Akron Ends 2022 and Non-Conference Slate at Home against Concord

Friday, December 30

Akron, Ohio

7 PM

University of Akron

Concord

Tickets

Akron Ends 2022 and Non-Conference Slate at Home against Concord

December 29 | Men's Basketball

Akron (7-5) vs Concord (7-4)
Friday, Dec.30 • James A. Rhodes Arena
Akron, Ohio • 7 PM • ESPN3

What's Ahead
Akron wraps up 2022 with a non-conference showdown against Concord on Friday, Dec. 30 at James A. Rhodes Arena is scheduled for 7 p.m. Fans can follow the action on ESPN3 with Michael Reghi and Jeff Phelps on the call or listen to Akron Sports Radio Network on WHLO 640 AM with Dave Skoczen (PxP) and Joe Dunn (analyst). Live stats are also available on GoZips.com.

Game Coverage
TV: ESPN+: https://bit.ly/3C4TEID
Live Stats: https://bit.ly/3gDBthm
Live Radio: WHLO 640AM - https://ihr.fm/3fFmzLo

Head Coaches
Concord Head Coach
Todd May (Ohio '01)
Overall Record: 90-85 (7th Season)
Record at Concord: 90-85 (7th Season)

Akron Head Coach
John Groce (Taylor '94)
Career Record: 283-196 (15th Season)
Record at Akron: 101-64 (6th Season)
Overall MAC Record: 88-68 (at Ohio and Akron)

All-Time Series
Zips lead: 2-0 • Groce vs Concord: 2-0 at Akron (2-0 Overall)
Last Meeting: Akron 100, Concord 50 Dec. 15, 2019 at James A. Rhodes Arena-Akron, Ohio
First Meeting: Akron 86, Concord 49 Dec. 29, 2017 at James A. Rhodes Arena-Akron, Ohio

The Akron-Concord Series
Friday's game marks the third meeting in series history between the Zips and the Mountain Lions and third time under head coach John Groce. In 2017-18, Akron hosted Concord and defeated the Mountain Lions 86-49 at home. The two teams met again two years later (2019-20) as the Zips triumphed 100-50.

Scouting The Mountain Lions
Concord enters the game with an 7-4 overall record. The Mountain Lions average 79.6 points per outing on 43.7 percent shooting from the floor and a 33.3 percent effort from beyond the 3-point arc, draining 6.1 triples a game.

The Mountain Lions enter the contest winning five of the last six games, including a five-game winning streak before falling to Kent State(106-56) on Dec. 18. Concord has two players scoring in double figures and three players averaging at least nine points per game. Lual Rahama leads the squad with 15.6 points and a team-high 8.5 rebounds per game. He shoots 47.6 percent from the field with a second-best 11 made triples. He secured a team-best 94 rebounds and registered a team-best 13 steals. JJ Harper follows with 12.6 points per game off the bench with a 44.0 shooting percentage from deep. He knocked down 11 trifectas and paces the squad in blocked shots (15). Jordan Wooded chips in 9.9 points per game while Jevon Laidler and Ethan Heller each add 9.0 points per game. Heller leads the teaap from long-distance, owning a team-high 16 long-range buckets for a 33.3 percentage.

Defensively, Concord has allowed its opponents to score 80.3 points per game on 41.7 percent shooting from the floor and 34.6 percent from 3-point range, allowing 7.5 long distance strikes per night. The Mountain Lions have caused 133 turnovers (12.1 to/g) with 61 steals (5.5 stl/g). The Mountain Lions outrebound the opponent by a +3.6 margin, allowing the opponent to grab 427 total boards (38.8 rebs/g) compared to the 467 total rebounds secured by Concord 42.5 rebs/g).

Home Sweet Home
The Zips own a 447-135 (.767) all-time record at Rhodes Arena. In the last 16 seasons, Akron has posted a 243-38 (.864) record at the JAR. Under coach Groce Akron is 68-13 (.825) at home. The Zips are 6-0 at home in 2022-23. 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 in 2019-20 en route to the regular season MAC Championship. During COVID shortened season, Akron posted a 9-1 mark at the JAR (2020-21) and last season the Zips posted a 12-3 record. 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.