Friday, March 15
Cleveland, Ohio
7:30 PM
University of Akron
vs
Ohio
Zips Take On Ohio in MAC Semifinals
March 15 | Men's Basketball
Akron (22-10, 13-5 Mid-American) vs Ohio (15-16, 9-9 Mid-American)
Friday, Mar. 15 – Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse – Cleveland, Ohio
7:30 pm ET – CBS Sports Network - WHLO 640
HEAD COACHES
Akron: John Groce | Overall Record: 320-212 | At Akron: 138-80
Miami: Jeff Boals | Overall Record: 153-100| At Ohio: 98-59
ALL-TIME SERIES
Akron Leads: 48-44 (MAC Tournament: 2-3) Groce vs.Ohio 7-6 (7-6 Overall)
First Meeting: Akron 21, Ohio 18 In Akron 1911-12 season
Last Meeting: Akron 67, Ohio 74 at the Convocation Center (Feb. 27, 2024)
In Akron:29-15 | In Athens: 16-28 | Neutral: 3-1
Current Streak: L1
WHAT'S AHEAD
The Akron Zips battle the Ohio Bobcats in the semifinals of the MAC Tournament on
Friday, March 15 for the 93rd all-time meeting. Akron and Ohio can be viewed on CBS Sports Network with Chris Lewis and Michael O'Donnell on the call. Fans can listen to Akron Sports Radio Network on WHLO 640 AM with Dave Skoczen (PxP) and Joe Dunn (Analyst). Live stats are also available on GoZips.com.
SCOUTING THE BOBCATS
Ohio, the No. 3 seed in the MAC Tournament, is on a seven game winning streak after defeating No. 6 Western Michigan 82-55 in the quarterfinals.
Shereef Mitchell led the Bobcats with 15 points on a 7-of-12 shooting night. Miles Brown and Jaylin Hunter both scored in double-figures with 13 points each. Ohio held the Broncos to just 24 percent from the field in the first half and just six made baskets.
Jaylin Hunter is the Leading scorer for Ohio with 13.9 points per game. AJ Clayton is leading the Bobcats in rebounds with 4.7 and total blocks with 58.
The Bobcats ranked second among MAC schools in scoring offense (77.8) and fourth in scoring defense (70.1) while second in scoring margin (7.7). The Bobcats rank in the top three for both field goal % and opponent field goal%. Ohio is third with a .456 shooting percentage while second in opponent shooting with a .426 percentage. Ohio also makes the most 3-point shots of any team in the MAC with 9.0 3's going in per game. The Bobcats are first in turnover margin (+4.00) and assist-to-turnover ratio (+1.47).
ZIPS AT A GLANCE
Akron enters the MAC Tournament as the No. 2 seed after finishing 21-10 overall and 13-5 in conference action.
The Zips defeated the No. 7 Miami RedHawks 75-63 behind Enrique Freeman's 30-point, 12-rebound performance. The Zips were able to exercise a loss to Miami earlier in the season with the win in the MAC Tournament quarterfinals.
Akron is fourth among MAC Schools in scoring (74.7), first in scoring defense (66.1), and first in scoring margin (+8.6). The Zips are the second-best shooting team from the field (.460) and hold opponents to the fourth lowest shooting percentage (.430). Akron also holds opponents to the lowest 3-point shooting percentage (.302). The Zips also hold opponents to the fewest rebounds (32.1) among MAC Schools and hold the top rebound margin (4.7).
Enrique Freeman continues to lead the Zips in scoring with 18.4 points per game. He's also Akron's top rebounder (12.8) and leader in blocks (49).
INSIDE THE SERIES
Akron and Ohio will be meeting for the 93rd time on Tuesday with the Zips leading 48-44. John Groce, who began his head coaching career at Ohio, is 7-6 all-time against the Bobcats. The Zips are 2-3 against the Bobcats in the MAC Tournament.
The Zips took the first game of the series on January 23 with a 67-58 victory at James A. Rhodes Arena while the Bobcats struck back with a 74-67 victory of their own at the Ohio Convocation Center.
Akron and Ohio split the series last season with both squads protecting home court. Xavier Castaneda led all scorers with a career-high 34 points, on 10-of-15 shooting in the most recent meeting between the two sides that saw Ohio win 90-81.
Enrique Freeman had a career performance at the JAR last season against the Bobcats, scoring 32 points to help the Zips defeat Ohio 83-77 on January 28, 2023.
Holding a 48-44 series advantage, The Zips have won 17 of the last 27 meetings, and are 29-14 against the Bobcats in Akron, winning 18 of the last 22 meetings at Rhodes Arena. The Zips are 16-28 against OU in Athens, winning six of the last 12 meetings at the Convocation Center.
LAST TIME AGAINST OHIO (FEB. 27, 2024)
ATHENS, Ohio - The Akron men's basketball team fell to the Ohio Bobcats 74-67 on the road Tuesday.
The Zips (20-8, 12-3) had three players score in double figures, led by Ali Ali, who had 16 points. Greg Tribble added 16 points and Freeman chipped in as well with a double-double with 13 points and 11 rebounds.
Akron grabbed 35 rebounds in Tuesday's game compared to Ohio's 32, led by Freeman's 11 boards.
Akron did a great job disrupting Ohio shots in the contest, coming away with five blocks. Freeman and Sammy Hunter had two rejections to lead the Zips.
After falling behind 13-6, Akron went on a 7-0 run with 13:24 left in the first half to tie the game at 13. The Zips then proceeded to grab a 35-29 lead heading into halftime. Akron did most of its first half damage in the paint, scoring 18 of its 35 points close to the basket.
Ohio proceeded to take a 65-60 lead before Akron went on a 6-0 run, finished off by Ali's jumper, to seize a 66-65 lead with 2:15 to go in the contest. Ohio re-asserted control, outscoring the Zips 9-1 the rest of the way to hand Akron the 74-67 loss. Akron took care of business in the paint, recording 18 of its 32 points in the lane.
AKRON IN THE MAC TOURNAMENT
Akron is 36-21 all-time in the MAC Tournament, 29-10 in its last 39 tournament games. The Zips have won at least one game in the MAC Tournament every year since the 2004-05 season and set an unprecedented 16-of-18 semifinal appearances. The Zips' runs of the consecutive title games (7) and semifinal appearances (13) are the longest streaks in MAC history. The Zips are 30-15 at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. Akron is 7-6 in opening round games, 1-0 second round, 14-4 in the quarterfinals, 10-5 semifinals, and 4-6 in title games.
MAC PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Enrique Freeman was named the Mid-American Conference Player of the Year on March 12 by the conference office.
Freeman becomes the fourth player in Akron history to be named the MAC Player of the Year; joining Romeo Travis (2007), Isaiah Johnson (2017), and Loren Cristian Jackson (2020). He was also a unanimous selection by the 11 opposing head coaches.
Earning All-MAC First Team honors for the second year in a row and All-Defensive Team honors for the third time in his career, Freeman led the conference in double-doubles (28), rebounds per game (12.8), total rebounds (397), defensive rebounds per game (9.16), and field goal percentage (.584). He is first in the NCAA in double-doubles (28), rebounds per game, and total rebounds.
THE DOUBLE-DOUBLE MACHINE
Freeman has 29 double-doubles this season, ranking 1st in the NCAA, and is the only player in the MAC to average a double-double. He is 1-of-15 players in Div. I to average a double-double and has recorded 20+ points and 10+ rebounds 14 times. Freeman recorded 11 consecutive double-doubles from Nov. 28 to Jan. 16 and has recorded 14 straight since Jan. 23.
ONE BY ONE THEY FALL
Enrique Freeman became the all-time leading rebounder after recording 12 rebounds in the MAC Tournament quarterfinals against Miami to break Fred Golding's (1956-59) record of 1,360.
THE FINAL 5
Akron senior forward Enrique Freeman was one of 5 finalists for the 2024 Karl Malone Award as announced by the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame on March 7. The annual honor is in its tenth year and recognizes the top power forwards in Division I men's college basketball.
Later in March, the finalists will be presented to Malone and the Hall of Fame's selection committees. The Selection Committees for the Karl Malone Award are composed of top men's college basketball personnel, including media members, head coaches, sports information directors, and Hall of Famers.
WHAT'S NEXT?
Akron will either play the winner of Kent State and Bowling Green on March 16.
Friday, Mar. 15 – Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse – Cleveland, Ohio
7:30 pm ET – CBS Sports Network - WHLO 640
HEAD COACHES
Akron: John Groce | Overall Record: 320-212 | At Akron: 138-80
Miami: Jeff Boals | Overall Record: 153-100| At Ohio: 98-59
ALL-TIME SERIES
Akron Leads: 48-44 (MAC Tournament: 2-3) Groce vs.Ohio 7-6 (7-6 Overall)
First Meeting: Akron 21, Ohio 18 In Akron 1911-12 season
Last Meeting: Akron 67, Ohio 74 at the Convocation Center (Feb. 27, 2024)
In Akron:29-15 | In Athens: 16-28 | Neutral: 3-1
Current Streak: L1
WHAT'S AHEAD
The Akron Zips battle the Ohio Bobcats in the semifinals of the MAC Tournament on
Friday, March 15 for the 93rd all-time meeting. Akron and Ohio can be viewed on CBS Sports Network with Chris Lewis and Michael O'Donnell on the call. Fans can listen to Akron Sports Radio Network on WHLO 640 AM with Dave Skoczen (PxP) and Joe Dunn (Analyst). Live stats are also available on GoZips.com.
SCOUTING THE BOBCATS
Ohio, the No. 3 seed in the MAC Tournament, is on a seven game winning streak after defeating No. 6 Western Michigan 82-55 in the quarterfinals.
Shereef Mitchell led the Bobcats with 15 points on a 7-of-12 shooting night. Miles Brown and Jaylin Hunter both scored in double-figures with 13 points each. Ohio held the Broncos to just 24 percent from the field in the first half and just six made baskets.
Jaylin Hunter is the Leading scorer for Ohio with 13.9 points per game. AJ Clayton is leading the Bobcats in rebounds with 4.7 and total blocks with 58.
The Bobcats ranked second among MAC schools in scoring offense (77.8) and fourth in scoring defense (70.1) while second in scoring margin (7.7). The Bobcats rank in the top three for both field goal % and opponent field goal%. Ohio is third with a .456 shooting percentage while second in opponent shooting with a .426 percentage. Ohio also makes the most 3-point shots of any team in the MAC with 9.0 3's going in per game. The Bobcats are first in turnover margin (+4.00) and assist-to-turnover ratio (+1.47).
ZIPS AT A GLANCE
Akron enters the MAC Tournament as the No. 2 seed after finishing 21-10 overall and 13-5 in conference action.
The Zips defeated the No. 7 Miami RedHawks 75-63 behind Enrique Freeman's 30-point, 12-rebound performance. The Zips were able to exercise a loss to Miami earlier in the season with the win in the MAC Tournament quarterfinals.
Akron is fourth among MAC Schools in scoring (74.7), first in scoring defense (66.1), and first in scoring margin (+8.6). The Zips are the second-best shooting team from the field (.460) and hold opponents to the fourth lowest shooting percentage (.430). Akron also holds opponents to the lowest 3-point shooting percentage (.302). The Zips also hold opponents to the fewest rebounds (32.1) among MAC Schools and hold the top rebound margin (4.7).
Enrique Freeman continues to lead the Zips in scoring with 18.4 points per game. He's also Akron's top rebounder (12.8) and leader in blocks (49).
INSIDE THE SERIES
Akron and Ohio will be meeting for the 93rd time on Tuesday with the Zips leading 48-44. John Groce, who began his head coaching career at Ohio, is 7-6 all-time against the Bobcats. The Zips are 2-3 against the Bobcats in the MAC Tournament.
The Zips took the first game of the series on January 23 with a 67-58 victory at James A. Rhodes Arena while the Bobcats struck back with a 74-67 victory of their own at the Ohio Convocation Center.
Akron and Ohio split the series last season with both squads protecting home court. Xavier Castaneda led all scorers with a career-high 34 points, on 10-of-15 shooting in the most recent meeting between the two sides that saw Ohio win 90-81.
Enrique Freeman had a career performance at the JAR last season against the Bobcats, scoring 32 points to help the Zips defeat Ohio 83-77 on January 28, 2023.
Holding a 48-44 series advantage, The Zips have won 17 of the last 27 meetings, and are 29-14 against the Bobcats in Akron, winning 18 of the last 22 meetings at Rhodes Arena. The Zips are 16-28 against OU in Athens, winning six of the last 12 meetings at the Convocation Center.
LAST TIME AGAINST OHIO (FEB. 27, 2024)
ATHENS, Ohio - The Akron men's basketball team fell to the Ohio Bobcats 74-67 on the road Tuesday.
The Zips (20-8, 12-3) had three players score in double figures, led by Ali Ali, who had 16 points. Greg Tribble added 16 points and Freeman chipped in as well with a double-double with 13 points and 11 rebounds.
Akron grabbed 35 rebounds in Tuesday's game compared to Ohio's 32, led by Freeman's 11 boards.
Akron did a great job disrupting Ohio shots in the contest, coming away with five blocks. Freeman and Sammy Hunter had two rejections to lead the Zips.
After falling behind 13-6, Akron went on a 7-0 run with 13:24 left in the first half to tie the game at 13. The Zips then proceeded to grab a 35-29 lead heading into halftime. Akron did most of its first half damage in the paint, scoring 18 of its 35 points close to the basket.
Ohio proceeded to take a 65-60 lead before Akron went on a 6-0 run, finished off by Ali's jumper, to seize a 66-65 lead with 2:15 to go in the contest. Ohio re-asserted control, outscoring the Zips 9-1 the rest of the way to hand Akron the 74-67 loss. Akron took care of business in the paint, recording 18 of its 32 points in the lane.
AKRON IN THE MAC TOURNAMENT
Akron is 36-21 all-time in the MAC Tournament, 29-10 in its last 39 tournament games. The Zips have won at least one game in the MAC Tournament every year since the 2004-05 season and set an unprecedented 16-of-18 semifinal appearances. The Zips' runs of the consecutive title games (7) and semifinal appearances (13) are the longest streaks in MAC history. The Zips are 30-15 at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. Akron is 7-6 in opening round games, 1-0 second round, 14-4 in the quarterfinals, 10-5 semifinals, and 4-6 in title games.
MAC PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Enrique Freeman was named the Mid-American Conference Player of the Year on March 12 by the conference office.
Freeman becomes the fourth player in Akron history to be named the MAC Player of the Year; joining Romeo Travis (2007), Isaiah Johnson (2017), and Loren Cristian Jackson (2020). He was also a unanimous selection by the 11 opposing head coaches.
Earning All-MAC First Team honors for the second year in a row and All-Defensive Team honors for the third time in his career, Freeman led the conference in double-doubles (28), rebounds per game (12.8), total rebounds (397), defensive rebounds per game (9.16), and field goal percentage (.584). He is first in the NCAA in double-doubles (28), rebounds per game, and total rebounds.
THE DOUBLE-DOUBLE MACHINE
Freeman has 29 double-doubles this season, ranking 1st in the NCAA, and is the only player in the MAC to average a double-double. He is 1-of-15 players in Div. I to average a double-double and has recorded 20+ points and 10+ rebounds 14 times. Freeman recorded 11 consecutive double-doubles from Nov. 28 to Jan. 16 and has recorded 14 straight since Jan. 23.
ONE BY ONE THEY FALL
Enrique Freeman became the all-time leading rebounder after recording 12 rebounds in the MAC Tournament quarterfinals against Miami to break Fred Golding's (1956-59) record of 1,360.
THE FINAL 5
Akron senior forward Enrique Freeman was one of 5 finalists for the 2024 Karl Malone Award as announced by the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame on March 7. The annual honor is in its tenth year and recognizes the top power forwards in Division I men's college basketball.
Later in March, the finalists will be presented to Malone and the Hall of Fame's selection committees. The Selection Committees for the Karl Malone Award are composed of top men's college basketball personnel, including media members, head coaches, sports information directors, and Hall of Famers.
WHAT'S NEXT?
Akron will either play the winner of Kent State and Bowling Green on March 16.
