The University of Akron Athletics
Tuesday, January 23
Akron, Ohio
7 PM
University of Akron
vs
Ohio
Zips Host Ohio University for #MACtion on Tuesday
January 22 | Men's Basketball
Akron (14-4, 6-0 Mid-American) vs Ohio University (9-9, 3-3 Mid-American)
Tuesday, Jan. 23 – James A. Rhodes Arena – Akron, Ohio
7:00 pm ET – ESPN + - WHLO 640
HEAD COACHES
Akron: John Groce | Overall Record: 312-206 | At Akron: 130-74
Ohio: Jeff Boals | Overall Record: 142-97 | At Ohio: 87-56
All-Time Series
Akron Leads: 47-43 Groce vs.Ohio 6-4 (6-4 Overall)
First Meeting: Akron 21, Ohio 18 in Akron 1911-12 season
Last Meeting: Ohio,90, Akron 81 at Ohio Convocation Center, Feb. 10, 2023
In Akron:28-15, Neutral: 3-1, In Athens: 16-27
WHAT'S AHEAD
The Akron Zips host Ohio University in MAC play on Tuesday, January 22 for the 91st all-time meeting. Akron and Kent State 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 BOBCATS
The Ohio Bobcats come into Tuesday's contest with a 9-9 overall record and a 3-3 conference record. Winners of their last two games, Ohio is in search of its first road win, as they are currently 0-4 on the season.
The Bobcats and Zips both played at the Legends of Basketball Showcase in Cleveland, Ohio on December 30 with Ohio falling to Davidson 72-69.
Ohio most recently took down Eastern Michigan 85-67 at home on January 20 after taking a 22-point lead into halftime. Four Bobcats finished in double-figure scoring with Aiden Hadaway's 20 points leading the way for the Bobcats. Hadaway finished 8-of-10 from the field and went 3-of-3 from beyond the arc. Miles Brown was close a double-double with seven points and nine rebounds.
The Bobcats have been stingy when it comes to turning the ball over this season, with just 9.8 turnovers committed per game. Ohio's 9.8 turnovers per game are tied for 24th in the country for the fewest per game and is the lowest in the MAC. Ohio also holds the best turnover margin with +3.89 in the conference. Ohio also holds the MAC's best scoring average with 79.0 points per game, second best scoring margin (+7.4) and fifth best scoring defense (71.5).
Four Bobcats are averaging double-figure scoring so far this season, with Jaylin Hunter's 13.6 points per game leading the way. Sheered Mitchell (13.3), Elmore James (12.3) and AJ Clayton (11.6) round out the list. James is the leader in rebounds with 6.1 per game while Hunter is the Bobcat's leader in assists with 4.8. Hunter is 62nd in assists per game in the country and 67th in total assists with 86, both lead the MAC. Clayton, who leads the Bobcats with 31 blocks, is 58th in the country in total blocks and 57th for blocks per game (1.72).
Ohio is 47th in the country in assist/turnover ratio (+1.43), 95th in scoring margin (+7.4), 73rd in scoring offense (79.0), 93rd in 3-pointers made per game (8.3), 25th in turnover margin (+3.9), 79th in turnovers forced per game (13.72), and 24th in fewest turnovers per game (9.8).
ZIPS AT A GLANCE
Akron is riding a six-game winning streak after taking down rival Kent State 77-71on January 19. The Zips are first in the MAC with a 14-4 overall record and a 6-0 record in the MAC.
Enrique Freeman and Ali Ali led all scorers with 23 points. Freeman added eight boards and five blocks against the Golden Flashes while going 11-of-16 from the field. Ali was clutch down the stretch and at the free throw line, posting a 10-of-11 effort from the charity stripe.
Freeman leads Akron in points per game (18.6), rebounds per game (12.9) and total blocks (31). Ali joins Freeman in double-figure scoring with 16.5 points per game. Sammy Hunter (9.9) and Greg Tribble (9.8) are close behind as well.
The Zips are currently the MAC's best shooting team with a .474 mark from the field with Miami, who the Zips battle on the road on Saturday, knocking on the door with a .473 shooting percentage. Akron also holds the top rebounding margin (+4.7) in the conference while also ranked No. 1 in opponent rebounding (31.8), scoring margin (+11.2) and scoring defense (65.9).
The Zips rank 41st in the country in effective FG% (.550), 60th in fg% (.474), 70th in rebound margin (+4.7), 47th in scoring defense (65.9), 46th in scoring margin (+11.2), and 57th in 3-pointers made per game (8.8).
INSIDE THE SERIES
Akron and Ohio will be meeting for the 91st time on Tuesday with the Zips leading 47-43. John Groce, who began his head coaching career at Ohio, is 6-5 all-time against the Bobcats. The Zips are 3-2 against the Bobcats in the MAC Tournament.
Akron and Ohio split the series last season with both squads protecting home court. Xavier Castaneda led all scorers with a career-high 34 points, on 10-of-15 shooting in the most recent meeting between the two sides that saw Ohio win 90-81.
Enrique Freeman had a career performance at the JAR last season against the Bobcats, scoring 32 points to help the Zips defeat Ohio 83-77 on January 28, 2023.
Akron holds an all-time 47-43 series advantage. The Zips have won 16 of the last 25 meetings, and
are 28-14 against the Bobcats in Akron, winning 17 of the last 21 meetings at Rhodes Arena. The Zips are 16-27 against OU in Athens, winning six of the last 11 meetings at the Convocation Center.
LAST TIME AGAINST OHIO (FEB. 10, 2023)
ATHENS, Ohio – The Akron Zips shot 50.8 percent from the field and 47.8 percent from beyond the 3-point arc with a pair of career milestone performances, but came up short at the OU Convocation Center as the Ohio Bobcats snapped the Zips four-game road winning streak, 90-81, on Friday.
Senior Xavier Castaneda (Chicago, Ill.) led all scorers with a career-high 34 points, on 10-of-15 shooting from the floor and 6-of-10 from deep while cashing in on 8-of-9 free throws. Castaneda added a pair of rebounds, an assist and a steal to his stat line.
Junior Enrique Freeman (Cleveland, Ohio) followed with his 13th double-double of the season while scoring his 1,000 career point. Freeman's first bucket of the contest reached the 1K milestone as the Cleveland native finished with 21 points and 12 rebounds. Freeman secured seven offensive rebounds that led to the Zips 15 second chance points and blocked three shots.
The Zips (17-8, 9-3 MAC) defensive pressure didn't seem to rattle the Bobcats (14-11, 6-6 MAC) as five players scored in double figures led by 25 points from Jaylin Hunter. Dwight Wilson (16), Miles Brown (12), DeVon Baker (11) and Elmore James (11) supported Ohio's offensive efforts. The Bobcats shot 62.5 percent from downtown (10-of-16) and buried timely 3-pointers to foil the Zips many attempts at a comeback.
HOME SWEET HOME
The Zips own a 464-134 (.776) all-time record at the James A. Rhodes Arena. In the last 17 seasons, Akron has posted a 260-39 (.869) record at the JAR. The Zips are 8-0 at the JAR this season and have won their last 11dating back to the 2022-23 season.
Under coach Groce, Akron is 84-14 (.857) at home. The Zips were 15-1 at home in 2022-23.
AKRON IN THE MAC
Akron is 58-21 since the 2019-20 season in MAC play, owning the highest winning percentage (.734) in the league. The Zips are 44-17 in the MAC under the new conference format without divisions (new in 2020-21). Akron is 94-25 (.789) 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 227-103 overall (.688), including a 137-31 mark in MAC play at home (.815). The Zips' 227 wins are the most in the league during that stretch. The Zips have won 142 of their last 202 MAC games (.703).
THE DOUBLE-DOUBLE MACHINE
Freeman has 15 double-doubles this season, ranking 2nd in the NCAA and is the only player in the MAC to average a double-double. He is 1-of-12 players in Div. 1 to average a double-double, while recording 20+ points and 10+ rebounds 10 times. Freeman recorded 11 consecutive double-doubles from Nov. 28 to Jan. 16.
Additionally, he ranks 57th in blocks per game (1.72), 58th in total blocks (31), 30th in fg% (.597), 49th in fg made (123), 40th in free throws attempted (117), 68th in made free throws (81), 65th in total points (335), 62nd in points per game (18.6), 2nd in total rebounds (232), 2nd in def. rpg (9.28),16th in off. rpg (3.61) and 1st in rebounds per game (12.9).
MAC PLAYER OF THE WEEK X7
For the seventh time this season, Enrique Freeman was named the MAC Player of the Week, the conference office announced Monday, January 22.
Enrique Freeman finished with 21.5 points per game along with 11 rebounds per game and four blocks per game on the week. He tied his career high for blocks in a single game with five coming at Kent on Friday and finished with eight total on the week.
The senior forward started the week with a 20-point, 14-rebound effort against the Broncos where he went 9-of-16 (.562) from the field. Freeman recorded his 15th double-double of the season and 10th 20+point, 10+ rebound performance. He also added three blocks, one assist, and one steal in the win.
Against Kent State, Freeman brought the buckets and the blocks against the Golden Flashes. The Akron big man scored 23 points on an 11-of-16 (.687) shooting performance from the field. He also tied his career-high for blocks with five. Freeman hauled in eight rebounds while adding three steals to his name at Kent State.
WHAT'S NEXT?
Akron travels to face the Miami RedHawks on Saturday, January 27.
Tuesday, Jan. 23 – James A. Rhodes Arena – Akron, Ohio
7:00 pm ET – ESPN + - WHLO 640
HEAD COACHES
Akron: John Groce | Overall Record: 312-206 | At Akron: 130-74
Ohio: Jeff Boals | Overall Record: 142-97 | At Ohio: 87-56
All-Time Series
Akron Leads: 47-43 Groce vs.Ohio 6-4 (6-4 Overall)
First Meeting: Akron 21, Ohio 18 in Akron 1911-12 season
Last Meeting: Ohio,90, Akron 81 at Ohio Convocation Center, Feb. 10, 2023
In Akron:28-15, Neutral: 3-1, In Athens: 16-27
WHAT'S AHEAD
The Akron Zips host Ohio University in MAC play on Tuesday, January 22 for the 91st all-time meeting. Akron and Kent State 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 BOBCATS
The Ohio Bobcats come into Tuesday's contest with a 9-9 overall record and a 3-3 conference record. Winners of their last two games, Ohio is in search of its first road win, as they are currently 0-4 on the season.
The Bobcats and Zips both played at the Legends of Basketball Showcase in Cleveland, Ohio on December 30 with Ohio falling to Davidson 72-69.
Ohio most recently took down Eastern Michigan 85-67 at home on January 20 after taking a 22-point lead into halftime. Four Bobcats finished in double-figure scoring with Aiden Hadaway's 20 points leading the way for the Bobcats. Hadaway finished 8-of-10 from the field and went 3-of-3 from beyond the arc. Miles Brown was close a double-double with seven points and nine rebounds.
The Bobcats have been stingy when it comes to turning the ball over this season, with just 9.8 turnovers committed per game. Ohio's 9.8 turnovers per game are tied for 24th in the country for the fewest per game and is the lowest in the MAC. Ohio also holds the best turnover margin with +3.89 in the conference. Ohio also holds the MAC's best scoring average with 79.0 points per game, second best scoring margin (+7.4) and fifth best scoring defense (71.5).
Four Bobcats are averaging double-figure scoring so far this season, with Jaylin Hunter's 13.6 points per game leading the way. Sheered Mitchell (13.3), Elmore James (12.3) and AJ Clayton (11.6) round out the list. James is the leader in rebounds with 6.1 per game while Hunter is the Bobcat's leader in assists with 4.8. Hunter is 62nd in assists per game in the country and 67th in total assists with 86, both lead the MAC. Clayton, who leads the Bobcats with 31 blocks, is 58th in the country in total blocks and 57th for blocks per game (1.72).
Ohio is 47th in the country in assist/turnover ratio (+1.43), 95th in scoring margin (+7.4), 73rd in scoring offense (79.0), 93rd in 3-pointers made per game (8.3), 25th in turnover margin (+3.9), 79th in turnovers forced per game (13.72), and 24th in fewest turnovers per game (9.8).
ZIPS AT A GLANCE
Akron is riding a six-game winning streak after taking down rival Kent State 77-71on January 19. The Zips are first in the MAC with a 14-4 overall record and a 6-0 record in the MAC.
Enrique Freeman and Ali Ali led all scorers with 23 points. Freeman added eight boards and five blocks against the Golden Flashes while going 11-of-16 from the field. Ali was clutch down the stretch and at the free throw line, posting a 10-of-11 effort from the charity stripe.
Freeman leads Akron in points per game (18.6), rebounds per game (12.9) and total blocks (31). Ali joins Freeman in double-figure scoring with 16.5 points per game. Sammy Hunter (9.9) and Greg Tribble (9.8) are close behind as well.
The Zips are currently the MAC's best shooting team with a .474 mark from the field with Miami, who the Zips battle on the road on Saturday, knocking on the door with a .473 shooting percentage. Akron also holds the top rebounding margin (+4.7) in the conference while also ranked No. 1 in opponent rebounding (31.8), scoring margin (+11.2) and scoring defense (65.9).
The Zips rank 41st in the country in effective FG% (.550), 60th in fg% (.474), 70th in rebound margin (+4.7), 47th in scoring defense (65.9), 46th in scoring margin (+11.2), and 57th in 3-pointers made per game (8.8).
INSIDE THE SERIES
Akron and Ohio will be meeting for the 91st time on Tuesday with the Zips leading 47-43. John Groce, who began his head coaching career at Ohio, is 6-5 all-time against the Bobcats. The Zips are 3-2 against the Bobcats in the MAC Tournament.
Akron and Ohio split the series last season with both squads protecting home court. Xavier Castaneda led all scorers with a career-high 34 points, on 10-of-15 shooting in the most recent meeting between the two sides that saw Ohio win 90-81.
Enrique Freeman had a career performance at the JAR last season against the Bobcats, scoring 32 points to help the Zips defeat Ohio 83-77 on January 28, 2023.
Akron holds an all-time 47-43 series advantage. The Zips have won 16 of the last 25 meetings, and
are 28-14 against the Bobcats in Akron, winning 17 of the last 21 meetings at Rhodes Arena. The Zips are 16-27 against OU in Athens, winning six of the last 11 meetings at the Convocation Center.
LAST TIME AGAINST OHIO (FEB. 10, 2023)
ATHENS, Ohio – The Akron Zips shot 50.8 percent from the field and 47.8 percent from beyond the 3-point arc with a pair of career milestone performances, but came up short at the OU Convocation Center as the Ohio Bobcats snapped the Zips four-game road winning streak, 90-81, on Friday.
Senior Xavier Castaneda (Chicago, Ill.) led all scorers with a career-high 34 points, on 10-of-15 shooting from the floor and 6-of-10 from deep while cashing in on 8-of-9 free throws. Castaneda added a pair of rebounds, an assist and a steal to his stat line.
Junior Enrique Freeman (Cleveland, Ohio) followed with his 13th double-double of the season while scoring his 1,000 career point. Freeman's first bucket of the contest reached the 1K milestone as the Cleveland native finished with 21 points and 12 rebounds. Freeman secured seven offensive rebounds that led to the Zips 15 second chance points and blocked three shots.
The Zips (17-8, 9-3 MAC) defensive pressure didn't seem to rattle the Bobcats (14-11, 6-6 MAC) as five players scored in double figures led by 25 points from Jaylin Hunter. Dwight Wilson (16), Miles Brown (12), DeVon Baker (11) and Elmore James (11) supported Ohio's offensive efforts. The Bobcats shot 62.5 percent from downtown (10-of-16) and buried timely 3-pointers to foil the Zips many attempts at a comeback.
HOME SWEET HOME
The Zips own a 464-134 (.776) all-time record at the James A. Rhodes Arena. In the last 17 seasons, Akron has posted a 260-39 (.869) record at the JAR. The Zips are 8-0 at the JAR this season and have won their last 11dating back to the 2022-23 season.
Under coach Groce, Akron is 84-14 (.857) at home. The Zips were 15-1 at home in 2022-23.
AKRON IN THE MAC
Akron is 58-21 since the 2019-20 season in MAC play, owning the highest winning percentage (.734) in the league. The Zips are 44-17 in the MAC under the new conference format without divisions (new in 2020-21). Akron is 94-25 (.789) 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 227-103 overall (.688), including a 137-31 mark in MAC play at home (.815). The Zips' 227 wins are the most in the league during that stretch. The Zips have won 142 of their last 202 MAC games (.703).
THE DOUBLE-DOUBLE MACHINE
Freeman has 15 double-doubles this season, ranking 2nd in the NCAA and is the only player in the MAC to average a double-double. He is 1-of-12 players in Div. 1 to average a double-double, while recording 20+ points and 10+ rebounds 10 times. Freeman recorded 11 consecutive double-doubles from Nov. 28 to Jan. 16.
Additionally, he ranks 57th in blocks per game (1.72), 58th in total blocks (31), 30th in fg% (.597), 49th in fg made (123), 40th in free throws attempted (117), 68th in made free throws (81), 65th in total points (335), 62nd in points per game (18.6), 2nd in total rebounds (232), 2nd in def. rpg (9.28),16th in off. rpg (3.61) and 1st in rebounds per game (12.9).
MAC PLAYER OF THE WEEK X7
For the seventh time this season, Enrique Freeman was named the MAC Player of the Week, the conference office announced Monday, January 22.
Enrique Freeman finished with 21.5 points per game along with 11 rebounds per game and four blocks per game on the week. He tied his career high for blocks in a single game with five coming at Kent on Friday and finished with eight total on the week.
The senior forward started the week with a 20-point, 14-rebound effort against the Broncos where he went 9-of-16 (.562) from the field. Freeman recorded his 15th double-double of the season and 10th 20+point, 10+ rebound performance. He also added three blocks, one assist, and one steal in the win.
Against Kent State, Freeman brought the buckets and the blocks against the Golden Flashes. The Akron big man scored 23 points on an 11-of-16 (.687) shooting performance from the field. He also tied his career-high for blocks with five. Freeman hauled in eight rebounds while adding three steals to his name at Kent State.
WHAT'S NEXT?
Akron travels to face the Miami RedHawks on Saturday, January 27.
Players Mentioned
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