Akron Zips and Ohio Bobcats Take Two on CBS Sports Network

Akron Zips and Ohio Bobcats Take Two on CBS Sports Network
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Game 28 Notes: Akron vs Ohio (PDF)

Akron Zips (18-9, 11-6 MAC) at Ohio Bobcats (23-5, 14-3 MAC)
Friday, Feb. 25 • Ohio Convocation Center • Athens, Ohio • 6 PM • CBS Sports Network

Akron Head Coach
John Groce (Taylor '94)
Career Record: 270-190 (14th Season)
Record at Akron: 88-58 (5th Season)
MAC Record at Akron: 51-38 (5th Season)
Overall MAC Record: 85-68 (at Ohio and Akron)

Ohio Head Coach
Jeff Boals (Ohio '95)
Overall: 112-70 (6th season)
Record at Ohio: 56-28 (3rd season)
MAC Record: 31-18 (3rd season)

All-Time Series
Akron Leads: 45-42 • Groce vs.Ohio 5-4 (5-4 Overall)
Last Meeting: Ohio 69, Akron 63 at James a, Rhodes ArenacJan. 23, 2022
First Meeting: Akron 21, Ohio 18 in Akron 1911-12 season
In Akron:27-15, Neutral: 3-1, In Athens: 15-26

Broadcast
TV/Video: CBS Sports Network – Dave Ryan (PxP) and Tim Doyle (Analyst)
Radio: Akron Sports Network-Dave Skoczen (PxP), Joe Dunn (Analyst)-WHLO 640 AM (iHeart Radio)
Live Stats: GoZips.com/Schedule - Live Stats

What's Ahead
The Akron Zips and the Ohio Bobcats second meeting on CBS Sports Network is set for Friday, Feb. 25 at 6 p.m. as the Zips are 10-6 with a two-game winning streak and the Bobcats are 13-3, winning 4-of-5 games since the two teams last met in Akron. Fans can follow the action on CBSSN with Dave Ryan calling the action and Tim Doyle providing analysis 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.

The Akron-Ohio Series
Friday's game marks the 88th meeting in series history between Akron and Ohio, and 10th meeting for a Groce coached UA squad. Groce owns a 5-4 record against his former team. The Zips are 3-2 against the Bobcats in the MAC Tournament.

Akron holds an all-time 45-42 series advantage. The Zips have won 14 of the last 22 meetings, and Akron is 27-14 against the Bobcats in Akron, winning 16 of the last 20 meetings at Rhodes Arena, despite falling 69-63 in the first meeting of the season.

Last season, Akron posted a 90-70 win (Dec. 22, 2020). Akron fell 90-73 in Athens in the two teams second meeting of the 2020-21 season.

The Zips are 15-26 against OU in Athens, winning five of the last nine meetings at the Convocation Center, including an 88-86 win in 2019-20. The Zips dropped two meetings in 2017-18 by scores of 99-75 (2/6/18) Rhodes Arena and 85-70 (2/4/17) at the Convocation Center.

Scouting the Bobcats
Ohio enters Tuesday's game with a 14-3 MAC record and 23-5 overall mark while winning 4-of-5 games with the only loss coming at Kent State (75-52). The Bobcats average 74.5 points per outing on 43.6 percent shooting from the floor and a 33.8 percent effort from beyond the 3-point arc, draining 9.0 triples a game. The Bobcats are 15-1 at home and 8-4 on the road.

Ohio has three players scoring in double figures in points per game as Mark Sears leads the squad with 19.3 points per game on 45.6 percent shooting from the floor and 41.9 from deep with a third-best 44 made 3-pointers. He also leads the team in assists (112) and steals (50).

Jason Carter follows with 13.9 points per game and a second-best 6.5 rebounds per game with 175 total boards. He shoots 46.6 percent from the field and has buried 22 3-point field goals (.265).

Ben Vander Plas rounds out the double-digit scoring with 13.8 points per outing. He leads the team behind the 3-point arc, draining 52-of-153 for a 34.0 percent effort from deep. Vander Plas leads the team on the glass with 7.0 rebounds per game with 188 total rebounds – Tommy Schmock has buried 47 trifectas, shooting 40.9 percent and averaging 6.8 points per game.

Defensively, Ohio limits its opponents to 66.4 points per game on 43.6 percent shooting from the floor and 31.5 percent from 3-point range, allowing only 6.8 long distance strikes per night. The Bobcats have caused 417 turnovers (14.9 to/g) with 220 steals (8.3 stl/g). The Bobcats are slightly outrebounded by the opponent by a -0.3 margin, allowing the opponent to grab 960 total boards (34.3 rebs/g) compared to the 960 total rebounds secured by the Bobcats (34.3 rebs/g).

UP NEXT
Akron is nearing the end of #MACtion regular season play, traveling to Muncie, Ind. to battle Ball State Cardinals on Tuesday, March 1 on ESPN3. Fans can also follow the action on Akron Sports Radio Network on WHLO 640 AM with Dave Skoczen (PxP) and Joe Dunn (analyst) or live stats on GoZips.com.

The University of Akron Athletics

Akron Zips and Ohio Bobcats Take Two on CBS Sports Network

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