The University of Akron Athletics
Friday, February 2
Akron, Ohio
9 PM
University of Akron
vs
Toledo
Zips And Rockets Set To Battle For Top Spot In The MAC On Friday
February 01 | Men's Basketball
Akron (16-5, 8-1 Mid-American) vs Toledo (14-7, 8-1 Mid-American)
Friday, Feb. 2 – James A. Rhodes Arena – Akron, Ohio
9:00 pm ET – ESPN 2- WHLO 640
HEAD COACHES
Akron: John Groce | Overall Record: 314-207 | At Akron: 133-75
Toledo: Tod Kowalczyk| Overall Record: 408-288 | At Toledo: 272-176
All-Time Series
First Meeting: Akron 37, Toledo 8 in Akron 1915-16 season
Last Meeting: Toledo 84, Akron 63 at Savage Arena on Feb. 21, 2023
In Akron:17-13 | Neutral: 2-1 | In Toledo: 10-27 | Current Streak: 2L
WHAT'S AHEAD
The Akron Zips host the Toledo Rockets in conference play on Friday, February 2 for the 71st all-time meeting. Akron and Toledo can be viewed on ESPN 2 with Robert Lee and Mark Adams. 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 ROCKETS
The Rockets are riding a three-game winning streak after taking down Western Michigan 88-63 on January 30. Toledo is 14-7 overall and tied with Akron for first place in the MAC with an 8-1 conference record. The Rockets are 5-2 on the road and 9-2 at home this year.
Since losing to Central Michigan by three points on January 19, Toledo has won by 10+ in its last three with wins over NIU (89-73), Bowling Green (88-72), and Western Michigan (88-63).
Four Rockets scored in double-figures against the Broncos with Javan Simmons leading the way with 19 points. Ra'Heim Moss (15), Tyler Cochran (12) and Sonny Wilson (11) helped lead the scoring efforts as well. Toledo scored 52 of its points in the paint against WMU.
Toledo has four players in double-figures this season as Moss leads the Rockets with 16.3 points per game this season. Dante Maddox Jr. (15.5), Cochran (13.2), and Simmons (12.7) are also scoring 10+ points per game this season for Toledo. Cochran is also the leader in rebounds with 6.6 boards per game and steals (2.1).
The Rockets hold the MAC's leading offense (79.6) and field goal percentage (.480) while holding the MAC's 11th rated opponent field goal percentage (.484). Toledo is also ranked No. 1 in steals with 7.48 per game.
Toledo is ranked 92nd in the country in effective fg% (.532), 43rd in fast break points (13.86), 35th in fg% (.480), 34th in free throw percentage (.760), 46th in free throws made per game (16.3), 59th in scoring offense (79.6), 43rd in 3pt percentage (.371), 59th in turnover margin (+2.4), 88th in forced turnovers (13.33) and 87th for fewest turnovers (11.0).
ZIPS AT A GLANCE
Akron is coming off a bounce-back win at Eastern Michigan where the Blue and Gold won 77-46. Enrique Freeman had a 17-point, 11-rebound double-double while Sammy Hunter and Tavari Johnson both scored 12 points. Hunter and Johnson combined to go 10-17 from the field against the Eagles.
Akron also held the MAC's leading scorer, Tyson Acuff to 12 points. Acuff was averaging over 20 points per game going into Tuesday's contest. The Blue and Gold had nine players score in the 31-point victory at EMU.
Freeman leads the Zips in points per game (18.5), rebounds per game (12.8), and total blocks (32). Kaleb Thornton leads the way in assists (2.8) and steals (1.1). In conference action, Freeman is averaging 19.7 points while Ali Ali is at 14.3 points and Greg Tribble is scoring 11.0 points per game in MAC play.
Akron currently holds the MAC's top defense with opponents scoring just 64.8 points per game. The Zips are also third in team fg% (.469) and second in opp. fg% (.427) among MAC schools.
The Zips are 51st in the country in effective fg% (.545), 71st in fg% (.469), 97th in free throw percentage (.734), 55th in rebound margin (+4.9),31st in scoring defense (64.8), 39th in scoring offense (+11.4), 73rd in 3pt percentage defense (31.4), and 3-pointers made per game (8.7).
INSIDE THE SERIES
Friday's game marks the 71st meeting in series history between Akron and Toledo, and 17th meeting for a Groce coached squad (9th at Akron). Toledo owns a 41-29 all-time series advantage while Groce is 7-9 all-time and 2-8 at Akron against the Rockets. The Zips have won 10 of the last 22 meetings and snapped a four-game losing skid with a 95-94 overtime win on Jan. 16, 2021, at James A. Rhodes Arena.
2023 saw Toledo sweep the series with an 84-74 win at the JAR (Feb. 7) and 84-63 win in Toledo (Feb. 21). In 2022, the Rockets won the regular season matchup 84-67 on Jan. 28, but the Zips retaliated by knocking off the No. 1 seeded Rockets in the 2022 MAC Tournament and advance to the NCAA First Round. The Rockets won the first meeting in 2023 (84-74) at The JAR
Akron is 17-13 all-time at Rhodes Arena, 10-27 on the road at Savage Arena, and 2-1 in the MAC Tournament with a loss at Quicken Loans Arena.
LAST TIME AGAINST TOLEDO (FEB. 21, 2023)
TOLEDO, Ohio – Akron men's basketball fell 84-63 in the second meeting of the season against the Toledo at Savage Arena on Tuesday.
The Zips (19-9, 11-4 MAC) had four players score in double figures as junior Enrique Freeman (Cleveland, Ohio) led the way with 18 points and nine rebounds. Senior Xavier Castaneda (Chicago, Ill.) and junior Greg Tribble (Cincinnati, Ohio) followed with 12 points each, while junior Sammy Hunter (Nassau, Bahamas) registered 11 points.
The Rockets (22-6, 13-2 MAC) led from wire-to-wire as the home team secured their 12-straight win and claimed sole possession of first place in the Mid-American Conference standings with three regular season games remaining.
Akron was unable to find their footing from deep, missing the mark on their first 16 attempts from beyond the 3-point arc. The Zips shot 44.1 percent from the floor and finished the game shooting 4-of-21 from deep. The Zips and the Rockets were deadlocked on the glass (34-34), while Toledo edged the Zips 7-10 in the turnover battle.
HOME SWEET HOME
The Zips own a 465-134 (.776) all-time record at the James A. Rhodes Arena. In the last 17 seasons, Akron has posted a 261-39 (.870) record at the JAR. The Zips are 9-0 at the JAR this season and have won their last 12 home games dating back to the 2022-23 season.
Under coach Groce, Akron is 85-14 (.858) at home. The Zips were 15-1 at home in 2022-23.
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).
THE FINAL 10
Akron senior forward Enrique Freeman was one of 10 finalists for the 2024 Karl Malone Award as announced by theNaismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame on February 1. The annual honor is in its tenth year and recognizes the top power forwards in Division I men's college basketball.
In March, five finalists will be presented to Malone and the Hall of Fame's selection committee. The Selection Committee for the Karl Malone Award is composed of top men's college basketball personnel, including media members, head coaches, sports information directors, and Hall of Famers.
TOUGH STRETCH AHEAD
Akron will face Toledo on Feb. 2, who is tied with the Zips for first place, along with Central Michigan on Feb. 6 who is second in the MAC with a 7-2 record. The Zips then travel to James Madison for the final game of the MAC-SBC Challenge on Feb. 10. JMU currently has a NET ranking of 66.
WHAT'S NEXT?
The Zips get to enjoy the JAR for one more game as they host Central Michigan on Tuesday, February 6 for a 7 pm start.
Friday, Feb. 2 – James A. Rhodes Arena – Akron, Ohio
9:00 pm ET – ESPN 2- WHLO 640
HEAD COACHES
Akron: John Groce | Overall Record: 314-207 | At Akron: 133-75
Toledo: Tod Kowalczyk| Overall Record: 408-288 | At Toledo: 272-176
All-Time Series
First Meeting: Akron 37, Toledo 8 in Akron 1915-16 season
Last Meeting: Toledo 84, Akron 63 at Savage Arena on Feb. 21, 2023
In Akron:17-13 | Neutral: 2-1 | In Toledo: 10-27 | Current Streak: 2L
WHAT'S AHEAD
The Akron Zips host the Toledo Rockets in conference play on Friday, February 2 for the 71st all-time meeting. Akron and Toledo can be viewed on ESPN 2 with Robert Lee and Mark Adams. 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 ROCKETS
The Rockets are riding a three-game winning streak after taking down Western Michigan 88-63 on January 30. Toledo is 14-7 overall and tied with Akron for first place in the MAC with an 8-1 conference record. The Rockets are 5-2 on the road and 9-2 at home this year.
Since losing to Central Michigan by three points on January 19, Toledo has won by 10+ in its last three with wins over NIU (89-73), Bowling Green (88-72), and Western Michigan (88-63).
Four Rockets scored in double-figures against the Broncos with Javan Simmons leading the way with 19 points. Ra'Heim Moss (15), Tyler Cochran (12) and Sonny Wilson (11) helped lead the scoring efforts as well. Toledo scored 52 of its points in the paint against WMU.
Toledo has four players in double-figures this season as Moss leads the Rockets with 16.3 points per game this season. Dante Maddox Jr. (15.5), Cochran (13.2), and Simmons (12.7) are also scoring 10+ points per game this season for Toledo. Cochran is also the leader in rebounds with 6.6 boards per game and steals (2.1).
The Rockets hold the MAC's leading offense (79.6) and field goal percentage (.480) while holding the MAC's 11th rated opponent field goal percentage (.484). Toledo is also ranked No. 1 in steals with 7.48 per game.
Toledo is ranked 92nd in the country in effective fg% (.532), 43rd in fast break points (13.86), 35th in fg% (.480), 34th in free throw percentage (.760), 46th in free throws made per game (16.3), 59th in scoring offense (79.6), 43rd in 3pt percentage (.371), 59th in turnover margin (+2.4), 88th in forced turnovers (13.33) and 87th for fewest turnovers (11.0).
ZIPS AT A GLANCE
Akron is coming off a bounce-back win at Eastern Michigan where the Blue and Gold won 77-46. Enrique Freeman had a 17-point, 11-rebound double-double while Sammy Hunter and Tavari Johnson both scored 12 points. Hunter and Johnson combined to go 10-17 from the field against the Eagles.
Akron also held the MAC's leading scorer, Tyson Acuff to 12 points. Acuff was averaging over 20 points per game going into Tuesday's contest. The Blue and Gold had nine players score in the 31-point victory at EMU.
Freeman leads the Zips in points per game (18.5), rebounds per game (12.8), and total blocks (32). Kaleb Thornton leads the way in assists (2.8) and steals (1.1). In conference action, Freeman is averaging 19.7 points while Ali Ali is at 14.3 points and Greg Tribble is scoring 11.0 points per game in MAC play.
Akron currently holds the MAC's top defense with opponents scoring just 64.8 points per game. The Zips are also third in team fg% (.469) and second in opp. fg% (.427) among MAC schools.
The Zips are 51st in the country in effective fg% (.545), 71st in fg% (.469), 97th in free throw percentage (.734), 55th in rebound margin (+4.9),31st in scoring defense (64.8), 39th in scoring offense (+11.4), 73rd in 3pt percentage defense (31.4), and 3-pointers made per game (8.7).
INSIDE THE SERIES
Friday's game marks the 71st meeting in series history between Akron and Toledo, and 17th meeting for a Groce coached squad (9th at Akron). Toledo owns a 41-29 all-time series advantage while Groce is 7-9 all-time and 2-8 at Akron against the Rockets. The Zips have won 10 of the last 22 meetings and snapped a four-game losing skid with a 95-94 overtime win on Jan. 16, 2021, at James A. Rhodes Arena.
2023 saw Toledo sweep the series with an 84-74 win at the JAR (Feb. 7) and 84-63 win in Toledo (Feb. 21). In 2022, the Rockets won the regular season matchup 84-67 on Jan. 28, but the Zips retaliated by knocking off the No. 1 seeded Rockets in the 2022 MAC Tournament and advance to the NCAA First Round. The Rockets won the first meeting in 2023 (84-74) at The JAR
Akron is 17-13 all-time at Rhodes Arena, 10-27 on the road at Savage Arena, and 2-1 in the MAC Tournament with a loss at Quicken Loans Arena.
LAST TIME AGAINST TOLEDO (FEB. 21, 2023)
TOLEDO, Ohio – Akron men's basketball fell 84-63 in the second meeting of the season against the Toledo at Savage Arena on Tuesday.
The Zips (19-9, 11-4 MAC) had four players score in double figures as junior Enrique Freeman (Cleveland, Ohio) led the way with 18 points and nine rebounds. Senior Xavier Castaneda (Chicago, Ill.) and junior Greg Tribble (Cincinnati, Ohio) followed with 12 points each, while junior Sammy Hunter (Nassau, Bahamas) registered 11 points.
The Rockets (22-6, 13-2 MAC) led from wire-to-wire as the home team secured their 12-straight win and claimed sole possession of first place in the Mid-American Conference standings with three regular season games remaining.
Akron was unable to find their footing from deep, missing the mark on their first 16 attempts from beyond the 3-point arc. The Zips shot 44.1 percent from the floor and finished the game shooting 4-of-21 from deep. The Zips and the Rockets were deadlocked on the glass (34-34), while Toledo edged the Zips 7-10 in the turnover battle.
HOME SWEET HOME
The Zips own a 465-134 (.776) all-time record at the James A. Rhodes Arena. In the last 17 seasons, Akron has posted a 261-39 (.870) record at the JAR. The Zips are 9-0 at the JAR this season and have won their last 12 home games dating back to the 2022-23 season.
Under coach Groce, Akron is 85-14 (.858) at home. The Zips were 15-1 at home in 2022-23.
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).
THE FINAL 10
Akron senior forward Enrique Freeman was one of 10 finalists for the 2024 Karl Malone Award as announced by theNaismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame on February 1. The annual honor is in its tenth year and recognizes the top power forwards in Division I men's college basketball.
In March, five finalists will be presented to Malone and the Hall of Fame's selection committee. The Selection Committee for the Karl Malone Award is composed of top men's college basketball personnel, including media members, head coaches, sports information directors, and Hall of Famers.
TOUGH STRETCH AHEAD
Akron will face Toledo on Feb. 2, who is tied with the Zips for first place, along with Central Michigan on Feb. 6 who is second in the MAC with a 7-2 record. The Zips then travel to James Madison for the final game of the MAC-SBC Challenge on Feb. 10. JMU currently has a NET ranking of 66.
WHAT'S NEXT?
The Zips get to enjoy the JAR for one more game as they host Central Michigan on Tuesday, February 6 for a 7 pm start.
Players Mentioned
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