Akron basketball score, live updates vs. Western Michigan | Zips host Broncos in MAC game

Posted by author February 11, 2025 Basketball

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The University of Akron men’s basketball team is set to host Western Michigan at 7 p.m. tonight at Rhodes Arena.

Akron enters the game with an 11-game win streak, the longest current win streak in NCAA Division I men’s basketball. The Zips defeated South Alabama 80-67 Saturday in a Mid-American Conference-Sun Belt Challenge game Saturday at Rhodes Arena.

Reigning MAC Tournament champion Akron (18-5, 10-0) has won 11 consecutive games, including 10 in the Mid-American Conference.

We’ll have live updates on the game throughout the evening:

Amani Lyles, Shammah Scott and Tavari Johnson propel Akron to larger lead against Western Michigan in NCAA men’s basketball game

Amani Lyles, Shammah Scott and Tavari Johnson make 3-pointers. Akron leads Western Michigan 30-19 with 9:27 to go in the first half.

WMU’s Chansey Willis Jr. makes a 3 and JaVaughn Hannah added a layup, but Akron stretches lead to 35-24 with a two-hand dunk by Lyles and a 3 by Seth Wilson.

Timeout on the court. Akron leads 35-26 with 7:13 to go in the first half after a bucket by WMU’s Markhi Strickland.

Bowen Hardman extends Akron’s lead against Western Michigan in NCAA men’s basketball game

Bowen Hardman makes two 3-pointers to give Akron a 19-9 lead in the first half against Western Michigan.

Timeout on the court. Akron leads 21-13 with 11:55 remaining in the second half.

Akron compiles 9-0 run to separate from Western Michigan in NCAA men’s basketball game

Akron put together a 9-0 run to lead Western Michigan 11-3 with 15:34 to go in the first half. The scoring surge started with a Nate Johnson jumper and 3-pointer, and also included a Isaiah Gray layup and a right-handed slam dunk by Amani Lyles.

Zips guard Seth Wilson opened the game with a jumper and Donovan Williams answered with a 3-pointer to give the Broncos a 3-2 lead before Akron’s run.

Where is Akron in the MAC basketball standings

Akron (18-5, 10-0) is atop the MAC standings. Miami (18-5, 9-1), Toledo (15-8, 8-2), Ohio (12-11, 6-4) and Kent State (15-8, 5-5) round out the top five.

WMU (7-16, 4-6), Ball State (11-12, 4-6), Central Michigan (11-12, 4-6) and Eastern Michigan (11-12, 4-6) are tied for sixth in the MAC.

Akron basketball’s best starts in the Mid-American Conference

Akron is 10-0 in the MAC for the first time under coach John Groce after last season’s team started 7-0. The Zips were 10-0 in the MAC once under former coach Keith Dambrot, starting the 2012-13 season with a 13-0 league record. Dambrot’s 2016-17 Akron team opened MAC play 9-0.

Akron basketball projected starters

5-11 junior Tavari Johnson
6-3 redshirt junior Nate Johnson
6-3 senior Isaiah Gray
6-2 senior Seth Wilson
6-8 senior James Okonkwo

Western Michigan basketball projected starters

6-5 graduate senior Donovan Williams
6-2 junior Chansey Willis Jr.
6-4 junior JaVaughn Hannah
6-10 redshirt sophomore Max Burton
6-8 redshirt junior Markhi Strickland

Akron Zips basketball stat leaders

Junior guard Nate Johnson leads Akron in scoring at 13.5 points per game, in addition to averaging 4.6 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 1.9 steals. Junior guard Tavari Johnson is second on the team in scoring (12.7) and averages 4.3 assists.

The Zips’ other top scorers are senior guard Isaiah Gray (10.1 points, 5.0 rebounds), freshman guard Sharron Young (8.5 points), senior guard Shammah Scott (8.2 points) and senior forward James Okonkwo (7.3 points, 7.9 rebounds).

Other rotation players, with their scoring average, are Amani Lyles (6.9), Bowen Hardman (6.6) and Seth Wilson (5.9).

Western Michigan basketball stat leaders

Chansey Willis Jr. leads Western Michigan in scoring (15.2), assists (3.2) and steals (1.5), and averages 4.5 rebounds a game.

JaVaughn Hannah and Markhi Strickland are tied for second on the team at 11.6 points per game. Other top performers are Owen Lobsinger (10.3 points, 7.2 rebounds), Donovan Williams (8.6 points, 5.3 rebounds), Max Burton (6.3 points, 5.6 rebounds) and Brandon Muntu (5.8 points).

Who are the coaches for Akron, Western Michigan men’s basketball teams?

Akron coach John Groce has a 340-218 overall record, including a 158-86 MAC record at Akron.

Wsetern Michigan coach Dwayne Stephens is 27-59 overall as the Broncos coach.

What is the Akron vs. Western Michigan history in men’s basketball?

Akron leads 39-22 in its all-time series with Western Michigan. John Groce is 9-3 as Akron’s coach against Western Michigan and 12-5 overall as he previously was the head coach at Ohio.

Akron is 21-7 at home against Western Michigan, 13-13 in Kalamazoo, Michigan and the Zips are 5-2 on a neutral court against the Broncos.

Akron defeated Western Michigan 77-66 at Rhodes Arena last season and lost 90-86 in Kalamazoo.

Zips and Broncos broadcast information. How can I watch on TV, listen on radio or stream the Akron vs. Western Michigan game?

The Akron-Western Michigan game can be watched on ESPN+ with Michael Reghi and Jeff Phelps on the call. Fans can listen to the Akron Sports Radio Network on WHLO 640 AM with Dave Skoczen and Joe Dunn on the call. Live stats are also available on GoZips.com/coverage.

Michael Beaven can be reached by email at mbeaven@thebeaconjournal.com and is on Twitter at @MBeavenABJ.