Akron Zips
Mid-American (26-8, 13-5 )
When Akron is making their shots, they can beat anybody. They picked up some nice nonconference wins against Arkansas, Marshall, UCSB and Iona. In Mid-American Conference play, the Zips got off to a bit of a slow start and had some tough losses towards the end of the season too, but in the end they won the regular season title. And appropriately, Akron clinched the regular season by connecting on a school record 20 three-pointers in a win over Ohio.
Big Wins: 12/21 vs UCSB (84-70), 12/23 vs Iona (78-64), 2/2 at Ohio (80-68)
Bad Losses: 1/12 at Central Michigan (81-92), 1/15 at Toledo (64-78), 2/23 at Miami OH (64-77)
Coach: Keith Dambrot
Why They Can Surprise:
The Zips have six players who can hit three-pointers on a consistent basis. And that is why only a couple teams shoot more three-pointers than Akron and only one makes more. Wing Reggie McAdams is the most prolific shooter of them all, connecting on 95 of his 225 attempts. Jake Kretzer is another big wing who can shoot over most defenders. Like Kretzer, Noah Robotham, Kwan Cheatham and Josh Williams do most of their scoring damage from long range. Sophomore Antino Jackson is the most versatile scorer of the bunch. Along with his outside shooting, the speedy point guard can finish around the basket. Yet, despite all of those shooters, the leading scorer on the team is junior center Isaiah Johnson. He is averaging 13.6 points per game and adds a team high 7.5 rebounds.
Why They Can Disappoint:
Johnson is strong on the glass and Coach Keith Dambrot has more size on the roster with Pat Forsythe, but this is not a particularly strong rebounding team. The good news is those two are decent shot blockers so the defense is solid around the basket. Outside of Jackson, this is not a team that attacks the basket and gets to the charity stripe. Thus, Akron is going to live by the three and die by the three. If the shots are falling, this is a tough, tough team to beat. If not, there is not much else Akron can do to pull off a tournament upset.
Probable Starters:
Antino Jackson, Sophomore, Guard, 11.9 ppg, 3.5 apg
Noah Robotham, Sophomore, Guard, 9.8 ppg, 3.8 apg
Reggie McAdams, Senior, Forward, 11.4 ppg, 3.8 rpg
Kwan Cheatham, Junior, Forward, 7.4 ppg, 3.7 rpg
Pat Forsythe, Senior, Center, 8.6 ppg, 2.3 rpg, 1.4 bpg
Key Roleplayers:
Aaron Jackson, Sophomore, Guard, 2.6 ppg
Jake Kretzer, Senior, Forward, 8.2 ppg, 4.1 rpg
Isaiah Johnson, Junior, Center, 13.6 ppg, 7.5 rpg, 1.3 bpg
Josh Williams, Freshman, Guard, 6.7 ppg, 1.3 apg
By the Numbers:
Scoring Offense: 77.8 (63rd in nation, 4th in conference)
Scoring Defense: 68.3 (88, 4)
Field-Goal Percentage: 43.7 (193, 8)
Field-Goal Defense: 41.6 (85, 3)
Three-Point Field Goals Per Game: 11.9 (2, 1)
Three-Point Field-Goal Percentage: 39.4 (16, 1)
Free-Throw Percentage: 69.6 (180, 8)
Rebound Margin: 1.3 (146, 8)
Assists Per Game: 14.7 (85, 3)
Turnovers Per Game: 11.2 (41, 2)
Recent Postseason Appearances:
2014 CIT First Round loss to IPFW
2013 NCAA Second Round loss to VCU
2011 NCAA Round of 64 loss to Notre Dame
2010 CBI First Round loss to Green Bay
2009 NCAA Round of 64 loss to Gonzaga
2008 NIT First Round win over Florida State
2008 NIT Second Round loss to Massachusetts
2006 NIT Opening Round win over Temple
2006 NIT First Round loss to Creighton
*all team stats through 3/6
