The University of Akron Athletics
University of Akron
Eastern Michigan
Akron Host Eastern Michigan on Friday to Begin #MACtion
December 18 | Men's Basketball
AKRON, Ohio - The Akron Zips battle Eastern Michigan for the 63rd time in the all-time series on Friday, December 19 for a 7 p.m. ET start. Akron and Eastern Michigan can be viewed on ESPN+ with Michael Reghi (PxP) and Jeff Phelps (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 (8-3, 0-0 Mid-American) vs Eastern Michigan (6-5, 0-0 Mid-American)
Friday, Dec. 19 – James A. Rhodes Arena – Akron, Ohio
7 pm ET – ESPN+ – WHLO 640 AM
HEAD COACHES
Akron: John Groce | Overall Record: 358-223 | At Akron: 176-91
Eastern Michigan: Stan Heath | Overall Record: 262-290 | At Eastern Michigan: 53-83
ALL-TIME SERIES
Akron Leads 38-24 | Groce vs Eastern Michigan: 12-6 (10-4 at UA)
First Met: Feb. 3, 1968 At Akron (Akron, 62, Eastern Michigan. 55)
Last Met: Jan. 11, 2025 At Eastern Michigan (Akron 105, Eastern Michigan. 81)
Current Streak: W1
LAST TIME OUT (VS MURRAY STATE 12/13/25)
HENDERSON, Nev. - Tavari Johnson collected 28 points and Sharron Young added a career-high 20, but the Akron men's basketball team fell to the Murray State Racers 115-100 at Lee's Family Forum on Saturday.
The Zips (8-3) had four players score in double figures, led by Johnson, who had 28 points. Young tacked on 20 points from the bench and Amani Lyles helped out with 16 points and five assists. Chabi Barre added 10 points, three rebounds and two blocks.
Akron did a stellar job taking care of the basketball, dishing out 19 assists while turning the ball over eight times. Individually, Evan Mahaffey dished out the most for the Zips with six assists.
The Akron defense was a problem in Saturday's game, forcing 18 Murray State turnovers while committing eight. Those takeaways turned into 12 points on the other end of the floor. Mahaffey led the way individually for the Zips with two steals.
After falling behind 42-33, Akron went on a 7-0 run with 1:59 left in the first half, culminating in a three from Johnson, to narrow its deficit to 42-40. Murray State answered back and added to its lead, leaving the Zips down 47-42 entering halftime.
Murray State kept widening its lead after intermission, constructing a 111-91 advantage before Akron went on a 5-0 run, finished off by Zach Halligan's layup, to shrink the deficit to 111-96 with 1:18 to go in the contest. The Zips were unable to cut further into the deficit by the end of the game, losing 115-100. Akron got a boost from its bench in the period, as non-starters accounted for 34 of its 58 total points.
LAST TIME AGAINST EASTERN MICHIGAN (1/11/25)
YPSILANTI, Mich. - Seven Zips scored in double digits while head coach John Groce recorded his 150th victory at Akron in a 105-81 victory over Eastern Michigan on the road Saturday.
Along with seven Zips scoring in double digits, all 11 Zips that appeared against the Eagles scored. Tavari Johnson also became the first Zip since Loren Cristian Jackson to record a double-double in points and assists. T. Johnson recorded 10 points and 10 assists against the Eagles. Jackson recorded the feat on Feb. 19, 2011 when he scored 12 points and dished out 13 assists at Ball State.
Akron's 105 points marks just second time an opponent has surpassed 100 points in the 377 games at the George Gervin GameAbove Center (since 1998-99). Florida Atlantic scored 101 points, Dec. 4, 2022, making the 2023 Final Four.
The Zips (10-5, 3-0) were led by James Okonkwo, who had 17 points while going 9-of-11 from the free throw line. Isaiah Gray tacked on 13 points and three steals and Nate Johnson helped out with 12 points, six rebounds, four assists and four steals.
Akron was effective at shooting the ball against Eastern Michigan, hitting over 60 percent of their shots (37-of-61).
The Zips also recorded a season-high 54 points in the paint and 47 points from the bench.
The Akron offense was very productive from deep, making nine threes on 21 attempts. Bowen Hardman was the most prolific shooter for the Zips, draining three treys in the contest.
The Akron defense was effective at taking away the basketball in Saturday's game, forcing 15 Eastern Michigan. Those takeaways turned into 27 points on the offensive end of the floor. Johnson's four steals led the way individually for the Zips.
After falling behind 11-4, Akron went on a 10-0 run with 17:51 left in the first half, culminating in a three from Seth Wilson, to take a 14-11 lead. The Zips then added 13 points to that lead by the end of the period and entered halftime with a 54-38 advantage. Akron got a great contribution from its bench in the period, as non-starters accounted for 23 of its 54 total points.
Akron kept its lead intact before going on a 6-0 run, finished off by Marvin Musiime-Kamali's jumper, to grow the lead to 66-50 with 14:52 to go in the contest. The Zips kept expanding the margin and coasted the rest of the way for the 105-81 win. Akron took care of business in the paint, recording 28 of its 51 points in the lane.
ZIPS AT A GLANCE
Akron returns to James A. Rhodes Arena for a pair of home contests to close out 2025, with Eastern Michigan heading to the Rubber City on December 19.
Akron heads into the MAC opener against the Eagles with an 8-3 overall record after falling to Murray State, 115-100, in the Jack Jones Classic on December 13.
The Zips were led by Tavari Johnson's 28 points while Sharron Young posted a career-high 20 points against the Racers. Joining Johnson and Young in double-figure scoring were Amani Lyles (16) and Chabi Barre (10).
Johnson leads the Blue and Gold in scoring (19.4) and assists (5.0). Eric Mahaffey leads Akron in rebounding (6.0) while Evan Mahaffey leads the way in steals (1.6). Barre holds the top mark for blocks (10) so far this season.
Akron is scoring 95.8 points per game while outscoring its opponents by 17.4 points per game. The Zips shoot .520 from the field while shooting .398 from beyond the arc and average 11.5 3-pointers per game. The Blue and Gold hold a .740 ft percentage while averaging 38.5 rebounds, 20.8 assists, 10.2 turnovers, 7.5 steals and 3.4 blocks per game.
Akron ranks in the top five in the MAC in scoring offense (2nd - 95.8), scoring margin (3rd - +17.4), fg pct (2nd - .520), opp fg pct (4th - .432), 3pt fg pct (2nd - .398), 3pters made per game (1st - 11.5), ft pct (5th - .740), rebounds (1st - 40.7), off rebounds (4th - 12.2), def rebounds (5th - 26.3), turnover margin (2nd - +4.09), assist-turnover ratio (1st - +2.04) and assists (1st - 20.82).
The Zips rank 1st in the NCAA in assist-turnover ratio (2.04), 5th in assists per game (20.8), 92nd in bench points per game (29.09), 5th in effective fg pct (.606), 46th in fastbreak points (15.91), 12th in fg pct (.520), 76th for fewest fouls per game (16.2), 25th in scoring margin (+17.4), 3rd in scoring offense (95.8), 15th in 3pt pct (.398), 10 for 3pters made per game (11.5), 28th in turnover margin (+4.2), 76th in forced turnovers (14.36) and 37th for fewest turnovers per game (10.2).
Individually, Evan Mahaffey ranks 16th in assist-turnover ratio (+4.09). Shammah Scott ranks 24th in assist-turnover ratio (+3.70) and 49th in 3pt pct (.424). Tavari Johnson ranks 54th in assist-turnover ratio (+3.06), 77th in total assists (55), 73rd in assists per game (5.0), total fade fg (79), 75th in ft pct (.879), 46th in total points (213) and 43rd in points per game (19.4). Amani Lyles ranks 35th in fg pct (.604).
SCOUTING THE EAGLES
The Eastern Michigan Eagles enter Friday's contest with a 6-5 overall record as they begin conference play at Akron.
EMU recently fell to Purdue Fort Wayne on the road, 80-65, on December 10. Addison Patterson led the Eagles with 13 points, while Mohammad Habhab and Mak Manciel added nine points each. EMU concluded the month of November with a 5-3 record, which featured a 64-56 win at Cincinnati, and is currently 1-2 in the month of December.
Habhab leads the Eagles in points (14.9), rebounds (8.1) and steals (1.4) per game. Carlos Hart leads the way in assists (3.3) while Godslove Nwabude holds the top mark in total blocks (18) this season.
EMU was picked to finish 9th in the MAC Preason Poll.
Eastern Michigan is scoring 71.9 points per game while outscoring its opponents by 1.0 points per game. The Eagles shoot .446 from the field while shooting .338 from beyond the arc and average 6.3 3-pointers per game. Eastern holds a .722 ft percentage while averaging 36.9 rebounds, 14.2 assists, 12.5 turnovers, 6.9 steals and 3.5 blocks per game.
EMU ranks in the top five in the MAC in scoring defense (4th - 70.9), opp fg pct (.434) and blocked shots (4th - 3.55)
Individually, EMU sees Mohammad Habhab rank 15th in the NCAA in double-doubles (5), minutes played (34:47), def rebounds (6.00), 68th in rebounds per game (8.1) and 1st in triple-doubles (1). Godslove Nwabude ranks 76th in total blocks (18) and 76th in blocks per game (1.64).
OPENING MAC PLAY
Akron is 25-8 in MAC openers since joining the league in 1992. Over the last 19 seasons, the Zips are 16-3 in MAC openers. Akron has won the last 16-of-17 MAC openers, including a 7-1 mark under head coach John Groce. The Zips fell in Groce's initial MAC opener, but have won seven straight.
AKRON IN THE MAC
Akron is 82-26 since the 2019-20 season in MAC play, owning the highest winning percentage (.759) in the league. The Zips are 68-23 in the MAC under the new conference format without divisions (new in 2020-21). Akron is 109-28 (.795) at home in league play since the start of the 2011 MAC schedule. UA has seen a ton of success in league play since the start of the 2004-05 season, and is 251-109 overall (.697), including a 151-32 mark in MAC play at home (.825). The Zips' 251 wins are the most in the league during that stretch. The Zips have won 166 of their last 251 MAC games (.718).
HOME SWEET HOME
The Zips own a 490-136 (.783) all-time record at the James A. Rhodes Arena. In the last 21 seasons, Akron has posted a 286-40 (.877) record at the JAR. Akron is currently on a 21-game winning streak at the JAR dating back to the 2024-25 season, which currently is tied for the third longest home winning streak in the country.
Under coach Groce, Akron is 111-15 (.881) at home. The Zips were 15-1 at home in 2022-23,13-1 in 2023-24, 16-0 at the JAR in 2024-25 and are 5-0 in 2025-26.
Akron owns a 103-21 (.831) home-opening record and 39-4 (.907) at Rhodes Arena. The Zips have been winners in the last 23-of-24 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.
HOT START TO #MACTION
The Zips started the 2025 MAC schedule with 13 straight wins before falling at Ohio on Feb. 22. The 13 wins to begin conference action is the best start for a UA-led John Groce squad.
The last, and only other time, the Zips started 13-0 was back in 2012-13. The 2012-13 squad finished 26-7 overall and 14-2 in the MAC. Akron holds the best start to MAC play at 13-0 with both the 2012-13 and 2024-25 squads hitting that mark.
Kent State (2001-02) and Toledo (2022-23) hold the conference record for most consecutive MAC wins with 15 each. The Rockets' regular season MAC win streak eventually ended with a total of 20 in a row, spanning from January, 14 2023 to January 16, 2024.
CLOSING IN ON THE TOP 10 IN ASSISTS
Tavari Johnson currently has 280 career assists as a Zip. He is 21 away from passing Joe Jakubick's (1980-84) 300 career assists for 10th all time. Steve McNees (2007-11) is 9th all-time with 318 assists.
1K SCORING AS A ZIP
Tavari Johnson is 53 points away from recording 1,000 points in the Akron Blue and Gold. He'd become the 50th Zip to score 1k points and the first since Ali Ali scored his 1,000th point as a Zip during the 2023-24 season.
1K POINTS, 300 ASSISTS
Tavari Johnson stands at 947 points and 280 assists in his time at Akron. He'd become the first player since Loren Cristian Jackson to record 1k points and at least 300 assists in his career as a Zip and just the eighth player all-time.
LOU HENSON EARLY SEASON WATCH LIST
University of Akron guard Tavari Johnson was named to the Lou Henson Early Season Watch List, as announced by CollegeInsider.Com on December 18.
The Lou Henson Award is presented annually to the top player in Division I mid-major college basketball.
Johnson has been one of the top performers in the Mid-American Conference this season. He is currently averaging 19.4 points, 5.0 assists, 2.1 rebounds and 1.0 steals per game. He has 20 or more points in five games this season, with a career-high 35 coming against Yale in the Paradise Jam. He is also shooting .545 from the field, while shooting above 60 percent in four of the last five games, and .426 from beyond the arc. Johnson has also recorded five or more assists in six games, with a career-high 11 coming against Milwaukee.
HIGH OCTANE OFFENSE
One of the nation's top scoring team's, Akron ranks in the top 10 in scoring offense (3rd - 95.8). The Zips are 8-2 this season when scoring 85 or more points. The most recent game this season to feature 85 or more points was 100 against Murray State on Dec. 13.
Akron scored 85 or more points in 19 games in 2024-25, were 19-0 when hitting that mark and finished ranked No.8 in the nation in scoring offense (84.0).
Under John Groce, Akron is 59-5 (.922) when scoring 85 or more points.
DISHING OUT DIMES
Ranking in the top 10 in assists per game in the NCAA (5th - 20.8), the Zips aren't afraid to share the rock. Akron has recorded 20 or more assists in five games with a season high 32 coming against PSU Shenango (Nov. 12). The most recent game with 20+ assists was against Milwaukee (24) on Dec 3.
The Zips are 5-0 this season when recording 20 or more assists and 32-0 with John Groce leading the Blue and Gold.
The Zips ranked 4th in the nation in assists per game (17.7) last season. The Blue and Gold recorded 20 or more assists in 15 games with a season high 28 coming against Ohio Wesleyan (11/8/24).
RAINING 3'S
Ranking in the top 10 for made 3's per game (10th - 11.5), Akron has been one of the top 3-point shooting teams in the country the past couple of seasons. The Zips have made 10 or more 3pters in eight games this season, with a season-high 15 falling against Princeton.
Akron is 6-2 this season when hitting 10 or more 3's and went 18-2 in during the 2024-25 season. Under the direction of John Groce, Akron is 94-22 (.810) when making 10 or more 3's.
Akron ranked 8th in the nation for made 3's per game in 2024-25 (10.7). The Blue and Gold hit 10 or more 3's in 20 games, 15 or more in six, while connecting on 19 3's against South Alabama (Feb. 8), which is the second most in program history.
FOUR OR MORE
The Zips have had four or more players score in double-figure scoring in eight game this season. The most recent game with four or more Zips scoring in double figures happened on Dec. 13 when four Zips scored 10 or more points against Murray State. The season-high was seven Zips on Nov. 29 against Milwaukee.
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).
THE SENIOR CLASS: A WHOLE LOT OF WINNING
Akron's senior class has seen a great deal of success wearing the Blue and Gold. Since the 2022-23 season, the Zips have gone 82-32 (.719) overall and 43-11 (.796) in the MAC. Akron has also claimed the MAC Regular Season Title (2025) and MAC Tournament Title (2024+25) in that span as well.
WHAT'S NEXT?
Akron stays at the JAR when it hosts Concord on Monday, December 29 for a 7 p.m. start
