The University of Akron Athletics
Friday, February 23
Akron, Ohio
6:00 pm
University of Akron
vs
Kent State
Zips Host Kent State On Friday
February 22 | Men's Basketball
Akron (19-7, 11-2 Mid-American) vs Kent State (13-13, 6-7 Mid-American)
Friday, Feb. 23 – James A. Rhodes Arena – Akron, Ohio
6:00 pm ET – CBS Sports Network - WHLO 640
HEAD COACHES
Akron: John Groce | Overall Record: 317-209 | At Akron: 135-77
Toledo: Rob Senderoff | Overall Record: 260-160 | At Kent State: Same
All-Time Series
Kent State Leads: 82-81 Groce vs. Kent State: 8-7 (12-12 Overall)
First Meeting: Akron 37, Kent 16 in Kent 1915-16 season
Last Meeting: Akron 77, Kent 71 at M.A.C Center January 19, 2024
In Akron:45-25 | Neutral: 9-2 | In Kent: 28-53 | MAC Tournament: 6-4 | MAC Title Games: 2-2
Current Streak: 1W
WHAT'S AHEAD
The Akron Zips host rival Kent State on Friday, February 23 for the 164th all-time meeting. Akron and Kent State can be viewed on CBS Sports Network with John Sadak and Tre Demps 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 GOLDEN FLASHES
The Golden Flashes come into Friday's matchup with a 13-13 overall record and a 6-7 record in MAC play.
Going 3-2 in their last five games, Kent State fell 63-57 to Ohio on February 20. Jalen Sullinger and VonCameron Davis led the Golden Flashes with 14 points each in the loss. Ohio held Kent State to 31.7 percent from the field and 33.3 percent from beyond the arc.
Outside of conference action, the Golden Flashes are 1-1 against common opponents with the Zips. Kent State fell 113-108 in double-overtime with James Madison while defeating South Dakota State 82-73.
Sullinger is one of three Golden Flashes to average 10 or more points per game this season with a team-high 14.6 per game. Davis is second on the team in scoring with 13.0 per game while Chris Payton Jr. rounds out the list with 12.7 per game. Payton is also the team's leading rebounder with 7.3 per game and has the most blocks on the squad with 29. Giovanni Santiago leads Kent State in assists with 4.1.
The Golden Flashes enter as the conference's third-best scoring offense with 76.1 points scored per game and hold the third-best scoring margin (+3.4). Kent State also has the second-best free throw percentage in the MAC (.760). They also have the second-best opponent rebounding average (32.7), hold the second-best offensive rebound average (11.3), and fourth-best rebounding margin (+2.3). The Golden Flashes also hold the third-best turnover margin (+1.15) and second-most steals per game (7.15).
Kent State is 58th in the country in bench points per game (25.19), 35th in free throw percentage (.760), 67th in free throws made per game (15.6), 89th in 3-point percentage (.357), 96th in 3-pointers made per game (8.3), and 59th in turnover margin (+1.2).
ZIPS AT A GLANCE
Akron comes into Friday's contest spotting a 19-7 overall record and 11-2 record in the MAC. The Zips have gone 3-2 over their last five with a tough 72-64 loss at Toledo in their most recent game.
After shooting 29.6 percent from the field in the first half, Akron shot 48.3 percent in the second but was unable to defeat the Rockets. Greg Tribble led the Zips with 19 points on a 6-of-9 shooting night that saw a 3-for-4 performance from 3-point range. Ali Ali, Enrique Freeman, and Sammy Hunter all scored in double figures as well. Freeman recorded his 23rd double-double with a 14-point, 16-rebound performance that saw him go 7-of-12 from the field.
Freeman continues to lead the Zips in scoring (18.1), rebounding (13.0), and blocks (39). Kaleb Thornton leads the way in assists with 2.6 while two zips are tied with 0.9 steals per game.
The Zips hold the MAC's best scoring defense (64.8) and scoring margin (+9.8). Akron is also third in fg% (.456) second in opponent (fg% (.424), first in opponent 3-point% (.301), and second in 3-point fg made per game (8.4). The Zips are also third in rebounding (37.1), first in opponent rebounding (32.0), and first in rebound margin (+5.1).
Akron is 97th in the country in effective fg% (.529), 41st in rebound margin (+5.1), 91st in defensive rebounds per game (26.42), 99th in rebounds per game (37.08), 23rd in scoring defense (64.8), 43rd in scoring margin (+9.8), 21st in 3-point fg% (.301), and 83rd in 3-pointers made per game (8.4).
INSIDE THE SERIES
Friday's game marks the 164th meeting in series history between Akron and Kent State with the Golden Flashes leading 82-81. The first meeting was during the 1915-16 season at Kent State where Akron pulled out the win, 37-16.
The Zips have won 20 of the last 35 meetings with Akron winning the previous meeting at Kent State 77-71 on January 19.
Akron went 1-2 against the Golden Flashes last season with each side defending its home court while Kent State won in the MAC Tournament to take a 82-80 advantage in the overall series.
Neither team has done historically well on the road. Akron is 45-25 at home while just 28-53 on the
road against the Golden Flashes.
Akron and Kent State have met in the MAC Tournament nine times. Akron is 6-3 in the MAC Tourna- ment against the Golden Flashes. In addition, Akron and Kent State have played for the MAC Tournament championship four times and the series is split 2-2 in MAC title games. Kent State won the tournament in 2007-08 (74-55), Akron won the title in 2010-11 in overtime (66-65), Kent State won the tournament in 2016-17 (70-65) and the Zips won in 2022 (75-55).
LAST TIME AGAINST KENT STATE (JAN. 19)
KENT, Ohio - Enrique Freeman totaled 23 points, while Ali Ali added 23 as the Akron men's basketball team beat the Kent State Golden Flashes 77-71 on the road Friday to extend its winning streak to six.
The Zips (14-4, 6-0) had three players score in double figures, led by Freeman, who had 23 points, eight rebounds, three steals and five blocks. Ali added 23 points and Tavari Johnson helped out with 10 points off the bench.
Freeman pulled down three offensive rebounds to lead the Akron offense which grabbed 13 boards and turned them into 13 second chance points.
Akron did a great job disrupting Kent State shots in the contest, coming away with seven blocks. Freeman's five rejections led the way individually for the Zips.
After jumping out to a 17-11 advantage, Akron went on a 12-0 run with 11:59 left in the first half, culminating in a three from Freeman, to increase its lead to 29-11. The Zips then lost some of that lead, but still entered halftime with a 36-22 advantage. Akron took advantage of seven offensive rebounds to score eight second chance points out of 36 total in the period.
The Zips then held on for the victory in the second half. Akron got a boost from its bench in the period, as non-starters accounted for 11 of its 41 total points.
HOME SWEET HOME
The Zips own a 467-134 (.777) all-time record at the James A. Rhodes Arena. In the last 17 seasons, Akron has posted a 263-39 (.870) record at the JAR. The Zips are 11-0 at the JAR this season and have won their last 14 home games dating back to the 2022-23 season.
Under coach Groce, Akron is 86-14 (.860) at home. The Zips were 15-1 at home in 2022-23.
Akron owns a 101-21 (.828) home-opening record and 37-4 (.902) at Rhodes Arena. The Zips have been winners in the last 21-of-22 home opening games. Akron is 21-8 in MAC openers, and 12-1 at home since joining the league in 1992. Over the last 18 seasons, the Zips are 15-3 in MAC openers and 7-1 at home. Akron has won the last 9-of-10 MAC openers.
Akron went 12-4 at Rhodes Arena in Groce's first year as head coach and followed with a 14-3 effort. The Zips went 15-2 at home in 2019-20 en route to the regular season MAC Championship. The Zips set the all-time longest home winning streak record at Rhodes Arena with 30 consecutive wins during the 2015-17 seasons, replacing the 26-game run the Zips made during the 1985-87 seasons under head coach Bob Huggins. The streak ranked No. 2 in the NCAA.
THE DOUBLE-DOUBLE MACHINE
Freeman has 23 double-doubles this season, ranking 1st in the NCAA, and is the only player in the MAC to average a double-double. He is 1-of-16 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 recorded eight straight since Jan. 23.
Additionally, he ranks 88th in total blocks (39), 88th in blocks per game (1.50), 30th in fg% (.585), 59th in fg made (168), 33rd in free throws attempted (172), 44th in made free throws (123), 77th in total points (471), 75th in points per game (18.1), 1st in total rebounds (339), 2nd in def. rpg (9.50), 18th in off. rpg (3.54) and 1st in rebounds per game (13.0).
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 hit the road once again as they travel to face the Ohio Bobcats on Tuesday, February 27 for a 7 p.m. start.
Friday, Feb. 23 – James A. Rhodes Arena – Akron, Ohio
6:00 pm ET – CBS Sports Network - WHLO 640
HEAD COACHES
Akron: John Groce | Overall Record: 317-209 | At Akron: 135-77
Toledo: Rob Senderoff | Overall Record: 260-160 | At Kent State: Same
All-Time Series
Kent State Leads: 82-81 Groce vs. Kent State: 8-7 (12-12 Overall)
First Meeting: Akron 37, Kent 16 in Kent 1915-16 season
Last Meeting: Akron 77, Kent 71 at M.A.C Center January 19, 2024
In Akron:45-25 | Neutral: 9-2 | In Kent: 28-53 | MAC Tournament: 6-4 | MAC Title Games: 2-2
Current Streak: 1W
WHAT'S AHEAD
The Akron Zips host rival Kent State on Friday, February 23 for the 164th all-time meeting. Akron and Kent State can be viewed on CBS Sports Network with John Sadak and Tre Demps 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 GOLDEN FLASHES
The Golden Flashes come into Friday's matchup with a 13-13 overall record and a 6-7 record in MAC play.
Going 3-2 in their last five games, Kent State fell 63-57 to Ohio on February 20. Jalen Sullinger and VonCameron Davis led the Golden Flashes with 14 points each in the loss. Ohio held Kent State to 31.7 percent from the field and 33.3 percent from beyond the arc.
Outside of conference action, the Golden Flashes are 1-1 against common opponents with the Zips. Kent State fell 113-108 in double-overtime with James Madison while defeating South Dakota State 82-73.
Sullinger is one of three Golden Flashes to average 10 or more points per game this season with a team-high 14.6 per game. Davis is second on the team in scoring with 13.0 per game while Chris Payton Jr. rounds out the list with 12.7 per game. Payton is also the team's leading rebounder with 7.3 per game and has the most blocks on the squad with 29. Giovanni Santiago leads Kent State in assists with 4.1.
The Golden Flashes enter as the conference's third-best scoring offense with 76.1 points scored per game and hold the third-best scoring margin (+3.4). Kent State also has the second-best free throw percentage in the MAC (.760). They also have the second-best opponent rebounding average (32.7), hold the second-best offensive rebound average (11.3), and fourth-best rebounding margin (+2.3). The Golden Flashes also hold the third-best turnover margin (+1.15) and second-most steals per game (7.15).
Kent State is 58th in the country in bench points per game (25.19), 35th in free throw percentage (.760), 67th in free throws made per game (15.6), 89th in 3-point percentage (.357), 96th in 3-pointers made per game (8.3), and 59th in turnover margin (+1.2).
ZIPS AT A GLANCE
Akron comes into Friday's contest spotting a 19-7 overall record and 11-2 record in the MAC. The Zips have gone 3-2 over their last five with a tough 72-64 loss at Toledo in their most recent game.
After shooting 29.6 percent from the field in the first half, Akron shot 48.3 percent in the second but was unable to defeat the Rockets. Greg Tribble led the Zips with 19 points on a 6-of-9 shooting night that saw a 3-for-4 performance from 3-point range. Ali Ali, Enrique Freeman, and Sammy Hunter all scored in double figures as well. Freeman recorded his 23rd double-double with a 14-point, 16-rebound performance that saw him go 7-of-12 from the field.
Freeman continues to lead the Zips in scoring (18.1), rebounding (13.0), and blocks (39). Kaleb Thornton leads the way in assists with 2.6 while two zips are tied with 0.9 steals per game.
The Zips hold the MAC's best scoring defense (64.8) and scoring margin (+9.8). Akron is also third in fg% (.456) second in opponent (fg% (.424), first in opponent 3-point% (.301), and second in 3-point fg made per game (8.4). The Zips are also third in rebounding (37.1), first in opponent rebounding (32.0), and first in rebound margin (+5.1).
Akron is 97th in the country in effective fg% (.529), 41st in rebound margin (+5.1), 91st in defensive rebounds per game (26.42), 99th in rebounds per game (37.08), 23rd in scoring defense (64.8), 43rd in scoring margin (+9.8), 21st in 3-point fg% (.301), and 83rd in 3-pointers made per game (8.4).
INSIDE THE SERIES
Friday's game marks the 164th meeting in series history between Akron and Kent State with the Golden Flashes leading 82-81. The first meeting was during the 1915-16 season at Kent State where Akron pulled out the win, 37-16.
The Zips have won 20 of the last 35 meetings with Akron winning the previous meeting at Kent State 77-71 on January 19.
Akron went 1-2 against the Golden Flashes last season with each side defending its home court while Kent State won in the MAC Tournament to take a 82-80 advantage in the overall series.
Neither team has done historically well on the road. Akron is 45-25 at home while just 28-53 on the
road against the Golden Flashes.
Akron and Kent State have met in the MAC Tournament nine times. Akron is 6-3 in the MAC Tourna- ment against the Golden Flashes. In addition, Akron and Kent State have played for the MAC Tournament championship four times and the series is split 2-2 in MAC title games. Kent State won the tournament in 2007-08 (74-55), Akron won the title in 2010-11 in overtime (66-65), Kent State won the tournament in 2016-17 (70-65) and the Zips won in 2022 (75-55).
LAST TIME AGAINST KENT STATE (JAN. 19)
KENT, Ohio - Enrique Freeman totaled 23 points, while Ali Ali added 23 as the Akron men's basketball team beat the Kent State Golden Flashes 77-71 on the road Friday to extend its winning streak to six.
The Zips (14-4, 6-0) had three players score in double figures, led by Freeman, who had 23 points, eight rebounds, three steals and five blocks. Ali added 23 points and Tavari Johnson helped out with 10 points off the bench.
Freeman pulled down three offensive rebounds to lead the Akron offense which grabbed 13 boards and turned them into 13 second chance points.
Akron did a great job disrupting Kent State shots in the contest, coming away with seven blocks. Freeman's five rejections led the way individually for the Zips.
After jumping out to a 17-11 advantage, Akron went on a 12-0 run with 11:59 left in the first half, culminating in a three from Freeman, to increase its lead to 29-11. The Zips then lost some of that lead, but still entered halftime with a 36-22 advantage. Akron took advantage of seven offensive rebounds to score eight second chance points out of 36 total in the period.
The Zips then held on for the victory in the second half. Akron got a boost from its bench in the period, as non-starters accounted for 11 of its 41 total points.
HOME SWEET HOME
The Zips own a 467-134 (.777) all-time record at the James A. Rhodes Arena. In the last 17 seasons, Akron has posted a 263-39 (.870) record at the JAR. The Zips are 11-0 at the JAR this season and have won their last 14 home games dating back to the 2022-23 season.
Under coach Groce, Akron is 86-14 (.860) at home. The Zips were 15-1 at home in 2022-23.
Akron owns a 101-21 (.828) home-opening record and 37-4 (.902) at Rhodes Arena. The Zips have been winners in the last 21-of-22 home opening games. Akron is 21-8 in MAC openers, and 12-1 at home since joining the league in 1992. Over the last 18 seasons, the Zips are 15-3 in MAC openers and 7-1 at home. Akron has won the last 9-of-10 MAC openers.
Akron went 12-4 at Rhodes Arena in Groce's first year as head coach and followed with a 14-3 effort. The Zips went 15-2 at home in 2019-20 en route to the regular season MAC Championship. The Zips set the all-time longest home winning streak record at Rhodes Arena with 30 consecutive wins during the 2015-17 seasons, replacing the 26-game run the Zips made during the 1985-87 seasons under head coach Bob Huggins. The streak ranked No. 2 in the NCAA.
THE DOUBLE-DOUBLE MACHINE
Freeman has 23 double-doubles this season, ranking 1st in the NCAA, and is the only player in the MAC to average a double-double. He is 1-of-16 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 recorded eight straight since Jan. 23.
Additionally, he ranks 88th in total blocks (39), 88th in blocks per game (1.50), 30th in fg% (.585), 59th in fg made (168), 33rd in free throws attempted (172), 44th in made free throws (123), 77th in total points (471), 75th in points per game (18.1), 1st in total rebounds (339), 2nd in def. rpg (9.50), 18th in off. rpg (3.54) and 1st in rebounds per game (13.0).
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 hit the road once again as they travel to face the Ohio Bobcats on Tuesday, February 27 for a 7 p.m. start.
Players Mentioned
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