By Price Brothers
1 25 2025
GAME NOTES
https://miamiredhawks.com/documents/2025/1/24/2024-25_MIAMI_Akron.pdf
SATURDAY: Miami heads northeast for its seventh conference game of the season versus Akron (who is also undefeated in conference play) on Saturday, Jan. 25 at 2 p.m. With a win on Saturday, the RedHawks have a chance to be 7-0 in MAC play for the first time since the 1998-99 season. Miami also has the opportunity to win nine consecutive games for the first time since 1995-96. Entering this game, Miami ranks fourth nationally in effective field goal percentage (0.589), seventh in three-point percentage (.398), eighth in field goal percentage (.501), 10th in threes per game (10.7), 27th in scoring offense (82.8), 27th in turnovers forced per game (15.50) and 33rd in turnover margin (3.4). Miami also leads the MAC in eight statistical categories, including steals per game (8.7) and scoring margin (11.7).
LAST TIME OUT: The Miami University men’s basketball team edged past Bowling Green 84-76 Tuesday night. Mekhi Cooper led the RedHawks in scoring with 14 points, while Kam Craft (13), Brant Byers (12), Peter Suder (11), Antwone Woolfolk (11) and Eian Elmer (10) scored in double figures. This is the third time this season at least six RedHawks have scored in double figures. The Red and White shot better than 50% from the field for the 10th time this season.
ABOUT AKRON: Akron is coming off a 24-11 (13-5 MAC) season in 2023-24. The Zips finished second in conference play during the regular season and won the MAC Tournament to reach the NCAA Tournament in 2024. Head coach John Groce is in his eighth season with the Zips. Heading into the 2024-25 season, the MAC Men’s Basketball Preseason Coaches Poll picked the Zips to finish second in the conference. Isaiah Gray was selected All-MAC Preseason Second Team.
Akron is currently 13-5 (6-0 MAC), having won its last six games. The Zips have three players who average double figures in scoring, which includes Nate Johnson (13.1), Tavari Johnson (11.9) and Isaiah Gray (10.4). Tavari Johnson leads the team in assists per game (4.1) and Nate Johnson has recorded the most steals per game (1.8). Amani Lyles leads all players in blocks per game (1.2) and James Okonkwo follows closely behind (1.1). Okonkwo also leads the team and conference in rebounds per game (7.9).
THE SERIES WITH THE ZIPS: Saturday will mark the 72nd time Miami and Akron have faced off. The Zips head into this game leading the series 33-38. Miami also trails the series in Akron 9-22. The last time Miami faced off with the Zips, the Red and White fell 63-75 in the MAC Tournament on Mar. 14, 2024.
UP NEXT: The RedHawks continue conference play by returning home to host Eastern Michigan Tuesday, Jan. 28 at 7 p.m.
MID-MAJOR TOP 25 COACHES POLL: The Miami University men’s basketball team was selected to the Mid-Major Top 25® Poll for the second week in a row. The RedHawks were voted No. 18 (previously No. 25) on Monday after securing seven consecutive victories and starting Mid-American Conference play 5-0. Now in its 26th season, the Mid-Major Top 25® is voted on by 31 Division I coaches.
COURTESY MIAMI ATHLETIC COMMUNICATIONS
