Akron Zips
Mid-American Conference (22-11, 13-3)
Once again the MAC West was far, far superior to the MAC East. Akron had to play Ohio, Kent State, Buffalo, Bowling Green and Miami twice. That is not an easy schedule, but the Zips managed to win the conference anyway. This is also a squad that knocked off Mississippi State and Marshall in non-conference play. It did take a while for Coach Keith Dambrot to get his team playing consistent basketball, but they were by January.
Big Wins: 11/9 at Mississippi State (68-58), 1/1 at Marshall (67-51), 1/14 Ohio (68-63)
Bad Losses: 11/18 at Valparaiso (59-62), 11/19 vs Duquesne (76-81), 1/18 at Buffalo (70-82)
Coach: Keith Dambrot (8 seasons at Akron)
Why They Can Surprise:
The dominating frontcourt has made all of the difference for the Zips. Zeke Marshall is a legitimate seven-footer and a major presence on both ends of the floor. He is a good interior scorer on the offensive end and a great shot blocker on the other end of the court. Nikola Cvetinovic, at 6-8, Nick Harney, at 6-7, and Demetrius Treadwell give Akron plenty of size by MAC standards. Cvetinovic will start beside Marshall and is another good interior scorer. Unlike Marshall, Cvetinovic can stretch out the opposing defense with his outside shooting. Harney usually plays less than 20 minutes per game, but he is a good scorer. Treadwell is another shot blocking threat, but a big liability at the charity stripe. Fellow forward Chauncey Gilliam is only 6-5, but he is a big bodied player who will do the dirty work in the paint. Gilliam rarely puts up big numbers, but he is a great glue guy and at least provides the Zips with a big body at the small forward position. Quincy Diggs will step in for Gilliam when Coach Dambrot needs another scorer on the floor. Diggs has good size at 6-6 and he will use that size to attack the basket.
Why They Can Disappoint:
Alex Abreu and Brian Walsh are the usual starters in the backcourt. Abreu has developed into a very good outside shooter and a capable point guard. Abreu will always play tough defense and is turning into a solid leader. Walsh is another good shooter from long range and benefits from the opposing defense collapsing in to stop Marshall, Cvetinovic and company. However, this is a very young backcourt. Abreu and Walsh are both sophomores and decision making and turnovers have been a problem. Senior Brett McClanahan has plenty of starting experience and will backup Abreu at the point or Walsh at the off-guard spot. He is not much of a scorer, but at least he has some experience.
Probable Starters:
Alex Abreu, Sophomore, Guard, 9.8 ppg, 4.6 apg
Brian Walsh, Sophomore, Guard, 8.2 ppg, 1.2 apg
Chauncey Gilliam, Junior, Forward, 6.4 ppg, 1.6 rpg
Nikola Cvetinovic, Senior, Forward, 9.9 ppg, 5.4 rpg
Zeke Marshall, Junior, Center, 10.2 ppg, 5.3 rpg, 2.8 bpg
Key Roleplayers:
Quincy Diggs, Junior, Forward, 8.2 ppg, 3.0 rpg, 2.3 apg
Nick Harney, Sophomore, Forward, 8.5 ppg, 3.0 rpg
Brett McClanahan, Senior, Guard, 4.5 ppg, 1.0 apg
Demetrius Treadwell, Sophomore, Forward, 7.4 ppg, 5.2 rpg
By the Numbers:
Scoring Offense: 72.3 (72nd in nation, 2nd in conference)
Scoring Defense: 65.4 (126, 7)
Field-Goal Percentage: 46.3 (58, 1)
Field-Goal Defense: 41.5 (94, 5)
Three-Point Field Goals Per Game: 5.9 (188, 9)
Three-Point Field-Goal Percentage: 36.2 (84, 2)
Free-Throw Percentage: 69.2 (169, 5)
Rebound Margin: 1.9 (118, 4)
Assists Per Game: 13.6 (108, 4)
Turnovers Per Game: 14.2 (235, 9)
Last Five Postseason Appearances:
Akron 2011 NCAA Round of 64 loss to Notre Dame
Akron 2010 CBI First Round loss to Green Bay
Akron 2009 NCAA Round of 64 loss to Gonzaga
Akron 2008 NIT First Round win over Florida State
Akron 2008 NIT Second Round loss to Massachusetts
Akron 2006 NIT Opening Round win over Temple
Akron 2006 NIT First Round loss to Creighton
*all team stats through 3/4
See All Men’s Basketball Postseason Capsules
