The University of Akron Athletics
Saturday, December 9
7 PM
University of Akron
at
Northern Kentucky
Akrons Travels To Face Northern Kentucky On Saturday
December 08 | Men's Basketball
Akron (5-3, 0-0 Mid-American) vs Northern Kentucky (5-4, 2-0 Horizon League)
Saturday, Dec. 9 – Truist Arena - Highland Heights, Ky.
7:00 pm ET – Bally Sports Ohio - WHLO 640
HEAD COACHES
Akron: John Groce | Overall Record: 303-205 | At Akron: 121-73
Bradley: Darian Horn| Overall Record: 255-160| At Northern Kentucky: 84-49
QUICK HITS
SCOUTING THE NORSE
Northern Kentucky is coming off a 62-59 road loss to Illinois State on Wednesday. Wednesday's contest featured 19 lead changes and 10 ties. NKU had 28 points in the paint and 16 fast-break points in the back-and-forth contest. The Redbirds did win the rebounding battle, as they outrebounded NKU 41-31.
The Norse come into Saturday's contest with a 5-4 record overall and a 2-0 record in the Horizon League. NKU has defeated Robert Morris and IUPUI in conference this season.
The Norse rank in the top 50 as a team in fastbreak points (40th - 15.22), steals per game (36th - 9.2), turnover margin (38th - +3.8), and turnovers forced per game (35th - 16.00).
Keeyann Itejere ranks 28th in total blocks (19) and 31st in the country in blocks per game (2.11). Sam Vinson is currently 27th in steals (21) and 34th in steals per game (2.33).
NKU is currently led by Marques Warrick in scoring with 18.1 points per game, which is good for 88th in Div. I.
Michael Bradley is also featured among the best in Div. I as he's currently 44th in total assists (46) and 52nd in assists per game (5.1).
The Norse have been strong at home this season, posting a 4-0 record. On the road, however, NKU is just 1-4. The lone road victory was against in-conference foe IUPUI on December 2.
ZIPS AT A GALNCE
Akron is coming off a bounce-back win as it took down Bradley 67-52 at the JAR on December 5.
The Zips and Braves only combined for 57 points in the first half while Akron outscored Bradley 39-23 in the second to the win.
Enrique Freeman recorded his sixth double-double of the season and fourth time scoring 20+ points and 10+ rebounds with a 21-point, 18-rebound performance. Freeman, who had four blocks against the Braves, was one shy of tying his career high of five.
Close to half of the Zip's points came in the paint, with the Blue and Gold recording 30 points down low.
The Zips are currently led by Freeman's 17.8 ppg. Sammy Hunter and Mikal Dawson join Freeman in double-figure scoring with 11.1 and 10.6 ppg.
Akron is 66th in Div. 1 in effective FG% (.544), 64th in rebound margin (+6.1), 61st in scoring defense (65.5), 88th in scoring margin (+9.8), 74th in 3pt% (36.3) and 31st in 3pters made per game (9.6).
LAST TIME OUT
(Dec. 5, 2023)
Enrique Freeman notched a double-double with 21 points and 18 rebounds to help the Akron men's basketball team take down the Bradley Braves 67-52 at home Tuesday.
The Zips ended a three-game losing skid as they took down a top-100 squad in the NCAA NET Rankings and the no.10 team in the Mid-Major Top-25 poll.
Akron (5-3) had three players score in double figures, led by Freeman's 21 points and 18 rebound performance. Sammy Hunter tacked on 12 points and Nate Johnson helped out with 10 points and seven rebounds off the bench.
Hunter, who hit two 3-pointers against the Braves, has made at least one 3-pointer in every game this season.
Led by Freeman's seven offensive rebounds, Akron did a great job crashing the offensive glass, pulling down 15 boards that resulted in 18 second-chance points.
Akron was efficient in disrupting Bradley's shots, coming away with five blocks. Freeman's four rejections led the way individually for the Zips.
20 POINT PERFORMANCES
Akron has seen four 20+ point performances this season with three occuring at the JAR.
Mikal Dawson - 25 pts vs Heidelberg (11/14/23)
Enrique Freeman - 27 pts vs FIU (11/19/23)
Enrique Freeman - 25 pts vs Utah State (11/20/23)
Enrique Freeman - 22 pts at UNLV (11/28/23)
Enrique Freeman - 21 pts vs Bradley (12/05/23)
ENRIQUE FREEMAN - THE DOUBLE-DOUBLE MACHINE
Freeman has six double-doubles so far this season after his 21-point, 18-rebound performance against Bradley.
Freeman ranks 75th in total blocks (14), 69th in blocks per game (1.75), 2nd in double-doubles (6), 69th in FG % (57.5), 45th in FT attempts (56), 87th in FT made (38), 5th in total rebounds (101), 4th in defensive rebounds per game (9.38), 46th in offensive rebounds per game ( 3.25) and 1st in rebounds per game (12.6).
He has recorded 20+ points and 10+ rebounds four times this season with the most recent being a 21 pt, 18 reb performance against Bradley.
Freeman is the only player in the MAC to average a double-double so far this season and is 1-of-9 players in Div. 1 to average a double-double.
Enrique Freeman ranks in the top 50 among active Div. 1 players in the following categories.
Double-Doubles - 5th (48) | 6th in all divisions
FG Percentage - 6th (.644) | 13th in all divisions
FT Attempted - 38th (440) |
Rebounds - 4th (1,053) | 6th in all divisions
Rebounds Per Game - 5th (10.0) | 17th in all divisions
Blocked Shots - 34th (141) |
Blocked Shots Per Game - 38th (1.34)
In 2022-23 Freeman finished the season as 1-of-12 players in the NCAA to average a double-double, scoring 16.8 points per game and grabbing 11.2 boards per contest. He ranked 5th in the NCAA with 19 double-doubles which topped the MAC. He pulled down double-digit rebounds in 22-of-33 outings, including a 15-rebound, 32-point career-best performance against Ohio while posting 26 double-digit scoring efforts.
THE 1K, 1K CLUB
Enrique Freeman became the sixth player in program history to record 1,000 points and 1,000 rebounds as a member of the Akron basketball team.
Len Paul - 2,028 Pts | 1021 Reb | 107 GP
Bill Turner - 1,630 Pts | 1,171 Reb | 106 GP
Enrique Freeman - 1,333 Pts | 1053 Reb | 105 GP
Fred Golding - 1,229 Pts | 1,360 Reb | 97 GP
Ray Pryear - 1,152 Pts | 1,213 Reb | 91 GP
Don Williams - 1,145 Pts | 1,218 Reb | 107 GP
CLIMBING THE SCORING CHARTS
Enrique Freeman is 17th in all-time scoring in Akron history with 1,333 career points. He added 21 points Against Bradley. Isaiah Johnson (2013-17) is next on the list with 1,374.
LONG RANGE SPECIALISTS
Sammy Hunter, Kaleb Thornton and Mikal Dawson have made 49 of the 77 (.636) 3pters this season for Akron.
Hunter has recorded at least one 3pter in every game this season for the Zips, has made three or more 3pters in three games and has hit 18 on the season.
Dawson has connected on 21 3pters this season and is 35.6 percent from deep.
Thornton is shooting 10-of-18 from deep (.556).
WHAT'S NEXT?
The Zips head back to the JAR on December 17 when it hosts Miami-Hamilton for a 2 pm contest.
Saturday, Dec. 9 – Truist Arena - Highland Heights, Ky.
7:00 pm ET – Bally Sports Ohio - WHLO 640
HEAD COACHES
Akron: John Groce | Overall Record: 303-205 | At Akron: 121-73
Bradley: Darian Horn| Overall Record: 255-160| At Northern Kentucky: 84-49
All-Time Series
Northern Kentucky Leads: 2-0 Groce vs. NKU: 1-0
First Met: December 17, 1977 vs NKU 75-72 (L)
Last Met: January 17, 1979 vs NKU 63-56 (L)
Current Streak: L2
Northern Kentucky Leads: 2-0 Groce vs. NKU: 1-0
First Met: December 17, 1977 vs NKU 75-72 (L)
Last Met: January 17, 1979 vs NKU 63-56 (L)
Current Streak: L2
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 an 90-38 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 745 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.
- Freeman has recorded four games with 20+ points and 10+ rebounds this season. The most recent being a 21 pt, 18 reb performancevs Bradley.
- 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 has had a double-double in six games this season.
- Sammy Hunter has recorded at least one 3pter in every game this season.
SCOUTING THE NORSE
Northern Kentucky is coming off a 62-59 road loss to Illinois State on Wednesday. Wednesday's contest featured 19 lead changes and 10 ties. NKU had 28 points in the paint and 16 fast-break points in the back-and-forth contest. The Redbirds did win the rebounding battle, as they outrebounded NKU 41-31.
The Norse come into Saturday's contest with a 5-4 record overall and a 2-0 record in the Horizon League. NKU has defeated Robert Morris and IUPUI in conference this season.
The Norse rank in the top 50 as a team in fastbreak points (40th - 15.22), steals per game (36th - 9.2), turnover margin (38th - +3.8), and turnovers forced per game (35th - 16.00).
Keeyann Itejere ranks 28th in total blocks (19) and 31st in the country in blocks per game (2.11). Sam Vinson is currently 27th in steals (21) and 34th in steals per game (2.33).
NKU is currently led by Marques Warrick in scoring with 18.1 points per game, which is good for 88th in Div. I.
Michael Bradley is also featured among the best in Div. I as he's currently 44th in total assists (46) and 52nd in assists per game (5.1).
The Norse have been strong at home this season, posting a 4-0 record. On the road, however, NKU is just 1-4. The lone road victory was against in-conference foe IUPUI on December 2.
ZIPS AT A GALNCE
Akron is coming off a bounce-back win as it took down Bradley 67-52 at the JAR on December 5.
The Zips and Braves only combined for 57 points in the first half while Akron outscored Bradley 39-23 in the second to the win.
Enrique Freeman recorded his sixth double-double of the season and fourth time scoring 20+ points and 10+ rebounds with a 21-point, 18-rebound performance. Freeman, who had four blocks against the Braves, was one shy of tying his career high of five.
Close to half of the Zip's points came in the paint, with the Blue and Gold recording 30 points down low.
The Zips are currently led by Freeman's 17.8 ppg. Sammy Hunter and Mikal Dawson join Freeman in double-figure scoring with 11.1 and 10.6 ppg.
Akron is 66th in Div. 1 in effective FG% (.544), 64th in rebound margin (+6.1), 61st in scoring defense (65.5), 88th in scoring margin (+9.8), 74th in 3pt% (36.3) and 31st in 3pters made per game (9.6).
LAST TIME OUT
(Dec. 5, 2023)
Enrique Freeman notched a double-double with 21 points and 18 rebounds to help the Akron men's basketball team take down the Bradley Braves 67-52 at home Tuesday.
The Zips ended a three-game losing skid as they took down a top-100 squad in the NCAA NET Rankings and the no.10 team in the Mid-Major Top-25 poll.
Akron (5-3) had three players score in double figures, led by Freeman's 21 points and 18 rebound performance. Sammy Hunter tacked on 12 points and Nate Johnson helped out with 10 points and seven rebounds off the bench.
Hunter, who hit two 3-pointers against the Braves, has made at least one 3-pointer in every game this season.
Led by Freeman's seven offensive rebounds, Akron did a great job crashing the offensive glass, pulling down 15 boards that resulted in 18 second-chance points.
Akron was efficient in disrupting Bradley's shots, coming away with five blocks. Freeman's four rejections led the way individually for the Zips.
20 POINT PERFORMANCES
Akron has seen four 20+ point performances this season with three occuring at the JAR.
Mikal Dawson - 25 pts vs Heidelberg (11/14/23)
Enrique Freeman - 27 pts vs FIU (11/19/23)
Enrique Freeman - 25 pts vs Utah State (11/20/23)
Enrique Freeman - 22 pts at UNLV (11/28/23)
Enrique Freeman - 21 pts vs Bradley (12/05/23)
ENRIQUE FREEMAN - THE DOUBLE-DOUBLE MACHINE
Freeman has six double-doubles so far this season after his 21-point, 18-rebound performance against Bradley.
Freeman ranks 75th in total blocks (14), 69th in blocks per game (1.75), 2nd in double-doubles (6), 69th in FG % (57.5), 45th in FT attempts (56), 87th in FT made (38), 5th in total rebounds (101), 4th in defensive rebounds per game (9.38), 46th in offensive rebounds per game ( 3.25) and 1st in rebounds per game (12.6).
He has recorded 20+ points and 10+ rebounds four times this season with the most recent being a 21 pt, 18 reb performance against Bradley.
Freeman is the only player in the MAC to average a double-double so far this season and is 1-of-9 players in Div. 1 to average a double-double.
Enrique Freeman ranks in the top 50 among active Div. 1 players in the following categories.
Double-Doubles - 5th (48) | 6th in all divisions
FG Percentage - 6th (.644) | 13th in all divisions
FT Attempted - 38th (440) |
Rebounds - 4th (1,053) | 6th in all divisions
Rebounds Per Game - 5th (10.0) | 17th in all divisions
Blocked Shots - 34th (141) |
Blocked Shots Per Game - 38th (1.34)
In 2022-23 Freeman finished the season as 1-of-12 players in the NCAA to average a double-double, scoring 16.8 points per game and grabbing 11.2 boards per contest. He ranked 5th in the NCAA with 19 double-doubles which topped the MAC. He pulled down double-digit rebounds in 22-of-33 outings, including a 15-rebound, 32-point career-best performance against Ohio while posting 26 double-digit scoring efforts.
THE 1K, 1K CLUB
Enrique Freeman became the sixth player in program history to record 1,000 points and 1,000 rebounds as a member of the Akron basketball team.
Len Paul - 2,028 Pts | 1021 Reb | 107 GP
Bill Turner - 1,630 Pts | 1,171 Reb | 106 GP
Enrique Freeman - 1,333 Pts | 1053 Reb | 105 GP
Fred Golding - 1,229 Pts | 1,360 Reb | 97 GP
Ray Pryear - 1,152 Pts | 1,213 Reb | 91 GP
Don Williams - 1,145 Pts | 1,218 Reb | 107 GP
CLIMBING THE SCORING CHARTS
Enrique Freeman is 17th in all-time scoring in Akron history with 1,333 career points. He added 21 points Against Bradley. Isaiah Johnson (2013-17) is next on the list with 1,374.
LONG RANGE SPECIALISTS
Sammy Hunter, Kaleb Thornton and Mikal Dawson have made 49 of the 77 (.636) 3pters this season for Akron.
Hunter has recorded at least one 3pter in every game this season for the Zips, has made three or more 3pters in three games and has hit 18 on the season.
Dawson has connected on 21 3pters this season and is 35.6 percent from deep.
Thornton is shooting 10-of-18 from deep (.556).
WHAT'S NEXT?
The Zips head back to the JAR on December 17 when it hosts Miami-Hamilton for a 2 pm contest.
Players Mentioned
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