The University of Akron Athletics
Tuesday, February 27
Athens, Ohio
7 PM
University of Akron
at
Ohio
Zips Hit The Road to Battle Ohio on Tuesday
February 26 | Men's Basketball
Akron (20-7, 12-2 Mid-American) at Ohio (15-12, 9-5 Mid-American)
Friday, Feb. 27 – Convocation Center – Athens, Ohio
7:00 pm ET – ESPN + - WHLO 640
HEAD COACHES
Akron: John Groce | Overall Record: 318-209 | At Akron: 136-77
Ohio: Jeff Boals| Overall Record: 148-100 | At Ohio: 93-59
All-Time Series
Akron Leads: 48-43 Groce vs.Ohio 7-4 (7-4 Overall)
First Meeting: Akron 21, Ohio 18 In Akron 1911-12 season
Last Meeting: Akron 67, Ohio 58 at James A. Rhodes Arena (Jan. 23, 2024)
In Akron:29-15 | In Athens: 16-27 | Neutral: 3-1 |
Current Streak: 1W
WHAT'S AHEAD
The Akron Zips travel to Ohio University on Tuesday, February 27 for the 92nd all-time meeting. Akron and Ohio can be viewed on ESPN+ with Russ Eisenstein, Rob Cornelius, and Sam Hyman 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 BOBCATS
The Ohio Bobcats come into Tuesday's contest with a 15-12 overall record, and a 9-5 MAC record while holding a 10-3 record at home.
The Bobcats are winners of their last two games with victories against Kent State and Northern Illinois. Winning 80-59 at NIU, four Bobcats finished in double-figure scoring. Miles Brown and Aiden Hadaway each had 17 points while Shereef Mitchell put up 14 and AJ Clayton had 10 points. Outside of David Coit's 27 points, the Huskies only had one other player with 10 or more points.
Jaylin Hunter leads the Bobcats in scoring with 14.4 points per game. Mitchell (12.8) and Clayton (12.0) are also averaging double-figures in scoring this season. Clayton leads Ohio in rebounds (4.6) and blocks (47) while Hunters has the lead in assists (5.0) and steals (1.5) as well.
The Bobcats hold the second-best scoring offense (78.4) and scoring margin (+6.6) in the MAC. They are also second in FG % (.462) and fourth in opponent fg% (.430). The Bobcats are also making the most 3-point shots per game (9.0) in the MAC and are first in turnover margin (+3.22) and assist-turnover ratio (+1.45). Ohio is also third in blocked shots (3.74), second in assists (14.15), and third in steals (6.70).
Ohio is 42nd in the country in assist-turnover ratio (1.45), 58th in effective fg% (.536), 95th in fg% (.462), 83rd in scoring margin (+6.6), 64th in scoring offense (78.4), 51st in 3-point% (.365), 40th in 3-point fg made (9.0), 27th in turnover margin (+3.2), 97th in turnovers forced per game (12.96), and 19th in fewest turnovers per game (9.7).
Hunter is 84th in assist-turnovers ratio (2.33), 55th in total assists (135), and 49th in assists per game (5.0). Clayton is 61st in total blocks (47) and 57th in blocks per game (1.74).
ZIPS AT A GLANCE
Akron comes into Tuesday's contest with a 20-7 overall record, a 12-2 MAC record, and a 7-4 road record. The Zips are 3-2 in their last five and are coming off an 83-70 victory over Kent State at home.
Akron had four players finish in double-figures with Enrique Freeman finishing with a 24-point and 12 rebound double-double. Greg Tribble (15), Ali Ali (14) and Mikal Dawson (14) also finished in
double-figure scoring.
Freeman is the Zips leader in points (18.3), rebounds (13.0), and blocks 39. Kaleb Thornton leads the way in assists (2.5) while Dawson is the leader in steals (1.0).
The Zips hold the MAC's top scoring margin (+10.0) and scoring defense (65.0) while also holding the third-best fg% (.458) and second-best opponent fg% (.426). The Zips are also first in opponent 3-point fg% (.306) and second for made 3's per game (8.4). Akron is third in rebounds per game (37.0), rebound margin (+5.0), opponent rebounds per game (26.3) and second in defensive rebounds per game (26.3). Akron is also third in turnover margin (+0.9).
Akron is currently 85th in effective fg% (.531), 40th in rebound margin (+5.0), 94th in defensive rebounds per game (26.3), 21st in scoring defense (65.0), 42nd in scoring margin (+10.0), 35th in 3-point defense (.306) and 83rd in 3-pointers made per game (8.4).
INSIDE THE SERIES
Akron and Ohio will be meeting for the 92nd time on Tuesday with the Zips leading 48-43. John Groce, who began his head coaching career at Ohio, is 7-5 all-time against the Bobcats. The Zips are 3-2 against the Bobcats in the MAC Tournament.
The Zips took the first game of the series on January 23 with a 67-58 victory at James A. Rhodes Arena. Enrique Freeman put up a double-double while Shammah Scott and Greg Tribble recorded double-figure scoring nights.
Akron and Ohio split the series last season with both squads protecting home court. Xavier Castaneda led all scorers with a career-high 34 points, on 10-of-15 shooting in the most recent meeting between the two sides that saw Ohio win 90-81.
Enrique Freeman had a career performance at the JAR last season against the Bobcats, scoring 32 points to help the Zips defeat Ohio 83-77 on January 28, 2023.
Holding a 48-43 series advantage, The Zips have won 17 of the last 26 meetings, and
are 29-14 against the Bobcats in Akron, winning 18 of the last 22 meetings at Rhodes Arena. The Zips are 16-27 against OU in Athens, winning six of the last 11 meetings at the Convocation Center.
LAST TIME AGAINST OHIO (JAN. 23, 2024)
AKRON, Ohio - The Akron men's basketball team took the first lead of the game and never looked back as it took down the Ohio University Bobcats, 67-58 on Tuesday evening.
Enrique Freeman registered a double-double with 19 points and 14 rebounds to lead the Akron men's basketball team past the Ohio Bobcats 67-58 at home Tuesday.
In addition to Freeman's double-double, the Zips (15-4, 7-0) were led by Shammah Scott, who put up 10 points and two blocks, and by Greg Tribble, who added 10 points and two blocks.
The Akron offense was impressive from three-point land, making eight threes on 18 attempts. Scott hit two treys for the Zips in the contest.
The Akron defense held Ohio shooters to only 38.9 percent from the field, including 28.6 percent from three-point range. The Bobcats did not get many second opportunities on the offensive end, as they grabbed only eight offensive rebounds and scored eight second chance points while Akron pulled down 26 defensive rebounds.
After jumping out to a 25-20 advantage, Akron went on a 5-0 run with 3:55 left in the first half to increase its lead to 30-20. The Zips then lost some of that lead, but still entered halftime with a 35-26 advantage. Akron relied on its three-point shooting in the period, knocking down five shots to account for 15 of its 35 points.
Akron kept its lead intact before going on a 5-0 run, finished off by Kaleb Thornton's three, to grow the lead to 60-50 with 4:32 to go in the contest. The Bobcats narrowed the margin somewhat before the game was over, but the Zips still cruised the rest of the way for the 67-58 win. Akron got a boost from its bench in the period, as non-starters accounted for 12 of its 32 total points.
ON THE ROAD
Akron is 7-4 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), Eastern Michigan (77-46), and Buffalo (73-62) while falling to UNLV (72-70), Miami (OH) (70-68), James Madison (73-59), and Toledo (72-64).
THE DOUBLE-DOUBLE MACHINE
Freeman has 24 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-14 players in Div. I to average a double-double and has recorded 20+ points and 10+ rebounds 12 times. Freeman recorded 11 consecutive double-doubles from Nov. 28 to Jan. 16 and has recorded nine straight since Jan. 23.
Additionally, he ranks 98th in blocks per game (1.44), 26th in fg% (.585), 52nd in fg made (176), 34th in free throws attempted (178), 45th in made free throws (129), 74th in total points (495), 73rd in points per game (18.3), 1st in total rebounds (339), 2nd in def. rpg (9.41), 17th in off. rpg (3.59) 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?
Akron returns home on Saturday, March 2 for Senior Day against Northern Illinois.
Friday, Feb. 27 – Convocation Center – Athens, Ohio
7:00 pm ET – ESPN + - WHLO 640
HEAD COACHES
Akron: John Groce | Overall Record: 318-209 | At Akron: 136-77
Ohio: Jeff Boals| Overall Record: 148-100 | At Ohio: 93-59
All-Time Series
Akron Leads: 48-43 Groce vs.Ohio 7-4 (7-4 Overall)
First Meeting: Akron 21, Ohio 18 In Akron 1911-12 season
Last Meeting: Akron 67, Ohio 58 at James A. Rhodes Arena (Jan. 23, 2024)
In Akron:29-15 | In Athens: 16-27 | Neutral: 3-1 |
Current Streak: 1W
WHAT'S AHEAD
The Akron Zips travel to Ohio University on Tuesday, February 27 for the 92nd all-time meeting. Akron and Ohio can be viewed on ESPN+ with Russ Eisenstein, Rob Cornelius, and Sam Hyman 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 BOBCATS
The Ohio Bobcats come into Tuesday's contest with a 15-12 overall record, and a 9-5 MAC record while holding a 10-3 record at home.
The Bobcats are winners of their last two games with victories against Kent State and Northern Illinois. Winning 80-59 at NIU, four Bobcats finished in double-figure scoring. Miles Brown and Aiden Hadaway each had 17 points while Shereef Mitchell put up 14 and AJ Clayton had 10 points. Outside of David Coit's 27 points, the Huskies only had one other player with 10 or more points.
Jaylin Hunter leads the Bobcats in scoring with 14.4 points per game. Mitchell (12.8) and Clayton (12.0) are also averaging double-figures in scoring this season. Clayton leads Ohio in rebounds (4.6) and blocks (47) while Hunters has the lead in assists (5.0) and steals (1.5) as well.
The Bobcats hold the second-best scoring offense (78.4) and scoring margin (+6.6) in the MAC. They are also second in FG % (.462) and fourth in opponent fg% (.430). The Bobcats are also making the most 3-point shots per game (9.0) in the MAC and are first in turnover margin (+3.22) and assist-turnover ratio (+1.45). Ohio is also third in blocked shots (3.74), second in assists (14.15), and third in steals (6.70).
Ohio is 42nd in the country in assist-turnover ratio (1.45), 58th in effective fg% (.536), 95th in fg% (.462), 83rd in scoring margin (+6.6), 64th in scoring offense (78.4), 51st in 3-point% (.365), 40th in 3-point fg made (9.0), 27th in turnover margin (+3.2), 97th in turnovers forced per game (12.96), and 19th in fewest turnovers per game (9.7).
Hunter is 84th in assist-turnovers ratio (2.33), 55th in total assists (135), and 49th in assists per game (5.0). Clayton is 61st in total blocks (47) and 57th in blocks per game (1.74).
ZIPS AT A GLANCE
Akron comes into Tuesday's contest with a 20-7 overall record, a 12-2 MAC record, and a 7-4 road record. The Zips are 3-2 in their last five and are coming off an 83-70 victory over Kent State at home.
Akron had four players finish in double-figures with Enrique Freeman finishing with a 24-point and 12 rebound double-double. Greg Tribble (15), Ali Ali (14) and Mikal Dawson (14) also finished in
double-figure scoring.
Freeman is the Zips leader in points (18.3), rebounds (13.0), and blocks 39. Kaleb Thornton leads the way in assists (2.5) while Dawson is the leader in steals (1.0).
The Zips hold the MAC's top scoring margin (+10.0) and scoring defense (65.0) while also holding the third-best fg% (.458) and second-best opponent fg% (.426). The Zips are also first in opponent 3-point fg% (.306) and second for made 3's per game (8.4). Akron is third in rebounds per game (37.0), rebound margin (+5.0), opponent rebounds per game (26.3) and second in defensive rebounds per game (26.3). Akron is also third in turnover margin (+0.9).
Akron is currently 85th in effective fg% (.531), 40th in rebound margin (+5.0), 94th in defensive rebounds per game (26.3), 21st in scoring defense (65.0), 42nd in scoring margin (+10.0), 35th in 3-point defense (.306) and 83rd in 3-pointers made per game (8.4).
INSIDE THE SERIES
Akron and Ohio will be meeting for the 92nd time on Tuesday with the Zips leading 48-43. John Groce, who began his head coaching career at Ohio, is 7-5 all-time against the Bobcats. The Zips are 3-2 against the Bobcats in the MAC Tournament.
The Zips took the first game of the series on January 23 with a 67-58 victory at James A. Rhodes Arena. Enrique Freeman put up a double-double while Shammah Scott and Greg Tribble recorded double-figure scoring nights.
Akron and Ohio split the series last season with both squads protecting home court. Xavier Castaneda led all scorers with a career-high 34 points, on 10-of-15 shooting in the most recent meeting between the two sides that saw Ohio win 90-81.
Enrique Freeman had a career performance at the JAR last season against the Bobcats, scoring 32 points to help the Zips defeat Ohio 83-77 on January 28, 2023.
Holding a 48-43 series advantage, The Zips have won 17 of the last 26 meetings, and
are 29-14 against the Bobcats in Akron, winning 18 of the last 22 meetings at Rhodes Arena. The Zips are 16-27 against OU in Athens, winning six of the last 11 meetings at the Convocation Center.
LAST TIME AGAINST OHIO (JAN. 23, 2024)
AKRON, Ohio - The Akron men's basketball team took the first lead of the game and never looked back as it took down the Ohio University Bobcats, 67-58 on Tuesday evening.
Enrique Freeman registered a double-double with 19 points and 14 rebounds to lead the Akron men's basketball team past the Ohio Bobcats 67-58 at home Tuesday.
In addition to Freeman's double-double, the Zips (15-4, 7-0) were led by Shammah Scott, who put up 10 points and two blocks, and by Greg Tribble, who added 10 points and two blocks.
The Akron offense was impressive from three-point land, making eight threes on 18 attempts. Scott hit two treys for the Zips in the contest.
The Akron defense held Ohio shooters to only 38.9 percent from the field, including 28.6 percent from three-point range. The Bobcats did not get many second opportunities on the offensive end, as they grabbed only eight offensive rebounds and scored eight second chance points while Akron pulled down 26 defensive rebounds.
After jumping out to a 25-20 advantage, Akron went on a 5-0 run with 3:55 left in the first half to increase its lead to 30-20. The Zips then lost some of that lead, but still entered halftime with a 35-26 advantage. Akron relied on its three-point shooting in the period, knocking down five shots to account for 15 of its 35 points.
Akron kept its lead intact before going on a 5-0 run, finished off by Kaleb Thornton's three, to grow the lead to 60-50 with 4:32 to go in the contest. The Bobcats narrowed the margin somewhat before the game was over, but the Zips still cruised the rest of the way for the 67-58 win. Akron got a boost from its bench in the period, as non-starters accounted for 12 of its 32 total points.
ON THE ROAD
Akron is 7-4 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), Eastern Michigan (77-46), and Buffalo (73-62) while falling to UNLV (72-70), Miami (OH) (70-68), James Madison (73-59), and Toledo (72-64).
THE DOUBLE-DOUBLE MACHINE
Freeman has 24 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-14 players in Div. I to average a double-double and has recorded 20+ points and 10+ rebounds 12 times. Freeman recorded 11 consecutive double-doubles from Nov. 28 to Jan. 16 and has recorded nine straight since Jan. 23.
Additionally, he ranks 98th in blocks per game (1.44), 26th in fg% (.585), 52nd in fg made (176), 34th in free throws attempted (178), 45th in made free throws (129), 74th in total points (495), 73rd in points per game (18.3), 1st in total rebounds (339), 2nd in def. rpg (9.41), 17th in off. rpg (3.59) 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?
Akron returns home on Saturday, March 2 for Senior Day against Northern Illinois.
Players Mentioned
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