The University of Akron Athletics
Tuesday, November 28
Las Vegas, NV
10 PM
University of Akron
at
UNLV
Zips Travel To UNLV on Tuesday
November 27 | Men's Basketball
Akron (4-2, 0-0 Mid-American) at UNLV (2-3, 0-0 Mountain West)
Tuesday, Nov. 28 – Thomas & Mack Center – Las Vegas, Nev.
10:00 pm ET – Mountain West Network - WHLO 640
What's Ahead
The Akron Zips travel to Las Vegas, Nevada., to battle UNLV on Tuesday, November 22. Akron and UNLV can be viewed on the Mountain West Network with Matt Neverett (PxP) and Steve Cofield (Analyst). Fans can 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.
HEAD COACHES
Akron: John Groce | Overall Record: 302-204 | At Akron: 120-72
UNLV: Kevin Kruger | Overall Record: 39-30 | At UNLV: Same
All-Time Series
First Ever Meeting
QUICK HITS
The Rebels are coming off a pair of losses in the Sunshine Slam, with Florida State (83-75) and Richmond (82-65) getting the best of them. UNLV was winners of its last two games before the Sunshine Slam.
Overall, UNLV is 2-3 coming into Tuesday's matchup with Akron.
The Rebels are 1-1 at home this season after losing the season opener to Southern 85-71 while beating Stetson the next game 71-55.
UNLV is currently committing the 29th fewest fouls per game with 14.2, and is leading the Mountain West. The Rebels also rank in the top 50 (38th) for fewest turnovers per game at 10.0. The national leader is Richmond at 8.0 per game while Nevada leads the Mountain West at 8.2 per game.
Kalib Boone leads UNLV in points per game with 14.3 and ranks in the top 15 (9h - 70.3) for FG percentage in the nation.
UNLV was picked to finish sixth in the Mountain West preseason poll while Dedan Thomas Jr. was named the MWC preseason Freshman of The Year. Thomas Jr. is currently 29th in the country in assists per game (5.8), 62nd in total assists (29) and 54th in assist/turnover ratio (3.22).
ZIPS AT A GLANCE
Akron lost the final two games of the Cayman Island Classic, with defeats coming to Utah State (65-62) and Drake (79-59).
The Zips were looking to extend its winning streak to five games before narrowly falling to the Aggies. Enrique Freeman led Akron with a 25 pt, 13 rebound performance. It was the second time this season he recorded at least 20 points and 10 rebounds, along with it being his fourth double-double of the season. Sammy Hunter and Greg Tribble both added 12 points. Freeman and Tribble combined for 15 of the Zips 17 made free throws against Utah State.
The Bulldogs held Akron to 23.8 percent from 3-point range while the Zips went 12-of-21 from the charity stripe. Drake went 55.8 percent from the field, which included a 66.7 percent mark in the second half. Tucker DeVrives went 12-of-19 for Drake which featured five 3-pointers and 33 total points to lead all scorers.
Akron is lead in scoring by Freeman's 16.5 points per game. Mikal Dawson and Sammy Huter are also averaging double-figure scoring with 10.7 and 10.3 points per game. Greg Tribble is at 9.2 points per game with 10+ points in four games this season.
Freeman is also leading the way in rebounds and blocks with 11.7 rebounds per game and seven total blocks.
The Zips are in the top 100 in the country in assists per game (89th - 15.2), bench points per game (80th - 27.17), effective FG pct (60th - .552), rebound margin (79th - +5.8), scoring margin (98th - +10.8), 3pters made per game (25th - 10.0) and 3pters attempted per game (21st - 28.3)
LAST TIME OUT
(Nov. 21, 2023)
The Akron men's basketball team came up short in a 79-59 loss to the Drake Bulldogs on Tuesday.
The Zips (4-2) had two players score in double figures, led by Enrique Freeman and Greg Tribble who both had 11 points. Kaleb Thornton added seven points.
After falling behind 7-2, Akron went on a 7-0 run with 17:06 left in the first half, culminating in a three from Shammah Scott, to take a 9-7 lead. The Zips then surrendered that lead and entered halftime down 35-29.
Drake kept widening its lead after intermission, constructing a 79-53 advantage before Akron went on a 6-0 run, finished off by Amani Lyles' jumper, to shrink the deficit to 79-59 with 26 seconds to go in the contest, The Zips were unable to cut further into the deficit by the end of the game, losing 79-59.
FIRST TIME FOR EVERYTHING
Along with UNLV, Akron has seen two other teams for the first time in program history (Southern Miss and Utah State) this season.
AMONG THE BEST IN THE MID-MAJORS
The Zips rose to No. 2 in the CollegeInsider.com Mid-Major Poll after winning games against South Dakota State and Southern Mississippi to begin the year. The Zips now have claimed their highest ranking in program history in the Mid-Major rankings.
In addition the zips No. 2 (Nov. 13) ranking is the highest ranking since the 2016-17 season when the Zips climbed to No. 7 on Jan. 30, 2017.
The Akron Zips appeared on The CollegeInsider.com Mid-Major Top 25 Poll, ranking 18th overall on Feb. 6, 2023 as a result of an eight-game winning streak and taking over sole position at the top of the MAC, defeating rival Kent State 67-55. The Zips dropped the next two games, falling out of the Top 25.
THE 1K, 1K CLUB
Enrique Freeman became the sixth player in program history to record 1,000 points and 1,000 rebounds as a member of the Akron basketball team.
Len Paul - 2,028 Pts | 1021 Reb | 107 GP
Bill Turner - 1,630 Pts | 1,171 Reb | 106 GP
Enrique Freeman - 1,290 Pts | 1022 Reb | 103 GP
Fred Golding - 1,229 Pts | 1,360 Reb | 97 GP
Ray Pryear - 1,152 Pts | 1,213 Reb | 91 GP
Don Williams - 1,145 Pts | 1,218 Reb | 107 GP
CLIMBING THE SCORING CHARTS
Enrique Freeman is now 18th in all-time scoring in Akron history with 1,290 career points. He added 11 points against Drake. Jim Fenton (1951-54) is next with 1,319 points.
TOP 5 IN REBOUNDS
Enrique Freeman is in the top five for career rebounds with 1,022 career rebounds. He recently passed Len Paul (1969-73) who had 1,021 career rebounds.
1. Fred Golding - 1,360 Reb (1956-59)
2. Don Williams - 1,218 Reb (1963-67)
3. Ray Pryear - 1,213 Reb (1956-59)
4. Bill Turner - 1,213 Reb (1962-67)
5. Enrique Freeman - 1022 Reb (2019-Pres.)
CLOSING IN ON 1,700 PROGRAM WINS
Akron currently has recorded 1,699 wins in program history. Akron (then Buchtel College) first started competing in men's basketball in 1901-02.
NON-CONFERENCE OPPONENT PRESEASON RANKINGS
South Dakota State (Summit) - No. 1
Southern Mississippi (Sun Belt) - No. 4
Heidelberg (Ohio Athletic Conference) - No. 5
Florida International (CUSA) - No. 7
Utah State (Mountain West) - No. 9
Drake (Missouri Valley) - No. 1
UNLV (Mountain West) - No. 6
Bradley (Missouri Valley) - No. 3
Northern Kentucky (Horizon) - No. 1
Gardner-Webb - (Big South) - No. 4
St. Bonaventure - (Atlantic 10) - No. 3
WHAT'S NEXT?
The Zips return home to host Bradley at the JAR on Tuesday, December 5 for a 7 p.m. start.
Tuesday, Nov. 28 – Thomas & Mack Center – Las Vegas, Nev.
10:00 pm ET – Mountain West Network - WHLO 640
What's Ahead
The Akron Zips travel to Las Vegas, Nevada., to battle UNLV on Tuesday, November 22. Akron and UNLV can be viewed on the Mountain West Network with Matt Neverett (PxP) and Steve Cofield (Analyst). Fans can 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.
HEAD COACHES
Akron: John Groce | Overall Record: 302-204 | At Akron: 120-72
UNLV: Kevin Kruger | Overall Record: 39-30 | At UNLV: Same
All-Time Series
First Ever Meeting
QUICK HITS
- Akron will play five of its seven games in the month of November on the road or at a neutral site.
- Under coach Groce, the Zips have posted an 89-37 overall record over the past five seasons and a 53-21 conference record in that same span.
- Groce recorded his 300th career win with the 72-54 victory over Southern Miss on Nov. 10.
- Akron has made at least one 3-pointer in its last 743 games when it was held without a 3-pointer against Purdue in the 2000-01 season.
- Akron will look to stop a 2-game losing streak after ending the Cayman Islands Classic with defeats Utah State and Drake.
- UNLV will be the third team this season Akron will be playing its first-ever game against.
- Akron is one win away from its 1700th win in program history.
- Under coach Groce, Akron is currently 38-1 at home against non-conference opponents.
- Freeman is drawing 7.4 fouls per game, which puts him in the top 40 (34th) according to Kenpom.com
- Freeman has recorded two games with 20+ points and 10+ rebounds this season. The most recent being a 25 pt, 13 reb performance against Utah State.
- Freeman recorded his 1,000th career rebound in the 77-71 win over FIU. Freeman is just the sixth player to record 1,000 points and rebound as a Zip.
The Rebels are coming off a pair of losses in the Sunshine Slam, with Florida State (83-75) and Richmond (82-65) getting the best of them. UNLV was winners of its last two games before the Sunshine Slam.
Overall, UNLV is 2-3 coming into Tuesday's matchup with Akron.
The Rebels are 1-1 at home this season after losing the season opener to Southern 85-71 while beating Stetson the next game 71-55.
UNLV is currently committing the 29th fewest fouls per game with 14.2, and is leading the Mountain West. The Rebels also rank in the top 50 (38th) for fewest turnovers per game at 10.0. The national leader is Richmond at 8.0 per game while Nevada leads the Mountain West at 8.2 per game.
Kalib Boone leads UNLV in points per game with 14.3 and ranks in the top 15 (9h - 70.3) for FG percentage in the nation.
UNLV was picked to finish sixth in the Mountain West preseason poll while Dedan Thomas Jr. was named the MWC preseason Freshman of The Year. Thomas Jr. is currently 29th in the country in assists per game (5.8), 62nd in total assists (29) and 54th in assist/turnover ratio (3.22).
ZIPS AT A GLANCE
Akron lost the final two games of the Cayman Island Classic, with defeats coming to Utah State (65-62) and Drake (79-59).
The Zips were looking to extend its winning streak to five games before narrowly falling to the Aggies. Enrique Freeman led Akron with a 25 pt, 13 rebound performance. It was the second time this season he recorded at least 20 points and 10 rebounds, along with it being his fourth double-double of the season. Sammy Hunter and Greg Tribble both added 12 points. Freeman and Tribble combined for 15 of the Zips 17 made free throws against Utah State.
The Bulldogs held Akron to 23.8 percent from 3-point range while the Zips went 12-of-21 from the charity stripe. Drake went 55.8 percent from the field, which included a 66.7 percent mark in the second half. Tucker DeVrives went 12-of-19 for Drake which featured five 3-pointers and 33 total points to lead all scorers.
Akron is lead in scoring by Freeman's 16.5 points per game. Mikal Dawson and Sammy Huter are also averaging double-figure scoring with 10.7 and 10.3 points per game. Greg Tribble is at 9.2 points per game with 10+ points in four games this season.
Freeman is also leading the way in rebounds and blocks with 11.7 rebounds per game and seven total blocks.
The Zips are in the top 100 in the country in assists per game (89th - 15.2), bench points per game (80th - 27.17), effective FG pct (60th - .552), rebound margin (79th - +5.8), scoring margin (98th - +10.8), 3pters made per game (25th - 10.0) and 3pters attempted per game (21st - 28.3)
LAST TIME OUT
(Nov. 21, 2023)
The Akron men's basketball team came up short in a 79-59 loss to the Drake Bulldogs on Tuesday.
The Zips (4-2) had two players score in double figures, led by Enrique Freeman and Greg Tribble who both had 11 points. Kaleb Thornton added seven points.
After falling behind 7-2, Akron went on a 7-0 run with 17:06 left in the first half, culminating in a three from Shammah Scott, to take a 9-7 lead. The Zips then surrendered that lead and entered halftime down 35-29.
Drake kept widening its lead after intermission, constructing a 79-53 advantage before Akron went on a 6-0 run, finished off by Amani Lyles' jumper, to shrink the deficit to 79-59 with 26 seconds to go in the contest, The Zips were unable to cut further into the deficit by the end of the game, losing 79-59.
FIRST TIME FOR EVERYTHING
Along with UNLV, Akron has seen two other teams for the first time in program history (Southern Miss and Utah State) this season.
AMONG THE BEST IN THE MID-MAJORS
The Zips rose to No. 2 in the CollegeInsider.com Mid-Major Poll after winning games against South Dakota State and Southern Mississippi to begin the year. The Zips now have claimed their highest ranking in program history in the Mid-Major rankings.
In addition the zips No. 2 (Nov. 13) ranking is the highest ranking since the 2016-17 season when the Zips climbed to No. 7 on Jan. 30, 2017.
The Akron Zips appeared on The CollegeInsider.com Mid-Major Top 25 Poll, ranking 18th overall on Feb. 6, 2023 as a result of an eight-game winning streak and taking over sole position at the top of the MAC, defeating rival Kent State 67-55. The Zips dropped the next two games, falling out of the Top 25.
THE 1K, 1K CLUB
Enrique Freeman became the sixth player in program history to record 1,000 points and 1,000 rebounds as a member of the Akron basketball team.
Len Paul - 2,028 Pts | 1021 Reb | 107 GP
Bill Turner - 1,630 Pts | 1,171 Reb | 106 GP
Enrique Freeman - 1,290 Pts | 1022 Reb | 103 GP
Fred Golding - 1,229 Pts | 1,360 Reb | 97 GP
Ray Pryear - 1,152 Pts | 1,213 Reb | 91 GP
Don Williams - 1,145 Pts | 1,218 Reb | 107 GP
CLIMBING THE SCORING CHARTS
Enrique Freeman is now 18th in all-time scoring in Akron history with 1,290 career points. He added 11 points against Drake. Jim Fenton (1951-54) is next with 1,319 points.
TOP 5 IN REBOUNDS
Enrique Freeman is in the top five for career rebounds with 1,022 career rebounds. He recently passed Len Paul (1969-73) who had 1,021 career rebounds.
1. Fred Golding - 1,360 Reb (1956-59)
2. Don Williams - 1,218 Reb (1963-67)
3. Ray Pryear - 1,213 Reb (1956-59)
4. Bill Turner - 1,213 Reb (1962-67)
5. Enrique Freeman - 1022 Reb (2019-Pres.)
CLOSING IN ON 1,700 PROGRAM WINS
Akron currently has recorded 1,699 wins in program history. Akron (then Buchtel College) first started competing in men's basketball in 1901-02.
NON-CONFERENCE OPPONENT PRESEASON RANKINGS
South Dakota State (Summit) - No. 1
Southern Mississippi (Sun Belt) - No. 4
Heidelberg (Ohio Athletic Conference) - No. 5
Florida International (CUSA) - No. 7
Utah State (Mountain West) - No. 9
Drake (Missouri Valley) - No. 1
UNLV (Mountain West) - No. 6
Bradley (Missouri Valley) - No. 3
Northern Kentucky (Horizon) - No. 1
Gardner-Webb - (Big South) - No. 4
St. Bonaventure - (Atlantic 10) - No. 3
WHAT'S NEXT?
The Zips return home to host Bradley at the JAR on Tuesday, December 5 for a 7 p.m. start.
Players Mentioned
W
/ Men's Basketball
F
/ Men's Basketball
W
/ Men's Basketball
F
/ Men's Basketball
G
/ Men's Basketball
G
/ Men's Basketball
G
/ Men's Basketball2024-25 Akron Zips Men's Basketball NCAA Tournament Pre-Game - Press Conference - 3/20/2025
Friday, March 21
2024-25 Zips Weekly with John Groce - Episode #12 - 3/18/25
Wednesday, March 19
2024-25 Akron Zips Men's Basketball Post-Game Press Conference vs. Miami (MAC Championship)
Sunday, March 16
2024-25 Akron Zips Men's Basketball Post-Game Press Conference vs. Toledo (MAC Semifinal) - 3/14/25
Saturday, March 15
