The University of Akron Athletics
University of Akron
Purdue
Zips Travel to Battle No. 2/1 Purdue on Sunday
November 15 | Men's Basketball
AKRON, Ohio - The Akron Zips battle No. 2/1 Purdue for the third time in the all-time series on Sunday, November 16 for a 7:30 p.m. Akron and Purdue can be viewed on the Big Ten Network with Jack Kizer (PxP) and Rapheal Davis (Analyst) on the call. Fans can listen to the action on the Akron Sports Radio Network on WHLO 640 AM with Dave Skoczen (PxP) and Joe Dunn (Analyst) on the call. Live stats are also available on GoZips.com/coverage.
Akron (3-0, 0-0 Mid-American) vs No. 2/1 Purdue (3-0, 0-0 Big Ten)
Sunday, Nov.16 – Mackey Arena – West Lafayette, Ind.
7:30 pm ET – WHLO 640
HEAD COACHES
Akron: John Groce | Overall Record: 353-220 | At Akron: 171-88
Purdue: Matt Painter | Overall Record: 499-220 | At Purdue: 474-215
ALL-TIME SERIES
Akron Trails 0-2 | Groce vs Purdue: 3-5
First Met:Dec. 4, 1999 (Akron 66 - Purdue 75) At No. 25 Purdue
Last Met: Dec. 27, 2000 (Akron 67, Purdue 98) At Akron
Current Streak: L2
LAST TIME OUT (vs PSU SHENANGP 11/12/25)
AKRON, Ohio - Five Zips scored in double figures while all 13 Zips who touched the court scored a point in a 109-51victory over Penn State Shenango at home Wednesday.
The Zips (3-0) had five players score in double figures, led by Shammah Scott, who had 18 points, eight assists and two steals. Bowen Hardman added 13 points off the bench and Evan Mahaffey chipped in as well with 13 points, five assists and three blocks. Amani Lyles and Sharron Young both scored 10 points each. Lyles notched nine rebounds, two assists and one steal while Young added six rebounds, three assists and one steal.
Akron did an excellent job taking care of the basketball, dishing out 32 assists while turning the ball over 11 times. Scott's eight assists paced the Zips. Zach Halligan, Tavari Johnson and Evan Mahaffey all recorded five helpers on the night.
Akron's defense held to only 27.1 percent shooting from the field, including 28.9 percent from beyond the arc. The Zips also limited Izzy Santiago to 3-of-12 shooting and eight points in the game. The did not have much luck cleaning up their misses on the offensive glass either, as they finished with nine offensive rebounds and managed three second chance points while Akron cleared 42 defensive rebounds.
After jumping out to a 25-17 advantage, Akron went on a 13-0 run with 10:33 left in the first half to increase its lead to 38-17. The Zips then added six points to that lead by the end of the period and entered halftime with a 50-23 advantage. Akron did most of its first half damage in the paint, scoring 30 of its 50 points close to the basket.
Following intermission, Akron kept widening that lead, expanding it to 92-48 before going on a 9-0 run, finished off by Ognjen Stankovic's layup, to grow the lead to 101-48 with 1:37 to go in the contest. The Zips kept expanding the margin and coasted the rest of the way for the 109-51 win. Akron took care of business in the paint, recording 38 of its 59 points in the lane.
ZIPS AT A GLANCE
The Zips hit the road for the first time this season to face No. 2/1 Purdue on Sunday, November 16 for a 7:30 p.m. start.
Akron recently took down Penn State Shenango for its third straight win to begin the season.
Five Zips scored in double figures, while all 13 Zips who touched the court scored a point. Shammah Scott led the Zips in scoring with 18 points, eight assists and two steals. Akron did an excellent job taking care of the basketball, dishing out 32 assists while turning the ball over 11 times. Scott's eight assists paced the Zips. Zach Halligan, Tavari Johnson and Evan Mahaffey all recorded five helpers on the night.
This will be the third meeting between the two schools, and the ninth time John Groce has face Purdue.
Akron is scoring 99.3 points per game while outscoring its opponents by 35.7 points per game. The Zips shoot .482 from the field while shooting .324 from beyond the arc and averaged 12.0 3-pointers per game. The Blue and Gold hold an .778 ft percentage while averaging 50.7 rebounds, 23.3 assists, 8.7 turnovers, 10.3 steals and 5.7 blocks per game.
Akron ranks in the top five in the MAC in scoring offense (2nd - 99.3), scoring defense (3rd - 63.7), scoring margin (3rd - +35.7), fg pct (4th - .482), fg defense (1st - .337), 3pters made per game (3rd - 12.0), ft pct (2nd - .778), rebounds (1st -50.7), off rebounds (2nd - 16.3), def. rebounds (1st - 34.3), rebound margin (1st - +14.7), turnover margin (2nd - +9.33), assist-turnover ratio (1st - +2.69), blocked shots (3rd - 5.67), assists (1st- 23.33) and steals (3rd - 10.33).
Individually, Amani Lyles ranks 9th in scoring (16.0), 7th in rebounds (8.0), 7th in fg pct (.680), 21st in ft pct (.813) and 7th in blocked shots (1.3). Shammah Scott ranks 18th in scoring (14.3), 3rd in 3pters per game (3.0), 7th in assists (4.3) and 2nd in assist-turnover ratio (+13.0). Tavari Johnson ranks 23rd in scoring (13.3), 22nd in 3pt pct (.438), 9th in 3pters made per game (2.3), 3rd in assists (5.0) and 4th in assist-turnover ratio (+5.0). Eric Mahaffey ranks 12th in rebounds and 21st in fg pct (.563). Evan Mahaffey ranks 19th in rebounds (5.3), 10th in fg pct (.609), 1st in assists (5.3), 3rd in assist-turnover ratio (+5.3), 6th in blocked shots (1.7) and 13th in steals (1.7). Bowen Hardman ranks 9th in 3pters made per game (2.3). Sharron Young ranks 14th in 3pters made per game (2.0) and 24th in assists (2.7).
The Zips rank 5th in assist-turnover ratio (+2.69), 5th in assists per game (23.3), 46th in bench points per game (38.00), 42nd in blocks per game (5.7), 91st in effective fg pct (.561), 41st in fastbreak points (19.67), 11th in fg pct (.337), 7th for fewest fouls per game (12.0), 46th in ft pct (.778), 31st in rebound margin (14.7), 8th in defensive reb (34.33), 33rd in offensive reb (16.33), 9th in rebounds per game (50.67), 53rd in scoring defense (63.7), 13th in scoring margin (35.7), 14th in scoring offense (99.3), 44th in steals (10.3), 4th in 3pters attempted (37.0),18th in made 3pters per game (12.0), 32nd in forced turnovers per game (18.0) and 20th in fewest turnovers per game (8.7).
Individually, Shammah Scott ranks 2nd in assist-turnover ratio (13.00) and 80th in made 3pters per game (3.0). Evan Mahaffey ranks 50th in assist-turnover ratio (5.33) and 79th in assists per game (5.3). Tavari Johnson ranks 54th in assist-turnover ratio (5.00) and 96th in assists per game (5.0). Amani Lyles ranks 46th in fg pct (.680), 81st in defensive reb per game (6.00).
SCOUTING THE BOILERMAKERS
Purdue enters Sunday's contest ranked No. 1 in the National Coaches Poll and No. 2 in the AP-Top 25, while holding a 3-0 record. Purdue has started 3-0 the past five seasons.
The Boilermakers started the season as the preseason No. 1 in both polls.
Purdue most recently defeated No. 8 Alabama on the road on November 13. It marked the first non-conference road win over a top-10 team since Dec. 4, 1982, at #7 Louisville (89-83). It was also Purdue's first non-conference road win between two top-10 teams ever.
Braden Smith scored 29 points, including 21 in the second half, while Trey Kaufman-Renn added 19 points and 15 rebounds for the Boilermakers. Oscar Cluff added 11 rebounds, nine points and two assists.
Senior guard Braden Smith was named the 2025-26 Big Ten Preseason Player of the Year. This is the second consecutive year that Smith has been named Big Ten Preseason Player of the Year and the third straight year the honor has gone to a Boilermaker, as Zach Edey received the accolade prior to the 2023-24 campaign. Smith, the reigning Big Ten Player of the Year and consensus First Team All-American, averaged 15.8 points, 8.7 rebounds, and 4.5 rebounds a season ago before being named the recipient of the Bob Cousy Award, given annually to the nation's top point guard by the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. In addition to setting a Big Ten record with 175 assists in conference play, Smith became the only player in NCAA history to amass at least 550 points, 300 assists, 150 rebounds, and 75 steals in a season.
Kaufman-Renn was also named to the Preseason All-Big Ten Team.
Purdue Preseason National Honors
AP All-America: Braden Smith - 1st Team (unanimous) | Jersey Mike's Naismith Trophy Men's College Player of the Year Watch List: Trey Kaufman-Renn, Braden Smith | NABC Div. I Player of the Year Preseason Watch List: Trey Kaufman-Renn, Braden Smith | Wooden Award Legends of Coaching: Matt Painter | Jay Bilas Preseason All-America: Braden Smith – 1st Team, Trey Kaufman-Renn – 3rd Team | Bob Cousy Award Watch List – Point Guard of the Year: Braden Smith | Julius Erving Award Watch List – Small Forward of the Year: Fletcher Loyer | Karl Malone Award Watch List – Power Forward of the Year: Trey Kaufman-Renn | Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Award Watch List – Center of the Year: Oscar Cluff | Blue Ribbon Yearbook Preseason All-America:Braden Smith - 1st Team, Trey Kaufman-Renn - 2nd Team | Blue Ribbon Yearbook Preseason Player of the Year: Braden Smith | CBS Sports Preseason All-America:Trey Kaufman-Renn - 1st Team, Braden Smith- 1st Team (Unanimous) | Sports Illustrated Preseason All-America:Trey Kaufman-Renn – 2nd team
So far this season, Smith leads the Boilermakers in points (18.3) and assists (8.0), Cluff is the leader in rebounds (10.0), Fletcher Loyer is the leader in steals (1.0) and Daniel Jacobsen and Cluff share the lead for total blocks (5).
Purdue ranks in the top 10 in the Big Ten in points per game (8th - 85.3), 3-point pct (3rd - .412), ft pct (10th - .722), off reb (8th - 14.3), def reb (8th - 29.0), rebounds per game (6th - 43.0), assists (20.0) and blocks (9th - 3.7).
Individually, Smith is ranked 12th in the Big Ten in points (18.3), 3rd in assists (8.0) . Loyer is 15th in points per game (17.3), 19th in fg pct (.533), 6th in 3pt pct (.524), 10th in ft pct (.900). Cluff is 10th in fg pct (.611), 6th in rebounds (10.0) and 7th in blocks per game (1.7). Jacobsen is tied with Cluff for 7th in the Big Ten for blocks per game (1.7).
Purdue ranks 4th in the NCAA in assist-turnover ratio (+2.73), 25th in assists per game (20.0), 90th in effective fg pct (.562), 87th in fg pct defense (.387), 7th for fewest fouls per game (12.0), 84th in def rebounds (29.0), 80th in off rebounds (14.0), 65th in rebounds per game (43.0), 34th in 3pt pct (.412), 23rd in 3pters made per game (11.7) and 7th in fewest turnovers per game (7.3).
Individually, Braeden Smith ranks 7th in assists per game (8.0), 13th in total assists (24) and 78th in minutes per game (33:31). Oscar Cluff ranks 97th in total rebounds (30), 20th in off rebounds per game (4.67) and 46th in rebounds per game (10.0). Fletcher Loyer ranks 70th in 3pt pct (.524), 32nd in 3pters made per game (3.67) and 51st in total made 3pters (11).
ON THE ROAD
The Zips were 8-4 on the road in 2024-25 with defeats to Arkansas State (80-75 OT),Saint Mary's (87-65), Princeton (76-75) and Ohio (84-67). Akron picked up victories at Bowling Green (71-68), Eastern Michigan (105-81) Buffalo (90-58), NIU (80-70), Kent State (85-71),Central Michigan (85-82), Ball State (85-82) and Toledo (96-87).
ON NATIONAL TV
Akron will be featured four times on national television, with five wildcard dates to be possibly selected.
Akron battled Purdue on the Big 10 Network on November 13 before being featured on CBSSN when they travel to Bowling Green (Jan. 9) and host Kent State (Jan. 30), while playing on ESPNU on the road at Ohio (Jan. 23).
The remaining dates will be announced 21 days prior to the contests, which may affect five game dates for Akron, including three home games against Toledo (Jan. 27), UMass (Feb. 13) and NIU (March 6), as well as a pair of road games at Ball State (Feb. 20) and Kent State (Feb. 27).
Akron went 6-2 on the national stage in 2024-25 with wins at Bowling Green (71-68), against Ohio (92-80) at Kent State (85-71), against Kent State (77-72), against Toledo (100-90) and against Miami (OH) (76-74). The two defeats came at Ohio (84-67) and against Arizona (93-65).
FOUR OR MORE
The Zips have had four or more players score in double-figure scoring in three game this season. The most recent game with four or more Zips scoring in double figures happend on Nov. 11 when five Zips score 10 or more points against PSU Shenango.
Akron had four or more players record double-figure scoring in 21 games in the 2024-25 season. The season high was seven players scoring 10 or more points against SUNY Brockport (Dec. 7) and Eastern Michigan (Jan. 11).
HIGH OCTANE OFFENSE
The Zips are 3-0 this season when scoring 85 or more points. The Zips have scored 85 or more points in three straight games, with the most recent being 109 against PSU Shenango on Nov. 12.
Akron scored 85 or more points in 19 games in 2024-25 and were 19-0 when hitting that mark.
Under John Groce, Akron is 54-3 (.947) all-time when scoring 85 or more points.
THE SMALL THINGS ADD UP
The Zips are 3-0 when shooting better than their opponent from the field, 3-0 when shooting 50% or above from the field, 1-0 when shooting 40% or better from 3-point range, 3-0 when out rebounding their opponents, 3-0 when attempting more FT, 3-0 when holding opponents below 80 points and 3-0 when scoring 85 points or more.
WE'LL TAKE YOUR BEST
The Zips will take on three teams picked to finish in their respective preseason polls. Purdue, who was tabbed the No. 1 team in the preseason AP-Top 25 and Coaches Poll, was picked to finish first in the Big 10, James Madison was picked to finish first in the Sun Belt while Milwaukee was picked to finish 1st in the Horizon League.
Other teams the Zips will face in non-conference action this season picked to finish in the top-three are Tulane (3rd - American Conference) and Murray State (3rd - MVC).
Non-Conference Preseason Rankings (Div. 1 Opponents)
James Madison (SBC) - 1st
Princeton (Ivy) - 4th
Purdue (B1G) - 1st
Iona (MAAC) - 6th
Milwaukee (HL) - 1st
Bucknell (PL) - 5th
Tulane (AC) - 3rd
Murray State (MVC) - 3rd
WHAT'S NEXT?
The Zips head to the US Virgin Islands to take part in the Paradise Jam from November 21-24. The first game will be on November 21 when the Blue and Gold battle Iona at 5:30 pm ET.
