The University of Akron Athletics
Akron Hosts Central Michigan on Tuesday
January 05 | Men's Basketball
Akron and Central 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 (10-4, 1-1 Mid-American) vs Central Michigan (4-11, 0-3 Mid-American)
Tuesday, Jan. 6 – James A. Rhodes Arena – Akron, Ohio
7 pm ET – ESPN + – WHLO 640 AM
HEAD COACHES
Akron: John Groce | Overall Record: 360-224 | At Akron: 178-92
Central Michigan:Â Andy Bronkema | Overall Record: 283-116Â | At Central Michigan: 4-11
ALL-TIME SERIES
Akron Leads: 42-15 | Groce vs. Central Michigan: 13-3 Overall (10-1 At UA)
First Met: 1938-39 at Central Michigan (Akron 69, Central Michigan 51)
Last Met: Feb. 15, 2025Â at Central Michigan (Akron 85, Central Michigan 82)
In Akron: 25-5 | Neutral: 1-0 | In Mount Pleasant: 16-10
Current Streak: 9W
INSIDE THE SERIES
Tuesday's game marks the 58th meeting in series history between Akron and Central Michigan, the 17th meeting for a Groce coached squad and 12th at Akron. The Zips hold an all-time 42-15 series advantage while Groce is 13-3 overall and 10-1 at Akron.
Akron swept CMU last season, winning the first meeting at the JAR,87-71, behind Seth Wilson's career-high 18 points while taking the road contest 85-82 with five Zips scoring in double figures and a 52 point second half to come away with the win.
The Zips have won 27 of the last 30 meetings, including a nine-game winning streak. Akron has swept the series since the 2019-20 series with the last CMU victory coming in the 2018-19 season when the two teams split the season series. Akron fell in overtime 88-86 at McGuirk Arena in the first meeting but bounced back with a 70-67 win at Rhodes Arena.
The Zips won at the JAR 68-47 while winning at McGuirk Arena (60-56) and the JAR (57-56) in 2022-23. Akron won in 2020-21 (81-67 at James A. Rhodes Arena) and 2019-20 (80-67 at McGuirk Arenain Mount Pleasant, Mich.). Akron has defeated CMU 15 straight times at the JAR. The winning streak has stood since January 24, 2004.
LAST TIME OUT (AT MIAMI 1/3/26)
OXFORD, Ohio - In a battle of the preseason No.1 and 2 teams in the Mid-American Conference preseason poll, the Akron Zips fell 76-73 to the Miami RedHawks on the road Saturday.
The Zips (10-4, 1-1) had four players score in double figures, led by Tavari Johnson, who had 22 points, four assists and three steals. Amani Lyles added 16 points and nine rebounds and Shammah Scott helped out with 15 points and two steals from the bench. Eric Mahaffey recorded his second double-double of the season with a 10 point, 13 rebound performance while adding three assists, one steal and one block.
Akron grabbed 37 rebounds in Saturday's game compared to Miami (OH)'s 36, led by Eric Mahaffey's 13 boards. The Zips also cleaned up the offensive glass, turning 12 rebounds into 16 second chance points.
The Akron defense caused its share of mistakes in Saturday's game, forcing 15 Miami (OH) turnovers. Those takeaways turned into eight points on the other end of the floor. Evan Mahaffey led the way individually for the Zips with three steals.
After falling behind 11-7, Akron went on an 11-0 run with 15:44 left in the first half to take an 18-11 lead. The Zips then lost some of that lead, but still entered halftime with a 36-33 advantage. Akron did most of its first half damage in the paint, scoring 24 of its 36 points close to the basket.
Miami (OH) then erased the Akron lead in the game's final quarter for a 76-73 comeback victory. Akron shot well from three-point range in the half, hitting six shots from deep to score 18 of its 37 points.
LAST TIME AGAINST CENTRAL MICHIGAN (2/15/25)
MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich - Five Zips scored in double figures as Akron used a 52 point second half to defeat the Central Michigan Chippewas 85-82 on the road Saturday.
Akron increased its winning streak to 13 straight while winning its 12th straight conference game.
The Zips (20-5, 12-0) were led by Nate Johnson, who had 18 points, seven rebounds and three steals. Amani Lyles added 14 points and two blocks from the bench and Shammah Scott chipped in as well with 13 points from the bench. Isaiah Gray filled up the stat sheet with 11 points, seven rebounds, six assists and two steals.
Akron shared the ball well in Saturday's game, racking up 21 assists on 31 made field goals. Gray and Tavari Johnson each had six assists to pace the Zips.
Akron forced 16 Central Michigan turnovers.The Zips turned those takeaways into 19 points on the offensive end of the floor. Nate Johnson's three steals led the way for Akron.
After falling behind 9-4, Akron went on a 5-0 run with 15:21 left in the first half, culminating in a bucket from Nate Johnson, to tie the game at nine. Central Michigan then pulled ahead, sending the Zips into halftime down 36-33.
After intermission, Akron managed to gain control and had a 53-51 lead before going on a 5-0 run to grow the lead to 58-51 with 10:25 to go in the contest. The Chippewas narrowed the margin somewhat before the game was over, but the Zips still held on for the 85-82 win. Akron took care of business in the paint, recording 26 of its 52 points in the lane.
ZIPS AT A GLANCE
Akron returns to James A. Rhodes Arena to battle Central Michigan on Tuesday.
The Zips enter Tuesday's contest with a 10-4 overall record and a 1-1 record in the MAC.
Akron recently fell at Miami (OH) on the road 76-73. Tavari Johnson recorded his fourth consecutive 20+ point game (22 points) and Eric Mahaffey recorded his second double-double of the season (10 pts, 13 reb).
Akron is scoring 95.4 points per game while outscoring its opponents by 18.6 points per game. The Zips shoot .526 from the field while shooting .375 from beyond the arc and average 10.6 3-pointers per game. The Blue and Gold hold a .760 ft percentage while averaging 38.9 rebounds, 20.6 assists, 10.1 turnovers, 8.2 steals and 3.6 blocks per game.
Tavari Johnson leads the Zips in points (20.6) and assists (5.0). Amani Lyles leads the Blue and Gold in rebounds (6.6) while Evan Mahaffey leads the way in steals (1.8) and total blocks (11).
Akron ranks in the top five in the MAC in scoring offense (1st - 95.4), scoring margin (3rd - +18.6), fg pct (2nd - .526), opp fg pct (2nd - .418), 3pt pct (3rd - .375), 3pters made per game (2nd. - 10.6), ft pct (3rd - .760), rebounds (3rd - 38.9), off rebounds (4th - 12.0), def rebounds (3rd - 26.9), rebound margin (4th - +4.9), turnover margin (2nd - +4.36), assist-turnover margin (1st - +2.03), blocked shots (4th - 3.57), assists (1st - 20.57)and steals (2nd - 8.21).
Akron ranks 3rd in the NCAA in assist-turnover ratio (+2.03), 6th in assists per game (20.6), 71st in bench points per game (29.43), 10th in effective fg pct (.604), 27th in fastbreak points (16.79), 6th in fg pct (.526), 96th in fg pct defense (.419), 71st for fewest fouls per game (16.1), 56th in ft pct (.760), 96th in rebound margin (+4.9), 83rd in def rebounds (26.86), 87th in rebounds per game (38.86), 19th in scoring margin (+18.6), 3rd in scoring offense (95.4), 85th in steals per game (8.2), 43rd in 3pt pct (.375), 27th in 3pters made per game (10.6), 21st in turnover margin (+4.4), 54th in turnovers forced per game (14.57) and 38th in fewest turnovers per game (10.1).
Individually, Evan Mahaffey ranks 22nd in the NCAA in assist-turnover margin (+3.47). Tavari Johnson ranks 38th in assist-turnover margin (+3.18), 80th in total assists (70), 69th in assists per game (5.0), 79th in fg pct (.551), 13th in made fg (109), 35th in ft pct (.905), 31st in total points (288) and 25th in points per game (20.6). Shammah Scott ranks 70th in assist-turnover margin (+2.80). Amani Lyles ranks 28th in fg pct (.608).
SCOUTING THE CHIPPEWASÂ
Central Michigan enters Tuesday's contest with a 4-11 overall record and a 0-3 record in the MAC.
The Chippewas are on a four-game losing streak after falling to Toledo at home 78-75 on January 3.
Although leading 41-31 at the half, CMU would be outscored 47-34 in the second frame to fall to the Rockets. Phat Phat Brooks scored 17 points to lead four Chippewas in double figures. Logan McIntire hit five 3-pointers en route to 15 points for the Chippewas. Jaxson Whitaker added 14 points and Nathan Claerbaut had 13.
Kyler VanderJagt, who played last season at CMU, scored a season-high 23 points to lead Toledo.
Claerbaut leads the Chippewas in points (12.8), rebounds (6.5) and total blocks (28). Tamario Adley serves as the leader in assists (3.7) and steals (1.3).
Central Michigan is scoring 72.1 points per game while being outscored by its opponents by 6.0 points per game. The Chippewas shoot .453 from the field while shooting .281 from beyond the arc and average 5.7 3-pointers per game. CMU holds a .715 ft percentage while averaging 33.9 rebounds, 15.6 assists, 12.5 turnovers, 6.1 steals and 4.4 blocks per game.
Central Michigan ranks first in the MAC for blocked shots per game (4.4).
Central Michigan ranks first in the MAC for blocked shots per game (4.4).
CMU ranks 68th in the NCAA in blocks per game (4.4) while individually, Nathan Claerbaut ranks 43rd in total blocks (28), 45th in blocks per game (1.87) and 38th in fg pct (.592).
HOME SWEET HOME
The Zips own a 491-136 (.783) all-time record at the James A. Rhodes Arena. In the last 21 seasons, Akron has posted a 287-40 (.878) record at the JAR. Akron is currently on a 23-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. Saint Thomas currently has won 26 straight to lead the nation. Duke is second with 24 while Akron and Miami (OH)Â are tied for third with 23 straight home wins.Â
Under coach Groce, Akron is 112-15 (.882) 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 7-0 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 26-8 in MAC openers, and 13-1 at home since joining the league in 1992. Over the last 19 seasons, the Zips are 16-3 in MAC openers and 8-1 at home. Akron has won the last 10-of-11 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.
AKRON IN THE MAC
Akron is 83-27 since the 2019-20 season in MAC play, owning the highest winning percentage (.754) in the league. The Zips are 69-24 in the MAC under the new conference format without divisions (new in 2020-21). Akron is 110-28 (.797) 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 252-110 overall (.696), including a 152-32 mark in MAC play at home (.826). The Zips' 252 wins are the most in the league during that stretch. The Zips have won 167 of their last 253 MAC games (.660).
CLOSING IN ON THE TOP 10 FOR ASSISTS
Tavari Johnson currently has 295 career assists as a Zip. He is 6 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 AND CLIMBINGÂ
Tavari Johnson recorded his 1,000th career point wearing the Akron Blue and Gold against Concord on Dec. 29, 2025 with a 28 point performance. He became the 50th player in program history to record 1k points. Â
Johnson, who stands at 1,022 points, currently ranks as the 48th highest scorer in program history.
1KÂ POINTS, 300 ASSISTS
Tavari Johnson stands at 1,022 points and 295 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.
CAREER-HIGH AGAINST THE REDHAWKS
Eric Mahaffey set a new career-high in rebounds with 13 against Miami (OH) on Jan. 3 as he recorded his 2nd career double-double.
HIGH OCTANE OFFENSE
One of the nation's top scoring team's, Akron ranks in the top 10 in scoring offense (3rd - 95.4). The Zips are 10-2 this season when scoring 85 or more points. The most recent game this season to feature 85 or more points was 115 against Concord on Dec. 29.Â
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 61-5 (.924) when scoring 85 or more points.
DISHING OUT DIMES
Ranking in the top 10 in assists per game in the NCAA (6th - 20.6), the Zips aren't afraid to share the rock. Akron has recorded 20 or more assists in seven games with a season high 32 coming against PSU Shenango (Nov. 12). The most recent game with 20+ assists was against Concord (23) on Dec 29.
The Zips are 7-0 this season when recording 20 or more assists and 34-0 with John Groce leading the Blue and Gold.
Akron is also one of the top teams in the country when it comes to assist-turnover ratio, ranking no. 3 (+2.03).
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).Â
RAINING 3'S
Ranking in the top 30 for made 3's per game (27th- 10.6), 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 nine games this season, with a season-high 15 falling against Princeton.Â
Akron is 7-2 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 95-22 (.812) 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.
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 84-33 (.718) overall and 44-12 (.786) 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 travels to face the Bowling Green Falcons on Friday, January 9 for an 8 pm start. The Zips and Falcons will be featured on CBS Sports Network.
