Akron Hosts Game Two Against Bowling Green on CBS Sports Network

GAME PREVIEW: Akron Hosts Game Two Against Bowling Green on CBS Sports Network, Friday, Feb. 26 at 7 PM | James A. Rhodes Arena | CBSSN

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Akron Hosts Game Two Against Bowling Green on CBS Sports Network

Akron Zips (14-5, 12-4 MAC) vs Bowling Green (13-9, 9-7 MAC)
Friday, Feb. 26 • James A. Rhodes Arena • Akron, Ohio • 7 p.m. • CBS Sports Network

AKRON HEAD COACH
John Groce (Taylor '94)
Career Record: 249-177 (13th Season)
Record at Akron: 69-47 (4th Season)
MAC Record at Akron: 40-30 (4th Season)
Overall MAC Record: 74-60 (at Ohio and Akron)

BOWLING GREEN HEAD COACH
Michael Huger (BGSU, 1994)
Overall Record: 102-84 (6th Season)
Record at BGSU: 102-84 (6th Season)
MAC Record: 52-54 (6th Season)

ALL-TIME SERIES
Akron Leads: 41-27 - Groce vs. Bowling Green: 5-2 (8-8 Overall)
Last Meeting: Akron 69, BGSU 57at Stroh Center Jan. 19, 2021
First Meeting: Akron 52, BGSU 29 in Akron 1937-38 season

BROADCASTS
TV/Video: CBSSN: Alex del Barrio (PxP) and Tim Doyle (Analyst)
Radio: Akron Sports Network - Dave Skoczen (PxP), Joe Dunn (Analyst)
WHLO 640 AM (flagship), iHeart Radio, TuneIn.com/Akron Zips
Live Stats: GoZips.com/Schedule - Live Stats

WHAT'S AHEAD
The Akron Zips are 9-0 at James A. Rhodes Arena this season and riding a 14-game home winning streak as the Zips host Bowling Green for a nationally televised game on CBS Sports Network on Friday, Feb. 26 at 7 p.m. Akron has won 10 of the last 12 games.

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-BOWLING GREEN SERIES
Friday's game marks the 69th meeting in series history between Akron and Bowling Green, and 17th meeting for a Groce coached squad. Akron holds an all-time 41-27 series advantage while Groce is 8-8 against BGSU and 5-2 at Akron. The Zips have won 30 of the last 34 games, including a 69-57 win at the Stroh Center earlier this year. The two teams split last season's series with a 78-60 setback at the Stroh Center and a 74-59 win at the JAR. Both teams protected home court and split the 2018-19 series . 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 2017-18 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 nine 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.

SCOUTING THE FALCONS
The Bowling Green enters the game with a 13-9 overall record and 9-7 league mark. The Falcons are 4-5 at home and 9-3 on the road this season. BGSU averages 78.8 points per game on 42.6 percent shooting from the floor and 33.5 percent effort from beyond the 3-point arc, draining 8.5 triples a game. In addition, Bowling Green shoots 74.1 percent from the free throw line with 14.4 per game.

BGSU has four players scoring in double figures led by the MAC second leading scorer Justin Turner with 20.1 points on 41.3 percent shooting from the floor with a team-best 148 made field goals. He buried 30 long-distance buckets and adds 4.2 rebounds per game. Turner leads the team in assists (103) and has a team-high 35 steals and six blocked shots.

Daeqwon Plowden follows with 13.2 points per game and connected with 108 made field goals at a 45.0 percent clip, including a 37.2 effort from downtown (29-of-78). He is the team's top rebounder, pulling down 7.8 boards per night and has 171 total rebounds. Plowden is the leader in blocked shots (19) and is fourth in steals (21).

Trey Diggs leads the squad from behind the 3-point arc with 48 made triples on 123 attempts for a 39.0 shooting percentage from deep. He shoots 42.9 percent from all areas of the court with 81 made field goals,

Kaden Metheny rounds out the double-digit scorers with 10.3 points per game with 79 made field goals and more than half coming from deep (42). He adds 41 assists and 22 steals.

Defensively, BGSU limits its opponents to 75.3 points per game on 45.2 percent shooting from the floor and 34.2 percent from 3-point range, allowing 8.1 long distance strikes per night. The Falcons caused 314 turnovers (14.3 to/g) with 161 steals (7.3 stl/g). Bowling Green is slightly outrebounded by the opponent by a -1.0 margin as the opponent grabbed 854 total boards (38.8 rebs/g) compared to the 831 total rebounds (37.8 rebs/g) secured.

HOME SWEET HOME
Akron is riding an 14-game homecourt winning streak, including a 9-0 start to the season. The Zips own a 429-130 (.766) all-time record at Rhodes Arena. In the last 16 seasons, Akron has posted a 223-34 (.866) record at the JAR. Under coach Groce Akron is 50-9 (.839) at home. Akron went 12-4 at Rhodes Arena in Groce's first year as head coach and followed with a 14-3 effort. The Zips went 15-2 at home last year en route to the regular season MAC Championship. Groce 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 POLLS - ZIPS RANK IN MID-MAJOR TOP 25 POLL
Akron basketball returned to the The CollegeInsider.com Mid-Major Top 25 Poll on Feb. 1, 2021 the Zips entered the poll at No. 18. after wining six-straight games all against league opponents, and now the Zips rank No. 12. Last season, the Zips finished with their best ranking at No. 12 (2/24/20) and Akron received one vote for the AP Poll on Jan. 27 and Jan. 13 of 2020.

The Zips rank No. 93 in the NCAA NET Rankings. In the Ken Pom rankings, Akron is currently 97th overall and owns the second-best defensive efficiency rating in the MAC (101.5) and stands 143rd in the NCAA (101.1). The Zips rank fourth in the MAC in offensive efficiency according to Ken Pom (110.5) and 73rd in the NCAA (109.4).

AKRON IN THE MAC
Akron opened 2020-21 MAC play with a 90-70 win over Ohio and followed with a 66-62 win over rival Kent State, before falling to Eastern Michigan, 71-59, and Northern Illinois, 67-65. Akron bounced with a six-game winning streak, knocking off the top-ranked Toledo Rockets in overtime, 95-94, the top-ranked Bowling Green Falcons for the first road win, 69-57, the Central Michigan Chippewas, 81-67, the Western Michigan Broncos, 79-68, the rematch against Eastern Michigan, 86-65 and Ball State, 74-42. The Rockets ended the Zips consecutive game win streak, 91-76, but the Zips bounced back with a rivalry sweep of the Kent State Golden Flashes, 72-61,a win over Miami, 83-76 - both on the road. The Zips avenged a loss to NIU with an 81-76 victory and defeated Ball State, 88-79, on the road to extend a new winning streak to four games, Ohio snapped that streak on Tuesday, 90-73.

The Zips are 12-4 in the MAC under the new conference format without divisions (new in 2020-21). Akron is 74-19 (.795) 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 195-93 overall (.669), including a 120-25 mark in MAC play at home (.822). The Zips' 195 wins are the most in the league during that stretch. The Zips have won 112 of their last 161 MAC games (.685). Previously, the Zips posted a 59-36 mark (.617) in the last 95 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.

THE LAST MEETING
The Akron Zips collected their first road win of the season and knocked-off their second consecutive top-ranked Mid-American Conference opponent as junior Bryan Trimble, Jr. led the Zips to a 69-57 win over Bowling Green. The Zips handed the Falcons their second league setback as Trimble, Jr. drained 3-pointer after 3-pointer at crucial moments, finishing with 18 points. He went 7-of-13 from the field and 4-of-8 from deep and four rebounds.

Senior Loren Cristian Jackson added 16 points, six assists and six rebounds, while sophomores Enrique Freeman (Cleveland, Ohio) and Ali Ali (Kendallville, Ohio) each had 10 points. Freeman registered a double-double by adding 14 rebounds.

In the first half, Akron jumped out to a 11-3 start with Trimble collecting the Zips first five points. The Falcons answered with a 16-5 run to take a brief 3-point advantage, 19-16 at the 6:52 mark. The two teams battled back and forth from that point until the Zips closed out the first half with a pair of triples from junior Michael Wynn (Albany, N.Y.) for a 28-21 halftime advantage. Akron largest lead of the initial stanza was nine points 14-5 and the Zips held the lead for 17:07 in a half that featured two lead changes and two tied scores.

Both defenses blocked a pair of shots as Akron caused eight BGSU turnovers with three steals with sophomores Greg Tribble (Cincinnati, Ohio) collecting two steals and Jermaine Marshall (Birmingham, Ala.) having one. Freeman and senior Camron Reece (Oakland, Calif.) registered the blocked shots. The Falcons turned the Zips over 10 times with five steals.

In the second half, the Akron extended its lead to the largest of the game 36-23, but the Falcons followed with a 9-0 run, cutting the Zips lead to just four points, 36-32. Trimble ended BGSU's scoring outburst with a mid-range jumper and Reece issued a strong move in the post to lift the Zips to a five-point cushion, 40-35. However, the Falcons scored the next seven straight points to help regain control of the scoreboard as Justin Turner capped a 10-3 run with a pair of free throws, 45-43 at the 9:44 mark.

The lead didn't last long as Trimble tied game with another mid-range jumper and reclaimed the lead with a trifecta from the left wing. He followed with a second triple to lift Akron to what proved to be the final lead of the game, 51-45.

The Zips increased lead to as many as 13 points, 63-50, fueled by six points from Jackson and four points from Freeman, including an aerial feed from Tribble to Freeman. Reece put an exclamation point on the victory as Jackson hit him with a full court pass and finished with an uncontested dunk for the 69-57 road win.

The Zips controlled the glass, out rebounding the Falcons 49-38, while finishing the contest with seven blocked shots and five steals. Daeqwon Plowden and Kaden Metheny led the Falcons with 14 points apiece, while Turner notched 13 in defeat.

WALK-ON TO A STARTING ROLE - ENRIQUE FREEMAN
Starting forward sophomore Enrique Freeman (Cleveland, Ohio) is a walk-on player that joined the Zips for the 2019-20 season. He is on a full academic scholarship and spent the 2018-19 year completely focused on his academics. During his second year on campus he walked into the gym for walk-on tryouts. Groce and staff added him to the team, and Freeman quickly adjusted to the role of student-athlete. He appeared in seven games last season, scoring five total points with a 1-of-1 showing from the floor and 3-of-4 effort from the free throw line. He grabbed four rebounds and had one block. In the offseason, Freeman put on 20 pounds with workouts and eating habits.

This season he has appeared in all 19 games with 16 starting appearances. Against Malone, he had a career showing with 22 points and 21 rebounds. That effort stands as the most rebounds by an Akron player since 1985.

Currently, he is third in scoring for the Zips with 7.8 points per game (149 pts) and leads the squad on the glass with 8.8 rebounds per game (167 rebs). He has three double-doubles and is leading the MAC in field goal percentage (.750, 63-of-84), defensive rebounds (6.6 - 120), rebounding (8.8 - 167) and blocked shots (1.7 - 33) and 6th in offensive rebounds (2.5 - 47). In addition, he ranks No. 34 in the NCAA in defensive rebounds, No. 41 in rebounds per game, No. 61 in total rebounds and 68th in blocked shots.

LCJ - ACTION JACKSON
Jackson leads the MAC in scoring with 20.9 points per game and is second in the MAC assists with 6.6 per game. Jackson has scored 398 total points on 42.3 percent (126-of-298) shooting from the field and 32.8 percent (43-of-131) from beyond the 3-point arc with five 30-plus point performances. His five 30-point games ranks second in the NCAA behind Iowa's Luka Garza's six 30-plus point efforts. Jackson notched three double-doubles in points and assists this season and ranks third in the league in free throw percentage (88.0; 103-of-117).

Jackson currently ranks 8th all-time in scoring at Akron with 1,473 points in 83 games played. For his career Jackson has scored 1,669 points and dished out 416 assists which ranks 8th among active players in the NCAA. He is the only player (NCAA) this year to average 20+ points and 6+ assists per game.

In the national rankings, Jackson ranks 9th assists per game (6.7), 14th points per game (20.9), 14th total assists (120), 17th free throws made (98), 37th free throw percentage (87.5), 45th total points (376), 58th field goals attempted (281), 127th 3-point field goals per game (2.33), 79th minutes per game (34:46), 83rd assist turnover ratio (2.14), 100th field goals made (118), 45th free throw attempts (112), 97th 3-point field goal attempts (126) and 159th 3-point field goals made (42).

HIGH MAJOR PLAYERS
The Zips have three players from high-major schools that are making an impact in 2021. Junior Bryan Trimble,Jr.(St. Johns) averages a second-best 13.2 points per game and leads the team from beyond the 3-point arc, connecting with 68 triples out of 83 field goals made. He leads the MAC and No. 4 in the NCAA with 3.6 trifectas made per game. Trimble shoots 42.2 percent from long distance, ranking 6th in the MAC and 30th in the NCAA. He is 68-of-161 from deep, ranking 14th (3FGM) and 23rd (3FGA).

Senior Maishe Daily (Iowa) adds 6.2 points per game with 21 made 3-pointers. Dailey is third in rebounds (64), grabbing 3.4 per game while dishing out 1.6 helpers for 29 total assists.

Michael Wynn (Wake Forest) has been making an impact offensively and defensively. He scored eight points and grabbed four rebounds against EMU. He knocked down a crucial 3-pointer that sparked the Zips' run to put away the eagles. He followed with a season-high 10-point performance against Ball State, shooting a perfect 4-of-4 from the field and 2-of-2 from deep and the charity stripe.

JACKSON NAMED TO LUTE OLSON AND LOU HENSON PLAYER OF THE YEAR WATCH LIST
Senior Loren Cristian Jackson (Chicago, Ill.) was named to a pair of mid-season watch lists, appearing on the Lute Olson National Player of the Year Award and Lou Henson National Player of the Year Award lists, CollegeInsider.com. On Jan. 4, Jackson garnered the Lute Olson National Player of the Week accolades, placing him in the conversation for the Lute Olson National Player of the Year Award. Jackson is one of 35 players mentioned for early consideration for national player of the year honors. In addition, Jackson made his second appearance on the Lou Henson National Player of the Year Award watch list in 2020-21, which is presented annually to the top mid-major player in division I college basketball. Jackson appeared on the preseason Lou Henson list after being named a finalist in the 2019-20 voting and earning Lou Henson All-America Team honors. Jackson is one of three players in the Mid-American Conference to receive recognition this season, and one of 40 players in division I basketball. Joining Jackson on the list in the MAC were Toledo's Marreon Jackson and Bowling Green's Justin Turner.

UP NEXT
The Akron Zips will be back in action on Tuesday, March 2 at Alumni Arena as the Zips travel to battle the Buffalo Bulls in a 2 p.m. game. Fans can follow the action on ESPN3/+, 640 WHLO AM or GoZips.com.

QUICK HITS

• Jackson named Lute Olson and Lou Henson National Player of the Year Mid-Season Watch List
• LCJ, Lute Olson National Player of the Week (1/4), MAC Player of Week last two weeks (12/28 & 1/4)
• Jackson has five 30-plus point performances this season, Ranking No. 2 in the NCAA
• Jackson scored double-digits 18-of-19 games and has three double-doubles
•Jackson leads the team in scoring (20.9 ppg) and assists (6.5 APG) - No. 1 in MAC (both categories)
• Jackson has buried three or more 3-point FG in seven games with a 7-of-14 best against Kent State
• The Zips are 9-0 at James A. Rhodes Arena and currently own an 14-game winning streak at the JAR
• Enrique Freeman's 21-rebound effort stands as the most by an Akron player since 1985.
• Freeman leads the league in FG % (.750) and DReb with 6.32 per game (120 DREBS)
• Bryan Trimble, Jr. posted a career-high 6-of-6 from deep against Ohio and 25 points against CMU
• Trimble has hit four or more 3-point FG in 11 games with a 7-of-14 best performance (CMU)
• Jackson, Dailey and Trimble combined for 14-of-20 from beyond the arc against Ohio 70.0 Percent

The University of Akron Athletics

Akron Hosts Game Two Against Bowling Green on CBS Sports Network

Players Mentioned

Ali Ali

Enrique Freeman

Loren Cristian Jackson

Jermaine Marshall

Camron Reece

Greg Tribble

Bryan Trimble, Jr.

Michael Wynn

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