Zips Two-Game Road Trip Starts at Central Michigan

Akron (11-6, 3-1) vs Central Michigan (7-10, 2-2)
Tuesday, Jan 16 • McGuirk Arena
Mount Pleasant, Mich. • 7 PM • ESPN+

What's Ahead
Akron is back on the road this week with the first stop heading to Mount Pleasant, Mich. to play Central Michigan at McGuirk Arena on Tuesday, Jan. 17 at 7 p.m. Fans can follow the action on ESPN+ with Adam Jaksa (PxP) and Matt DeVries (analyst) 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/3kq05je
Live Stats: https://bit.ly/3H8wJij
Live Radio: WHLO 640AM - https://ihr.fm/3fFmzLo

Head Coaches
Central Michigan Head Coach
Tony Barbee (Massachusetts '93)
Overall Record: 145-160 (10th Season)
Record at CMU: 14-33 (2nd Season)
MAC Record at CMU: 8-14 (2nd Season)

Akron Head Coach
John Groce (Taylor '94)
Career Record: 287-197 (15th Season)
Record at Akron: 105-65 (6th Season)
Overall MAC Record: 91-69 (at Ohio and Akron)

All-Time Series
Akron Leads: 38-15 • Groce vs. Central Michigan: 6-1 (9-3 Overall)
Last Meeting: Akron 57, Central Michigan 56 at James A. Rhodes Arena, March 4, 2022
First Meeting: Akron 29, Central Michigan 23 in Akron 1938-39 season
In Akron: 22-5, Neutral: 1-0, In Mount Pleasant: 14-10

The Akron-Central Michigan Series
Tuesday's game marks the 54th meeting in series history between Akron and Central Michigan, and 13th meeting for a Groce coached squad, eighth at Akron. The Zips hold an all-time 38-15 series advantage while Groce is 9-3 overall and 6-1 at Akron.

The Zips have won 23 of the last 26 meetings, including a five-game winning streak. Akron swept the series last season, winning at McGuirk Arena (60-56) and The JAR (57-56). The Zips posted wins the lone meetings in 2020-21 (81-67 at James A. Rhodes Arena) and 2019-20 (80-67 at McGuirk Arena in Mount Pleasant, Mich.) The two teams split the 2018-19 season series. Akron fell in overtime 88-86 at McGuirk Arena in the first meeting, but bounced back with a 70-67 win at Rhodes Arena.

The Zips claimed sole meeting in 2017-18 at James A. Rhodes Arena, 69-63, Akron posted an 89-85 win at McGuirk Arena on Jan. 10, 2017, Central Michigan won 92-81 on January 12, 2016 at McGuirk Arena, and later that season (Feb. 5), the Zips won 92-87 at home. UA is 22-5 at Rhodes Arena, 14-10 at McGuirk Arena and 1-0 in neutral site games against CMU.

Scouting The Chippewas
The Under the direction of second-year head coach Tony Barbee, the Chippewas own a 7-10 overall record and stand 2-2 in MAC play with a marquee win at Michigan (63-61). In MAC play, the Chippewas
defated Miami (68-56) and Buffalo (87-78 ot) at home and fell to Eastern Michigan (62-56) and Northern Illinois (73-54) on the road. CMU is 5-2 at hoem, 1-7 on the road and 1-1 in neutral site games.

The Chippewas average 68.4 points per game on 41.8 percent shooting from the floor and 27.7 percent effort from beyond the 3-point arc, draining 6.1 triples a game. In addition, the Chippewas shoot 70.4 percent from the free throw line with 14.1 FT made per game.

CMU has five players scoring in double figures as Kevin Miller leads the way with 18.5 points per game followed by Jesse Zarzuela (15.8), Brian Taylor (14.4), Reggie Bass (10.1) and Marcus Harding (9.9). Zazuela and Bass leads the squad from beyond the arc with 29 made 3-poinyters each, while Bass leads in assists (45) and Zarzuela is second (37). Taylor leads the squad on the glass with 110 total rebounds (6.5 reb/g).

Defensively, Central Michigan allows its opponents to score 69.4 points per game on 41.5 percent shooting from the floor and 29.7 percent from 3-point range, allowing 7.2 long distance strikes per night. The Chippewas caused 257 turnovers (15.1 to/g) with 105 steals (6.2 stl/g). CMU outrebounds the opponent by a +1.5 margin as the opponent grabbed 625 total boards (36.8 rebs/g) compared to the 651 total rebounds (38.3 rebs/g) secured.

On the Road
Akron is 1-3 in true road games this season, snapping a three-game setback streak at Bowling Green (74-70). Akron Fell to Ball State (70-63), Marshall (68-57) and Bradley (74-55). The Zips are 1-3 in neutral site games this season. Akron finished 8-4 on the road in 2021-22, dropping the season opening game to Ohio State (67-66) as time expired and defeating Wright State by a decisive 18 points (66-48). The Zips second road setback came against Kent State (67-55) in the first installment of the 2021-22 Wagon Wheel series. Zips bounced back with 91-66 win over Bowling Green and a 60-56 win over Central Michigan. The Zips fell at Toledo (84-76). Zips defeated Miami (71-59) and NIU (70-64) in back-to-back road contests but fell to WMU (61-57). Akron defeated Eastern Michigan 67-48, Ohio (91-83) and Ball State (79-60) to end the season.

Akron in the MAC
Akron is 43-17 over the last three seasons in MAC play, owning the highest winning percentage (.714) in the league. The Zips are 29-13 in the MAC under the new conference format without divisions (new in 2020-21). Akron is 83-23 (.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 212-99 overall (.681), including a 128-30 mark in MAC play at home (.822). The Zips' 212 wins are the most in the league during that stretch. The Zips have won 127 of their last 183 MAC games (.694).

The University of Akron Athletics

Zips Two-Game Road Trip Starts at Central Michigan

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