Akron Hoops Returns to JAR on Wednesday against Marshall

Akron Hoops Returns to JAR on Wednesday against Marshall
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Game 7 Notes: Akron vs Marshall (PDF)

Akron Zips (3-3) vs MARSHALL (4-2)
Wednesday, Dec. 1 • James A Rhodes Arena • Akron, OH • 7 PM • ESPN+

Akron Head Coach
John Groce (Taylor '94)
Career Record: 252-183 (13th Season)
Record at Akron: 72-52 (4th Season)
MAC Record at Akron: 40-32 (4th Season)
Overall MAC Record: 74-62 (at Ohio and Akron)

Marshall Head Coach
Dan D'Antoni (Marshall '70)
Overall Record: 132-101 (8th Season)
Record at Marshall: 132-101 (8th Season)
C-USA Record: 71-51 (8th Season)

All-Time Series
Zips lead: 15-13 • Groce vs Marshall: 1-2 at Akron (3-5 Overall)
Last Meeting: Akron 85, Marshall 73 • Dec. 4, 2019 at Cam Henderson Center-Huntington, W.Va.
First Meeting: Marshall 63, Akron 61 • 1946-47 in Akron, Ohio
In Akron 8-5 • In Huntington: 7-8

Broadcast
TV/Video: ESPN+ - Michael Reghi (PxP) and Jacki Windon (Analyst)
Radio: Akron Sports Network-Dave Skoczen (PxP), Joe Dunn (Analyst)-WHLO 640 AM (iHeart Radio)
Live Stats: GoZips.com/Schedule - Live Stats

What's Ahead
The Akron Zips return to James A. Rhodes Arena for a non-conference showdown against Marshall on Wednesday, Dec. 1 at 7 PM. Fans can follow the action on ESPN+ with Michael Reghi calling the action and Jacki Windon providing analysis or 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.

The Akron-Marshall Series
Wednesday's game marks the 29th meeting in series history between the Zips and the Thundering Herd. Akron holds a 15-13 edge in the series and won the last 8-of-10 meetings, including an 85-73 win at the Cam Henderson Center in 2019. The Herd claimed the previous two meetings. Akron is 8-5 at home and 7-8 on the road against Marshall.

The series began during the 1946-47 season and lasted six-straight seasons as the Herd claimed the series opener 63-61 in Akron. The following year, Marshall moved to 2-0 against the Zips with a 73-47 win, and it wasn't until the third meeting (1948-49) when Akron posted its first win over the Herd, 55-51. Marshall claimed the final three games by scores of 94-81, 84-81, and 113-81. The two teams met again in 1974-75, as Akron came out on top with an 87-61 victory.

In 1997, Marshall and Akron began Mid-American Conference action, playing 13 league contests in eight seasons before Marshall exiting to play in Conference USA in 2005-06 to present. During the MAC days, the Zips held a 7-6 overall advantage, and Akron sent them away with two consecutive losses in 2004-05, the Zips posted a 65-55 win in Huntington and a 71-64 win in Akron.

Over the last 10 seasons, the Zips are 6-2 against the Thundering Herd with four road wins 67-51 ('11-12) 70-63 ('13-14), 75-65 ('15-16) and 85-73 ('19-20) and two wins at Rhodes Arena 70-63 ('14-15) and 99-88 ('16-17). Both losses came in back-to-back seasons 86-64 (2017-18 in Huntington, W.Va.) and 75-74 (2018-19 in Akron, Ohio).

Scouting The Herd
Marshall enters the game with a 4-2 overall record, and 0-1 on the road. The Herd averages 82.2 points per outing on 45.7 percent shooting from the floor and a 26.8 percent effort from beyond the 3-point arc, draining 6.2 triples a game.

The Herd defeated Wright State (96-88) in the season/home opener and followed with a win over Milligan (80-58) before falling to Campbell (67-65). The herd bounced back with consecutive wins over Jackson State (80-66) and Louisiana (93-79), but fell to Indiana (90-79) the last time out.

The Herd has four players scoring in double figures led by Taevion Kinsey with 19.8 points per game on 42.4 percent shooting from the field while adding 4.7 rebounds (28) and 3.5 assists (21) per game. Kinsey has scored 20 or more points in four of The Herd's five games this season. Obinna Anochili-Killen follows with 14.3 points per game and leads the nation in blocked shots with 5.5 per game and 33 total blocks. He also leads the team on the glass, collecting 8.5 boards per game for 51 total rebounds. Rounding out the double-digit scoring are Darius George and Andrew Taylor with 13 and 12.2 points per game, respectively.

Defensively, Marshall limits its opponents to scoring 74.7 points per game on 43.8 percent shooting from the floor and 40.2 percent from 3-point range, allowing only 7.8 long distance strikes per night. The Herd has caused 98 turnovers (16.3 to/g) with 56 steals (9.3 stl/g). Marshall outrebounds the opponent by a +1.2 margin, allowing the opponent to grab 226 total boards (37.7 rebs/g) compared to the 233 total rebounds secured by the Thundering Herd (38.8 rebs/g).

THE LAST MEETING
The Akron men's basketball team secured their first road win of the season, defeating Marshall 85-73 behind a pair of 20-plus point performances from Xeyrius Williams and Loren Cristian Jackson at the Cam Henderson Center.

Akron (6-2) started the scoring and only trailed in the game when Marshall (2-5) answered the Zips initial bucket with a 3-pointer. From there, the Zips received back-to-back layups by Reece and never looked back. The pair of lay-ins sparked a 14-2 run, allowing the Zips to take an 11-point advantage by the 15-minute mark, 16-5. Akron increased the lead to 15 points on a dunk by Deng Riak at the midpoint and led by as many as 16 points when Jackson connected with his third triple of the half, 38-22. At the break, Akron led by 15 points, 45-30, and held a plus-15 advantage on the glass (29-14) while scoring 23 points in the paint compared to The Herd's 14 points.

In the second half, Akron maintained the double-digit advantage and increased the lead to as many as 19 points, 55-36, before Marshall was able to cut the lead down to 11 points, 82-71, with 1:23 left to play. Akron finished the game shooting 46.7 percent from the floor (28-of-60) and 50 percent from long range (11-of-22) while limiting The Herd 29.4 percent from deep (5-of-17) and 45.9 percent from the field (28-of-61). The Zips won the battle of the boards 44 to 28.

UP NEXT
Akron is scheduled to host Southern on Saturday, Dec. 4 at James A. Rhodes Arena. Tip-off is slated for 7 p.m. Fans can follow the action on ESPN+ with Michael Reghi calling the action and Jacki Windon providing analysis or 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.

Akron Hoops Returns to JAR on Wednesday against Marshall

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Players Mentioned

Loren Cristian Jackson

The University of Akron Athletics