Akron Zips
Mid-American (26-6, 14-2)
In the middle of December Akron was sitting at 4-4. There were some tough early games for the Zips, so the record is not all that surprising, but Coach Keith Dambrot really turned things around after that. Akron went on to win 19 games in a row, not losing until a March 2nd trip to Buffalo. This is a tough team to matchup against and that will continue into March.
Big Wins: 12/2 Middle Tennessee State (82-77), 2/22 North Dakota State (68-53), 2/27 at Ohio (88-81)
Bad Losses: 11/09 at Coastal Carolina (70-74), 3/02 at Buffalo (67-81), 3/09 Kent State (64-68)
Coach: Keith Dambrot (9 seasons at Akron)
Why They Can Surprise:
Akron’s defense is tough thanks to 7-0 center Zeke Marshall. The senior averages an impressive 3.7 blocks per contest. But Marshall is more than a shot blocker and rebounder; he is a great interior scorer and averages a team high 13.0 points per game. Junior Demetrius Treadwell is not as opposing of a figure in the paint, but he has been a superb sidekick for Marshall. Treadwell is tenacious on the glass and has developed into a consistent scorer in the paint. Nick Harney, a part-time starter, can stretch the defense out with his ability to knock down the mid-range jumper, but the 6-8 junior does his job on the glass. Pat Forsythe may not play too many minutes, but the big freshman can swat away some shots and grab a few rebounds. The result is a deep and talented frontcourt that can hang with anybody on the glass. More importantly, it is never easy to score against the Zips when Marshall is standing underneath the basket.
Why They Can Disappoint:
With the attention drawn to the frontcourt, Alex Abreu, Brian Walsh, Jake Kretzer, Chauncey Gilliam and Reggie McAdams will get plenty of open looks from beyond the arc. For the most part they knock them down with enough consistency. Abreu was a fine distributor and playmaker who could create opportunities for himself and his teammates, but he missed the end of the season following his arrest. One thing the backcourt needs to watch out for in March is turnovers, especially without Abreu. The Zips can score a lot of points, but this is not a group that needs to get up and down the floor in a hurry and take unnecessary risks. Working through the half-court offense is a great option with Marshall and Treadwell hanging out in the paint and Akron must remember to keep feeding the big men.
Probable Starters:
Carmelo Bentancourt, Freshman, Guard, 2.0 ppg, 1.5 apg
Brian Walsh, Senior, Guard, 7.5 ppg, 1.6 apg
Nick Harney, Junior, Forward, 9.7 ppg, 4.0 rpg
Demetrius Treadwell, Junior, Forward, 11.4 ppg, 7.9 rpg
Zeke Marshall, Senior, Center, 13.0 ppg, 7.1 rpg, 3.7 bpg
Key Roleplayers:
Pat Forsythe, Freshman, Center, 3.5 ppg, 2.8 rpg
Chauncey Gilliam, Senior, Forward, 5.5 ppg, 1.6 rpg
Deji Ibitayo, Sophomore, Guard, 3.0 ppg, 1.8 rpg
Jake Kretzer, Freshman, Forward, 5.9 ppg, 3.2 rpg
Reggie McAdams, Freshman, Forward, 4.7 ppg, 1.3 rpg
By the Numbers:
Scoring Offense: 73.3 (51st in nation, 2nd in conference)
Scoring Defense: 62.6 (70, 2)
Field-Goal Percentage: 45.7 (63, 2)
Field-Goal Defense: 39.3 (32, 1)
Three-Point Field Goals Per Game: 7.3 (62, 3)
Three-Point Field-Goal Percentage: 33.8 (172, 4)
Free-Throw Percentage: 65.5 (286, 11)
Rebound Margin: 5.8 (30, 2)
Assists Per Game: 15.1 (36, 2)
Turnovers Per Game: 13.5 (194, 6)
Last Five Postseason Appearances:
2012 NIT First Round loss to Northwestern
2011 NCAA Round of 64 loss to Notre Dame
2010 CBI First Round loss to Green Bay
2009 NCAA Round of 64 loss to Gonzaga
2008 NIT First Round win over Florida State
2008 NIT Second Round loss to Massachusetts
*all team stats through 3/10
See All Men’s Basketball Postseason Capsules
