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Akron basketball ready to play Murray State after beating Tulane
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- Akron basketball ready to play Murray State after beating Tulane
The University of Akron men's basketball team has logged some frequent flyer miles over the last couple of weeks.
The Zips visited the U.S. Virgin Islands three weeks ago and recorded wins over Iona and Evansville and a loss to Yale. Akron then visited Louisiana on Dec. 6 and topped host Tulane 88-71 in New Orleans.
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Up next is a stop in Henderson, Nevada, on Dec. 13 to play Murray State at 4 p.m. in the Jack Jones Classic.
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Akron takes an 8-2 record into its game against 7-3 Murray State in a matchup of teams that played against each other in the Ohio Valley Conference from 1981-87.
"I thought that was the best game we have played all year at both ends," Akron coach John Groce said Dec. 11 of the win over Tulane. "I thought defensively, we had good impact. Offensively, we had good execution against a matchup zone, which can be tricky. [Tulane coach] Ron [Hunter] has played it for his whole coaching career, darn near, and has been very, very good at it and successful with it. I thought our guys did a great job of attacking it. We played unselfishly, had good ball movement, good cutting and took advantage of what it gave us."
Akron Zips men's basketball coach John Groce reacts during a game against the Purdue Boilermakers on Nov. 16, 2025, in West Lafayette, Indiana.
Groce said this week, which is final exam week at UA, has featured "some of our best practices of the year."
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"Guys are pretty locked in and hopefully can garner some momentum from the Tulane win," Groce said.
Akron guard Shammah Scott heads to the hoop in the second half against Princeton's CJ Happy (4) and Jake Sussberg, Nov. 8, 2025.
Shammah Scott leads Akron to men's basketball win at Tulane
Shammah Scott scored 20 points and grabbed four rebounds in Akron's 88-71 win over the Tulane Green Wave on Dec. 6. Tavari Johnson contributed 18 points and five assists.
"Shammah has been terrific," Groce said. "To have him and Tavari back there making plays, and Sharron [Young], we are very blessed. Our guard core, if you will, I think is as good collectively as any in the country. We are very blessed in that way. Shammah gives you another guy that can score efficiently as well as make plays for others. He has done that in great balance."
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Akron's Amani Lyles totaled 14 points, eight rebounds and two assists. Eric Mahaffey compiled a double-double with 10 points and 11 rebounds, and also had four assists. His brother, Evan, finished with seven points, five rebounds and four assists. Halil Barre and Bowen Hardman also scored seven points apiece.
Akron Zips guard Tavari Johnson (5) drives past Purdue Boilermakers guard C.J. Cox (0) on Nov. 16, 2025, in West Lafayette, Indiana.
Akron's Tavari Johnson earns MAC Men's Basketball Player of the Week
Johnson was named the Mid-American Conference Player of the Week on Dec. 8.
Johnson shot 68.2% from the field and 60.0% from beyond the 3-point arc (.600) and averaged 20.5 points in wins over Bucknell and Tulane.
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Johnson scored 23 points against Bucknell on 8-of-11 shooting from the field, including 5-of-8 from deep, with five assists, a block, a steal and a rebound. He then scored 18 points at Tulane on 7-of-11 shooting from the field, including 4-of-7 from 3-point range, with five assists and two rebounds.
"Quite frankly and openly, I thought he should have maybe gotten this another week or so," Groce said. "He had 35 points and eight assists against a really good Yale team, and then had a double-double with 11 points and 11 assists and zero [turnovers against Milwaukee]. And then obviously last week, another great week against Bucknell and Tulane.
"Most importantly, Tavari is helping his team win, making the right play, balancing being efficient as a scorer with obviously having the high assist rate that he does. Tavari has the capability of doing both — scoring efficiently as well as making our team better with the pass."
Michael Beaven can be reached by email at mbeaven@thebeaconjournal.com .
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: What to know about Akron Zips men's basketball through 10 games
