The University of Akron Athletics
University of Akron
Mercer
Akron to Play Mercer for Savannah Invitational Championship
November 26 | Men's Basketball
GAME NOTES (PDF) | LIVE STATS | Web Stream | Akron-IMG Sports Network | Season Tickets | Akron Basketball Schedule
Akron Zips (4-1, 0-0 Mid-American) vs Mercer (4-1, 0-0 Southern)
Savannah Invitational Championship Game • Savannah Civic Center • Saturday, November 26 • Savannah, Ga. • 7:30 p.m. ET
TV/Video: None
Live Stats: GoZips.com - Live Stats
Radio: Akron-IMG Sports Network - Steve French (PxP) and Joe Dunn (Analyst) WARF 1350 AM (flagship), iHeart Radio, TuneIn.com/Akron Zips
Head Coaches
Mercer - Bob Hoffman (Oklahoma Baptist '79)
Overall Record:588-284 (26th season)
Record at Mercer: 168-114 (9th season)
UA - Keith Dambrot (Akron '82)
Overall Record: 390-201 (19th season)
Record at Akron: 282-131 (13th season)
All-Time Series
First Meeting between Akron and Mercer | Dambrot vs Mercer: 0-0
Akron basketball Notes:
• Akron has won at least 21 games in 11-straight seasons under 13th-year head coach Keith Dambrot, joining the likes of Duke, Gonzaga, Kansas and Ohio State. Over the last 12 seasons, the Zips have won 278 games, most by any team in the MAC.
• The Zips finished the 2015-16 campaign as MAC Regular-Season Champions with a 26-9 overall record, including a 13-5 league mark and an undefeated 15-0 showing at James A. Rhodes Arena. Dambrot led Akron to its eighth MAC Tournament title game appearance in the last ten seasons and an unprecedented 11th-straight semifinal. The Zips' runs of consecutive title game and semifinal appearances are the longest streaks in MAC history.
• The Zips ranked No. 2 in the NCAA for 3-point FG's made per game, total 3-point FG's made, and 3-point FG's attempted. UA ranked in the NCAA's Top 100 in 20-of-32 statistical categories (346 teams), including four Top 5's: 3-pt FG per game (2nd, 11.7), 3-pt FGM (2nd, 409), 3-pt FG attempted (2nd, 1,069), and 3-pt FG defense (3rd, .294). Akron was 32nd in 3-pt FG percentage (.383).
• The Zips own a 165-23 (.878) at James A. Rhodes Arena and have been winners of 20-straight games at Rhodes Arena, dating back to the 2014-15 season.
• Since the start of the 2004-05 season, the Zips have been one of best teams in the nation when it comes to rebounding after a loss. Excluding season-ending losses, Akron is 87-32 (.731) following a loss.
What's Ahead
Akron and Mercer will play for the Savannah Invitational Championship on Saturday, Nov. 26, at 7:30 p.m. at the Savannah Civic Center. Both teams have posted 3-0 records at the tournament as Mercer defeated Georgia Southern, 80-67, Radford, 58-47, and East Carolina, 70-66, while Akron defeated Radford, 88-41, Georgia Southern, 75-67, and Air Force, 84-75.Fans can follow the action on GoZips.com via Live Stats or by Zips' radio.
The Zips' radio broadcast will air on the Akron-IMG Sports Network SportsRadio 1350 AM (WARF) in Akron (flagship) with Steve French calling the action and Joe Dunn providing analysis. The pregame show starts 30 minutes prior to the contest. The free audio stream is available at SportsRadio1350.com, iHeart Radio, and TuneIn.com/Akron Zips.
The Akron-Mercer Series
Saturday's game marks the first meeting in program history between Akron and Mercer. However, the two teams have common opponents at the Savannah Invitational in Georgia Southern and Radford. The Zips and Bears defeated both teams. Georgia Southern held a 39-34 halftime lead over the Bears before Mercer posted a 46-28 second half ledger en route toan 80-67 win. Against Radford, Mercer won 58-47 after establishing a 27-14 first-half lead.
The Zips opened the Savannah Invitational by hosting Radford and cruising to an 88-41 victory. Akron established an early advantage and never looked back. The Zips also played host to Georgia Southern and finished with its 20th straight home victory. Akron held a 39-30 halftime advantage and held on for the eight-point win.
Scouting the Bears
Mercer enters the Savannah finale with a 4-1 overall record and a 3-0 start at the invitational, defeating Georgia Southern, 80-67, Radford, 58-47, and East Carolina 70-66. The Bears are led by ninth-year head coach Bob Hoffman (Oklahoma Baptist, '79), who owns a 168-114 at Mercer and 568-284 career mark, spanning 26 seasons.
The Bears own a +8.0 scoring margin, outscoring their opponents 349-309 with a 44.9 shooting percentage from the floor (123-of-274) and 35.4 effort from beyond the 3-point arc (40-of-113) with 8.0 made 3-point FG per game. Two players are scoring in double figures as Ria'n Holland leads the way with 20.8 points per game on 48.6 percent shooting (36-of-74). He is a threat from deep, knocking down 41.9 percent of his shots from beyond the arc (18-of-43) and has a team-best eight steals with11 assists and 21 rebounds. Demetre Rivers follows with 11.8 points per game while draining 59.0 percent of his shots (23-of-39), including a 6-of-16 effort from deep.
On the glass, Mercer is led by Stephon Jelks with 5.4 boards per night with 27 total rebounds., while Desmond Ringer and Ryan Johnson closley follow with 4.8 (24) and 4.6 (23) rebounds per night, respectively.
Defensively, Mercer holds its opponents to 61.8 points per game on 35.7 percent shooting from the floor and just 29.9 percent from 3-point range. The Bears caused 61 turnovers (12.2 t/g) with 24 steals (4.8 stl/g). Mercer has a slight deficit in rebounding margin -0.2, pulling down 35.8 rebounds per game.
Zips Advance to the Savannah Invitational Championship Game
The Akron Zips outscored Air Force 51-36 in the second half en route to an 84-75 victory at the Savannah Civic Center on Friday night. The Zips (4-1) handed the Falcons (5-1) their first loss and have won four consecutive games this season, including three straight at the Savannah Invitational. As a result, the Zips will play for the Savannah Invitational Championship tomorrow at 7:30 p.m. against Mercer.
Air Force opened the game firing on all cylinders. The Falcons knocked down four of their first six shots, including two out of three from beyond the 3-point arc for a 10-7 advantage at the first media timeout.
The Falcons pushed the lead to as many as 10 points with 3:24 left in the initial half behind 11 points from Frank Toohey, shooting 4-of-8 from the floor which included a 3-of-4 effort from behind the 3-point arc.
During that span, Akron shot just 6-of-21 from the floor and 2-of-14 from deep, until freshman wing Daniel Utomi (Houston, Texas) provided a much needed spark. Utomi hit back-to-back 3-pointers to sway the game's momentum to the Zips' bench. Sophomore guard Josh Williams (Akron, Ohio) followed with a long-distance bucket, while freshman Tavian Dunn-Martin (Huntington, W.Va.) cut the Falcons' lead to three points, 35-32, with an offensive rebound and put-back.
Air Force ended the Zips' 7-0 scoring outburst with two free throws and added a layin as time expired to take a 39-33 halftime lead. During the break, 13th-year head coach Keith Dambrot rallied his troops, and the Zips were a completely different team during the final 20 minutes of play.
Senior center Isaiah Johnson (Cincinnati, Ohio) led the charge with 12 second-half points as Akron went straight to Big Dog for the first two points. Senior forward Kwan Cheatham, Jr. (Cincinnati, Ohio) followed with a triple, and the Zips' were on their way to a 19-6 run to open the half.
The run lasted seven-and-a-half minutes, as Williams buried a triple from the corner, Cheatham followed with a layup, and junior guard Noah Robotham (Las Vegas, Nev.) buried a triple at the top of the key. Next, the Zips utilized the big fella for three consecutive possessions, Johnson scored six-unanswered points, while Antino Jackson and junior wing Aaron Jackson (Gahanna, Ohio) added two points apiece from the charity stripe.
By the 12:20 mark, Akron built a 55-45 advantage before Air Force recorded its eighth point of the half. The Zips immediately regained the double-digit lead as Dunn-Martin connected from long distance. Air Force made one final attempt to regain control of the scoreboard with an 8-0 run, but the attempt was stalled by a pair of free throws from Williams, Robotham, and Antino Jackson.
Johnson led Akron's scoring efforts with 19 points on 7-of-10 shooting from the floor and a 5-of-8 showing from the free throw line. In addition, Johnson added a career-best five assists. Williams followed with 16 points, and Antino Jackson added 15 points.
Thriving in A New ROLE
With the loss of two starters and a third key player from the Akron's 2015-16 MAC Championship run, the Zips have inserted Isaiah Johnson and Josh Williams into the starting lineup, freeing up more minutes for junior Jimond Ivey. So far, Ivey has taken full advantage of the new role, scoring in double digits 3-of-5 games, including a career-high 15 points and a personal best 11 rebounds. In addition, he posted his first career double-double against American that included 12 points and a career-best 11 boards.
In five games, Ivey averages 21.8 minutes, 9.6 points and 6.6 rebounds per game on 58.6 percent shooting from the field. He drained 17-of-29 shots and is second on the squad with 33 rebounds, 25 defensive and eight offensive.
BIG DOG Continues to Dominate the PAinted Area
Last season, Isaiah Johnson was a force in the paint for the Zips, and this year, he is on pace to be even better. Big Dog has led the Zips' scoring efforts in 4-of-5 games. He is averaging a team-high 17.0 points per game while scoring in double-digits in all five contests, including a season-high 20-point performance against Georgia Southern. He posted one double-double of 14 points and 10 boards and also scored 19, 17, and 15 this season. Big Dog is shooting 66.7 percent from the floor (32-of-48), and pulled down a team-best 34 rebounds with 21 defensive boards and 13 on the offensive end. He owns a team-high 16 assists and five blocks with three steals.
Two Zips Averaging Double Figures
Two Zips are averaging double figures in scoring, while two are just a shade under a double-digit average. Senior Isaiah Johnson leads the Zips with 17.0 points per game and followed by junior Antino Jackson's 11 points a night. In addition, juniors Jimod Ivey and Noah Robotham have added 9.6 points per game.
Streaking Zips
Not only has Akron established a four-game winning streak, the Zips currently own a 20-game streak at James A. Rhodes Arena. The Zips have rattled-off threeconsecutive wins at Rhodes Arena over American, Radford, and Georgia Southern. The three consecutive wins at the JAR improved Akron's current home winning streak to 20 games, dating back to the 2014-15 season. Akron won the final two home games that season, and posted an unblemished 15-0 record in 2015-16 at Rhodes Arena. The Zips are 165-23 (.678) at the JAR under 13th-year head coach Keith Dambrot.
Starting the Season Off Right
The Zips are 70-46 (.603) all-time in season openers with a 56-12 (.824) home record and 14-34 (.292) on the road. UA is 8-5 (.615) when opening the season under Dambrot, standing 5-1 (.833) at home and 3-4 (.429) on the road. In addition, the Zips own a 95-21 (.819) home opening record at Rhodes Arena and have been winners in the last 14-of-15 home opening games.
The 2015-16 Akron Zips started the season with a 3-0 winning streak and completed a 10 game winning streak. The three consecutive wins to open the season marks the best start in the Division I era of Akron men's basketball history and the 10-game streak stands as the second-best under Dambrot behind a 19-game run in 2012-13. In addition, the 13-2 start was the best opening to a season in Akron basketball's Division I era, while the Zips win over the Arkansas Razorbacks marks the fifth consecutive season the Zips posted a win over a Power Five Conference opponent.
Rebounding after a Loss
Since the start of the 2004-05 season, the Zips have been one of best teams in the nation when it comes to rebounding after a loss. Excluding season-ending losses, Akron is 87-32 (.731) following a loss. In head coach Keith Dambrot's 13-year tenure, Akron has only posted 24 losing streaks. In fact, of those 24 losing streaks, 15 have been just two games and 18 have consisted of two or more games on the road (road/neutral site). UA has never lost more than four-straight games under Dambrot. Akron has not lost five-in-a-row since Jan. 5-19, 2002, under former head coach Dan Hipsher.
Mr. Chairman
After serving three seasons on the NCAA Men's Basketball Rules Committee, Akron men's basketball head coach Keith Dambrot was named the new chairman of the committee, starting with the 2015-16 season. Dambrot is currently in his second season as chairman, replacing former chairman and Belmont head coach Rick Byrd, who completed his term on the rules committee in August 2015. The NCAA Men's Basketball Rules Committee is comprised of 13 coaches and administrators, who assess both current and proposed rules to promote consistency and fair play in the game. The committee meets once a year and votes on changes every other May unless there's a pressing issue about player safety.
The Zips LeBron James Shoe Deal and New LOOK
Since June 2008, the Akron men's basketball program has been partnered with Nike under which the Zips' shoes, game uniforms, warm ups and accessories are licensed under the Nike and LeBron James Trademarks. The Zips are just one of two college programs in the country that are partnered with the LBJ line of Nike equipment, the other is Ohio State.
The Akron Zips men's basketball team will be sporting new uniforms in 2016-17. The new look represents a reinvigorated pride in our University, our City, and Zips Athletics. The new design for both home and away were inspired by the "Pride of the City" slogan that men's basketball will carry throughout the season. The goal is to strengthen the pride for the University of Akron within community.
The home uniforms are white with dark blue trim and accents, while the away are dark blue with white trim and accents. The "Pride of the UniverCity" uniforms display the name Akron in a prestigious old-style script font on the chest with the number(s) below. The script font and numbers are the same color as the jersey top (white/white or blue/blue) and outlined with the opposite color. The inspiration for the script writing and to use Akron on the chest stemmed from tradition and an overwhelming amount of pride for the city of Akron and its University.
The game shorts have three distinguishing marks. The right side of the shorts depicts the Zips' mascot Zippy, and her Fear the Roo head logo, while the left side dons the University's official seal. The final mark on the shorts is the notorious Z logo, which appears on the front waistband.
Akron Defeats Georgia Southern, 75-67, Keeps Home Winning Streak Alive
The University of Akron men's basketball team defeated Georgia Southern, 75-67, to extend its home winning streak to 20 consecutive games at James A. Rhodes Arena behind the strength of perimeter shooting and defensive toughness down the stretch. Despite some early offensive struggles, the Zips found their rhythm midway through the half, shooting 48.1 percent (13-of-27) from the floor and 38.9 percent (7-of-18) from long range. Georgia Southern shot 40.7 percent (11-of-27) from the floor and a mere 27.3 percent (3-for-11) from beyond the 3-point arc.
Akron's top three scoring leaders all set season highs in points as Johnson led with 20 points and Jackson followed with 19 points, while Ivey set a new career-high with 15 points. In addition, the Zips dished-out 20 assists led by a season-best six helpers from Jackson and three each from Johnson, Ivey, and Cheatham.
For the game, Akron held a slight advantage on the glass, outrebounding Georgia Southern 35-31 with Cheatham leading the way with seven rebounds. The Zips shot 46.4 percent (26-of-56) from the floor, including a 30.6 percent (11-of-36) effort from deep.
Akron Extends Home Streak to 19 Games
The University of Akron men's basketball team outscored Radford, 57-27, in the second half to pull away from the Highlanders as the Zips continue to roll at James A. Rhodes arena for its 19th straight home victory by a final score of 88-41 on Sunday night.
Twelve players touched the scoring column on the stat sheet with four Zips recording double digits in scoring, led by Isaiah Johnson's 15 points. He added a team-high seven rebounds as the Zips won the battle of the boards 36-29. Freshman wing Daniel Utomi (Houston, Texas) followed in scoring with a career-high 14 points, shooting 4-of-5 from the field, 1-of-2 from deep, and 5-of-7 from the charity stripe. Rounding out the double-digit scorers were Antino Jackson and freshman guard Tavian Dunn-Martin (Huntington, W.Va.) with 12 and 11 points, respectively.
For the game, Akron finished shooting 56.6 percent (30-of-53) from the floor, 50.0 percent (13-of-26) from behind the 3-point arc, and 71.4 percent (15-of-21) from the free throw line. The Zips caused 22 turnovers with eight steals and three blocked shots while limiting the Radford offense to 31.3 percent (15-of-48) shooting from the field and 20.0 percent (2-of-20) from long distance.
Zips Add Two Players in Early Signing Period
The Akron men's basketball program added a pair of student-athletes to the 2017-18 roster during the early signing period, announced by head coach Keith Dambrot. Signing national letters of intent to play for Akron were Eric Parrish (Cypress, Texas) and Jaden Sayles (Cincinnati, Ohio)
Parrish, a 6-6, 185-pound wing, played for Cypress Springs High School in 2015-16 and will spend the 2016-17 playing for Sunrise Christian Academy in Wichita, Kan. In 30 games during his senior season, Parrish nearly averaged a double-double from the wing position, scoring 18.4 points and pulling down 8.2 rebounds per game. In addition, he added three assists, two steals, and 1.6 blocks on average per night. During his four-year high school career, Parrish eclipsed the 1,000 point scoring threshold, recording 1,132 points while earning back-to-back team MVP awards. In addition, Parrish was a two-time all-district award winner as well as a two-time academic all-district recipient.
Sayles, a 6-9, 235-pound forward, plays Sycamore High School. As a junior, Sayles led the team in scoring with 13.6 points per game while shooting at a 53.6 percent clip from the field and 71.9 percent from the charity stripe. He pulled down a team-best 4.9 rebounds per game and averaged a team-high 1.5 blocks a night. Sayles finished the season ranked sixth in scoring, third in blocked shots and 14th in rebounds for Greater Miami Conference en route to a Second-Team ALL-GMC selection.
Zips Selected to Win MAC
For the fourth consecutive year, the Akron men's basketball team was selected to win the Mid-American Conference East Division while ranking as the favorite to claim the MAC Tournament title, according to the 2016-17 MAC Preseason Men's Basketball Poll. The Zips received 15 first-place votes for 194 points, edging out Ohio, who finished second in voting with 190 points and 16 first-place votes. Buffalo (144 points, five first place vote) was picked third overall in the East followed by Kent State (116 points), Bowling Green (63 points), and Miami (49 points).Eastern Michigan is the favorite in the West Division.
In addition, the Zips were selected as the favorite to claim the season finale in March. Akron received 15 votes to be crowned champions at the MAC Tournament, holding a four-vote margin over Ohio (11). Eastern Michigan earned three votes, while Buffalo and Northern Illinois each had two. Rounding out the tournament voting were Central Michigan, Kent State, and Miami with one vote apiece.
Johnson Named to Preseason All-MAC Squad
Senior center Isaiah Johnson (Cincinnati, Ohio) was named to the East Division Preseason All-MAC team by the 24-member MAC News Media Panel and 12 league head coaches. In 2015-16, he played in all 35 games, making nine starts and averaging 13.6 ppg, 7.6 rpg, 1.6 apg, and 1.3 bpg. He led the Zips' offensive and rebounding efforts en route to an All-MAC First Team selection, NABC All-District First Team honor, and the MAC Sixth Man of the Year award. Furthermore, Johnson was a three-time MAC East Player of the Week recipient while being named to the MAC All-Tournament team, the South Point Classic Most Valuable Player, and collegesportsmadness.com Madness Mid-American Men's Basketball Player of the Week.
Zips Basketball Selected for Eight Television Appearances
As a result of the largest television package in Mid-American Conference history, the Akron men's basketball program enters the 2016-17 season with eight guaranteed television games on various regional and national sports networks. In addition, the Zips' current schedule allows for nine games to be selected as wildcard games for television. Six of the nine dates provide several TV opportunities that may involve a change in game dates and times and/or same date with time changes.
The MAC television package includes ESPN2, ESPNU, Fox Sports 1 (FS1), CBS Sports Network (CBSSN), American Sports Network (ASN), Buckeye Cable Sports Network (BCSN) and Time Warner Cable Sports Channel (TWCS). In addition, Akron can be seen on Fox Sports 2 (FS2) and ROOT Sports. ESPN3 broadcast are not considered when determining television appearances.
Last season, the Zips appeared in 17 televised games with an additional four games aired exclusively on ESPN3. Included in those contests were the MAC Championship (ESPN2) and National Invitation Tournament (ESPN). New to this season, CBS Sports Network agreed to air the MAC semifinal game in addition to the MAC season finale.
Up Next
The Akron Zips will return to James A. Rhodes Arena for a battle with Adrian on Wednesday, Nov. 30 at 7 p.m. Akron will look to increase its home winning streak to 21 games, while moving 13th-year head coach Keith Dambrot one step closer to becoming the all-time winning-est coach in Akron basketball history.
2015-16 MAC Champions
The Zips finished the 2015-16 campaign with a 26-9 overall record, including a 13-5 league mark and an undefeated 15-0 showing at James A. Rhodes Arena. Dambrot led Akron to its eighth MAC Tournament title game appearance in the last ten seasons and an unprecedented 11th-straight semifinal. The Zips' runs of consecutive title game and semifinal appearances are the longest streaks in MAC history.
Akron earned the No. 6 seed in the 2016 National Invitation Tournament. It was Akron's sixth appearance in the NIT and fourth under Dambrot (1987, 1989, 2006, 2008, 2012, 2016). Akron tied the school record for wins in a season (26) and set program records in 3-point FG made (409) and attempted (1,069) in a season, as well as, made (20) and attempted (43) in a game.
Last year, the Zips secured the MAC Championship, No. 1 Seed in the MAC Tournament, and East Division Title on March 1, 2016 with a 91-76 win over Ohio. The Zips used a record-breaking performance from behind the 3-point arc to secure the title, knocking down 20 triples on 43 attempts, both new all-time standards. Akron captured the a regular season or tournament title in five of the last eight seasons. The Zips were regular season champs in 2012 (22-12, 13-3 MAC) and 2016 (26-9, 13-5 MAC), won the MAC Tournament in 2009 (23-13, 10-6 MAC) and 2011 (23-13, 9-7 MAC), and swept the regular-season and tournament titles in 2013 (26-7, 14-2 MAC). In addition, Akron claimed the East Division title in 2007 (26-7, 13-3 MAC). Akron tied the program's all-time record with 26 wins (1972, 2007, 2013, 2016) en route to its eighth MAC tournament title game in 10 seasons and 11th-straight semifinal appearance, both are MAC records.
