It’s time for Akron Zips basketball vs Kent State. 5 things to know

The Akron and Kent State men’s basketball teams are on a collision course for another Wagon Wheel rivalry game at 6 p.m. Friday, Jan. 30, at Rhodes Arena.

The Zips are 17-4 overall and 8-1 in the Mid-American Conference. The Golden Flashes are 16-5 and 7-2.

Advertisement

The game will be televised by CBS Sports Network, and it can be heard on local radio via WHLO 640-AM and Fox Sports 1350-AM.

Here are five elements of the Akron-Kent State game to know:

Akron Zips basketball vs. Kent State Golden Flashes series history

Akron leads the all-time series 85-82 and has won the past five meetings.

“They’ve had our numbers for a couple years, and so we’re going to go in there with one mindset to win. Relentless — it’s going to be a dogfight. We’re not going to make it a pretty ballgame,” Kent State guard Morgan Safford said.

The last time KSU beat UA was March 10, 2023, when the Flashes prevailed 79-73 in a MAC Tournament semifinal in Cleveland.

Advertisement

“Whoever throws the biggest punch wins,” Kent State forward Magnus Entenmann said. “So that’s what it’s got to be.”

Akron Zips guard Sharron Young celebrates after a first-half 3-pointer at Kent State, Jan. 31, 2025.

With a 91-81 victory over Toledo on Jan. 27, Akron extended its winning streak at Rhodes Arena to 27 games. The Zips have also won their last seven games.

“That is a fun matchup,” Akron senior guard Tavari Johnson said of playing Kent State. “It’s going to be fun. Pack the JAR. You gotta be there.”

Johnson, senior forward Amani Lyles and senior guard Shammah Scott have played for Akron during wins over Kent State on Jan. 19, 2024 (77-71 at KSU), Feb. 23, 2024 (83-70 at UA), March 16, 2024 (62-61 in MAC Tournament final in Cleveland), Jan. 31, 2025 (85-71 at KSU) and Feb. 28, 2025 (77-72 at UA).

Advertisement

“I am excited for the challenge,” Lyles said. “Pack the JAR. Be there. It is going to be a fun opportunity.”

Akron Zips guard Shammah Scott (1) looks to pass around Kent State Golden Flashes forward Delrecco…

Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/time-akron-zips-basketball-vs-105524363.html

Author :

Publish date : 2026-01-29 10:55:00

Copyright for syndicated content belongs to the linked Source.