The University of Akron Athletics
University of Akron
Texas Tech
No. 12 Akron takes on No. 5 Texas Tech in NCAA First Round
March 18 | Men's Basketball
AKRON, Ohio - The No. 12 Akron Zips battle the No. 5 Texas Tech Red Raiders on Friday, Mar. 20, at 12:40 p.m. for the first all-time meeting between the two schools. Akron and Texas Tech can be viewed on truTV with Tom McCarthy (PxP), Candace Parker (Analyst), Dan Bonner (Analyst) and AJ Ross (Analyst) on the call. Fans can listen to the action on the Varsity Network with Dave Skoczen (PxP) and Joe Dunn (Analyst) on the call or Westwood One with John Sadak (PxP) and Tom Crean (Analyst) on the call. Live stats are also available on GoZips.com/coverage.
HEAD COACHES
Akron: John Groce | Overall Record: 378-225 | At Akron: 196-93
Texas Tech: Grant McCasland | Overall Record: 284-119 | At Texas Tech: 73-30
ALL-TIME SERIES
First Meeting
Groce vs Texas Tech: 0-0
LAST TIME IN THE NCAA TOURNAMENT (3/21/26)
SEATTLE, Wash. - The Akron men's basketball team concluded its season in Seattle, Washington in the NCAA Tournament after falling to No. 4 Arizona on Friday, March 21.
The Zips (28-7) had three players score in double figures, led by Nate Johnson, who had 13 points. Tavari Johnson tacked on 13 points and Shammah Scott helped out with 11 points from the bench.
Akron forced 16 Arizona turnovers while committing just seven themselves in Friday's game. The Zips turned those takeaways into 13 points on the offensive end of the floor. Nate Johnson's one steal led the way for Akron.
Akron struggled out of the gate, falling behind 41-31 heading into halftime.
Arizona kept widening its lead after intermission, constructing a 93-59 advantage before Akron went on a 6-0 run to shrink the deficit to 93-65 with 19 seconds to go in the contest, The Zips were unable to cut further into the deficit by the end of the game, losing 93-65. Akron got a boost from its bench in the period, as non-starters accounted for 13 of its 34 total points.
LAST TIME OUT (VS TOLEDO 3/14/26)
CLEVELAND, Ohio – A game-winning three pointer from redshirt senior Shammah Scott (Cleveland, Ohio) with 6.4 seconds left on the clock propelled the University of Akron men's basketball team to Mid-American Conference history with its third consecutive league tournament title on the strength of a come-from-behind 79-76 victory over Toledo on Saturday (March 14) at Rocket Arena.
Akron became the first team in league tournament history to capture back-to-back-to-back championships.
The triumph propelled the Zips to their eighth overall NCAA Tournament berth in program history and allowed Akron to record its 29th win of the season, most in program history.
Scott's three pointer concluded an 8-2 run over the final 3:10 of regulation to allow the Zips to overcome its largest deficit of the season en route to victory. Akron previously trailed Western Michigan by 11 in a 104-89 triumph on Jan. 17 at James A. Rhodes Arena.
Senior Tavari Johnson (La Grange, Ill.) was named the tournament's Most Valuable Player after posting a 15-point and five-assist performance. Senior Amani Lyles (Columbus, Ohio) garnered All-Tournament accolades turning a 15-point and career-best 16-rebound effort, while Scott was scored 12 points on the night. Senior Bowen Hardman (Cincinnati, Ohio) rounded out Akron's double-digit scoring performance netting 12 points, all on three pointers.
The Zips concluded the evening shooting nearly 47 percent (.465) from the field and outrebounded the Rockets, 37-32, including 14-6 on the offensive glass.
The opening stanza was highlighted by a series of runs for both squads with Toledo closing the half on a 5-0 surge to lead 42-30.
Akron was led by nine first-half points from Hardman. Akron shot just 34.3 percent in the first half, including going 6-for-24 (.250) from beyond in the arc in the opening 20 minutes.
The Rockets jumped out to a 17-8 advantage in the contest at the 14:07 mark sparked by a 7-0 run that stretched a 10-8 margin. Harman made his first two baskets, both three pointers, while the rest of the Zips shot 1-for-8 as Toledo assumed the early edge before a Scott triple at 13:52 mark ended the run.
The Rockets added another 5-0 run to stretch the margin to 27-15 with 9:45 left in the half. The Zips answered with an 8-0 rally of their own capped by triple from Hardman at 7:44 mark to move to within seven, 27-23. In the second half, Akron moved to within one, 52-51, when sophomore Sharron Young (Morgantown, W.Va.) made a layup at the 12:23 mark as part of a 19-2 run over a nearly six-minute span (5:51) for the Zips.
Scott jumper at 11:49 mark gave Akron its first lead of the game, 53-52, followed by a triple from redshirt freshman Eric Mahaffey (Cincinnati, Ohio) at 11:15 to extend the margin to 57-52. Toledo used 5-0 run to regain 60-59 lead at 8:53 mark as part of 8-0 overall run before a Lyles layup with 7:45 left in the game tied the game at 63.
A steal by Young and layup by Mahaffey at 6:20 gave Akron a 4-0 to square game at 67. A Mahaffey layup with 3:25 left tied the contest at 71 before Hardman drained a 3 at 2:56 tied at 74. Akron again tied it at 76 on a Johnson up and under with 1:13 left in the game.
AKRON IN THE NCAA TOURNAMENT
Akron will make its 23rd postseason appearance, including the NCAA Tournament 17 times with nine of those showings coming as a Division II institution.
Akron enters its seventh NCAA Division I NCAA Tournament in 2025. Akron is 21-15 all-time in NCAA postseason play, but has yet to advance to the round of 32 in the NCAA DI Tournament. Akron first appeared in March Madness in 1986, as Bob Huggins led the Zips as a 15 seed in the Midwest Regional on March 14, 1986 at the H.H.H. Metrodome (Minneapolis,Minn.) against the second-seeded Michigan Wolverines (L, 70-64).
The Zips never went back to the Big Dance until head coach Keith Dambrot led the Zips to three NCAA appearances in five years, starting in 2009 as a 13 seed against four seed Gonzaga (L, 77-64) in the South Regional on March 19, 2009 at Rose Garden Arena (Portland, Ore.). The Zips next trip was in 2011 at the Southwest Regional on March 18, 2011 at the United Center (Chicago, Ill.) as the 15-seed Zips fell to the teo seed Notre Dame (69-56). Akron made an appearance in 2013 when the Zips earned a 12 seed and fell to fifth-seeded VCU (88-42) in the South Regional on March 21, 2011 at The Palace of Auburn Hills (Detroit, Mich.).
Akron has made the Big Dance in three straight seasons, and four total times under coach John Groce. Akron advanced to the NCAA Tournament first under Groce in 2022. The No. 13 Seed Zips faced the No. 4 seed UCLA Bruins in Portland, Ore., in the East Region and fell 57-53 to UCLA. No. 14 seeded Akron battled No. 3 Creighton in Pittsburgh, Pa., where the Zips fell to the Bluejays 77-60 in 2023. 2024 saw No. 13 Akron fall to No. 4 Arizona in Seattle, Wash., losing 93-65.
COACH GROCE IN THE BIG DANCE
John Groce will be leading the Zips in the NCAA Tournament for the fourth time as the head coach at Akron. Groce is 4-5 in the NCAA Tournament as a head coach (3-1 at Ohio,1-1 at Illinois, 0-3 at Akron) and is 3-3 in the first round. Groce has recorded wins in the opening round with Illinois (2013) and Ohio (2012 and 2010).
In addition to the 2010 and 2012 NCAA Tournament performances at Ohio , the Bobcats became just the
sixth school ever to win games as both a 13 and 14 seed. Also 1-of-6 teams to win two games. In 2012, Ohio advanced to the Sweet 16 defeating No. 2 Michigan and No. 12 seed South Florida before falling in overtime to No. 1 seed North Carolina.
A LOT OF HARDWARE IN A SHORT TIME
Akron has taken home six MAC trophies since 2020. The Zips won the regular season title in 2020 and 2025 while winning the conference tournament in 2022, 2024, 2025 and 2026
THE FIRST OF ITS KIND
Setting and breaking records have become a common occurrence for the Zips the past couple of seasons. After winning the Mid-American Conference Tournament Championship in 2026, Akron became the first MAC school to capture the Tournament title in three consecutive seasons.
ZIPS AT A GLANCE
No. 12 Akron battles No. 12 Texas Tech in the First Round of the NCAA Tournament on Friday.
The Zips enter the NCAA Tournament with a 29-5 overall record. The Blue and Gold went 17-1 in conference action.
Akron recently defeated Toledo, 79-76, in the Mid-American Conference Championship on a last-second 3 from Shammah Scott. Four Zips scored in double figures, led by Tavari Johnson and Amani Lyles' 15 points. Lyles also tied his career-high in rebounds with 16 against the Rockets to post a double-double.
Johnson leads the Zips in points (20.1) and assists (5.0). Amani Lyles leads the Blue and Gold in rebounds (8.1). Evan Mahaffey leads the way in steals (1.7) and total blocks (26).
Akron is scoring 88.4 points per game while outscoring its opponents by 14.9 points. The Zips shoot .503 from the field while shooting .379 from beyond the arc and average 10.9 3s per game. The Blue and Gold hold a .754 ft percentage while averaging 38.1 rebounds, 18.4 assists, 10.9 turnovers, 7.5 steals and 3.1 blocks per game.
The Zips rank in the top five in the MAC in scoring offense (2nd - 88.4), scoring defense (3rd - 73.5), scoring margin (2nd - +14.9), fg pct (2nd. - .503), opp fg pct (1st - .421), 3pt pct (3rd - .379), 3s made per game (1st - 10.9), ft pct (2nd - .754), rebounding (2nd - 38.1), opp rebounds (2nd - 33.1), off rebounds (4th - 11.4), def rebounds (2nd - 26.7), rebound margin (3rd - +5.0), turnover margin (2nd - +2.56), assist-turnover ratio (1st - +1.69), assists (1st - 18.44) and steals (5th - 7.53).
Akron ranks 18th in the NCAA in assist-turnover ratio (+1.69), 7th in assists per game (18.4), 32nd in bench points per game (29.21), 8th in effective fg pct (.588), 29th in fastbreak points (14.53), 10th in fg pct (.503), 64th in fg pct defense (.421), 55th in fewest fouls per game (15.8), 64th in ft pct (.754), 46th in rebound margin (+5.0), 46th in def rebounds (26.71), 53rd in rebounds per game (38.06), 9th in scoring margin (+14.9), 7th in scoring offense (88.4), 21st in 3pt pct (.379), 9th in 3s made per game (10.9), 47th in turnover margin (+2.6) and 57th in turnovers forced per game (13.53).
Individually, Evan Mahaffey ranks 53rd in the NCAA in assist-turnover ratio (+2.68) and 74th in total steals (57). Tavari Johnson ranks 45th in total assists (170), 62nd in assists per game (5.0), 8th in made fg (251), 56th in ft pct (.870), 18th in total points (684) and 31st in points per game (20.1). Amani Lyles ranks 54th in double-doubles (9), 49th in fg pct (.557), 47th in total rebounds (273), 57th in def rebounds per game (5.79) and 79th in rebounds per game (8.0). Shammah Scott ranks 98th in total made 3s (81).
SCOUTING THE RED RAIDERS
Nationally ranked, and the No. 5 seed in the Midwest region, Texas Tech will take on Akron in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. The Red Raiders are No. 19 in the Coaches Poll and No. 20 in the AP Poll Top 25.
Texas Tech comes into Friday's meeting with a 22-10 overall record after losing their last three games, the most recent being a 75-53 defeat to No. 7 Iowa State in the Big 12 quarterfinals. LeJuan Watts led the Red Raiders with 12 points and seven rebounds, while Christian Anderson had 10 points and three assists. Tech finished the game 9-for-29 (31.0%) on 3-pointers, led by Donovan Atwell, who made three and finished with nine points. Jaylen Petty added eight points, five rebounds and four assists while Josiah Moseley had six points and four rebounds as a reserve.
JT Toppin leads the Red Raiders in points (21.8), rebounds (10.8), steals (1.4) and total blocks (43). Christian Anderson serves as the leader in assists (7.6).
Texas Tech is scoring 80.4 points per game while outscoring its opponents by 7.8 points. The Red Raiders shoot .467 from the field while shooting .393 from beyond the arc and average 11.5 3s per game. Texas Tech holds a .715 ft percentage while averaging 36.9 rebounds, 15.8 assists, 10.8 turnovers, 5.8 steals and 3.7 blocks per game.
The Red Raiders rank in the top five in the Big 12 in scoring margin (5th - +7.8), 3pt pct (1st - .393), opp 3pt pct (3rd - .314), 3s made per game (1st - 11.5), assist-turnover ratio (5th - +1.47) and assists (5th - 15.84).
Texas Tech ranks 62nd in the NCAA in assist-turnover ratio (+1.47), 69th in assists per game (15.8), 27th in effective fg pct (.562), 85th in fg pct (.467), 97th in fewest fouls per game (16.3), 92nd in rebounds per game (36.94), 58th in scoring margin (+7.8), 76th in scoring offense (80.4), 5th in 3pt pct (39.3), 52nd in 3pt pct defense (.315) and 5th in 3s made per game (11.5).
Individually, Christian Anderson ranks 5th in the NCAA in total assists (236), 3rd in assists per game (7.6), 71st in double-doubles (8), 2nd in minutes played (38:23), 75th in total points (586), 59th in points per game (18.9), 19th in 3pt pct (.425), 13th in 3s made per game (3.39) and 20th in total made 3s (105). JT Toppin ranks 48th in blocks per game (1.72), 13th in double-doubles (16), 65th in fg pct (.548), 17th in total fg made (234), 74th in minutes played (34:49), 11th in points per game (21.8), 51st in total rebounds (271), 15th in defensive rebounds (6.64), 3rd in offensive rebounds (4.20) and 7th in rebounds per game (10.8). Donovan Atwell ranks 80th in minutes played (34:44), 4th in 3pt pct (.454), 2nd in 3s made per game (3.88) and 3rd in total made 3s (124).
ON NATIONAL TV
The Zips are 8-2 this season in national televised games, defeating Bowling Green (CBSSN), Ohio (ESPNU), Kent State (CBSSN(x2)+ESPNU), UMass (CBSSN),Ball State (CBSSN) and Toledo (ESPN2), while falling to Purdue (Big Ten Network) and Troy (ESPN2).
Akron went 6-2 on the national stage in 2024-25 with wins against Bowling Green, Kent State (x2), Ohio, Toledo and Miami (OH). The two defeats came at Ohio and against Arizona.
WHAT'S NEXT?
The winner of Akron-Texas Tech will advance to face the winner of No. 4 Alabama and No. 13 Hofstra in second-round play.
