The University of Akron Athletics
Tuesday, March 5
Akron, Ohio
7 PM
University of Akron
vs
Eastern Michigan
Zips Host Eastern Michigan For Final Home Game of the Season
March 04 | Men's Basketball
Akron (21-8, 13-3 Mid-American) vs Eastern Michigan (12-17, 5-11 Mid-American)
Tuesday, Mar. 5 – James A. Rhodes Arena – Akron, Ohio
7:00 pm ET – ESPN + - WHLO 640
HEAD COACHES
Akron: John Groce | Overall Record: 319-210 | At Akron: 137-78
Eastern Michigan: Stan Heath |Overall Record: 239-268 | At Eastern Michigan: 30-61
All-Time Series
Akron Leads: 37-23 Groce vs. EMU 9-3 (11-5 Overall)
First Meeting: Akron 62-Eastern Michigan 55 in Akron on Feb. 3, 1968
Last Meeting: Akron 77-Eastern Michigan 46 at Gervin GameAbove Center on Jan. 30, 2024
In Akron: 20-9, Neutral: 3-1, In Ypsilanti: 14-13
Current Streak: 6 W
WHAT'S AHEAD
The Akron Zips host Eastern Michigan on Tuesday, March 5 for the 51st all-time meeting. Akron and Eastern Michigan can be viewed on ESPN+ with Michael Reghi and Dave Bacon 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 EAGLES
The Eagles are coming into Tuesday's contest with a 12-17 overall record, a 5-11 MAC record and a 3-10 road record this season.
EMU was held to 37 total points in a 52-37 loss to Miami (OH) in its most recent contest at home. The Eagles only scored 17 points in the first half with 20 more coming in the second. Jalin Billingsley led the Eagles in scoring with 13 points against the RedHawks. EMU shot 32 percent from the field while Miami shot just under 37 percent from the field.
Tyson Acuff leads the Eagles in scoring 21.7 points per game and 2.8 assists per game. Billingsley is the leader in rebounds with 5.2 per game while Orlando Lovejoy leads the way in steals with 1.4. Yusif Jihad is the leader in blocks with 15 while Arne Osojnik is second with 14 and Billingsley is third with 13.
In the MAC, EMU is last in scoring with 66.3 points per game and second to last in scoring margin (-7.0). EMU holds the fourth best opponent 3-point fg% (.322) while making the least 3-pointers among MAC schools per game (5.8). Acuff is leading the MAC in points per game with 21.7 while holding the ninth best free throw percentage (.811), 12th most assists per game (2.8), and most minutes per game (37.9).
Acuff is third in the country in field goals attempted (506), 11th in field goals made (219), third in
minutes played per game (37:56) and eighth in points per game (21.7).
ZIPS AT A GLANCE
The Zips come into Tuesday's contest with a 21-8 overall record, a 13-3 overall record and a 13-0 record at the JAR this season.
Akron was victorious over NIU on March 2, as the Zips defeated the Huskies 80-73 at the JAR. Enrique Freeman had 22 points and 11 rebounds in the win while Ali Ali scored 17 points on a 7-of-12 shooting night on Senior Day.
Freeman leads the Zips in scoring per game (18.3), rebounds per game (12.9), and total blocks (44).
Kaleb Thornton is the leader in assists (2.5) while two Zips are tied for the lead in steals with 0.9 per game.
In the MAC, Akron is fourth in scoring (74.9), first in defense (65.6), and first in scoring margin (9.3). The Zips are also third in field goal percentage (.457) and opponent fg% (.428). Akron also holds the best opponent 3-point percentage (.306) and holds opponents to the fewest rebounds in the MAC (31.9). The Zips also hold the best rebound margin in the MAC (+5.1).
Akron is currently 91st in the country in effective fg% (.529), 39th in rebound margin (+5.1), 92nd in defensive rebounds per game (26.31), 25th in scoring defense (65.6), 44th in scoring margin (+9.3), 25th in 3pt fg defense (.306), and 90th in 3-pointers made per game (8.3).
INSIDE THE SERIES
Tuesday's game marks the 61st meeting in series history between Akron and Eastern Michigan. It's the 17th meeting for a Groce-coached squad, 13th at Akron. Akron holds a 37-23 all-time series advantage while Groce is 11-5 overall against the Eagles all-time and 9-3 at Akron.
The Zips have won 27 of the last 33 meetings, including 14-of-17 games after winning 77-46 at EMU on January 30 where the Zips shot 50 percent from the field.
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.
Akron won the lone meeting in 2019-20 in DeKalb, 72-49. The two teams split 2018-19 season series with a 73-56 setback in DeKalb and a 67-65 triumph in Akron. The Zips won the 2017-18 lone matchup, 82-67, at James A. Rhodes Arena in Akron on Jan. 20. In 2016-17, The Zips won 76-73, at the NIU Convocation Center in DeKalb on Jan. 31. Akron and the Huskies split the 2015-16 season's series, winning at Rhodes Arena on Jan. 26, 76-66, but falling at NIU Convocation Center on Feb. 13, 80-79.
LAST TIME AGAINST EASTERN MICHIGAN (JAN. 30, 2024)
YPSILANTI, Mich. - The Akron men's basketball team kept Eastern Michigan to just 10.5 percent from 3-point range in a 2-for-19 shooting performance on the way to a 77-46 victory against the Eagles on the road Tuesday.
Nine Zips recorded points in the road victory.
The Zips (16-5, 8-1) had three players score in double figures, led by Enrique Freeman, who recorded a double-double with 17 points and 11 rebounds. Sammy Hunter added 12 points and Tavari Johnson chipped in as well with 12 points off the bench.
Akron grabbed 41 rebounds in Tuesday's game compared to Eastern Michigan's 21, led by Freeman's 11 boards. The Zips also cleaned up the offensive glass, turning 11 rebounds into seven second chance points.
The Akron defense held Eastern Michigan shooters to only 36 percent from the field, including 10.5 percent from three-point range. The Eagles did not get many second opportunities on the offensive end, as they grabbed only three offensive rebounds and scored three second chance points while Akron pulled down 30 defensive rebounds.
After jumping out to a 34-20 advantage, Akron went on an 8-0 run with 2:41 left in the first half, culminating in a bucket from Shammah Scott, to increase its lead to 42-20. The Zips then lost some of that lead, but still entered halftime with a 42-23 advantage. Akron did most of its first half damage in the paint, scoring 26 of its 42 points close to the basket.
Following intermission, Akron kept widening that lead, expanding it to 64-40 before going on a 6-0 run to grow the lead to 70-40 with 3:07 to go in the contest. The Zips kept expanding the margin and coasted the rest of the way for the 77-46 win. Akron took care of business in the paint, recording 24 of its 35 points in the lane.
HOME SWEET HOME
The Zips own a 469-134 (.778) all-time record at the James A. Rhodes Arena. In the last 17 seasons, Akron has posted a 265-39 (.871) record at the JAR. The Zips are 13-0 at the JAR this season and have won their last 16 home games dating back to the 2022-23 season.
Under coach Groce, Akron is 88-14 (.863) 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 26 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 13 times. Freeman recorded 11 consecutive double-doubles from Nov. 28 to Jan. 16 and has recorded 11 straight since Jan. 23.
Additionally, he ranks 82nd in blocks (44), 78th in blocks per game (1.52), 27th in fg% (.586), 56th in fg made (s187), 31st in free throws attempted (195), 38th in made free throws (141), 67th in total points (530), 69th in points per game (18.3), 2nd in total rebounds (373), 2nd in def. rpg (9.31), 17th in off. rpg (3.55) 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 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 travels to Western Michigan to conclude the regular season on Friday, March 8. The Zips and Broncos will be featured on CSB Sports Network with a start time of 6 pm.
Tuesday, Mar. 5 – James A. Rhodes Arena – Akron, Ohio
7:00 pm ET – ESPN + - WHLO 640
HEAD COACHES
Akron: John Groce | Overall Record: 319-210 | At Akron: 137-78
Eastern Michigan: Stan Heath |Overall Record: 239-268 | At Eastern Michigan: 30-61
All-Time Series
Akron Leads: 37-23 Groce vs. EMU 9-3 (11-5 Overall)
First Meeting: Akron 62-Eastern Michigan 55 in Akron on Feb. 3, 1968
Last Meeting: Akron 77-Eastern Michigan 46 at Gervin GameAbove Center on Jan. 30, 2024
In Akron: 20-9, Neutral: 3-1, In Ypsilanti: 14-13
Current Streak: 6 W
WHAT'S AHEAD
The Akron Zips host Eastern Michigan on Tuesday, March 5 for the 51st all-time meeting. Akron and Eastern Michigan can be viewed on ESPN+ with Michael Reghi and Dave Bacon 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 EAGLES
The Eagles are coming into Tuesday's contest with a 12-17 overall record, a 5-11 MAC record and a 3-10 road record this season.
EMU was held to 37 total points in a 52-37 loss to Miami (OH) in its most recent contest at home. The Eagles only scored 17 points in the first half with 20 more coming in the second. Jalin Billingsley led the Eagles in scoring with 13 points against the RedHawks. EMU shot 32 percent from the field while Miami shot just under 37 percent from the field.
Tyson Acuff leads the Eagles in scoring 21.7 points per game and 2.8 assists per game. Billingsley is the leader in rebounds with 5.2 per game while Orlando Lovejoy leads the way in steals with 1.4. Yusif Jihad is the leader in blocks with 15 while Arne Osojnik is second with 14 and Billingsley is third with 13.
In the MAC, EMU is last in scoring with 66.3 points per game and second to last in scoring margin (-7.0). EMU holds the fourth best opponent 3-point fg% (.322) while making the least 3-pointers among MAC schools per game (5.8). Acuff is leading the MAC in points per game with 21.7 while holding the ninth best free throw percentage (.811), 12th most assists per game (2.8), and most minutes per game (37.9).
Acuff is third in the country in field goals attempted (506), 11th in field goals made (219), third in
minutes played per game (37:56) and eighth in points per game (21.7).
ZIPS AT A GLANCE
The Zips come into Tuesday's contest with a 21-8 overall record, a 13-3 overall record and a 13-0 record at the JAR this season.
Akron was victorious over NIU on March 2, as the Zips defeated the Huskies 80-73 at the JAR. Enrique Freeman had 22 points and 11 rebounds in the win while Ali Ali scored 17 points on a 7-of-12 shooting night on Senior Day.
Freeman leads the Zips in scoring per game (18.3), rebounds per game (12.9), and total blocks (44).
Kaleb Thornton is the leader in assists (2.5) while two Zips are tied for the lead in steals with 0.9 per game.
In the MAC, Akron is fourth in scoring (74.9), first in defense (65.6), and first in scoring margin (9.3). The Zips are also third in field goal percentage (.457) and opponent fg% (.428). Akron also holds the best opponent 3-point percentage (.306) and holds opponents to the fewest rebounds in the MAC (31.9). The Zips also hold the best rebound margin in the MAC (+5.1).
Akron is currently 91st in the country in effective fg% (.529), 39th in rebound margin (+5.1), 92nd in defensive rebounds per game (26.31), 25th in scoring defense (65.6), 44th in scoring margin (+9.3), 25th in 3pt fg defense (.306), and 90th in 3-pointers made per game (8.3).
INSIDE THE SERIES
Tuesday's game marks the 61st meeting in series history between Akron and Eastern Michigan. It's the 17th meeting for a Groce-coached squad, 13th at Akron. Akron holds a 37-23 all-time series advantage while Groce is 11-5 overall against the Eagles all-time and 9-3 at Akron.
The Zips have won 27 of the last 33 meetings, including 14-of-17 games after winning 77-46 at EMU on January 30 where the Zips shot 50 percent from the field.
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.
Akron won the lone meeting in 2019-20 in DeKalb, 72-49. The two teams split 2018-19 season series with a 73-56 setback in DeKalb and a 67-65 triumph in Akron. The Zips won the 2017-18 lone matchup, 82-67, at James A. Rhodes Arena in Akron on Jan. 20. In 2016-17, The Zips won 76-73, at the NIU Convocation Center in DeKalb on Jan. 31. Akron and the Huskies split the 2015-16 season's series, winning at Rhodes Arena on Jan. 26, 76-66, but falling at NIU Convocation Center on Feb. 13, 80-79.
LAST TIME AGAINST EASTERN MICHIGAN (JAN. 30, 2024)
YPSILANTI, Mich. - The Akron men's basketball team kept Eastern Michigan to just 10.5 percent from 3-point range in a 2-for-19 shooting performance on the way to a 77-46 victory against the Eagles on the road Tuesday.
Nine Zips recorded points in the road victory.
The Zips (16-5, 8-1) had three players score in double figures, led by Enrique Freeman, who recorded a double-double with 17 points and 11 rebounds. Sammy Hunter added 12 points and Tavari Johnson chipped in as well with 12 points off the bench.
Akron grabbed 41 rebounds in Tuesday's game compared to Eastern Michigan's 21, led by Freeman's 11 boards. The Zips also cleaned up the offensive glass, turning 11 rebounds into seven second chance points.
The Akron defense held Eastern Michigan shooters to only 36 percent from the field, including 10.5 percent from three-point range. The Eagles did not get many second opportunities on the offensive end, as they grabbed only three offensive rebounds and scored three second chance points while Akron pulled down 30 defensive rebounds.
After jumping out to a 34-20 advantage, Akron went on an 8-0 run with 2:41 left in the first half, culminating in a bucket from Shammah Scott, to increase its lead to 42-20. The Zips then lost some of that lead, but still entered halftime with a 42-23 advantage. Akron did most of its first half damage in the paint, scoring 26 of its 42 points close to the basket.
Following intermission, Akron kept widening that lead, expanding it to 64-40 before going on a 6-0 run to grow the lead to 70-40 with 3:07 to go in the contest. The Zips kept expanding the margin and coasted the rest of the way for the 77-46 win. Akron took care of business in the paint, recording 24 of its 35 points in the lane.
HOME SWEET HOME
The Zips own a 469-134 (.778) all-time record at the James A. Rhodes Arena. In the last 17 seasons, Akron has posted a 265-39 (.871) record at the JAR. The Zips are 13-0 at the JAR this season and have won their last 16 home games dating back to the 2022-23 season.
Under coach Groce, Akron is 88-14 (.863) 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 26 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 13 times. Freeman recorded 11 consecutive double-doubles from Nov. 28 to Jan. 16 and has recorded 11 straight since Jan. 23.
Additionally, he ranks 82nd in blocks (44), 78th in blocks per game (1.52), 27th in fg% (.586), 56th in fg made (s187), 31st in free throws attempted (195), 38th in made free throws (141), 67th in total points (530), 69th in points per game (18.3), 2nd in total rebounds (373), 2nd in def. rpg (9.31), 17th in off. rpg (3.55) 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 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 travels to Western Michigan to conclude the regular season on Friday, March 8. The Zips and Broncos will be featured on CSB Sports Network with a start time of 6 pm.
Players Mentioned
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