The University of Akron Athletics
Tuesday, January 16
Akron, Ohio
7 PM
University of Akron
vs
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Western Michigan
Zips and Broncos Set For Tuesday Night MACtion
January 15 | Men's Basketball
Akron (12-4, 4-0 Mid-American) vs Western Michigan (7-9, 4-0 Mid-American)
Tuesday, Jan. 16 – James A. Rhodes Arena – Akron, Ohio
7:00 pm ET – ESPN + - WHLO 640
HEAD COACHES
Akron: John Groce | Overall Record: 310-206 | At Akron: 128-74
Ball State: Dwayne Stephens | Overall Record: 15-32 | At Western Michigan: Same
All-Time Series
Akron Leads: 38-21 (7-2 MAC Tournament) Groce vs. WMU: 8-2 (11-4 Overall)
First Meeting: Akron 79, Western Michigan 74 March 5, 1988 in Kalamazoo, Mich.
Last Meeting: Akron 81, Western Michigan 64 at James A. Rhodes Arena Feb. 25 , 2023
In Akron: 20-7 | Neutral: 5-2 | In Kalamazoo: 13-12
WHAT'S AHEAD
The Akron Zips enjoy another matchup at the JAR as they face Western Michigan on January 16 for the 60th all-time meeting between Akron and WMU. Akron and Buffalo can be 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 BRONCOS
Western Michigan comes into Tuesday's contest riding a five-game winning streak while starting conference action with four straight wins. The Broncos are 7-9 overall with a 2-5 road record this season.
The Broncos most recently took down Ohio, 81-79, at home on January 13. Four Broncos finished with 10 or more points while Seth Hubbard led the way with 15 points. He also had eight rebounds and one block. Anthony Crump was close to recording a double-double with seven points and nine boards against Ohio.
Hubbard leads the scoring efforts this season with 16.8 points per game. Javonte Brown (13.7) and B. Artis White (10.4) are also in double-figure scoring. Owen Lobsinger leads the way with 6.1 rebounds per game while Whitew is the leader in assists with 3.5 per game.Brown is leading the Broncos in blocks with eight while Titus Young is close behind with seven.
Western Michigan is 1-of-5 teams in the MAC with a negative scoring margin (-1.3) while Hubbard in the seventh highest scoring in the conference.
The Broncos are 75th in the country in bench points (25.31), 56th in off. rebounds per game (12.5), and 96th in rebounds per game (38.06).
Hubbard is 56th in 3's attempted (118), 87th in 3-point percentage (.364), 64th in 3's made per game (2.69), and 76th for total 3's made (43).
ZIPS AT A GLANCE
Akron is coming off a 76-59 victory over Buffalo on January 12 to secure its fourth straight win to begin conference play. Five Zips finished with 10 ore more points while Enrique Freeman led the way with a 21-point, 15 rebound performance. Freeman recorded his 14th double-double, ninth 20+ point, 10 rebound performance and recorded his 30th consecutive game with 10 or more points.
Freeman tied a 40-year-old record held by Joe Jakubick. Both Freeman and Jakubick scored 10+ points in 30 consecutive games. Freeman will have a chance at breaking that recorded on Tuesday against Western Michigan.
Greg Tribble continues his hot scoring performance after putting together an 8-of-13 shooting night against the Bulls to score a season-high 18 points. Tribble has been in double-digit scoring five of the last six games while scoring 14 or more points four times.
The Zips look to start 5-0 in the MAC for the first time since the 2016-17 squad started lgue play with a 9-0 start.
The Zips are led in scoring by Freeman's 18.3 per game. Freeman also leads the nation in rebounds with 13.1 per game. Ali Ali (15.5) and Tribble (10.1) join Freeman in double-figure scoring this season. Along with scoring and rebounds, Freeman leads Akron in blocks with 23.
Freeman posted 17.5 points per game and 14 rebounds per game which featured a 21-point, 15-rebound performance on Friday against Buffalo. Going 14-of-21 (.667) from the field, Freeman also went 6-of-9 from the free throw line this past week to earn his sixth MAC Player of the Week honor.
As a team, Akron ranks 43rd in the country in effective fg% (.550), 63rd in fg% (.471), 80th in rebound margin (+4.5), 53rd in scoring defense (65.6), 47th in scoring margin (+11.5), 96th in 3pt fg% defense (.315), 100th in 3p fg% (.356), and 45th in 3's made per game (9.1).
INSIDE THE SERIES
Akron and Western Michigan will battle for the 60th time on Tuesday. The Zips lead the series 38-21 and hold a 7-2 advantage in postseason action. Head coach John Groce is 11-4 all-time against the Broncos and 8-2 at Akron. Akron has won 14 of the last 16 meetings and 26 of the last 31 games of the series. The Zips are 20-7 all-time at home against the Broncos.
Akron swept the series last season with a 63-55 win on the road and an 81-64 victory at the JAR.
Akron is 7-2 in the MAC Tournament against WMU and 5-2 on a neutral court. In addition, the Zips are
13-12 in Kalamazoo, winning six of the last 10 meetings at University Arena. In 2002, Akron opened the MAC Tournament in Kalamazoo and advanced to Cleveland after a 90-83 win as the 11th seed. The
Zips are 2-0 in the MAC Tournament at University Arena and 6-6 all-time in opening round games.
LAST TIME AGAINST WESTERN MICHIGAN (FEB. 25, 2023)
AKRON, Ohio – In their penultimate home game of the season, the Akron Zips men's basketball team methodically powered past the visiting Western Michigan Broncos, 81-64, for a Mid-American Conference win on Saturday evening at James A. Rhodes Arena.
Senior G Xavier Castaneda (Chicago, Ill.) led the way for Akron with a game-high 23 points, while junior F Enrique Freeman (Cleveland, Ohio) notched his 16th double-double of the season with a 17-point and 10-rebound performance. Redshirt freshman G Nate Johnson (Liberty Township, Ohio) chipped in with 13 points, while posting a game-high four steals.
After a back-and-forth first half that saw the Zips (20-9, 12-4 MAC) seize control late, a 12-2 run out of the half blew the game wide open and expanded the Akron advantage to 20, 47-27. Castaneda's top-of-the-arc triple capped the run, but two pin-point passes to Freeman set up lay-ins to help bury the Broncos.
Western Michigan never got closer than 12 the rest of the way as Akron swept the season series between the teams following a 63-55 win in Kalamazoo in January. The second-best scoring defense in the MAC entering the game forced 12 turnovers and harassed the Broncos (7-22, 3-13 MAC) into 37.3-percent shooting, holding them under 42 percent from the field in both halves.
LAST TIME OUT (JAN. 12, 2024)
AKRON, Ohio - Five Zips scored in double-figures as Enrique Freeman led the way with 21 points to defeat the Buffalo Bulls 76-59 at the James A. Rhodes Arena on Friday.
Freeman secured his 14th double-double of the season with 21 points and 15 rebounds and his ninth 20+ point, 10+ rebound performance.
The Zips (12-4, 4-0) had five players score in double figures, led by Freeman's 21 points. Greg Tribble tacked on 18 points, four assists, and two steals and Sammy Hunter chipped in as well with 11 points.
Akron took advantage of fantastic ball movement in Friday's game, piling up 16 assists on 31 made field goals. Tribble's four assists led the distribution list for the Zips and Ali Ali also added three assists of his own.
Akron's defense held Buffalo to only 36.7 percent shooting from the field, including 20 percent from beyond the arc.
After falling behind 6-2, Akron went on an 8-0 run with 18:19 left in the first half, culminating in a bucket from Nate Johnson, to take a 10-6 lead. The Zips then maintained that lead and entered halftime with a 34-30 advantage. Akron did most of its first-half damage in the paint, scoring 20 of its 34 points close to the basket.
Following intermission, Akron kept widening that lead, expanding it to 65-54 before going on a 9-0 run, finished off by Ali's layup, to grow the lead to 74-54 with 1:45 to go in the contest. The Bulls narrowed the margin somewhat before the game was over, but the Zips still cruised the rest of the way for the 76-59 win. Akron took care of business in the paint, recording 26 of its 42 points in the lane.
AKRON IN THE MAC
Akron is 57-21 since the 2019-20 season in MAC play, owning the highest winning percentage (.730) in the league. The Zips are 43-17 in the MAC under the new conference format without divisions (new in 2020-21). Akron is 93-25 (.788) at home in league play since the start of the 2011 MAC schedule. UA has seen a ton of success in league play since the start of the 2004-05 season, and is 226-103 overall (.687), including a 136-31 mark in MAC play at home (.814). The Zips' 226 wins are the most in the league during that stretch. The Zips have won 141 of their last 201 MAC games (.701).
HOME SWEET HOME
The Zips own a 463-134 (.775) all-time record at the James A. Rhodes Arena. In the last 17 seasons, Akron has posted a 259-39 (.869) record at the JAR. The Zips are 7-0 at the JAR this season and have won their last 10 dating back to the 2022-23 season.
THE DOUBLE-DOUBLE MACHINE
Enrique Freeman has 14 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-14 players in Div. 1 to average a double-double, while recording 20+ points and 10+ rebounds nine times. Freeman has also recorded 10 consecutive double-doubles.
Additionally, he ranks 35th th in fg% (.592), 84th in fg made (103), 27th in free throws attempted (114), 41st in made free throws (79), 87th in total points (292), 70th in points per game (18.3), 3rd in total rebounds (210), 2nd in def. rpg (9.50),15th in off. rpg (3.63) and 1st in rebounds per game (13.0).
WHAT'S NEXT?
The Zips travel to Kent, Ohio., to battle the Golden Flashes on January 19. Fans can watch the Zips and Golden Flashes on ESPNU or listen on WHLO 640.
Tuesday, Jan. 16 – James A. Rhodes Arena – Akron, Ohio
7:00 pm ET – ESPN + - WHLO 640
HEAD COACHES
Akron: John Groce | Overall Record: 310-206 | At Akron: 128-74
Ball State: Dwayne Stephens | Overall Record: 15-32 | At Western Michigan: Same
All-Time Series
Akron Leads: 38-21 (7-2 MAC Tournament) Groce vs. WMU: 8-2 (11-4 Overall)
First Meeting: Akron 79, Western Michigan 74 March 5, 1988 in Kalamazoo, Mich.
Last Meeting: Akron 81, Western Michigan 64 at James A. Rhodes Arena Feb. 25 , 2023
In Akron: 20-7 | Neutral: 5-2 | In Kalamazoo: 13-12
WHAT'S AHEAD
The Akron Zips enjoy another matchup at the JAR as they face Western Michigan on January 16 for the 60th all-time meeting between Akron and WMU. Akron and Buffalo can be 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 BRONCOS
Western Michigan comes into Tuesday's contest riding a five-game winning streak while starting conference action with four straight wins. The Broncos are 7-9 overall with a 2-5 road record this season.
The Broncos most recently took down Ohio, 81-79, at home on January 13. Four Broncos finished with 10 or more points while Seth Hubbard led the way with 15 points. He also had eight rebounds and one block. Anthony Crump was close to recording a double-double with seven points and nine boards against Ohio.
Hubbard leads the scoring efforts this season with 16.8 points per game. Javonte Brown (13.7) and B. Artis White (10.4) are also in double-figure scoring. Owen Lobsinger leads the way with 6.1 rebounds per game while Whitew is the leader in assists with 3.5 per game.Brown is leading the Broncos in blocks with eight while Titus Young is close behind with seven.
Western Michigan is 1-of-5 teams in the MAC with a negative scoring margin (-1.3) while Hubbard in the seventh highest scoring in the conference.
The Broncos are 75th in the country in bench points (25.31), 56th in off. rebounds per game (12.5), and 96th in rebounds per game (38.06).
Hubbard is 56th in 3's attempted (118), 87th in 3-point percentage (.364), 64th in 3's made per game (2.69), and 76th for total 3's made (43).
ZIPS AT A GLANCE
Akron is coming off a 76-59 victory over Buffalo on January 12 to secure its fourth straight win to begin conference play. Five Zips finished with 10 ore more points while Enrique Freeman led the way with a 21-point, 15 rebound performance. Freeman recorded his 14th double-double, ninth 20+ point, 10 rebound performance and recorded his 30th consecutive game with 10 or more points.
Freeman tied a 40-year-old record held by Joe Jakubick. Both Freeman and Jakubick scored 10+ points in 30 consecutive games. Freeman will have a chance at breaking that recorded on Tuesday against Western Michigan.
Greg Tribble continues his hot scoring performance after putting together an 8-of-13 shooting night against the Bulls to score a season-high 18 points. Tribble has been in double-digit scoring five of the last six games while scoring 14 or more points four times.
The Zips look to start 5-0 in the MAC for the first time since the 2016-17 squad started lgue play with a 9-0 start.
The Zips are led in scoring by Freeman's 18.3 per game. Freeman also leads the nation in rebounds with 13.1 per game. Ali Ali (15.5) and Tribble (10.1) join Freeman in double-figure scoring this season. Along with scoring and rebounds, Freeman leads Akron in blocks with 23.
Freeman posted 17.5 points per game and 14 rebounds per game which featured a 21-point, 15-rebound performance on Friday against Buffalo. Going 14-of-21 (.667) from the field, Freeman also went 6-of-9 from the free throw line this past week to earn his sixth MAC Player of the Week honor.
As a team, Akron ranks 43rd in the country in effective fg% (.550), 63rd in fg% (.471), 80th in rebound margin (+4.5), 53rd in scoring defense (65.6), 47th in scoring margin (+11.5), 96th in 3pt fg% defense (.315), 100th in 3p fg% (.356), and 45th in 3's made per game (9.1).
INSIDE THE SERIES
Akron and Western Michigan will battle for the 60th time on Tuesday. The Zips lead the series 38-21 and hold a 7-2 advantage in postseason action. Head coach John Groce is 11-4 all-time against the Broncos and 8-2 at Akron. Akron has won 14 of the last 16 meetings and 26 of the last 31 games of the series. The Zips are 20-7 all-time at home against the Broncos.
Akron swept the series last season with a 63-55 win on the road and an 81-64 victory at the JAR.
Akron is 7-2 in the MAC Tournament against WMU and 5-2 on a neutral court. In addition, the Zips are
13-12 in Kalamazoo, winning six of the last 10 meetings at University Arena. In 2002, Akron opened the MAC Tournament in Kalamazoo and advanced to Cleveland after a 90-83 win as the 11th seed. The
Zips are 2-0 in the MAC Tournament at University Arena and 6-6 all-time in opening round games.
LAST TIME AGAINST WESTERN MICHIGAN (FEB. 25, 2023)
AKRON, Ohio – In their penultimate home game of the season, the Akron Zips men's basketball team methodically powered past the visiting Western Michigan Broncos, 81-64, for a Mid-American Conference win on Saturday evening at James A. Rhodes Arena.
Senior G Xavier Castaneda (Chicago, Ill.) led the way for Akron with a game-high 23 points, while junior F Enrique Freeman (Cleveland, Ohio) notched his 16th double-double of the season with a 17-point and 10-rebound performance. Redshirt freshman G Nate Johnson (Liberty Township, Ohio) chipped in with 13 points, while posting a game-high four steals.
After a back-and-forth first half that saw the Zips (20-9, 12-4 MAC) seize control late, a 12-2 run out of the half blew the game wide open and expanded the Akron advantage to 20, 47-27. Castaneda's top-of-the-arc triple capped the run, but two pin-point passes to Freeman set up lay-ins to help bury the Broncos.
Western Michigan never got closer than 12 the rest of the way as Akron swept the season series between the teams following a 63-55 win in Kalamazoo in January. The second-best scoring defense in the MAC entering the game forced 12 turnovers and harassed the Broncos (7-22, 3-13 MAC) into 37.3-percent shooting, holding them under 42 percent from the field in both halves.
LAST TIME OUT (JAN. 12, 2024)
AKRON, Ohio - Five Zips scored in double-figures as Enrique Freeman led the way with 21 points to defeat the Buffalo Bulls 76-59 at the James A. Rhodes Arena on Friday.
Freeman secured his 14th double-double of the season with 21 points and 15 rebounds and his ninth 20+ point, 10+ rebound performance.
The Zips (12-4, 4-0) had five players score in double figures, led by Freeman's 21 points. Greg Tribble tacked on 18 points, four assists, and two steals and Sammy Hunter chipped in as well with 11 points.
Akron took advantage of fantastic ball movement in Friday's game, piling up 16 assists on 31 made field goals. Tribble's four assists led the distribution list for the Zips and Ali Ali also added three assists of his own.
Akron's defense held Buffalo to only 36.7 percent shooting from the field, including 20 percent from beyond the arc.
After falling behind 6-2, Akron went on an 8-0 run with 18:19 left in the first half, culminating in a bucket from Nate Johnson, to take a 10-6 lead. The Zips then maintained that lead and entered halftime with a 34-30 advantage. Akron did most of its first-half damage in the paint, scoring 20 of its 34 points close to the basket.
Following intermission, Akron kept widening that lead, expanding it to 65-54 before going on a 9-0 run, finished off by Ali's layup, to grow the lead to 74-54 with 1:45 to go in the contest. The Bulls narrowed the margin somewhat before the game was over, but the Zips still cruised the rest of the way for the 76-59 win. Akron took care of business in the paint, recording 26 of its 42 points in the lane.
AKRON IN THE MAC
Akron is 57-21 since the 2019-20 season in MAC play, owning the highest winning percentage (.730) in the league. The Zips are 43-17 in the MAC under the new conference format without divisions (new in 2020-21). Akron is 93-25 (.788) at home in league play since the start of the 2011 MAC schedule. UA has seen a ton of success in league play since the start of the 2004-05 season, and is 226-103 overall (.687), including a 136-31 mark in MAC play at home (.814). The Zips' 226 wins are the most in the league during that stretch. The Zips have won 141 of their last 201 MAC games (.701).
HOME SWEET HOME
The Zips own a 463-134 (.775) all-time record at the James A. Rhodes Arena. In the last 17 seasons, Akron has posted a 259-39 (.869) record at the JAR. The Zips are 7-0 at the JAR this season and have won their last 10 dating back to the 2022-23 season.
THE DOUBLE-DOUBLE MACHINE
Enrique Freeman has 14 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-14 players in Div. 1 to average a double-double, while recording 20+ points and 10+ rebounds nine times. Freeman has also recorded 10 consecutive double-doubles.
Additionally, he ranks 35th th in fg% (.592), 84th in fg made (103), 27th in free throws attempted (114), 41st in made free throws (79), 87th in total points (292), 70th in points per game (18.3), 3rd in total rebounds (210), 2nd in def. rpg (9.50),15th in off. rpg (3.63) and 1st in rebounds per game (13.0).
WHAT'S NEXT?
The Zips travel to Kent, Ohio., to battle the Golden Flashes on January 19. Fans can watch the Zips and Golden Flashes on ESPNU or listen on WHLO 640.
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Players Mentioned
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