The University of Akron Athletics
Saturday, February 17
Buffalo, N.Y.
2:00 pm
University of Akron
at
Buffalo
Zips Return to #MACtion With Trip To Buffalo on Saturday
February 16 | Men's Basketball
Akron (18-6, 10-1 Mid-American) at Buffalo (3-21, 1-10 Mid-American)
Saturday, Feb. 17 – Alumni Arena – Amherst, N.Y.
2:00 pm ET – ESPN + - WHLO 640
HEAD COACHES
Akron: John Groce | Overall Record: 316-208 | At Akron: 134-76
Buffalo: George Halcovage III| Overall Record: 3-21 | At Buffalo: Same
All-Time Series
Akron Leads: 41-33 Groce vs. Buffalo: 7-8 (12-12 Overall)
First Meeting: Akron 84, Buffalo 74 in Akron 1954-55 season
Last Meeting: Akron 76, Buffalo 59 at James A. Rhodes Arena on Jan. 12, 2024
Current Streak: W6
WHAT'S AHEAD
The Akron Zips travel to face the Buffalo Bulls on Saturday, February 17 for the 75th all-time meeting. Akron and Buffalo can be viewed on ESPN + with Paul Peck and Howard Simon on the call. 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 BULLS
Buffalo comes into Saturday's contest holding a 3-21 overall record and 1-10 record in the MAC.
The Bulls recently fell on the road to Northern Illinois 72-68 on February 13. Three Bulls finished in double-figure scoring, with Sy Chatman leading Buffalo with 18 points and a 6-of-9 shooting day. Shawn Fulcher has 13 points while Jonnivius Smith finished with 12 points, 12 rebounds and five assists against the Huskies.
The last win for Buffalo came on the road in the MAC-SBC Challenge when the Bulls defeated Georgia Southern 82-81 in overtime. Isaiah Adams led the Bulls with 24 points while Chatman had a 23-point, 12 rebound double-double while also adding three blocks and one steal and assist.
Chatman and Adams are the two leading scorers for Buffalo with 18.0 and 13.0 points per game. Smith leads the way with 8.8 rebounds while Adams is the leader in assists with 3.6 per game. Chatman also leads the Bulls in total blocks with 34 while Smith is second with 25.
Buffalo is scoring 67.5 points per game and has a scoring margin of 12.5 which is the second lowest scoring offense in the MAC and lowest scoring margin in the conference as well. The Bulls also hold the lowest FG percentage as a team (.415) and second highest opponent fg percentage (.482).
Chatman is 46th in the country in field goals made (160), 92nd in double-doubles (6), 87th in points (433), and 86th in points per game (18.0). Smith is 71st in rebounds (203), 29th in offensive rebounds per game (3.22), and 51st in rebounds per game (8.8).
ZIPS AT A GLANCE
Akron is 18-6 overall and 10-1 in the MAC coming into Saturday's contest at Buffalo. The Blue and Gold were victorious at James A. Rhodes Arena on January 12 when the Zips took down the Bulls 76-59.
Five Zips scored in double-figures in the win over Buffalo with Enrique Freeman leading the way with 21 points. Greg Tribble joined in with 18 points.
Akron is coming off a 73-59 loss at James Madison to conclude the MAC-SBC Challenge. Tribble led the way with a career-high 20 points. Freeman had his 21st double-double of the season with a 15-point, 10 rebound performance. Ali Ali joined in the double-figure scoring fun with 17 points against the Dukes.
Freeman continues to be the leading scorer for the Zips this season. He leads the Blue and Gold with 18.4 points per game along with 12.8 rebounds per game and 37 total blocks. Ali is second in scoring with 15.8 points per game while Tribble is the third member of the Zips to average double digits in scoring with 10.2 per game. Freeman has been scoring 19.5 points per game in conference action.
Akron holds the best scoring defense (64.6) in the MAC along with the best scoring margin (+10.5). The Zips also have the second-best Opponent FG% in the MAC (.426) and best opponent 3-point percentage (.304). Akron is also holding opponents to the fewest rebounds per game (31.5) and the best rebound margin (+5.3).
The Zips are 88th in the country in effective FG% (.532), 86th in free throw percentage (.737), 42nd in rebound margin (+5.3), 22nd in scoring defense (.646), 38th in scoring margin (+10.5), 34th in 3-point percentage defense (.304) and 73rd in 3-point fg made per game (+8.5).
INSIDE THE SERIES
Saturday's game marks the 75th meeting in series history between Akron and Buffalo, and 25th meeting
for a Groce coached squad. Akron holds an all-time 41-33 series advantage while Groce is 12-12 overall and 7-8 at Akron. The Zips and the Bulls have met eight times in postseason play with Buffalo holding a 5-3 edge.
The Zips won the first meeting this season on January 12 when the Blue and Gold came away with a 76-59 victory at James A. Rhodes Arena. Akron swept the regular season series in 2023, defeating the Bulls at Alumni Arena (81-64) and at The JAR (86-66) Akron won the lone regular season meeting in 2021-22 on New Year's Day after trailing by as many as 14 points and won by 12 points (88-76). Akron also defeated Buffalo in the MAC Tournament 101-77.
LAST TIME AGAINST BUFFALO (JAN. 12)
AKRON, Ohio - Five Zips scored in double-figures as Enrique Freeman led the way with 21 points to defeat the Buffalo Bulls 76-59 at the James A. Rhodes Arena on Friday.
Freeman secured his 14th double-double of the season with 21 points and 15 rebounds and his ninth 20+ point, 10+ rebound performance.
The Zips (12-4, 4-0) had five players score in double figures, led by Freeman's 21 points. Greg Tribble tacked on 18 points, four assists, and two steals and Sammy Hunter chipped in as well with 11 points.
Akron took advantage of fantastic ball movement in Friday's game, piling up 16 assists on 31 made field goals. Tribble's four assists led the distribution list for the Zips and Ali Ali also added three assists of his own.
Akron's defense held Buffalo to only 36.7 percent shooting from the field, including 20 percent from beyond the arc.
After falling behind 6-2, Akron went on an 8-0 run with 18:19 left in the first half, culminating in a bucket from Nate Johnson, to take a 10-6 lead. The Zips then maintained that lead and entered halftime with a 34-30 advantage. Akron did most of its first-half damage in the paint, scoring 20 of its 34 points close to the basket.
Following intermission, Akron kept widening that lead, expanding it to 65-54 before going on a 9-0 run, finished off by Ali's layup, to grow the lead to 74-54 with 1:45 to go in the contest. The Bulls narrowed the margin somewhat before the game was over, but the Zips still cruised the rest of the way for the 76-59 win. Akron took care of business in the paint, recording 26 of its 42 points in the lane.
ON THE ROAD
Akron is 6-3 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), Kent State (77-71), and 77-46 at Eastern Michigan while falling to UNLV (72-70), Miami (OH) (70-68), and James Madison (73-59).
THE DOUBLE-DOUBLE MACHINE
Enrique Freeman has 21 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-15 players in Div. I to average a double-double and has recorded 20+ points and 10+ rebounds 11 times. Freeman recorded 11 consecutive double-doubles from Nov. 28 to Jan. 16 and has record six straight since Jan. 23.
Additionally, he ranks 87th in total blocks (37), 81st in blocks per game (1.54), 22nd in fg% (.592), 75th in fg made (154), 27th in free throws attempted (166), 35th in made free throws (121), 78th in total points (441), 69th in points per game (18.4), 2nd in total rebounds (308), 2nd in def. rpg (9.50), 25th in off. rpg (3.33) and 1st in rebounds per game (12.8).
THE FINAL 10
Akron senior forward Enrique Freeman was one of 10 finalists for the 2024 Karl Malone Award as announced by the Naismith 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.
WHAT'S NEXT?
The Zips travel to Toledo on February 20 for a 7 pm start at Savage Arena
Saturday, Feb. 17 – Alumni Arena – Amherst, N.Y.
2:00 pm ET – ESPN + - WHLO 640
HEAD COACHES
Akron: John Groce | Overall Record: 316-208 | At Akron: 134-76
Buffalo: George Halcovage III| Overall Record: 3-21 | At Buffalo: Same
All-Time Series
Akron Leads: 41-33 Groce vs. Buffalo: 7-8 (12-12 Overall)
First Meeting: Akron 84, Buffalo 74 in Akron 1954-55 season
Last Meeting: Akron 76, Buffalo 59 at James A. Rhodes Arena on Jan. 12, 2024
Current Streak: W6
WHAT'S AHEAD
The Akron Zips travel to face the Buffalo Bulls on Saturday, February 17 for the 75th all-time meeting. Akron and Buffalo can be viewed on ESPN + with Paul Peck and Howard Simon on the call. 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 BULLS
Buffalo comes into Saturday's contest holding a 3-21 overall record and 1-10 record in the MAC.
The Bulls recently fell on the road to Northern Illinois 72-68 on February 13. Three Bulls finished in double-figure scoring, with Sy Chatman leading Buffalo with 18 points and a 6-of-9 shooting day. Shawn Fulcher has 13 points while Jonnivius Smith finished with 12 points, 12 rebounds and five assists against the Huskies.
The last win for Buffalo came on the road in the MAC-SBC Challenge when the Bulls defeated Georgia Southern 82-81 in overtime. Isaiah Adams led the Bulls with 24 points while Chatman had a 23-point, 12 rebound double-double while also adding three blocks and one steal and assist.
Chatman and Adams are the two leading scorers for Buffalo with 18.0 and 13.0 points per game. Smith leads the way with 8.8 rebounds while Adams is the leader in assists with 3.6 per game. Chatman also leads the Bulls in total blocks with 34 while Smith is second with 25.
Buffalo is scoring 67.5 points per game and has a scoring margin of 12.5 which is the second lowest scoring offense in the MAC and lowest scoring margin in the conference as well. The Bulls also hold the lowest FG percentage as a team (.415) and second highest opponent fg percentage (.482).
Chatman is 46th in the country in field goals made (160), 92nd in double-doubles (6), 87th in points (433), and 86th in points per game (18.0). Smith is 71st in rebounds (203), 29th in offensive rebounds per game (3.22), and 51st in rebounds per game (8.8).
ZIPS AT A GLANCE
Akron is 18-6 overall and 10-1 in the MAC coming into Saturday's contest at Buffalo. The Blue and Gold were victorious at James A. Rhodes Arena on January 12 when the Zips took down the Bulls 76-59.
Five Zips scored in double-figures in the win over Buffalo with Enrique Freeman leading the way with 21 points. Greg Tribble joined in with 18 points.
Akron is coming off a 73-59 loss at James Madison to conclude the MAC-SBC Challenge. Tribble led the way with a career-high 20 points. Freeman had his 21st double-double of the season with a 15-point, 10 rebound performance. Ali Ali joined in the double-figure scoring fun with 17 points against the Dukes.
Freeman continues to be the leading scorer for the Zips this season. He leads the Blue and Gold with 18.4 points per game along with 12.8 rebounds per game and 37 total blocks. Ali is second in scoring with 15.8 points per game while Tribble is the third member of the Zips to average double digits in scoring with 10.2 per game. Freeman has been scoring 19.5 points per game in conference action.
Akron holds the best scoring defense (64.6) in the MAC along with the best scoring margin (+10.5). The Zips also have the second-best Opponent FG% in the MAC (.426) and best opponent 3-point percentage (.304). Akron is also holding opponents to the fewest rebounds per game (31.5) and the best rebound margin (+5.3).
The Zips are 88th in the country in effective FG% (.532), 86th in free throw percentage (.737), 42nd in rebound margin (+5.3), 22nd in scoring defense (.646), 38th in scoring margin (+10.5), 34th in 3-point percentage defense (.304) and 73rd in 3-point fg made per game (+8.5).
INSIDE THE SERIES
Saturday's game marks the 75th meeting in series history between Akron and Buffalo, and 25th meeting
for a Groce coached squad. Akron holds an all-time 41-33 series advantage while Groce is 12-12 overall and 7-8 at Akron. The Zips and the Bulls have met eight times in postseason play with Buffalo holding a 5-3 edge.
The Zips won the first meeting this season on January 12 when the Blue and Gold came away with a 76-59 victory at James A. Rhodes Arena. Akron swept the regular season series in 2023, defeating the Bulls at Alumni Arena (81-64) and at The JAR (86-66) Akron won the lone regular season meeting in 2021-22 on New Year's Day after trailing by as many as 14 points and won by 12 points (88-76). Akron also defeated Buffalo in the MAC Tournament 101-77.
LAST TIME AGAINST BUFFALO (JAN. 12)
AKRON, Ohio - Five Zips scored in double-figures as Enrique Freeman led the way with 21 points to defeat the Buffalo Bulls 76-59 at the James A. Rhodes Arena on Friday.
Freeman secured his 14th double-double of the season with 21 points and 15 rebounds and his ninth 20+ point, 10+ rebound performance.
The Zips (12-4, 4-0) had five players score in double figures, led by Freeman's 21 points. Greg Tribble tacked on 18 points, four assists, and two steals and Sammy Hunter chipped in as well with 11 points.
Akron took advantage of fantastic ball movement in Friday's game, piling up 16 assists on 31 made field goals. Tribble's four assists led the distribution list for the Zips and Ali Ali also added three assists of his own.
Akron's defense held Buffalo to only 36.7 percent shooting from the field, including 20 percent from beyond the arc.
After falling behind 6-2, Akron went on an 8-0 run with 18:19 left in the first half, culminating in a bucket from Nate Johnson, to take a 10-6 lead. The Zips then maintained that lead and entered halftime with a 34-30 advantage. Akron did most of its first-half damage in the paint, scoring 20 of its 34 points close to the basket.
Following intermission, Akron kept widening that lead, expanding it to 65-54 before going on a 9-0 run, finished off by Ali's layup, to grow the lead to 74-54 with 1:45 to go in the contest. The Bulls narrowed the margin somewhat before the game was over, but the Zips still cruised the rest of the way for the 76-59 win. Akron took care of business in the paint, recording 26 of its 42 points in the lane.
ON THE ROAD
Akron is 6-3 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), Kent State (77-71), and 77-46 at Eastern Michigan while falling to UNLV (72-70), Miami (OH) (70-68), and James Madison (73-59).
THE DOUBLE-DOUBLE MACHINE
Enrique Freeman has 21 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-15 players in Div. I to average a double-double and has recorded 20+ points and 10+ rebounds 11 times. Freeman recorded 11 consecutive double-doubles from Nov. 28 to Jan. 16 and has record six straight since Jan. 23.
Additionally, he ranks 87th in total blocks (37), 81st in blocks per game (1.54), 22nd in fg% (.592), 75th in fg made (154), 27th in free throws attempted (166), 35th in made free throws (121), 78th in total points (441), 69th in points per game (18.4), 2nd in total rebounds (308), 2nd in def. rpg (9.50), 25th in off. rpg (3.33) and 1st in rebounds per game (12.8).
THE FINAL 10
Akron senior forward Enrique Freeman was one of 10 finalists for the 2024 Karl Malone Award as announced by the Naismith 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.
WHAT'S NEXT?
The Zips travel to Toledo on February 20 for a 7 pm start at Savage Arena
Players Mentioned
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