The University of Akron Athletics
Tuesday, January 30
Ypsilanti, Mich.
7 PM
University of Akron
at
Eastern Michigan
Zips Look To Bounce Back With Trip To Eastern Michigan on Tuesday
January 29 | Men's Basketball
Akron (15-5, 7-1 Mid-American) at Eastern Michigan (9-11, 2-6 Mid-American)
Tuesday, Jan. 30 – George Gervin GameAbove Center– Ypsilanti, Mich.
7:00 pm ET – ESPN + - WHLO 640
HEAD COACHES
Akron: John Groce | Overall Record: 312-207 | At Akron: 132-75
Eastern Michigan: Stan Heath | Overall Record: 236-262 | At Eastern Michigan: 27-55
ALL-TIME SERIES
Akron Leads: 36-23 Groce vs. EMU 8-3 (10-5 Overall)
First Meeting: Akron 62-Eastern Michigan 55 in Akron on Feb. 3, 1968
Last Meeting: Akron 78-Eastern Michigan 51 at Gervin GameAbove Center on Feb. 14, 2023
In Akron: 20-9 | Neutral: 3-1 |In Ypsilanti: 13-13 |Current Streak: 5 W
WHAT'S AHEAD
The Akron Zips travel to face the Eastern Michigan Eagles in conference play on Tuesday, January 30 for the 60th all-time meeting. Akron and Eastern Michigan can be viewed on ESPN+ with Ryan Wooley (PxP) and Claire Dau (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.
SCOUTING THE EAGLES
The Eagles most recently defeated Buffalo 76-65 at home on January 27.
EMU holds a 7-3 record at home and has gone 2-7 away from the Gervin GameAbove Center.
The Eagles saw three players reach double-figure scoring against the Bulls, with Tyson Acuff leading the way with 19 points and seven rebounds. Arne Osojnik (16) and Orlando Lovejoy (10) were the other two Eagles to score 10 or more points. EMU shot 50 percent from the field (29-58) and hit seven 3-pointers to secure the home victory.
Acuff leads the Eagles and the MAC in scoring with 21.6 points per game. He is the only member of the Eagles' squad this season to average double-figure scoring while Lovejoy is close by with 9.4 points per game. Acuff also leads EMU in assists (2.8) and is tied for the lead in steals (1.2). Julius Ellerbe is the leading rebounder with 4.8 while Yusuf Jihad leads the way in blocks with 10.
EMU as a team is currently 10th in the MAC for points per game with 67.3 and has a -7.1 scoring margin (11th in the MAC).
Acuff is 9th in the nation in fg attempted (334), 12 in made fg (150), 93rd on ft percentage (.851), 5th in minutes per game (37:47), 24th in total points (411), and 6th in points per game (21.6).
ZIPS AT A GLANCE
The Akron Zips are coming off a 70-68 last-second loss to Miami (OH) that saw its seven-game winning streak to begin MAC play end. Akron is 15-5 overall and 7-1 in the MAC.
The Zips fell to the RedHawks on January 27 after falling behind 41-32 at the half. Ali Ali led the Zips with 23 points while Enrique Freeman recorded an 18-point, 12-rebound double-double. Ali has also recorded 20 or more points four times while Freeman has recorded 17 double-doubles on the year.
Freeman leads the Zips with 18.6 points per game, 12.9 rebounds per game, and 32 blocks. Ali is second on the squad in scoring with 16.3 points per game.
Akron is scoring 76.2 points per game as a team, which ranks 6th in the MAC. The Zips do hold opponents to just 65.8 points per game, which is first in the MAC with the next team, Ball State, holding teams to 70.1 points per game. Akron also holds the conference's best scoring margin at +10.4.
The Zips also post a top-three fg percentage and opponent fg percentage. Akron is third in shooting at .467 while second at holding opponents to just a .430 clip. The Blue and Gold hold the second-best opponent rebounding average at 31.9 boards per game, the third-best rebounding average at 38.4 boards per game, and the MAC's best rebounding margin at +4.2.
Akron is ranked 54th in the country in effective fg% (.545), 79th in fg% (.467), 79th in rebound margin (+4.2), 37th in scoring defense (65.8), 43rd in scoring margin (+10.4), 82nd in 3pt fg% (36.0), and 53rd in 3-pointer made per game (8.9).
INSIDE THE SERIES
Tuesday's game marks the 60th meeting in series history between Akron and Eastern Michigan, and 16th meeting for a Groce-coached squad, 12th at Akron. Akron holds a 36-23 all-time series advantage while Groce is 10-5 overall against the Eagles all-time and 8-3 at Akron.
The Zips have won 26 of the last 32 meetings, including 13-of-16 games.
Akron swept EMU last season, winning 104-67 at the JAR while winning 78-51 on the road. The Zips swept the 2021-22 series, winning 46-44 at James A. Rhodes Arena and 67-48 at Gervin GameAbove Center. The two teams split the 2020-21 season series with lopsided victories defending their respective home courts. Eastern Michigan won the first meeting this season 71-59 at EMU Convention Center and Akron claimed the second meeting 86-65 at The JAR.
LAST TIME AGAINST EASTERN MICHIGAN (FEB. 14, 2023)
YPSILANTI, Mich. – Junior forward Enrique Freeman (Cleveland, Ohio) registered his 14th double-double of the season as Akron defeated Eastern Michigan 78-51 at The George Gervin GameAbove Center on Tuesday night.
Freeman led all scorers with 22 points while grabbing a game-high 15 rebounds, while four Zips registered double-digit points. Senior Xavier Castaneda (Chicago, Ill.) followed with 16 points, four assists and four rebounds, while freshman guard Nate Johnson (Liberty TWP., Ohio) posted a career-high 13 points to go along with a career-best seven boards. Graduate Trendon Hankerson (Novi, Mich.) rounded out the double-figure scoring with 11 points and added five rebounds as Akron won the battle of the boards 45-27.
The Zips controlled the scoreboard early thanks to an 8-0 run that included a pair of long distance jumpers from Castaneda and Hankerson while junior Sammy Hunter capped the run with an offensive rebound and put back for two of his nine total points. Freeman added six consecutive points as Akron claimed a 29-20 halftime advantage.
For the second time in as many games, the stingy Akron defense made it tough for the second-leading scorer in the Mid-American Conference as Emoni Bates (20.5 ppg) went just 1-of-7 from the floor. He was limited to six first-half points, with four coming from the charity stripe as Eastern Michigan (6-20, 3-10 MAC) went without a 3-point bucket and missed the mark eight times.
ON THE ROAD
Akron is 5-2 in true road games this season. The Zips have posted wins over South Dakota State (81-75), Northern Kentucky (77-76), NIU (73-51), Ball State (80-76), and Kent State (77-71) while falling to UNLV (72-70) and Miami (OH) (70-68).
THE DOUBLE-DOUBLE MACHINE
Enrique Freeman has 17 double-doubles this season, ranking 2nd in the NCAA, and is the only player in the MAC to average a double-double. He is 1-of-11 players in Div. 1 to average a double-double while recording 20+ points and 10+ rebounds 10 times. Freeman recorded 11 consecutive double-doubles from Nov. 28 to Jan. 16.
Additionally, he ranks 73rd in total blocks (32), 75th in blocks per game (1.60), 39th in fg% (.584), 56th in fg made (132), 29th in free throws attempted (140), 43rd in made free throws (98), 62nd in total points (372), 67th in points per game (18.6), 2nd in total rebounds (258), 2nd in def. rpg (9.50), 21st in off. rpg (3.40) and 1st in rebounds per game (12.9).
WHAT'S NEXT?
The Zips return home to battle the Toledo Rockets on Friday, February 2 for a 9 pm start. Akron and Toledo will be featured on ESPN 2 while fans can also listen to WHLO 640 AM.
Tuesday, Jan. 30 – George Gervin GameAbove Center– Ypsilanti, Mich.
7:00 pm ET – ESPN + - WHLO 640
HEAD COACHES
Akron: John Groce | Overall Record: 312-207 | At Akron: 132-75
Eastern Michigan: Stan Heath | Overall Record: 236-262 | At Eastern Michigan: 27-55
ALL-TIME SERIES
Akron Leads: 36-23 Groce vs. EMU 8-3 (10-5 Overall)
First Meeting: Akron 62-Eastern Michigan 55 in Akron on Feb. 3, 1968
Last Meeting: Akron 78-Eastern Michigan 51 at Gervin GameAbove Center on Feb. 14, 2023
In Akron: 20-9 | Neutral: 3-1 |In Ypsilanti: 13-13 |Current Streak: 5 W
WHAT'S AHEAD
The Akron Zips travel to face the Eastern Michigan Eagles in conference play on Tuesday, January 30 for the 60th all-time meeting. Akron and Eastern Michigan can be viewed on ESPN+ with Ryan Wooley (PxP) and Claire Dau (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.
SCOUTING THE EAGLES
The Eagles most recently defeated Buffalo 76-65 at home on January 27.
EMU holds a 7-3 record at home and has gone 2-7 away from the Gervin GameAbove Center.
The Eagles saw three players reach double-figure scoring against the Bulls, with Tyson Acuff leading the way with 19 points and seven rebounds. Arne Osojnik (16) and Orlando Lovejoy (10) were the other two Eagles to score 10 or more points. EMU shot 50 percent from the field (29-58) and hit seven 3-pointers to secure the home victory.
Acuff leads the Eagles and the MAC in scoring with 21.6 points per game. He is the only member of the Eagles' squad this season to average double-figure scoring while Lovejoy is close by with 9.4 points per game. Acuff also leads EMU in assists (2.8) and is tied for the lead in steals (1.2). Julius Ellerbe is the leading rebounder with 4.8 while Yusuf Jihad leads the way in blocks with 10.
EMU as a team is currently 10th in the MAC for points per game with 67.3 and has a -7.1 scoring margin (11th in the MAC).
Acuff is 9th in the nation in fg attempted (334), 12 in made fg (150), 93rd on ft percentage (.851), 5th in minutes per game (37:47), 24th in total points (411), and 6th in points per game (21.6).
ZIPS AT A GLANCE
The Akron Zips are coming off a 70-68 last-second loss to Miami (OH) that saw its seven-game winning streak to begin MAC play end. Akron is 15-5 overall and 7-1 in the MAC.
The Zips fell to the RedHawks on January 27 after falling behind 41-32 at the half. Ali Ali led the Zips with 23 points while Enrique Freeman recorded an 18-point, 12-rebound double-double. Ali has also recorded 20 or more points four times while Freeman has recorded 17 double-doubles on the year.
Freeman leads the Zips with 18.6 points per game, 12.9 rebounds per game, and 32 blocks. Ali is second on the squad in scoring with 16.3 points per game.
Akron is scoring 76.2 points per game as a team, which ranks 6th in the MAC. The Zips do hold opponents to just 65.8 points per game, which is first in the MAC with the next team, Ball State, holding teams to 70.1 points per game. Akron also holds the conference's best scoring margin at +10.4.
The Zips also post a top-three fg percentage and opponent fg percentage. Akron is third in shooting at .467 while second at holding opponents to just a .430 clip. The Blue and Gold hold the second-best opponent rebounding average at 31.9 boards per game, the third-best rebounding average at 38.4 boards per game, and the MAC's best rebounding margin at +4.2.
Akron is ranked 54th in the country in effective fg% (.545), 79th in fg% (.467), 79th in rebound margin (+4.2), 37th in scoring defense (65.8), 43rd in scoring margin (+10.4), 82nd in 3pt fg% (36.0), and 53rd in 3-pointer made per game (8.9).
INSIDE THE SERIES
Tuesday's game marks the 60th meeting in series history between Akron and Eastern Michigan, and 16th meeting for a Groce-coached squad, 12th at Akron. Akron holds a 36-23 all-time series advantage while Groce is 10-5 overall against the Eagles all-time and 8-3 at Akron.
The Zips have won 26 of the last 32 meetings, including 13-of-16 games.
Akron swept EMU last season, winning 104-67 at the JAR while winning 78-51 on the road. The Zips swept the 2021-22 series, winning 46-44 at James A. Rhodes Arena and 67-48 at Gervin GameAbove Center. The two teams split the 2020-21 season series with lopsided victories defending their respective home courts. Eastern Michigan won the first meeting this season 71-59 at EMU Convention Center and Akron claimed the second meeting 86-65 at The JAR.
LAST TIME AGAINST EASTERN MICHIGAN (FEB. 14, 2023)
YPSILANTI, Mich. – Junior forward Enrique Freeman (Cleveland, Ohio) registered his 14th double-double of the season as Akron defeated Eastern Michigan 78-51 at The George Gervin GameAbove Center on Tuesday night.
Freeman led all scorers with 22 points while grabbing a game-high 15 rebounds, while four Zips registered double-digit points. Senior Xavier Castaneda (Chicago, Ill.) followed with 16 points, four assists and four rebounds, while freshman guard Nate Johnson (Liberty TWP., Ohio) posted a career-high 13 points to go along with a career-best seven boards. Graduate Trendon Hankerson (Novi, Mich.) rounded out the double-figure scoring with 11 points and added five rebounds as Akron won the battle of the boards 45-27.
The Zips controlled the scoreboard early thanks to an 8-0 run that included a pair of long distance jumpers from Castaneda and Hankerson while junior Sammy Hunter capped the run with an offensive rebound and put back for two of his nine total points. Freeman added six consecutive points as Akron claimed a 29-20 halftime advantage.
For the second time in as many games, the stingy Akron defense made it tough for the second-leading scorer in the Mid-American Conference as Emoni Bates (20.5 ppg) went just 1-of-7 from the floor. He was limited to six first-half points, with four coming from the charity stripe as Eastern Michigan (6-20, 3-10 MAC) went without a 3-point bucket and missed the mark eight times.
ON THE ROAD
Akron is 5-2 in true road games this season. The Zips have posted wins over South Dakota State (81-75), Northern Kentucky (77-76), NIU (73-51), Ball State (80-76), and Kent State (77-71) while falling to UNLV (72-70) and Miami (OH) (70-68).
THE DOUBLE-DOUBLE MACHINE
Enrique Freeman has 17 double-doubles this season, ranking 2nd in the NCAA, and is the only player in the MAC to average a double-double. He is 1-of-11 players in Div. 1 to average a double-double while recording 20+ points and 10+ rebounds 10 times. Freeman recorded 11 consecutive double-doubles from Nov. 28 to Jan. 16.
Additionally, he ranks 73rd in total blocks (32), 75th in blocks per game (1.60), 39th in fg% (.584), 56th in fg made (132), 29th in free throws attempted (140), 43rd in made free throws (98), 62nd in total points (372), 67th in points per game (18.6), 2nd in total rebounds (258), 2nd in def. rpg (9.50), 21st in off. rpg (3.40) and 1st in rebounds per game (12.9).
WHAT'S NEXT?
The Zips return home to battle the Toledo Rockets on Friday, February 2 for a 9 pm start. Akron and Toledo will be featured on ESPN 2 while fans can also listen to WHLO 640 AM.
Players Mentioned
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