Akron Hosts Rematch with Eastern Michigan

Saturday, February 8

Akron, Ohio

2 PM

University of Akron

Eastern Michigan

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February 07 | Men's Basketball

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Akron Zips (16-6, 6-3 MAC) vs Eastern Michigan (12-10, 2-7 MAC)
Saturday, Feb. 8 • James A. Rhodes Arena • Akron, Ohio • 2 PM • ESPN3

Eastern Michigan Head Coach
Rob Murphy (Central State '96)
Overall Record: 156-137 (9th Season)
Record at EMU: 156-137 (9th Season)
MAC Record: 71-76 (9th Season)

AKRON ZIPS Head Coach
John Groce (Taylor '94)
Career Record: 227-171 (12th Season)
Record at Akron: 47-40 (3rd Season)
MAC Record at Akron: 20-25 (3rd Season)
Overall MAC Record: 54-55 (at Ohio and Akron)

All-Time Series
Akron Leads: 30-21 - Groce vs. EMU 2-2 (4-4 Overall)
Last Meeting: Akron 69, Eastern Michigan 45 at EMU Convocation Center on Jan. 4, 2020
First Meeting: Akron 62, Eastern Michigan 55 in Akron on Feb. 3, 1968
In Akron:16-9, Neutral: 3-1, In Ypsilanti: 11-11

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 look to bounce back from two last possession losses and a mid-week bye on Saturday, Feb. 8 at 2 p.m. as Akron hosts the rematch against Eastern Michigan. The contest will be broadcasted on ESPN3 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 fell to Buffalo, 77-74, and rival Kent State, 68-67, as both game came down to the final possession. The Zips are 16-6 overall record with a 6-3 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 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). The Zips are 2-3 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 Eagles
Eastern Michigan enters the rematch coming off two huge wins over Toledo (61-57) and Buffalo (66-62). The Eagles are 2-7 league play with a 12-10 overall record. Eastern Michigan is 8-3 at home, 2-7 on the road and 2-0 in neutral site games this season.

EMU averages 64.9 points per game on 41.8 percent shooting from the floor and 28.6 percent effort from beyond the 3-point arc, draining 5.8 triples a game. In addition, the Eagles shoot 63.2 percent from the free throw line with 14.3 per game.

EMU has four players scoring in double figures led by Ty Groce with 11.3 points on 39.4 percent shooting from the floor (80-of-203). He buried 23 long-distance buckets, fourth-best on the team, and leads the squad in steals (44) while adding a second-best 38 assists and 116 rebounds (5.3 rebs/g) to the stat sheet. Groce is also second in blocked shots (18).

Yeikson Montero and Noah Morgan follow with 10.3 points per game. Montero has made 78 field goals with 24 of them coming from long distance. He is tied for the lead in steals (44) and dished out 28 assists. Morgan is shooting 40.1 percent from the floor, including a a 25-of-77 effort from downtown (.325). He is third in assists (36) and steals (37).

Boubacar Toure rounds out the double-figure scoring with 10.0 points per game. He controls the paint, ranking first in shooting percentage (.660, 93-of-141), rebounds (9.0, 199) and blocked shots (33).

In addition, Thomas Binelli and Chris James are deep threats. Binelli leads the squad from behind the arc on 30-of-101 shooting for a 29.7 percentage while James connected with 14-of-35 for a 40.0 percent showing. Darion Spottsville is the team's assist leader (43).

Defensively, EMU limits its opponents to 63.0 points per game on 40.8 percent shooting from the floor and 34.8 percent from 3-point range, allowing 8.8 long distance strikes per night. The Eagles caused 390 turnovers (17.7 to/g) with a league-best 241 steals (11.0 stl/g). Eastern Michigan is slightly outrebounded by the opponent by a -1.2 margin as the opponent grabbed 796 total boards (36.2 rebs/g) compared to the 770 total rebounds (35.0 rebs/g) secured.

The Akron-Eastern Michigan Series
Saturday's game marks the 52nd meeting in series history between Akron and Eastern Michigan, and ninth meeting for a Groce coached squad, fifth at Akron. Akron holds a 30-21 all-time series advantage while Groce is 4-4 overall against the Eagles, 2-2 at Akron.

The Zips have won 20 of the last 25 meetings, including 7-of-9 games and this season's MAC opener. Akron defeated EMU 69-45 on Jan. 4 at the EMU Convocation Center. The Zips snapped EMU's two-game winning streak with a 51-49 win at the JAR last season. In 2017-18, Eastern Michigan snapped Akron's five game winning streak in the series with a 63-49 win at the Convocation Center. In addition, the Eagles came from behind to advance to the semifinals of the MAC Tournament with a 67-58 win. EMU overcame a 19-point deficit in the second half, 47-28 Zips with 12:30 remaining in the game.

The Zips won both regular-season meetings in 2016-17, 70-63 on Jan. 20, at Rhodes Arena and 87-76 on Feb. 10, at the EMU Convocation Center. The Zips and the Eagles played a third time during the 2016-17 season.

Akron met Eastern Michigan in the quarterfinal of the MAC Tournament for the second-straight season. The No. 1 ranked Zips defeated the No. 8 ranked Eagles, 79-62, at Quicken Loans Arena on March 9, 2017. Akron is 5-1 in the MAC Tournament against the Eagles.

Defending the JAR
Akron is 10-2 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 62.8 points per game at home on 37.5 percent shooting from the field (277-of-739) and 29.6 percent from deep (72-of-243). Akron has allowed 754 total points in 12 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 149 spots in the tempo ratings, ranking 105th (69.6). The new pace of play directly effects the offensive efficiency rating as the Zips climbed 226 spots for a No. 33 (111.0) ranking in the NCAA. On the defensive side of the ball, Akron stands at 124th (99.7). Looks like Akron is finding the perfect balance for sustained success.

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 84th. Akron's highest ranking of the season (34).

In the Ken Pom rankings, Akron is currently 65th overall and has the fourth-best defensive efficiency rating in the MAC after nine league games (99.8) and stands 124th in the NCAA (99.7). Akron is at the top of the MAC in offensive efficiency according to Ken Pom (113.8) and 33rd in the NCAA (111.0).

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 66.0 points per game, ranking No. 92 in the NCAA for scoring defense and 4th MAC. Akron limits opponents to 39.9 shooting from the floor (51st NCAA, 2nd MAC) and 31.1 from long distance (85th NCAA, 3rd MAC). Akron has caused 307 turnovers (14.0 t/g) with 109 steals (5.0 stl/g). In addition, players are sacrificing their bodies by taking charges as Banks leads with 21 followed by Cheese (17) and Jackson (15).

Creating Space
The Akron Zips are 7-3 in the last 10 games, including six MAC wins by double figures. During that stretch, the Zips have outscored the opponents by a +9.2 margin (+92, 784-692). In the nine league games, Akron holds a +9.6 margin (+86, 699-613). The Zips defeated UMass (+6, 85-79), EMU (+24, 69-45), WMU (+15, 84-69), BSU (+15, 75-60) and NIU (+23, 72-49), fell to Toledo (-10, 99-89). Akron bounced back with a wins over Miami (+21, 81-60) and Ohio (+2, 88-86) and fell to Buffalo (-3, 77-74) and Kent State (-1, 68-67). The Zips own a +10.8 scoring margin in all games (+238, 1,690-1,452).

Long Distance Attacks
Akron is shooting 39.1 percent as a team from beyond the 3-point arc (218-of-558), ranking 10th NCAA and 1st MAC. The 218 made 3-pointers ranks 19th NCAA and 1st MAC while attempts (558) rank 66th NCAA and 5th MAC. Akron averages 9.9 triples per game, standing 13th NCAA and 1st MAC. The long distances attacks are spearheaded by Loren Cristian Jackson with 66 while Channel Banks and Xeyrius Williams follow with 57 and 56, respectively. Jackson ranks 30th in the NCAA, while Banks and Williams rank 83rd and 90th, respectively. Cheese has 33 made 3-pointers.

2020 Vision
Four different players have scored at least 20 points 18 times this season. Loren Cristian Jackson follows 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 six of those performances, scoring 20 points three times coupled with 23- 21- 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 19.0 points per game followed by Tyler Cheese (15.7), Xeyrius Williams (14.5) and Channel Banks (11.2). Over the first 22 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 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 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
Akron will be back at the JAR against MAC-leader Bowling Green on Tuesday, Feb. 11 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.