Akron’s Athletic Journey: A Legacy of Excellence

AKRON, Ohio – The Akron Zips journey to face off against the Buffalo Bulls on Tuesday, January 21 for the 76th historical encounter between the two institutions. Akron and Buffalo can be streamed on ESPN+ with Paul Peck (play-by-play) and Turner Battle (analyst) providing commentary. Fans can tune in to the Akron Sports Radio Network on WHLO 640 AM with Dave Skoczen (play-by-play) and Joe Dunn (analyst) calling the game. Live statistics are also accessible via GoZips.com/coverage.

Akron (12-5, 5-0 Mid-American) at Buffalo (6-11, 1-4 Mid-American)

Tuesday, Jan. 21 – Alumni Arena – Amherst, N.Y.

7 pm ET – ESPN + – WHLO 640

HEAD COACHES

Akron: John Groce | Overall Record: 334-218 | At Akron: 152-86

Buffalo: George Halcovage III | Overall Record: 10-38 | At Buffalo: Same

ALL-TIME SERIES

Akron Leads: 42-33 | Groce vs. Buffalo: 8-8 (13-12 Overall)

First Met: Dec. 4, 1954 (Win, Akron 84, Buffalo 74) At Akron

Last Met: Feb. 17, 2024 (Win, Akron 73, Buffalo 62) At Buffalo

At Akron: 27-8 | Neutral: 3-4 | At Buffalo: 12-21

Current Streak: 7 Wins

INSIDE THE SERIES

Tuesday’s contest signifies the 76th encounter in the series history between Akron and Buffalo, and the 26th for a team coached by Groce. Akron maintains a 42-33 series lead overall while Groce holds a record of 13-12 in total and 8-8 at Akron. The Zips and Bulls have clashed seven times in historical postseason encounters with Buffalo having a slight 4-3 advantage. The Zips have triumphed in the last seven encounters.

Throughout the 2023-24 season, the Zips completed a sweep over the Bulls with scores of 76-59 on January 12 at James A. Rhodes Arena and 73-62 at Alumni Arena on February 17.

In 2023, Akron dominated the regular season series by defeating the Bulls at Alumni Arena (81-64) and at The JAR (86-66). Akron also claimed the solitary meeting of the regular season in 2021-22 on New Year’s Day, overcoming a deficit as large as 14 points to win by 12 (88-76). Furthermore, Akron notably triumphed over Buffalo in the MAC Tournament with a score of 101-77.

SCOUTING THE BULLS

Buffalo enters Tuesday’s game with a 6-11 overall mark, a 1-4 record within the MAC, and a 4-3 home performance this season. Recently, the Bulls defeated Western Michigan 85-76 away from home, putting an end to a seven-game losing streak that had started on December 3.

Five Bulls achieved double-digit scoring with Tyson Dunn leading the way for the Blue and White with a notable 20-point outing, which included 6-of-12 shooting from three-point range. Ryan Sabol, Noah Batchelor, and Anquan Boldin Jr. also contributed to the double-digit scoring alongside Dunn. Batchelor further tallied a double-double with 10 points and 12 rebounds against Western Michigan.

Buffalo’s scoring is spearheaded by Sabol (15.8), while Tyson Dunn ranks highest in assists (5.9) and steals (1.9). Batchelor leads in steals (1.9), with Ben Michaels commanding the blocks category with a total of 15.

The Bulls average 72.6 points per game but have been outscored by opponents by an average of 8.4 points this season. Buffalo currently shoots .432 from the field and .308 from the three-point line, making 8.0 three-pointers per contest. The Blue and White averages 34.9 rebounds, 14.3 assists, 14.8 turnovers, 6.7 steals, and 3.9 blocks each game.

Buffalo ranks among the top five in the MAC for defensive rebounds (tied for 1st – 26.9), blocked shots (1st – 3.88), and assists (4th – 14.29).

The Bulls are positioned 59th in the NCAA for fastbreak points (13.35) and 60th in defensive rebounds (26.88). Tyson Dunn holds the 33rd position in total assists (101), 23rd in assists per game (5.9), 82nd for steals (33), 68th for steals per game (1.94), and sits 2nd for triple-doubles (2). Ryan Sabol is ranked 22nd for free throw percentage (.902), 67th for three-point percentage (.402), 54th for three-pointers made per game (2.88), and 80th for total three’s made (49).

ZIPS AT A GLANCE

The Zips head to play against the Buffalo Bulls on Tuesday with a comprehensive record of 12-5, including a perfect 5-0 in the MAC and 2-3 on the road.

Akron recently secured a 92-80 victory against the Ohio Bobcats, marked by Isaiah Gray and Amani Lyles achieving career-best scoring performances, maintaining the Zips’ undefeated status in the MAC and on home turf.

N. Johnson stands out as the leading scorer for the Zips (12.8) and leads in steals (1.8). Nate is one of three Zips averaging over 10 points per game, alongside Tavari Johnson (11.5) and Gray (10.4). T. Johnson also leads Akron in assists (4.1), with James Okonkwo dominating rebounds (8.0) and blocks (18), while Amani Lyles is closely behind with 16 blocks this season.

Currently, Akron scores an average of 82.8 points per game, outpacing opponents by 8.9 points this season. The Zips shoot .446 from the field and .353 from beyond the arc while averaging 11.3 three-point shots each game. The Blue and Gold holds a free throw percentage of .755, averaging 39.9 rebounds, 18.3 assists, 12.1 turnovers, 8.1 steals, and 3.6 blocks per game.

Akron ranks in the top five within the MAC for scoring offense (tied for 1st – 82.8), scoring defense (5th – 73.9), scoring margin (2nd – +8.9), opponents’ field goal percentage (3rd – .424), three-point percentage (3rd – .353), opponents’ three-point percentage (5th – .325), three-pointers made (1st – 11.3), free throw percentage (1st – .755), total rebounds (1st – 39.9), offensive rebounds (3rd – 13.0), defensive rebounds (tied for 1st – 26.9), rebound margin (5th – +2.2), assist-to-turnover ratio (1st – +1.52), turnover margin (4th – +1.82), blocked shots (3rd – 3.59), assists (1st – 18.29), and steals (2nd – 8.12).

In the NCAA rankings, the Zips are positioned 34th in assist-to-turnover ratio (+1.52), 10th in assists per game (18.3), 11th for bench points (34.41), 31st in fastbreak points (14.59), 59th in free throw percentage (.755), 54th in defensive rebounds (27.00), 36th in offensive rebounds (13.29), 22nd in rebounds per game (40.29), 83rd in scoring margin (+8.9), 25th in scoring offense (82.8), 74th in steals per game (8.1), 3rd in three-pointers made per game (11.3), 93rd in turnover margin (+1.8), and 73rd in turnovers forced per game (13.88). James Okonkwo ranks 37th in the NCAA for offensive rebounds (3.18) and 75th in rebounds per game (8.0).

LAST TIME OUT (VS OHIO 1/17/25)

AKRON, Ohio – Isaiah Gray and Amani Lyles established career bests in scoring as the Akron Zips defeated the Ohio Bobcats, 92-80 at home last Friday night.

Akron advances to a record of 5-0 in the MAC and remains undefeated at home with a 9-0 record this season.

The Zips (12-5, 5-0) had three players exceed ten points, with Isaiah Gray leading with a career-high 22 points and two steals. Amani Lyles contributed a career-best 17 points along with six assists and three blocks from the bench. Nate Johnson added 14 points, eight rebounds, four assists, three steals, and two blocks to the effort.

Akron showcased exceptional ball security with 24 assists and only nine turnovers. Lyles’ six assists led the team, with Sharron Young also contributing five assists.

The Akron defense effectively limited Ohio’s shooting to 34.4 percent from the field, including just 25 percent from beyond the arc.

After establishing a 27-20 lead, Akron executed a 7-0 run in the first half with 5:45 remaining, culminating with a three-pointer from Johnson, extending their lead to 34-20. The Zips added a single point to that margin by halftime, heading into the break with a 44-29 advantage. Akron relied on itsthree-point shooting during the quarter, sinking six attempts to make up 18 of its 44 points.

Akron maintained its advantage before embarking on a 6-0 surge, capped by Gray’s layup, to extend the lead to 72-54 with 8:44 remaining in the game. The Bobcats reduced the deficit somewhat before the final buzzer, but the Zips still smoothly navigated the remainder of the contest for the 92-80 victory. Akron dominated inside the key, tallying 28 of its 48 points in the paint.

LAST MATCHUP AGAINST BUFFALO (2/17/24)

BUFFALO, N.Y. – The Akron men’s basketball team achieved a shooting percentage of 58.1 in the second half while restricting Buffalo to only 16.7 percent from beyond the three-point line en route to a 73-62 triumph against the Bulls on the road Saturday.

The Zips (19-6, 11-1) had five athletes score in double digits, led by Enrique Freeman, who secured a double-double with 16 points and 15 rebounds. Ali Ali contributed 15 points and two steals, while Greg Tribble added 13 points and four assists.

Akron out-rebounded Buffalo 40-37 in Saturday’s match, spearheaded by Freeman’s 15 rebounds. The Zips also collected 11 offensive rebounds and tallied 21 points from second chances.

Akron’s defense confined Buffalo to a shooting percentage of just 38.3 from the floor, including 16.7 percent from three-point range. The Zips also restricted Isaiah Adams to 5-of-17 shooting throughout the match. The Bulls struggled with their ability to recover missed shots, finishing with nine offensive rebounds and scoring only two second-chance points, while Akron secured 29 defensive boards.

MAC PLAYER OF THE WEEK

University of Akron forward Amani Lyles was announced as the Mid-American Conference Player of the Week on Monday, January 20.

Lyles is now the second Zip to receive Player of the Week honors, joining Nate Johnson, who was recognized on November 25.

Having accomplished a pair of career best performances this past week, Amani Lyles played a key role in leading the Akron Zips to a 2-0 week, maintaining their undefeated status in the MAC.

Amani averaged 16.5 points (33 points total) while shooting .778 (14-of-18) from the field and 4-of-5 (.800) from the charity stripe. Lyles was clutch for the Zips with 31 of his 33 points scored in the second stanza. Lyles also contributed nine rebounds, eight assists, five blocks, and two steals during the week.

Against a then-undefeated Toledo team, Lyles achieved a then career-high 16 points, with all being scored in the second half. Amani shot 7-of-9 from the field (.778) and was perfect inside the arc (6-of-6) while adding five rebounds, two assists, two blocks, and one steal against the Rockets.

Amani would surpass his scoring career-high with 17 points against a then-undefeated Ohio team. Along with this new scoring career-high, Amani established personal bests in blocks (3) and assists (6) against the Bobcats. He shot 7-of-9 from the field (.778) again, adding four rebounds and one steal along with his assists and blocks.

AKRON IN THE MAC

Akron boasts a record of 70-25 in MAC competition since the 2019-20 season, possessing the highest winning percentage (.737) in the conference. The Zips’ record stands at 56-22 in the MAC under the new conference structure without divisions (introduced in 2020-21). At home, Akron has an impressive 103-28 record (.786) in conference matches since the inception of the 2011 MAC schedule. Since the 2004-05 season, the Zips have enjoyed significant success in league play, holding a total record of 239-108 overall (.689), which includes a 145-32 mark in MAC home games (.819). The Zips’ 239 victories are the most in the league during that timeframe. Recently, the Zips have triumphed in 154 of their last 219 MAC contests (.703).

STRONG START TO #MACTION

The Blue and Gold have kicked off conference play with five consecutive victories. The Zips have commenced MAC play 5-0 for two successive seasons under Coach Groce, following a 7-0 start in #MACtion last year. The 7-0 beginning in 2024 marks the best conference start during Groce’s tenure.

The last occasion the Zips began 7-0 was in 2016-17, when they ultimately initiated conference action with a 9-0 record. The 2012-13 team commenced #MACtion with a remarkable 13-0 record, finishing that season with an overall record of 26-7 and a MAC tally of 14-2.

UNDEFEATED IN CONFERENCE

Akron is among 22 teams maintaining an unblemished record in conference play. They are accompanied by MAC rival Miami (OH), the Blue and Gold are scheduled to face on Saturday, January 25 at the JAR. Other teams that the Zips have played this season, currently undefeated in conference play, include Jackson State, Yale, Omaha, Princeton, and Saint Mary’s.

CAREER NIGHT AGAINST THE BOBCATS

Isaiah Gray and Amani Lyles achieved new career highs against the Ohio Bobcats on January 17.

Gray recorded a new career-high in points (22), while Lyles set a new personal record (17), having previously established a career-best (16) just before against Toledo on January 14. Lyles also recorded new career highs in assists (6) and blocks (3) versus the Bobcats.

WHAT’S NEXT?

The Zips will return to James A. Rhodes Arena to take on the Miami RedHawks on Saturday, January 25, set to begin at 2 p.m.