The University of Akron Athletics
Thursday, December 21
Akron, Ohio
6:30 PM
University of Akron
vs
Gardner-Webb
Akron Hosts Gardner-Webb in Final Home Game of 2023
December 20 | Men's Basketball
Akron (7-3, 0-0 Mid-American) vs Gardner-Webb (5-8,0-0 Big South)
Thursday Dec. 21 – James A. Rhodes Arena – Akron, Ohio
6:30 pm ET – WHLO 640
HEAD COACHES
Akron: John Groce | Overall Record: 305-205 | At Akron: 123-73
Gardner-Webb: Tim Craft | Overall Record: 176-157| At Gardner-Webb: Same
All-Time Series
Akron Leads: 1-0 Groce vs. Gardner-Webb: 1-0 Overall
First /Last Meeting: 89-61 (W) CBE Classic (Lubbock, Texas) Nov. 14, 2006
QUICK HITS
The Akron Zips play their fianl game at the JAR in 2023 when the Runnin' Bulldogs of Gardner-Webb come to town on December 21. Akron and Gardner-Webb viewed on ESPN+ with Michael Reghi (PxP) and Jeff Phelps (Analyst) . 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 RUNNIN' BULLDOGS
Gardner-Webb comes into Thursday's contest with a 5-8 overall record after losing to Chattanooga on a last-second 3-pointer. The Runnin' Bulldogs fell 69-66 on the road on December 19.
Akron is just one of five consecutive games away from Boiling Springs, N.C., with Gardner-Webb 0-2 on its current road swing. GW will travel to VCU on Dec. 30 and High Point on Jan. 6
Picked to finish fourth in the Big South preseason poll, Gardner-Webb is led in points and rebounds by Caleb Robinson. Robinson has 14.00 ppg and 6.4 rpg. Julien Soumaoro and DQ Nicholas join Robinson in double figure point production.
ZIPS AT A GLANCE
The Zips are coming off their third straight win after beating Miami-Hamilton 88-45 on Sunday, December 17. Four Zips scored in double-figures while Enrique Freeman posted another double-double.
Freeman has recorded eight double-doubles this season and is tied for first among Div. I.
Nate Johnson scored in double-figures for the sixth time this season and recorded his second 15+ point performance. Johnson is shooting 52.1 percent from the field and is fourth on the squad with 9.3 ppg.
Sammy Hunter continues to shoot the 3 ball well. He's up to a 41.3 percent clip with a team-high 26 made 3's. Hunter is second on the team in ppg with 11.8.
As a team, Akron ranks 61st in assists per game (16.0), 42nd in effective FG% (.555), 87th in FG percentage (.470), 49th in rebound margin (+6.8), 38th in scoring defense (64.5), 53rd in scoring margin (12.2), 86th in 3pt percentage (.359), and 27th in 3-pointers made per game (9.9).
LAST TIME OUT (DEC. 17, 2023)
The Akron men's basketball saw four players score in double-figures while 11 Zips scored in total in an 88-45 win over Miami-Hamilton on Sunday.
Akron got 35 points from its bench in the home victory,
The Zips (7-3) were led by Nate Johnson Enrique Freeman and Shammah Scott's 15 points. Johnson had 15 points and two steals, Freeman added a double-double with 15 points and 17 rebounds while Scott helped out with 15 points off of the bench.
The Zips dished out 20, which featured Kaleb Thornton leading the way the way with five assists. Ali Ali also added four assists of his own.
Akron forced 18 turnovers while committing just nine themselves in Sunday's game. The Zips turned those takeaways into 18 points on the offensive end of the floor. Johnson's two steals led the way for Akron.
HOME SWEET HOME
The Zips own a 460-134 (.774) all-time record at Rhodes Arena. In the last 16 seasons, Akron has posted a 256-39 (.868) record at the JAR.
Under coach Groce, Akron is 80-14 (.851) at home. The Zips were 15-1 at home in 2022-23.
Akron went 12-4 at Rhodes Arena in Groce's first year as head coach and followed with a 14-3 effort. The Zips went 15-2 at home in 2019-20 en route to the regular season MAC Championship. During COVID shortened season, Akron posted a 9-1 mark at the JAR (2020-21) and posted a 12-3 record in 2021-22. Groce became the third Akron coach since 1940 to win his first six home games in the first season as head coach. The Zips rattled off seven straight wins at the JAR before falling in the MAC home opener to Buffalo. The Zips set the all-time longest home winning streak record at Rhodes Arena with 30 consecutive wins during the 2015-17 seasons, replacing the 26-game run the Zips made during the 1985-87 seasons under head coach Bob Huggins. The streak ranked No. 2 in the NCAA.
NON-CONFERENCE FOES AT THE JAR
Under John Groce, Akron is currently 40-1 at home against non-conference opponents. Akron is on a 29-0 run against non-conference foes at the JAR since losing to Marshall on Dec. 15, 2018.
THE DOUBLE-DOUBLE MACHINE
Freeman has eight 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-11 players in Div. 1 to average a double-double, while recording 20+ points and 10+ rebounds five times.
Additionally, he ranks 101st in blocks per game (1.50), 31st in fg% (61.5), 92nd in points per game (17.8), 4th in total rebounds (128), 4th in def. rpg (9.00), 12th in off. rpg (3.80) and 1st in rebounds per game (12.8).
CLIMBING THE SCORING CHARTS
Enrique Freeman is 17th in all-time scoring in Akron history with 1,369 career points. He added 15 points against Miami Hamilton. Isaiah Johnson (2013-17) is next on the list with 1,374.
MAC PLAYER OF THE WEEK X3
For the third time this season Enrique Freeman was named the MAC Player of The Week on Dec.11.
The senior forward finished shooting over 75% from the field (19-of-25) as he recorded a pair of 20+ point, 10+ rebound performances.
He started the week with a 21-point, 18 rebound performance against Bradley where he finished shooting 9-of-13 from the field. Freeman kept Akron in the game in the first half as he scored 11 of the Zips' 26 first-half points. His 21 points and 18 rebounds led all players in each category. Freeman also had four blocks, four steals, and two assists against the Braves.
Freeman then added a 21-point, 10-rebound effort on the road against Northern Kentucky. Putting together a 10-of-12 (.833) performance from the field, Freeman notched the two biggest points of the game late in the second half. Down by a point, Freeman collected a pass from Ali Ali with three seconds left and unleased a seismic two-handed dunk to push the Zips in front for the 77-76 win. He had one steal and one block against the Norse as well.
LOU HENSON + OSCAR ROBERTSON AWARD WATCH LIST
Freeman was named to the 2023-24 Lou Henson and Oscar Robertson National Player of the Year Watch List. CollegInsider.com announced Freeman on Monday (Dec. 11) being named the Lou Henson National Player of the Week while the US Basketball Writers Association named him to the Oscar Robertson Award list on Dec.12.
Freeman led the offensive efforts for Akron, averaging a double-double with 21.0 points and 14.0 rebounds per game against Bradley and Northern Kentucky. He shot 76.0 percent from the floor (19-of-25) while collecting nine offensive rebounds and 19 defensive rebounds for x28 total boards. He also registered five steals, five blocks, and two assists last week.
NON-CONFERENCE OPPONENT PRESEASON RANKINGS
South Dakota State (Summit) - No. 1
Southern Mississippi (Sun Belt) - No. 4
Heidelberg (Ohio Athletic Conference) - No. 5
Florida International (CUSA) - No. 7
Utah State (Mountain West) - No. 9
Drake (Missouri Valley) - No. 1
UNLV (Mountain West) - No. 6
Bradley (Missouri Valley) - No. 3
Northern Kentucky (Horizon) - No. 1
Gardner-Webb - (Big South) - No. 4
St. Bonaventure - (Atlantic 10) - No. 3
ALI ALI JOINS THE PARTY
An All-MAC Preseason selection, Ali Ali was finally cleared to play with his first game of the season coming on the road at Northern Kentucky. Ali went 5-of-8 from the floor to collect 13 points. He also was tied for the team lead in assists with five against the Norse.
Ali has scored in double-figures in both games he's played in with 10 points coming against Miami-Hamilton. He's also dished out at least four assists in his two outings this season.
An All-MAC second team award winner in 2021-22, Ali played for Butler the past season where he scored 6.5 ppg and had 2.7 rpg in 18 appearances and 12 starts.
BIG GAME SAMMY HUNTER
Sammy Hunter leads the Zip's long-range efforts with 26 made 3-pointers. He's currently shooting 41.3 percent from deep which leads Akron. He is also just 1-of-2 players to score 100 or more total points so far this season.
The long-range sniper recorded a 20-point performance at NKU on a 7-of-10 performance from the field and 5-of-7 from deep.
Making at least one 3-pointer in every game, Hunter has drained three or more 3's in five games.
GREG TRIBBLE - STAYING CONSISTENT
Among one of Akron's most consistent players, Greg Tribble acts as the primary cover on the oppositions best player and is Akron's best on-ball defender.
Tribble is averaging 8.0 points per game this season with double figure scoring in four games. He also leads the Zips in free throw percentage with a .868 clip. Starting every game this season, Tribble is second on the team with 28.3 minutes per game.
DAWSON'S BACK
After missing the 2022-23 season with an injury, Mikal Dawson is a man on a mission. Dawson has set career-highs in scoring twice this season, with his current career best of 25 coming against Heidelberg on a 9-of-12 night that saw seven 3-pointers fall.
He's currently scoring 8.8 points per game while shooting .369 this season. Along with his seven 3pters made against Heidelberg, Dawson has hit three or more 3-pointers in three other games.
Dawson has scored 15 or more points twice this season and has scored in double figures three times.
NATE JOHNSON - THE MICROWAVE
Nate Johnson is averaging 25.1 minutes per game and is 4th on the squad with 9.3 ppg. He's currently shooting over .500 (52.1%) from the field while also averaging 3.2 rpg, 2.00 apg and 1.50 spg.
Johnson has scored in double figures six times this season, which is the second most on the Zips. He has made at least four shots from the field six times this season.
LONG RANGE SPECIALISTS
Sammy Hunter, Kaleb Thornton, Nate Johnson, Shammah Scott and Mikal Dawson have made 80 of the 99 (.808) 3-pointers for Akron.
Hunter has recorded at least one made 3pt FG in every game this season, shooting at a 41.3 percent clip
(26-of-63). He has made three or more triples in five games.
Dawson has connected on 22 3-pointers this season.
Thornton is shooting 10-of-21 from deep (.476).
Nate Johnsion is 42.3 percent from deep and is shooting 11-of-26.
Scott is 11-of-27 from beyond the arc (.407). He recently hit a season-high four 3's against Miami-Hamilton
Five Zips have connected on 10 or more 3's this season.
WHAT'S NEXT?
The Zips will play their final game of 2023 in Cleveland, Ohio., on Saturday, December 30th when they battle the Bonnies of St. Bonaventure at 4 PM at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse.
Thursday Dec. 21 – James A. Rhodes Arena – Akron, Ohio
6:30 pm ET – WHLO 640
HEAD COACHES
Akron: John Groce | Overall Record: 305-205 | At Akron: 123-73
Gardner-Webb: Tim Craft | Overall Record: 176-157| At Gardner-Webb: Same
All-Time Series
Akron Leads: 1-0 Groce vs. Gardner-Webb: 1-0 Overall
First /Last Meeting: 89-61 (W) CBE Classic (Lubbock, Texas) Nov. 14, 2006
QUICK HITS
- December will see the Zips play three home games, one road contest, and one neutral site game.
- Under coach Groce, the Zips have posted a 92-38 overall record over the past five seasons and a 53-21 conference record in that same span.
- Groce recorded his 300th career win with the 72-54 victory over Southern Miss on Nov. 10.
- Akron has made at least one 3-pointer in its last 746 games when it was held without a 3-pointer against Purdue in the 2000-01 season.
- Akron recorded its 1,700th win in program history with a 67-52 win against Bradley on Dec. 5.
- Under coach Groce, Akron is currently 39-1 at home against non-conference opponents.
- Under coach Groce, Akron is 80-14 (.851) at home.
- Freeman has recorded five games with 20+ points and 10+ rebounds this season. The most recent was a 21-point, 10-reb performance at Northern Kentucky.
- Freeman recorded his 1,000th career rebound in the 77-71 win over FIU. Freeman is just the sixth player to record 1,000 points and rebound as a Zip.
- Freeman was named MAC POTW for the third time this season on Dec. 11.
- Sammy Hunter has recorded at least one 3pter in every game this season. He scored 20 pts at NKU on Dec.9.
The Akron Zips play their fianl game at the JAR in 2023 when the Runnin' Bulldogs of Gardner-Webb come to town on December 21. Akron and Gardner-Webb viewed on ESPN+ with Michael Reghi (PxP) and Jeff Phelps (Analyst) . 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 RUNNIN' BULLDOGS
Gardner-Webb comes into Thursday's contest with a 5-8 overall record after losing to Chattanooga on a last-second 3-pointer. The Runnin' Bulldogs fell 69-66 on the road on December 19.
Akron is just one of five consecutive games away from Boiling Springs, N.C., with Gardner-Webb 0-2 on its current road swing. GW will travel to VCU on Dec. 30 and High Point on Jan. 6
Picked to finish fourth in the Big South preseason poll, Gardner-Webb is led in points and rebounds by Caleb Robinson. Robinson has 14.00 ppg and 6.4 rpg. Julien Soumaoro and DQ Nicholas join Robinson in double figure point production.
ZIPS AT A GLANCE
The Zips are coming off their third straight win after beating Miami-Hamilton 88-45 on Sunday, December 17. Four Zips scored in double-figures while Enrique Freeman posted another double-double.
Freeman has recorded eight double-doubles this season and is tied for first among Div. I.
Nate Johnson scored in double-figures for the sixth time this season and recorded his second 15+ point performance. Johnson is shooting 52.1 percent from the field and is fourth on the squad with 9.3 ppg.
Sammy Hunter continues to shoot the 3 ball well. He's up to a 41.3 percent clip with a team-high 26 made 3's. Hunter is second on the team in ppg with 11.8.
As a team, Akron ranks 61st in assists per game (16.0), 42nd in effective FG% (.555), 87th in FG percentage (.470), 49th in rebound margin (+6.8), 38th in scoring defense (64.5), 53rd in scoring margin (12.2), 86th in 3pt percentage (.359), and 27th in 3-pointers made per game (9.9).
LAST TIME OUT (DEC. 17, 2023)
The Akron men's basketball saw four players score in double-figures while 11 Zips scored in total in an 88-45 win over Miami-Hamilton on Sunday.
Akron got 35 points from its bench in the home victory,
The Zips (7-3) were led by Nate Johnson Enrique Freeman and Shammah Scott's 15 points. Johnson had 15 points and two steals, Freeman added a double-double with 15 points and 17 rebounds while Scott helped out with 15 points off of the bench.
The Zips dished out 20, which featured Kaleb Thornton leading the way the way with five assists. Ali Ali also added four assists of his own.
Akron forced 18 turnovers while committing just nine themselves in Sunday's game. The Zips turned those takeaways into 18 points on the offensive end of the floor. Johnson's two steals led the way for Akron.
HOME SWEET HOME
The Zips own a 460-134 (.774) all-time record at Rhodes Arena. In the last 16 seasons, Akron has posted a 256-39 (.868) record at the JAR.
Under coach Groce, Akron is 80-14 (.851) at home. The Zips were 15-1 at home in 2022-23.
Akron went 12-4 at Rhodes Arena in Groce's first year as head coach and followed with a 14-3 effort. The Zips went 15-2 at home in 2019-20 en route to the regular season MAC Championship. During COVID shortened season, Akron posted a 9-1 mark at the JAR (2020-21) and posted a 12-3 record in 2021-22. Groce became the third Akron coach since 1940 to win his first six home games in the first season as head coach. The Zips rattled off seven straight wins at the JAR before falling in the MAC home opener to Buffalo. The Zips set the all-time longest home winning streak record at Rhodes Arena with 30 consecutive wins during the 2015-17 seasons, replacing the 26-game run the Zips made during the 1985-87 seasons under head coach Bob Huggins. The streak ranked No. 2 in the NCAA.
NON-CONFERENCE FOES AT THE JAR
Under John Groce, Akron is currently 40-1 at home against non-conference opponents. Akron is on a 29-0 run against non-conference foes at the JAR since losing to Marshall on Dec. 15, 2018.
THE DOUBLE-DOUBLE MACHINE
Freeman has eight 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-11 players in Div. 1 to average a double-double, while recording 20+ points and 10+ rebounds five times.
Additionally, he ranks 101st in blocks per game (1.50), 31st in fg% (61.5), 92nd in points per game (17.8), 4th in total rebounds (128), 4th in def. rpg (9.00), 12th in off. rpg (3.80) and 1st in rebounds per game (12.8).
CLIMBING THE SCORING CHARTS
Enrique Freeman is 17th in all-time scoring in Akron history with 1,369 career points. He added 15 points against Miami Hamilton. Isaiah Johnson (2013-17) is next on the list with 1,374.
MAC PLAYER OF THE WEEK X3
For the third time this season Enrique Freeman was named the MAC Player of The Week on Dec.11.
The senior forward finished shooting over 75% from the field (19-of-25) as he recorded a pair of 20+ point, 10+ rebound performances.
He started the week with a 21-point, 18 rebound performance against Bradley where he finished shooting 9-of-13 from the field. Freeman kept Akron in the game in the first half as he scored 11 of the Zips' 26 first-half points. His 21 points and 18 rebounds led all players in each category. Freeman also had four blocks, four steals, and two assists against the Braves.
Freeman then added a 21-point, 10-rebound effort on the road against Northern Kentucky. Putting together a 10-of-12 (.833) performance from the field, Freeman notched the two biggest points of the game late in the second half. Down by a point, Freeman collected a pass from Ali Ali with three seconds left and unleased a seismic two-handed dunk to push the Zips in front for the 77-76 win. He had one steal and one block against the Norse as well.
LOU HENSON + OSCAR ROBERTSON AWARD WATCH LIST
Freeman was named to the 2023-24 Lou Henson and Oscar Robertson National Player of the Year Watch List. CollegInsider.com announced Freeman on Monday (Dec. 11) being named the Lou Henson National Player of the Week while the US Basketball Writers Association named him to the Oscar Robertson Award list on Dec.12.
Freeman led the offensive efforts for Akron, averaging a double-double with 21.0 points and 14.0 rebounds per game against Bradley and Northern Kentucky. He shot 76.0 percent from the floor (19-of-25) while collecting nine offensive rebounds and 19 defensive rebounds for x28 total boards. He also registered five steals, five blocks, and two assists last week.
NON-CONFERENCE OPPONENT PRESEASON RANKINGS
South Dakota State (Summit) - No. 1
Southern Mississippi (Sun Belt) - No. 4
Heidelberg (Ohio Athletic Conference) - No. 5
Florida International (CUSA) - No. 7
Utah State (Mountain West) - No. 9
Drake (Missouri Valley) - No. 1
UNLV (Mountain West) - No. 6
Bradley (Missouri Valley) - No. 3
Northern Kentucky (Horizon) - No. 1
Gardner-Webb - (Big South) - No. 4
St. Bonaventure - (Atlantic 10) - No. 3
ALI ALI JOINS THE PARTY
An All-MAC Preseason selection, Ali Ali was finally cleared to play with his first game of the season coming on the road at Northern Kentucky. Ali went 5-of-8 from the floor to collect 13 points. He also was tied for the team lead in assists with five against the Norse.
Ali has scored in double-figures in both games he's played in with 10 points coming against Miami-Hamilton. He's also dished out at least four assists in his two outings this season.
An All-MAC second team award winner in 2021-22, Ali played for Butler the past season where he scored 6.5 ppg and had 2.7 rpg in 18 appearances and 12 starts.
BIG GAME SAMMY HUNTER
Sammy Hunter leads the Zip's long-range efforts with 26 made 3-pointers. He's currently shooting 41.3 percent from deep which leads Akron. He is also just 1-of-2 players to score 100 or more total points so far this season.
The long-range sniper recorded a 20-point performance at NKU on a 7-of-10 performance from the field and 5-of-7 from deep.
Making at least one 3-pointer in every game, Hunter has drained three or more 3's in five games.
GREG TRIBBLE - STAYING CONSISTENT
Among one of Akron's most consistent players, Greg Tribble acts as the primary cover on the oppositions best player and is Akron's best on-ball defender.
Tribble is averaging 8.0 points per game this season with double figure scoring in four games. He also leads the Zips in free throw percentage with a .868 clip. Starting every game this season, Tribble is second on the team with 28.3 minutes per game.
DAWSON'S BACK
After missing the 2022-23 season with an injury, Mikal Dawson is a man on a mission. Dawson has set career-highs in scoring twice this season, with his current career best of 25 coming against Heidelberg on a 9-of-12 night that saw seven 3-pointers fall.
He's currently scoring 8.8 points per game while shooting .369 this season. Along with his seven 3pters made against Heidelberg, Dawson has hit three or more 3-pointers in three other games.
Dawson has scored 15 or more points twice this season and has scored in double figures three times.
NATE JOHNSON - THE MICROWAVE
Nate Johnson is averaging 25.1 minutes per game and is 4th on the squad with 9.3 ppg. He's currently shooting over .500 (52.1%) from the field while also averaging 3.2 rpg, 2.00 apg and 1.50 spg.
Johnson has scored in double figures six times this season, which is the second most on the Zips. He has made at least four shots from the field six times this season.
LONG RANGE SPECIALISTS
Sammy Hunter, Kaleb Thornton, Nate Johnson, Shammah Scott and Mikal Dawson have made 80 of the 99 (.808) 3-pointers for Akron.
Hunter has recorded at least one made 3pt FG in every game this season, shooting at a 41.3 percent clip
(26-of-63). He has made three or more triples in five games.
Dawson has connected on 22 3-pointers this season.
Thornton is shooting 10-of-21 from deep (.476).
Nate Johnsion is 42.3 percent from deep and is shooting 11-of-26.
Scott is 11-of-27 from beyond the arc (.407). He recently hit a season-high four 3's against Miami-Hamilton
Five Zips have connected on 10 or more 3's this season.
WHAT'S NEXT?
The Zips will play their final game of 2023 in Cleveland, Ohio., on Saturday, December 30th when they battle the Bonnies of St. Bonaventure at 4 PM at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse.
Players Mentioned
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