Akron Zips lament loss in physical March Madness game against Arizona

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SEATTLE — Fighting back tears became difficult for several members of the Akron Zips men’s basketball team after their historic 2024-25 season ended Friday night with a 93-65 loss to Arizona in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.

The blowout defeat ate at the Zips, but what crushed them even more is knowing their tight-knit group won’t remain intact.

Zips senior guards Seth Wilson, Isaiah Gray and Evan Wilson played for the final time in college as fourth-seeded Arizona (23-12) physically dominated No. 13 Akron (28-7) in an East Region matchup at Climate Pledge Arena.

“I was trying not to cry,” Akron junior forward Amani Lyles told the Beacon Journal. “I didn’t think I was going to cry until we started talking about our seniors and just what they meant to me as brothers first and as teammates second. I just thought of all the times that we had on and off the court.

“I love these guys so much, and we have a great group. I’m proud of our guys and the season that we had. I don’t want us to hang our heads because we did a lot for the city of Akron and for the basketball program of Akron. So I’m just very proud of our guys for fighting and just making history.”

Akron set a single-season program record with 28 wins and prevailed in 21 of its final 23 games. Unfortunately for the Zips, an 0-7 record in Division I NCAA Tournament games is also part of their history.

“We’re still trying to get over that hump,” said Akron redshirt junior guard Nate Johnson, the Mid-American Conference Player of the Year.

Everyone knew Arizona had a significant size advantage over guard-heavy Akron, yet the disparity had an even greater impact than the Zips anticipated.

Arizona made nine dunks and blocked nine shots compared with Akron’s one made dunk and four blocked shots. Arizona won the rebounding battle 53-22 and outscored Akron 48-20 in the paint and 18-4 in second-chance points.

Coach John Groce said Akron struggled to make good decisions in the paint and at the rim.

NCAA Tournament…

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Source link : https://www.beaconjournal.com/story/sports/college/zips/2025/03/22/akron-zips-blowout-loss-arizona-wildcats-physical-march-madness-game-ncaa-tournament-seattle/82594861007/

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Publish date : 2025-03-22 05:23:00

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