Cayman Islands Classic: Akron Battles Nevada in Final Game

2022 Cayman Islands Classic
Akron Zips (3-2) vs Nevada (5-1)
Wednesday, Nov. 23 • John Gray Gymnasium
Grand Cayman Island • 5 PM (ET) • FloSports TV

TV: FloSports https://flosports.link/3L1U9GA
Live Stats: http://bit.ly/3OlbzQ0
Live Radio: WHLO 640AM - https://ihr.fm/3fFmzLo

Head Coaches:
Nevada Head Coach
Steve Alford (Indiana '87)
Overall: 640-339 (32nd season)
Record at Nevada: 53-41 (4th season)

Akron Zips
John Groce (Taylor '94)
Career Record: 279-193 (15th Season)
Record at Akron: 97-61 (6th Season)
Overall MAC Record: 88-68 (at Ohio and Akron)

What's Ahead
Akron will battle Nevada for third place at the Cayman Island Classic on Wednesday, Nov. 23 at 5 p.m. eastern standard time. Fans can follow the games live on FloSports TV (subscription) with Scott Warmann (PxP) and Jess Settles (analyst) calling the action. The Zips' radio broadcast will air on the Akron Sports Network WHLO 640 AM with hosts Dave Skoczen and Joe Dunn. The pregame show starts 30 minutes prior to the contest. The free audio stream is available at iHeart Radio. Fans can also follow the action on GoZips.com via Live Stats.

All-Time Series
Wolf Pack leads: 3-0 - Groce vs Nevada: 0-1
Last Meeting: Nevada 68, Akron 62 - Dec. 22, 2018 at Lawlor Events Center (Reno, Nev.)
First Meeting: Nevada 88, Akron 61 - Feb. 17, 2006 ESPN Bracket Busters (Reno, Nev.)

Scouting Nevada
Nevada currently owns a 5-1 overall record with its only setback coming last night against Kansas State in overtime (96-87). The Wolf Pack averages 77.5 points per game on 45.9 percent shooting from the floor and 36.8 percent effort from beyond the 3-point arc, draining 8.2 triples a game. In addition, Nevada shoots 76.5 percent from the free throw line on 20.7 attempts per game.

Three players average double figures as Jarod Lucas leads the squad with 17.5 points per game and owns a team-best 17 made 3-pointers. He shoots 36.7 percent from all areas of the court, (29 of 79) and 37.8 percent from deep (17 of 45). Kenan Blackshear follows in scoring with 12.7 points per game and is tied for the lead on the glass with 6.8 rebounds per game and 41 total boards – Darrion Williams matches the 6.8 boards per game (41 rebs). He also adds a team-high 41 assists and 10 steals. Will Baker rounds out the double-digit scoring with 11.8 points per game.

Defensively, Nevada limits its opponents to scoring 62.7 points per game on 35.4 percent shooting from the floor and 26.7 percent from 3-point range, allowing only 6.5 long distance strikes per night. The Wolf Pack caused 76 turnovers (12.7 to/g) with 32 steals (5.3 stl/g) and eight blocked shots (1.3 blk/g). Nevada outrebounds the opponent by a +2.0 margin as the opponent grabbed 212 total boards (35.3 rebs/g) compared to the 224 total rebounds (37.3 rebs/g) secured.

Return to the Cayman Islands Classic
Akron won the opening round game in 2022, defeating Western Kentucky 72-53 but fell in the semifinals to LSU 73-58.In 2018, Akron went 1-2 in its inaugural Cayman Islands Classic appearance at John Gray Gymnasium. The Zips opened against No. 16 ranked Clemson, falling 72-69. Akron and Illinois State battled in the second game as the Redbirds posted a 73-68 win. The Zips played St. Bonaventure in their final game and rallied to a 61-49 win. Loren Cristian Jackson earned All-Tournament team honors. In three games, Jackson averaged 16.3 points, 4.3 Assists and 2.3 rebounds. Jackson opened the tournament with a 25-point performance against No. 16 ranked Clemson.

Regular Season Tournaments
Akron is 68-45 all-time and 47-38 in the Division I era (since 1980) in regular season tournaments and 9-7 over the last four years under Groce (8-10 at Akron). Akron posted a 1-2 record in the 2021 Gulf Coast Showcase, 3-1 record in the Global Sports Shootout and 1-1 mark in the DC Holiday Hoops Fest, In 2018-19, the Zips went 2-2 at the Cayman Island Classic, and in Groce's first season, Akron posted an 0-3 mark at the 2018 Diamond Head Classic. Akron has posted multiple wins in 13 of the last 16 in-season tournaments, including three championships. The Zips won two tournaments in 2016-17, the Savannah Invitational (4-0) and Don Haskins Sun Bowl Invitational (2-0). In 2015-16, Akron went 2-0 at the Las Vegas Holiday Hoops Classic to claim the title. In 2014-15, Akron posted a 2-1 record in the Gildan Charleston Classic following the previous tournament runs at the Puerto Rico Tip-Off (2012, 2-1), 2K Sports Classic (2011, 2-2), the Las Vegas Holiday Hoops Classic (2010, 3-1), the Glenn Wilkes Classic (2009, 2-2), the Legends Classic (2008, 2-2), the Top of the World Classic (2007, 2-1) and the San Juan Shootout (2005, 2-1).

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Cayman Islands Classic: Akron Battles Nevada in Final Game

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