MU faces another tough defense in Zips Akron owns 7-0 MAC record After a disappointing loss at Central Michigan Tuesday, the Miami RedHawks face the ultimate MAC challenge Saturday when they most Akron. The Zips (15-4 overall) are undefeated after seven MAC outings and are coming off a 67-58 victory over Ohio Tuesday. Although UA ranks sixth among MAC teams in scoring (76.6 ppg), it is first in scoring defense (65.5 ppg). It is also first in BOTH field goal percentage (47.1%) AND opponent field goal percentage (42.6%). Miami, meanwhile, is third in offensive field goal percentage (46.8%) and fourth in opponent field goal percentage (43.9%). It tops the MAC in both 3-point goal percentage (37.3%) and . . . . . . opponent 3-point percentage. The former, however, fell off Tuesday at CMU when Miami made 5 of 19 (26.3%). The Chippewas were even worse (3 of 17 - 17.5%), but MU was outscored 42-28 in the paint and outrebounded 42.30. With CMU sinking 10 more free throws, the RedHawks were unable to pull off a road win. MORE NOTES -- Akron leads the all-time series 37-32 -- UA won the last meeting 73-68, Jan. 24, 2023 in Akron. Miami led at the half 36-33, but the Zips rallied after intermission to pull out the win. A key area for UA was outside the arc as Akron launched 32 threes and made 12. Miami hit 6 of 17 from long distance. -- Akron guard Xavier Castaneda had a huge night for the Zips, hitting 8 of 12 from the field, 6 of 13 treys and 10 of 11 free throws on the way to 32 points. He is not with UA this year. -- Four RedHawks reached double figures, led gy Mekhi Lairy's 16 points. Like, Castaneda, Lairy is also gone. --- UA's most recent outing was a 67-58 win over Ohio. Akron was led by Enrique Freeman’s 19 point, 14 rebound double-double. Greg Tribble and Shammah Scott both added 10 points and two blocks each. Freeman leads the Zips in points per game (18.6), rebounds per game (12.9), and total blocks (31). Kaleb Thronton is the leader in steals (1.2) and assists (2.9). -- The Zips are 40th in the country in effective fg% (.548), 61st in fg% (.471), 72nd in rebound margin (+4.4), 41st in scoring defense (65.5), scoring margin (11.1), 90th in 3pt fg% (.358), and 59th in 3-pointers made per game (8.8). -- Akron has had eight games where four or more Zips have scored in double-figures. The most recent performance saw five Zips score in double-digits against Buffalo. -- Among one of Akron’s most consistent players, Greg Tribble acts as the primary cover on the oppositions best player and is Akron’s best on-ball defender. Tribble is averaging 9.8 points per game this season with double figure scoring in 10 games.. He leads the Zips in free throw percentage with an .857 clip. -- Akron head coach John Groce and Miami HC Travis Steele are brothers. -- This preseason, Miami center Anderson Mirambeaux was named a Second Team All-MAC player. He is currently averaging 13.8 points, 4.3 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 0.5 blocks and 0.1 steals. -- Sophomore Jaquel Morris is currently a MAC leader in field goal percentage (71.4%). He is also tied at eighth in the MAC in blocks per game(1.1). This season, Morris finds himself with a total of 19 blocks (ninth in the MAC). So far, Morris has averaged 6.3 points, 3.8 rebounds, 1.1 assists, 1.1 blocks and 0.4 steals -- In his first 19 games with Miami, graduate transfer Darweshi Hunter has totaled 240 points (team-high) and has knocked down 41.6% of his shots from the field. Hunter has recorded 39 three-point field goals (fifth in the MAC) on 36.8% shooting. His 2.1 threes per game is currently ranked at sixth in the MAC. -- Point guard Evan Ipsaro returned to the lineup against Central Michigan, playing 27 minutes. He scored two points, grabbed two caroms and had four assists. -- Hunter (16), Anderson Mirambeaux (13) and Mekhi Cooper (11) reached double figures against CMU. Comments are closed.
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Editor-Publisher Mike SmithMike grew up in Mid-American Conference football and basketball territory and returned there after military service. He has been covering MAC football and men's basketball for much of the last several decades. Archives
November 2024
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