AKRON ZIPS MEN'S BASKETBALL
PROGRAM OVERVIEW
Coach John Groce has built Akron into a Mid-American Conference powerhouse, guiding the Zips to an undefeated 10-0 conference record while maintaining a 21-5 overall mark. The team's offensive efficiency shows why: scoring 89.9 points per game while holding opponents to just 74.8, a 15.1-point differential that reflects disciplined execution at both ends of the floor. Hosting matches at James A. Rhodes Arena has proven beneficial, where Akron boasts a 14-2 home record compared to a 7-3 away record.
Groce's roster of 16 players represents the blueprint for the university's basketball aspirations in a campus of 15,318 students. Their defensive prowess—surrendering fewer than 75 points nightly—suggests a team prioritizing structure over freelance play, a hallmark of Groce's coaching methodology developed through stops at other mid-major programs. With 89.9 points per game on offense balanced against tight defensive standards, this Akron squad demonstrates the consistency required to maintain conference dominance through the season's conclusion.
KEY FACTS
| School | University of Akron |
| Sport | Men's Basketball |
| Conference | Mid-American Conference |
| Division | D1-FBS |
| Location | Akron, Ohio |
| Venue | James A. Rhodes Arena |
| Head Coach | John Groce |
ROSTER (2025-26)
| # | Name | Pos |
|---|---|---|
| 8 | Chabi Barre | F |
| 2 | Rich Brisco | F |
| 11 | Conner Groce | G |
| 21 | Zach Halligan | G |
| 15 | Bowen Hardman | G |
| 9 | Cody Head | G |
| 7 | Josh Henderson | G |
| 5 | Tavari Johnson | G |
| 0 | Amani Lyles | F |
| 4 | Eric Mahaffey | G |
| 12 | Evan Mahaffey | G |
| 23 | Marvin Musiime-Kamali | G |
| 6 | Tai Perkins | G |
| 1 | Shammah Scott | G |
| 16 | Ognjen Stankovic | G |
| 3 | Sharron Young | G |
SEASON RECORD
29-5
Overall
19-2
Home
10-3
Away
16-0
Conference
88.4 PPG / 73.5 Opp PPG
SCHEDULE (2025-26)
| Date | Opponent | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Nov 4 | James Madison Dukes | W 85-71 |
| Nov 8 | Princeton Tigers | W 104-69 |
| Nov 13 | Penn State Shenango Nittany Lions | W 109-51 |
| Nov 17 | Purdue Boilermakers | L 79-97 |
| Nov 21 | Iona Gaels | W 96-75 |
| Nov 24 | Evansville Purple Aces | W 97-59 |
| Nov 25 | Yale Bulldogs | L 94-97 |
| Nov 30 | Milwaukee Panthers | W 105-81 |
| Dec 4 | Bucknell Bison | W 97-77 |
| Dec 6 | Tulane Green Wave | W 88-71 |
| Dec 13 | Murray State Racers | L 100-115 |
| Dec 20 | Eastern Michigan Eagles | W 93-72 |
| Dec 30 | Concord Mountain Lions | W 115-64 |
| Jan 3 | Miami (OH) RedHawks | L 73-76 |
| Jan 7 | Central Michigan Chippewas | W 82-69 |
| Jan 10 | Bowling Green Falcons | W 77-67 |
| Jan 14 | Ball State Cardinals | W 87-77 |
| Jan 17 | Western Michigan Broncos | W 104-89 |
| Jan 20 | Buffalo Bulls | W 82-63 |
| Jan 24 | Ohio Bobcats | W 86-65 |
| Jan 28 | Toledo Rockets | W 91-81 |
| Jan 30 | Kent State Golden Flashes | W 69-52 |
| Feb 3 | Eastern Michigan Eagles | W 66-64 |
| Feb 7 | Troy Trojans | L 69-79 |
| Feb 14 | Massachusetts Minutemen | W 99-92 |
| Feb 18 | Western Michigan Broncos | W 90-73 |
| Feb 20 | Ball State Cardinals | W 78-65 |
| Feb 25 | Buffalo Bulls | W 99-85 |
| Feb 28 | Kent State Golden Flashes | W 92-70 |
| Mar 4 | Central Michigan Chippewas | W 77-64 |
| Mar 6 | Northern Illinois Huskies | W 94-55 |
| Mar 12 | Buffalo Bulls | W 73-70 |
| Mar 13 | Kent State Golden Flashes | W 75-68 |
| Mar 15 | Toledo Rockets | W 79-76 |
ANALYTICS
+14.9
Pt Diff
W10
Streak
48.2%
SOS
#127
T-Rank
Barthag: 0.5863
108.2
Adj O
105.0
Adj D
OTHER SPORTS AT AKRON
MID-AMERICAN CONFERENCE MEN'S BASKETBALL PROGRAMS
- Ball State Cardinals
- Bowling Green State Falcons
- Central Michigan Chippewas
- Eastern Michigan Eagles
- Kent State Golden Flashes
- Miami University (Ohio) Miami University (Ohio)
- Northern Illinois Huskies
- Ohio Bobcats
- University at Buffalo, the State University of New York University at Buffalo, the State University of New York
- Massachusetts Minutemen
- Toledo Rockets
- Western Michigan Broncos
MORE MEN'S BASKETBALL IN OHIO
Browse all NCAA Division I men's basketball programs in Ohio.
Ohio Men's Basketball ProgramsFREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
- What conference does Akron Men's Basketball compete in?
- Akron Zips Men's Basketball competes in the Mid-American Conference conference at the NCAA D1-FBS level.
- Where does Akron play men's basketball home games?
- Akron Men's Basketball plays home games at James A. Rhodes Arena in Akron, OH.
- Who is the head coach of Akron Men's Basketball?
- The head coach of Akron Zips Men's Basketball is John Groce.
- When was Akron Men's Basketball program established?
- The establishment date for Akron Men's Basketball is not currently available.