Not only arguably Miami’s biggest game of the year so far, but one of the biggest mid-major tilts of the season to this point.
Akron is currently 10-3 (1-0 MAC), as the Zips are currently on a
two-game winning streak. Akron went 28-7 (17-1 MAC) last year. Head coach John Groce is in his ninth season with the Zips. Heading into the 2025-26 season, Akron was selected to finish first overall in the 2025-26 MAC Preseason Men’s Basketball Poll. Senior guard Tavari Johnson was selected to the Preseason First Team AllMAC, while senior wing Evan Mahaffey and graduate student guard Shammah Scott were both named Second Team All-MAC. Johnson leads the Zips in points (20.5/game) and assists (5.1/game). Senior forward Amani Lyles has totaled the most rebounds (6.5/game). Mahaffey (1.7/game) and Johnson (1.4/game) lead the team in steals, while redshirt junior Chabi Barre (hasn’t played since 12/13 versus Murray State), Lyles (0.7/game) and Mahaffey (0.7/game) have produced the most blocks.
Last time these teams met, Miami had significant difficulties on the glass. Need to clean that up today. It will be interesting to see who gets the task of defending Johnson (Skaljac, Elmer, Suder, Kirby when he comes in?) or do we concede his 20 points and shut down the rest of the team. It will be an interesting thing to watch.
Miami game notes:
Miami women play Toledo at Millet immediately before the men take on Akron, so a full afternoon of Miami basketball!! And this is for Jive, although he almost certainly has these graphics and numbers showing why Miami is the top shooting team in basketball!
All - I have 4 General Admission tickets that I cannot use due to family illness. Happy to screen shot the QR code tickets and send them to you. DM me if interested.
I dunno. I think that game was also in January, but we’re undefeated this time. The nationally televised game against Kent last season felt pretty big.
