nike Sibande with 13.3 points per game. Sibande is shooting 43.3 percent from the floor with 109 made field goals on 252 attempts. From long distance, he has buried 24 triples while shooting at a 32.4 percent clip. Sabande adds a second best 5.4 rebounds per game (130 rebs) with 47 assists and a team-best 20 steals. Dalonte Brown follows with 11.0 points per game and averages a team-high 5.7 rebounds per game (137 rebs) with 12 blocked shots. Brown has made 25 long-distance buckets while shooting 41.3 percent from the floor and 29.4 percent from deep.

The RedHawks have six additional players with 20-plus made 3-pointers as Dae Dae Grant (32), Mekhi Lairy (27), Isaiah Coleman-Lands (43) and Bam Bowman (17) contribute 9.6-6.5 points per outing. Grant and Lairy register 9.6 and 8.0 while Colman-Lands and Bowman chip-in 7.4 and 6.5 points per game. Grant dished out 53 assists with 13 steals and Lairy owns team-highs in both categories, 70 assists and 20 steals. Bowman snags 3.9 rebounds per game and Coleman-Lands leads the squad in 3-pointers made (43). Milos Jovic and Josh Brewer connect with 20 and 11 from downtown and score around 4.0 points per game each.

Defensively, Miami limits its opponents to 71.7 points per game on 44.1 percent shooting from the floor and 37.7 percent from 3-point range, allowing 8.0 long distance strikes per night. The RedHawks caused 320 turnovers (12.8 to/g) with 129 steals (5.2 stl/g). Miami is outrebounded by the opponent by a -2.3 margin. The opponents snagged 942 (37.7) total boards compared to the 88.4 (35.4) total rebounds secured.

On The Road Again...
Akron is 7-3 on the road this season with an impressive 6-1 record when traveling to league foes. The Zips own a +8.2 scoring margin and have outscored the home team (+82, 773-691). Akron averages 77.3 points per game as the visitors while shooting 46.2 from the field and 41.6 percent from downtown with 10.4 made triples per game. On the glass, the Zips edge the home team, 362-359.

The Akron-Miami Series
Saturday's game marks the 65th meeting in series history between Akron and Miami, and 16th meeting for a Groce coached squad (9-6), seventh at Akron (3-3). The series is tied 32-32, but the Zips have won the last three meetings. The Zips won in Oxford earlier this season, 81-60, and posted two victories in Akron last year, 70-58 regular season and 80-51 in the first round of the MAC Tournament. Akron dropped the first meeting in Oxford last season (68-61). With the wins, Akron snapped Miami's four-game winning streak.

In 2016-17, the two teams split the season series with both squads winning on the road. Akron posted a 74-70 win in Oxford and, the RedHawks bounced back with a 79-75 victory at Rhodes Arena. The Zips' win marked the first win in Oxford since February 9, 2013.

Akron and Miami have met five times in the MAC Tournament with the series at 3-2 in Akron's favor. The Zips are 2-1 in Cleveland and 1-0 at home against the RedHawks. Akron dropped a first-round game in Oxford (69-56, 2001). Akron is 19-9 against the RedHawks in Akron, 11-22 on the road in the series, and 2-1 in neutral site competition.

Defending the JAR
Akron is 12-2 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 62.2 points per game at home on 37.9 percent shooting from the field (320-of-844) and 28.7 percent from deep (80-of-279). Akron averages +14.4 scoring margin and has allowed 871 total points in 14 games – 99 points was the most for the opposition at Rhodes Arena this season. In fact, Akron has held eight teams to 60 points or less, including five teams to 50 or less.

Akron in the MAC
The Zips have posted a 55-35 mark (.611) in the last 90 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 112-53 in the regular season against the West Division (.679), including winners of 55 of the last 72 regular-season games since divisional play began during the 1997-98 season. Akron is 64-17 (.790) 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 179-89 overall (.668), including a 109-24 mark in MAC play at home (.820). The Zips' 179 wins are the most in the league during that stretch. The Zips have won 97 of their last 142 MAC games (.683).

Creating Space
The Akron Zips are 11-3 in the last 14 games, including seven MAC wins by double figures. During that stretch, the Zips have outscored the opponents by a +8.9 margin (+125, 1,068-943). In the 13 league games, Akron holds a +9.2 margin (+119, 983-864). The Zips defeated UMass (+6), EMU (+24), WMU (+15), BSU (+15), NIU (+23), Miami (+21), Ohio (+2), EMU (+1), BGSU (+15), CMU (+13) and WMU (+4). The Zips fell to Toledo (-10), Buffalo (-3) and Kent State (-1). The Zips own a +10.4 scoring margin in all games (+271, 1,974-1,703).

The Polls - Zips Rank 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. Akron is currently No. 14 (2/17/20). The Zips entered the poll at No. 19 with 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 its best ranking of the season at No. 12 after a pair of road wins (1/27/20). Zips fell to 16th after two losses (2/3/20), but moved up to 15th with a lone win during bye week (2/10/20). Zips moved up to No. 14 after two wins (2/17/20). 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 72nd. Akron's highest ranking of the season was No. 34. In the Ken Pom rankings, Akron is currently 68th overall and is at the top of the MAC in offensive efficiency according to Ken Pom (110.2) and 50th in the NCAA (109.2). Akron has the third-best defensive efficiency rating in the MAC (96.8) and stands 105th in the NCAA (98.3).

The 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 145 spots in the tempo ratings, ranking 109th (69.8). The new pace of play directly effects the offensive efficiency rating as the Zips climbed 209 spots for a No. 50 (109.2) ranking in the NCAA. On the defensive side of the ball, Akron stands at 105th (98.3).

Long Distance Attacks
Akron is shooting 37.7 percent as a team from beyond the 3-point arc (247-of-655), ranking 18th NCAA and 1st MAC. The 247 made 3-pointers ranks 22nd NCAA and 1st MAC while attempts (655) ranks 59th NCAA and 4th MAC. Akron averages 9.5 triples per game, standing 23rd NCAA and 1st MAC. The long distances attacks are spearheaded by Loren Cristian Jackson with 78 while Channel Banks and Xeyrius Williams follow with 63 and 59, respectively. Jackson ranks 21st in the NCAA, while Banks and Williams rank 99th and 131st, respectively. Cheese has 39 made 3-pointers.

2020 Vision
Four different players have scored at least 20 points 22 times this season. Loren Cristian Jackson leads with 10 20-plus point performances, registering a career-high 35 points in addition to a 33-, 31-, a trio of 28-, a pair of 26- and a pair of 20-point efforts. Tyler Cheese owns eight of those performances, scoring 20 points three times coupled with 25-, a pair of 23-, and a pair of 21-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).

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 65.5 points per game, ranking No. 73 in the NCAA for scoring defense and 4th MAC. Akron limits opponents to 40.2 shooting from the floor (53th NCAA, 3rd MAC) and 29.9 from long distance (40th NCAA, 2nd MAC). Akron has caused 362 turnovers (13.9 t/g) with 131 steals (5.0 stl/g). In addition, players are sacrificing their bodies by taking charges as Banks leads with 23 followed by Cheese (19) and Jackson (17).

Zips Scoring in Bunches
The Zips have four players averaging double figures in scoring led by Loren Cristian Jackson with 19.3 points per game followed by Tyler Cheese (16.0), Xeyrius Williams (13.7) and Channel Banks (10.5). Over 26 games, the Akron Zips have seen at least three players score in double digits in 23 times. Akron had five double-figure scorers against Malone (Williams 17, Banks 15, Cheese 15, Reece 13 and Jackson 12) ... four against Central Michigan (Jackson 31, Banks 14, Williams 11, Cheese 11), 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, Cheese 16, Banks 12 and Williams 12) and Kent State (Jackson 19, Cheese 15, Williams 15 and Banks 10).

Zips in the MAC Tournament
Akron is 30-19 all-time in the MAC Tournament, 23-8 in its last 31 tournament games. The Zips have won at least one game in the MAC Tournament every year since the 2004-05 season and has advanced to the MAC Tournament title game in nine consecutive seasons with an unprecedented 12-of-13 semifinal appearances. The Zips' runs of the consecutive title game (9) and semifinal appearances (12) are the longest streaks in MAC history. The Zips are 24-13 at Quicken Loans Arena. Akron is 7-6 in opening round games, 1-0 second round, 10-4 in the quarterfinals, 9-3 semifinals, and 3-6 in title games.

The Broadcasts
The Zips game will be broadcasted on ESPN3 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
The Zips will be on the road for the next two games, traveling to Bowling Green and Buffalo. On Tuesday, Feb. 25 the Zips battle BGSU at the Stroh Center. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m. on ESPN+ 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.