Akron Basketball: What to Expect from the Zips This Season

The Akron Zips men’s basketball team is set to begin their season this month and fans are wondering what to expect. Head Coach John Groce has led the team to some success in recent years but the question remains: will they be able to compete this season?

Akron’s Basketball team this season

This season, the Akron Zips men’s basketball team is expected to be one of the best in the country. The Zips are led by senior point guard Davonte James, who was recently named the preseason MAC Player of the Year. Other Key Players for the Zips include junior forward Daniel Utomi and sophomore guard Jemarl Baker Jr. The Zips are currently ranked 21st in the AP poll and have a solid chance to make a run in the NCAA tournament this year.

The Zips’ returning players

This season, the Zips will have a core of experienced players to build around. The returning players are:

-Gabe Osabuohien (redshirt senior): Osabuohien was the team’s leading rebounder last season, averaging 5.9 per game. He also averaged 2.5 assists and 1.1 steals per game.

-Xeyrius Williams (redshirt junior): Williams is a versatile player who can play both inside and out. Last season, he averaged 9.3 points and 4.4 rebounds per game

-Dylan Ennis (redshirt senior): Ennis is a experienced guard who can score, rebound, and dish out assists. Last season, he averaged 11.5 points, 4.5 assists, and 3.8 rebounds per game

The Zips will also have a talented group of newcomers, including:

-Jalen Adams (freshman): Adams is a 6’3″ guard who is known for his scoring ability. He was ranked as the No. 68 player in the class of 2018 by ESPN.

-Channel Statesman (freshman): Statesman is a 6’9″ forward who has the potential to be a matchup nightmare for opposing defenses. He was ranked as the No. 95 player in the class of 2018 by ESPN

Newcomers to the team

This season, the University of Akron men’s Basketball team will have five new players on the roster. Here’s a look at who they are and what fans can expect from them this season.

forward/center Deng Ager will be a redshirt senior this season. He’s a 6’10” transfer from Iowa State University who averaged 2.8 points and 1.8 rebounds per game in his three years there. Ager is originally from Sudan and moved to the United States when he was 10 years old. He didn’t start playing basketball until he was 15, but he has quickly developed into a talented player. He’s expected to be a key player for the Zips this season, providing inside scoring and rebounding.

Freshman guard Chanel Mokango is a 6’1” guard from France. She played for the French U-18 national team and was one of the top recruits in the country coming out of High School Mokango is a skilled shooter and also has the ability to drive to the basket and finish at the rim. She’s expected to contribute right away for Akron and could be one of the best players in the Mid-American Conference (MAC) as a freshman.

Forward/center Cassius Winston is a 6’9” freshman from Detroit, Michigan. He was ranked as one of the top 100 recruits in the country coming out of high school and chose to play for Akron over offers from Michigan State Notre Dame Indiana, and others. Winston is an excellent rebounder and shot blocker who can also score in the post. He should make an immediate impact on the Zips defense this season.

Sophomore guard Jaden Shackelford is a 6’3” guard from Huntsville, Alabama who played sparingly as a freshman last season, averaging 1 point per game in eight games played Shackelford is a talented shooter with good size and strength for his position. He will likely see re Playing time this season and could emerge as one of Akron’s top scoring threats off the bench.

Freshman guard Preston Hibbitts is a 6′4″ guard from Hudson, Ohio who originally committed to play for Kent State before changing his mind and picking Akron just before National Signing Day last year. Hibbittts is primarily a shooter but he also has good size and athleticism that allows him to get to the basket and finish at the rim despite not being much of a leaper

The Zips’ non-conference schedule

The Zips will face off against some tough non-conference opponents this season, including the likes of Notre Dame West Virginia and Penn State But they’ll also have some winnable games against mid-major opponents. Here’s a look at the Zips’ non-Conference Schedule

--Notre Dame (Nov. 7): The Zips will open their season against a tough Notre Dame team that made the NCAA Tournament last year.

--West Virginia (Nov. 10): West Virginia is always tough, and the Zips will have to be at their best to come away with a win in this one.

--Penn State (Nov. 17): The Nittany Lions are always a tough opponent, and this will be a good test for the Zips early in the season.

-Akron vs. an opponent to be determined (Nov. 21): This game will be part of the ESPN 24 Hours of Basketball marathon, and it’ll be a good opportunity for the Zips to get some national exposure.

-Toledo (Nov 22): The Zips will stay home to take on Toledo in what should be a winnable game.

--Kennesaw State (Dec 1): The Kennesaw State Owls will make the trip to Akron for what should be an easy win for the Zips.

--Murray State (Dec 5): The Racers are always tough, but the Zips should be able to come away with a win in this one.

The Zips’ conference schedule

The Zips will play a total of 18 conference games this season. Nine of those games will be played at home, and nine will be played on the road. The conference schedule is as follows:

December 27: vs. Northern Arizona
January 3: vs. Sacramento State
January 10: at Southern Utah
January 17: at Idaho State
January 24: vs. Eastern Washington
January 31: at Montana
February 7: vs. Portland State
February 14: at Weber State
February 21: vs. North Dakota

Key games for the Zips this season

Akron Basketball is gearing up for another season and there are a few key games that Zips fans should be sure to circle on their calendars. The first big game of the season will be against in-state rival Ohio State on December 2nd. The Zips will also have a tough non-conference matchup against Louisville on December 19th.

In conference play the Zips will face off against last year’s NCAA tournament Cinderella team, Loyola-Chicago, on January 31st. The game against Loyola will be a good measuring stick to see where Akron stands in the conference.

The Zips will finish up their regular season at home against MAC foe Kent State on March 3rd. This game could have major implications for Akron’s postseason plans, so Zips fans should definitely try to attend this one.

Whether you’re a diehard Akron fan or just looking for a few good college basketball games to Watch This Season be sure to check out the Zips!

The Zips’ postseason prospects

Last season, the Zips finished 21-11 (13-5 in MAC play), good for second place in the conference. They entered the MAC tournament as the No. 2 seed and lost in the quarterfinals to eventual champion Buffalo. Akron also participated in the CBI, where they lost in the first round to Northern Kentucky.

This season, the Zips are once again projected to finish near the top of the MAC standings. They bring back nearly their entire core from last season, including leading scorer Daniel Utomi (16.6 ppg) and leading rebounder Reggie Lynch (9.3 rpg). Additionally, they have added Iowa State transfer Zion Griffin, who is eligible to play immediately and should make an immediate impact.

With their experience and talent, the Zips should be in contention for a MAC title and a berth in the NCAA tournament However, they will have some tough competition from Buffalo and Kent State who are also expected to be near the top of the Conference Standings

What the experts are saying about the Zips

In order to have a successful season the Zips will need to improve on both ends of the court. The defense showed signs of improvement last season, but the team will need to find a way to get stops on a more consistent basis. On offense, Akron will look to be more efficient in the Half Court and take better care of the ball.

If the team can make strides on both ends of the court, they have a chance to compete for an NCAA tournament berth. The Zips have the talent and experience to make a run at the MAC title, but they will need to play up to their potential.

The Zips’ fans’ expectations for the season

The Akron Zips are set to have an exciting season and their fans have high hopes. The team has a strong core of returning players, as well as some talented newcomers. There are a few question marks concerning the team’s depth, but overall, the Zips look like they could be a force to be reckoned with in the upcoming season

Our predictions for the Zips this season

It’s that time of year again! The leaves are changing, the weather is cooling down, and Basketball season is just around the corner. The Akron Zips are gearing up for another exciting season, and we’ve got all the scoop on what to expect from the team this year.

First and foremost, the Zips will have a new head coach at the helm this season. It will be interesting to see how the team adapts to its new leader and what changes he brings to the program.

One thing that won’t be changing is Akron’s focus on defense. The Zips have always been known for their tough defense, and this year will be no different. They have a solid core of players returning from last year’s team, so expect them to be one of the best Defensive Teams in the conference again this season.

Offensively, the Zips will look to improve upon last year’s performance. They lost their leading scorer from last season, so they’ll need someone else to step up and fill that role. Keep an eye out for junior forward Daniel Bejarano to have a breakout year offensively.

All in all, it should be another exciting season for Akron Basketball Be sure to catch them in action at home at James A. Rhodes Arena or on the road as they take on some of the best teams in the country!