The University of Akron Athletics
Friday, March 8
Kalamazoo, Mich.
6:00 pm
University of Akron
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Western Michigan
Zips Travel to Western Michigan For Nationally Televised Game on Friday
March 07 | Men's Basketball
Akron (21-9, 13-4 Mid-American) at Western Michigan (11-19, 8-9 Mid-American)
Friday, Mar. 8 – Read Fieldhouse – Kalamazoo, MIch.
6:00 pm ET – CBS Sports Network- WHLO 640
HEAD COACHES
Akron: John Groce | Overall Record: 319-211 | At Akron: 137-79
Western Michigan: Dwayne Stephens | Overall Record: 19-42| At Western Michigan: Same
ALL-TIME SERIES
Akron Leads: 39-21 (7-2 MAC Tournament) Groce vs. Western Michigan: 9-2 (12-4 Overall)
First Meeting: Akron 79, Western Michigan 74 March 5, 1988 in Kalamazoo, Mich.
Last Meeting: Akron 81, Western Michigan 64 at James A. Rhodes Arena Feb. 25 , 2023
In Akron: 21-7 | Neutral: 5-2 | In Kalamazoo: 13-12
Current Streak: W3
WHAT'S AHEAD
The Akron Zips travel to Western Michigan on Friday, March 8 for the 61st all-time meeting.
Akron and Western Michigan can be viewed on CBS Sports Network with Alex Del Barrio and Mo Cassara 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 BRONCOS
The Broncos come into Friday's contest with a 11-19 overall record, an 8-9 conference record, 6-7 at home and are currently the No. 8 seed heading into the MAC Tournament.
Western Michigan recently fell 73-65 to Bowling Green on Tuesday, March 8. Three Broncos scored in double-figures with Seth Hubbard scoring 12 points to lead the squad. Artis B. White scored 11 and Anthony Crump scored 10 in the loss.
Hubbard is leading the Broncos with 14.3 points per game and 1.1 steals per game. Artis B. White leads the way with 3.3 assists per game while Anthony Crump is the leader in rebounds with 6.3. Javonte Brown is the team's leader in blocks with 24.
Among schools in the MAC, Western Michigan is second in rebounds per game (37.7), first in offensive rebounds (12.6), and third in rebound margin (+2.6). The Broncos are also 11th in turnover margin (-2.03).
Western Michigan is also 64th in the country in bench points per game (24.30), 32nd in offensive rebounds per game (12.57), and 74th in rebounds per game (37.70).
ZIPS AT A GLANCE
Akron comes into Friday's game with a 21-9 overall record, a 13-4 record in the MAC and a 7-5 road record. The Zips have gone 3-4 over their last seven games with alternating wins and losses.
Akron most recently lost to Eastern Michigan at home, 61-60 on March 5. Enrique Freeman recorded his 27th double-double of the season while Ali Ali and Sammy Hunter scored in double figures.
Freeman leads the Zips in points (18.2), rebounds (12.9) and total blocks (48). Two Zips are tied with 0.9 steals per game while Kaleb Thornton leads the Zips with 2.4 assists per game.
Ali and Greg Tribble join Freeman in double-figure scoring on the season with 15.5 points and 10.7 points per game.
Since entering MAC play, Ali has led the Zips with 41 total assists and is second on the squad with 14.8 points per game. Freeman has scored 18.7 points per game in conference action while recording 28 of his 48 blocks against MAC schools. Freeman has recorded 60 of his 109 offensive rebounds in MAC play as well.
The Zips are ranked fourth in scoring (74.4), first in scoring defense (65.4), and first in scoring margin (+8.9) in the MAC. Akron is also third in field goal percentage (.457) and opponent field goal percentage (.428). The Zips are holding opponents to the lowest 3-point fg% in the MAC (.305) and are first in opponent rebounds per game (32.0). Akron is also first in rebound margin (+4.8).
Akron is 92nd in the country in effective fg% (.529), 45th in rebound margin (+4.8), 21st in scoring defense (65.4), 49th in scoring margin (+8.9), and 21st in 3-point defense (.305).
INSIDE THE SERIES
Akron and Western Michigan will battle for the 61st time on Tuesday. The Zips lead the series 39-21 and hold a 7-2 advantage in postseason action. Head coach John Groce is 12-4 all-time against the Broncos and 9-2 at Akron. Akron has won 15 of the last 17 meetings and 27 of the last 32 games of the series. The Zips are 21-7 all-time at home against the Broncos.
The Zips won the first meeting of the season 77-66 at the JAR on January 16.
Akron swept the series last season with a 63-55 win on the road and an 81-64 victory at the JAR.
Akron is 7-2 in the MAC Tournament against WMU and 5-2 on a neutral court. In addition, the Zips are 13-12 in Kalamazoo, winning six of the last 10 meetings at University Arena. In 2002, Akron opened the MAC Tournament in Kalamazoo and advanced to Cleveland after a 90-83 win as the 11th seed. The Zips are 2-0 in the MAC Tournament at University Arena and 6-6 all-time in opening-round games.
LAST TIME AGAINST WESTERN MICHIGAN (JAN. 16, 2024)
AKRON, Ohio - Enrique Freeman, Sammy Hunter, and Ali Ali helped propel the Zips to a 50-point second half to take a 77-66 victory over the Western Michigan Broncos on Tuesday evening.
Freeman finished with a 20-point, 14-rebound double-double to break Joe Jakubick's 40 year old record for the most consecutive double-figure games in program history. Jakubick set the record with 30 straight games with 10 or more points while Freeman now has thew record with 31 and counting.
The Zips (13-4, 5-0) had three players score in double figures, led by Freeman. Sammy Hunter tacked on 19 points and Ali Ali chipped in as well with 18 points.
Akron shared the ball well in Tuesday's game, racking up 16 assists on 29 made field goals. Individually, Kaleb Thornton dished out the most for the Zips with six assists.
Akron did a great job disrupting Western Michigan shots in the contest, coming away with five blocks. Freeman's three rejections led the way individually for the Zips.
After falling behind 3-2, Akron went on an 8-0 run with 17:35 left in the first half, culminating in a bucket from Hunter, to take a 10-3 lead. The Zips then surrendered that lead and entered halftime down 29-27.
Western Michigan kept widening its lead after intermission, constructing a 35-32 advantage before Akron went on a 6-0 run, finished off by Mikal Dawson's three, to seize a 38-35 lead with 15:38 to go in the contest. The Zips kept expanding the margin and coasted the rest of the way for the 77-66 win. Akron shot well from three-point range in the half, hitting seven shots from deep to score 21 of its 50 points.
ON THE ROAD
Akron is 7-5 in true road games this season. The Zips have posted wins over South Dakota State (81-75), 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), Toledo (72-64), and Ohio (74-67).
THE DOUBLE-DOUBLE MACHINE
Freeman has 27 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 12 straight since Jan. 23.
Additionally, he ranks 66th in blocks (48), 67th in blocks per game (1.60), 26th in fg% (.587), 50th in fg made (192), 28th in free throws attempted (201), 36th in made free throws (146), 62nd in total points (545), 72nd in points per game (18.2), 1st in total rebounds (386), 3rd in def. rpg (9.23), 15th in off. rpg (3.63) and 1st in rebounds per game (12.9).
THE FINAL 5
Akron senior forward Enrique Freeman was one of 5 finalists for the 2024 Karl Malone Award as announced by the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame on March 7. The annual honor is in its tenth year and recognizes the top power forwards in Division I men's college basketball.
Later in March, the finalists will be presented to Malone and the Hall of Fame's selection committees. The Selection Committees for the Karl Malone Award are composed of top men's college basketball personnel, including media members, head coaches, sports information directors, and Hall of Famers.
WHAT'S NEXT?
Akron will make the short drive to Cleveland, Ohio., for the Mid-American Conference Tournament. The first round is set for March 14.
Friday, Mar. 8 – Read Fieldhouse – Kalamazoo, MIch.
6:00 pm ET – CBS Sports Network- WHLO 640
HEAD COACHES
Akron: John Groce | Overall Record: 319-211 | At Akron: 137-79
Western Michigan: Dwayne Stephens | Overall Record: 19-42| At Western Michigan: Same
ALL-TIME SERIES
Akron Leads: 39-21 (7-2 MAC Tournament) Groce vs. Western Michigan: 9-2 (12-4 Overall)
First Meeting: Akron 79, Western Michigan 74 March 5, 1988 in Kalamazoo, Mich.
Last Meeting: Akron 81, Western Michigan 64 at James A. Rhodes Arena Feb. 25 , 2023
In Akron: 21-7 | Neutral: 5-2 | In Kalamazoo: 13-12
Current Streak: W3
WHAT'S AHEAD
The Akron Zips travel to Western Michigan on Friday, March 8 for the 61st all-time meeting.
Akron and Western Michigan can be viewed on CBS Sports Network with Alex Del Barrio and Mo Cassara 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 BRONCOS
The Broncos come into Friday's contest with a 11-19 overall record, an 8-9 conference record, 6-7 at home and are currently the No. 8 seed heading into the MAC Tournament.
Western Michigan recently fell 73-65 to Bowling Green on Tuesday, March 8. Three Broncos scored in double-figures with Seth Hubbard scoring 12 points to lead the squad. Artis B. White scored 11 and Anthony Crump scored 10 in the loss.
Hubbard is leading the Broncos with 14.3 points per game and 1.1 steals per game. Artis B. White leads the way with 3.3 assists per game while Anthony Crump is the leader in rebounds with 6.3. Javonte Brown is the team's leader in blocks with 24.
Among schools in the MAC, Western Michigan is second in rebounds per game (37.7), first in offensive rebounds (12.6), and third in rebound margin (+2.6). The Broncos are also 11th in turnover margin (-2.03).
Western Michigan is also 64th in the country in bench points per game (24.30), 32nd in offensive rebounds per game (12.57), and 74th in rebounds per game (37.70).
ZIPS AT A GLANCE
Akron comes into Friday's game with a 21-9 overall record, a 13-4 record in the MAC and a 7-5 road record. The Zips have gone 3-4 over their last seven games with alternating wins and losses.
Akron most recently lost to Eastern Michigan at home, 61-60 on March 5. Enrique Freeman recorded his 27th double-double of the season while Ali Ali and Sammy Hunter scored in double figures.
Freeman leads the Zips in points (18.2), rebounds (12.9) and total blocks (48). Two Zips are tied with 0.9 steals per game while Kaleb Thornton leads the Zips with 2.4 assists per game.
Ali and Greg Tribble join Freeman in double-figure scoring on the season with 15.5 points and 10.7 points per game.
Since entering MAC play, Ali has led the Zips with 41 total assists and is second on the squad with 14.8 points per game. Freeman has scored 18.7 points per game in conference action while recording 28 of his 48 blocks against MAC schools. Freeman has recorded 60 of his 109 offensive rebounds in MAC play as well.
The Zips are ranked fourth in scoring (74.4), first in scoring defense (65.4), and first in scoring margin (+8.9) in the MAC. Akron is also third in field goal percentage (.457) and opponent field goal percentage (.428). The Zips are holding opponents to the lowest 3-point fg% in the MAC (.305) and are first in opponent rebounds per game (32.0). Akron is also first in rebound margin (+4.8).
Akron is 92nd in the country in effective fg% (.529), 45th in rebound margin (+4.8), 21st in scoring defense (65.4), 49th in scoring margin (+8.9), and 21st in 3-point defense (.305).
INSIDE THE SERIES
Akron and Western Michigan will battle for the 61st time on Tuesday. The Zips lead the series 39-21 and hold a 7-2 advantage in postseason action. Head coach John Groce is 12-4 all-time against the Broncos and 9-2 at Akron. Akron has won 15 of the last 17 meetings and 27 of the last 32 games of the series. The Zips are 21-7 all-time at home against the Broncos.
The Zips won the first meeting of the season 77-66 at the JAR on January 16.
Akron swept the series last season with a 63-55 win on the road and an 81-64 victory at the JAR.
Akron is 7-2 in the MAC Tournament against WMU and 5-2 on a neutral court. In addition, the Zips are 13-12 in Kalamazoo, winning six of the last 10 meetings at University Arena. In 2002, Akron opened the MAC Tournament in Kalamazoo and advanced to Cleveland after a 90-83 win as the 11th seed. The Zips are 2-0 in the MAC Tournament at University Arena and 6-6 all-time in opening-round games.
LAST TIME AGAINST WESTERN MICHIGAN (JAN. 16, 2024)
AKRON, Ohio - Enrique Freeman, Sammy Hunter, and Ali Ali helped propel the Zips to a 50-point second half to take a 77-66 victory over the Western Michigan Broncos on Tuesday evening.
Freeman finished with a 20-point, 14-rebound double-double to break Joe Jakubick's 40 year old record for the most consecutive double-figure games in program history. Jakubick set the record with 30 straight games with 10 or more points while Freeman now has thew record with 31 and counting.
The Zips (13-4, 5-0) had three players score in double figures, led by Freeman. Sammy Hunter tacked on 19 points and Ali Ali chipped in as well with 18 points.
Akron shared the ball well in Tuesday's game, racking up 16 assists on 29 made field goals. Individually, Kaleb Thornton dished out the most for the Zips with six assists.
Akron did a great job disrupting Western Michigan shots in the contest, coming away with five blocks. Freeman's three rejections led the way individually for the Zips.
After falling behind 3-2, Akron went on an 8-0 run with 17:35 left in the first half, culminating in a bucket from Hunter, to take a 10-3 lead. The Zips then surrendered that lead and entered halftime down 29-27.
Western Michigan kept widening its lead after intermission, constructing a 35-32 advantage before Akron went on a 6-0 run, finished off by Mikal Dawson's three, to seize a 38-35 lead with 15:38 to go in the contest. The Zips kept expanding the margin and coasted the rest of the way for the 77-66 win. Akron shot well from three-point range in the half, hitting seven shots from deep to score 21 of its 50 points.
ON THE ROAD
Akron is 7-5 in true road games this season. The Zips have posted wins over South Dakota State (81-75), 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), Toledo (72-64), and Ohio (74-67).
THE DOUBLE-DOUBLE MACHINE
Freeman has 27 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 12 straight since Jan. 23.
Additionally, he ranks 66th in blocks (48), 67th in blocks per game (1.60), 26th in fg% (.587), 50th in fg made (192), 28th in free throws attempted (201), 36th in made free throws (146), 62nd in total points (545), 72nd in points per game (18.2), 1st in total rebounds (386), 3rd in def. rpg (9.23), 15th in off. rpg (3.63) and 1st in rebounds per game (12.9).
THE FINAL 5
Akron senior forward Enrique Freeman was one of 5 finalists for the 2024 Karl Malone Award as announced by the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame on March 7. The annual honor is in its tenth year and recognizes the top power forwards in Division I men's college basketball.
Later in March, the finalists will be presented to Malone and the Hall of Fame's selection committees. The Selection Committees for the Karl Malone Award are composed of top men's college basketball personnel, including media members, head coaches, sports information directors, and Hall of Famers.
WHAT'S NEXT?
Akron will make the short drive to Cleveland, Ohio., for the Mid-American Conference Tournament. The first round is set for March 14.
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Players Mentioned
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