Akron heads into NCAA Tournament with walk-on starter Zach Halligan

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Akron heads into NCAA Tournament with walk-on starter Zach Halligan

Michael Beaven, Akron Beacon Journal · Akron Beacon Journal

Fri, Mar 20, 2026 ·

4 min read

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University of Akron men's basketball coach John Groce left the Jack Jones Classic in Henderson, Nevada, frustrated on Dec. 13.

Murray State posted a 115-100 win over Akron at Lee's Family Forum.

Groce didn't like his team's defensive effort and decided to juggle the starting lineup before Akron's Mid-American Conference opener on Dec. 19 at home against Eastern Michigan .

Akron Zips guard Shammah Scott (1) is mobbed by teammates after his game winner to secure the Mid-American Conference championship at Rocket Arena, March 14, 2026, in Cleveland, Ohio.
(Jeff Lange, Akron Beacon Journal)

Akron Zips head coach John Groce plays up to the cameras as he accepts the Mid-American Conference championship after beating the Toledo Rockets at Rocket Arena, March 14, 2026, in Cleveland, Ohio.
(Jeff Lange, Akron Beacon Journal)

Akron Zips guard Shammah Scott hugs his family after winning the Mid-American Conference championship at Rocket Arena, March 14, 2026, in Cleveland, Ohio.
(Jeff Lange, Akron Beacon Journal)

Akron Zips guard Shammah Scott (1) reacts at the end of the first half of the Mid-American Conference championship at Rocket Arena, March 14, 2026, in Cleveland, Ohio.
(Jeff Lange, Akron Beacon Journal)

Akron Zips guard Tavari Johnson (5) looks for a layup against Toledo Rockets forward Jaylan Ouwinga (32) during the first half of the Mid-American Conference championship at Rocket Arena, March 14, 2026, in Cleveland, Ohio.
(Jeff Lange, Akron Beacon Journal)

Akron Zips guard Shammah Scott catches a piece of confetti during the first half of the Mid-American Conference championship at Rocket Arena, March 14, 2026, in Cleveland, Ohio.
(Jeff Lange, Akron Beacon Journal)

The Akron Zips men’s basketball team celebrates after winning the Mid-American Conference championship at Rocket Arena, March 14, 2026, in Cleveland, Ohio.
(Jeff Lange, Akron Beacon Journal)

Akron Zips guard Shammah Scott (1) shoots a three against the Toledo Rockets during the second half of the Mid-American Conference championship at Rocket Arena, March 14, 2026, in Cleveland, Ohio.
(Jeff Lange, Akron Beacon Journal)

Toledo Rockets center Austin Parks (25) throws down a dunk between Akron Zips forward Amani Lyles (0) and guard Evan Mahaffey (12) during the second half of the Mid-American Conference championship at Rocket Arena, March 14, 2026, in Cleveland, Ohio.
(Jeff Lange, Akron Beacon Journal)

Akron Zips guard Tavari Johnson (5) shoots against a pair of Toledo defenders during the second half of the Mid-American Conference championship at Rocket Arena, March 14, 2026, in Cleveland, Ohio.
(Jeff Lange, Akron Beacon Journal)

Akron Zips guard Sharron Young (3) battles for the ball against Toledo Rockets guard Kyler Vanderjagt (4) during the second half of the Mid-American Conference championship at Rocket Arena, March 14, 2026, in Cleveland, Ohio.
(Jeff Lange, Akron Beacon Journal)

Akron Zips forward Amani Lyles (0) celebrates as Akron comes back during the second half of the Mid-American Conference championship at Rocket Arena, March 14, 2026, in Cleveland, Ohio.
(Jeff Lange, Akron Beacon Journal)

Akron guard Tavari Johnson celebrates with teammates after winning the Mid-American Conference championship at Rocket Arena, March 14, 2026, in Cleveland, Ohio.
(Jeff Lange, Akron Beacon Journal)

Akron Zips head coach John Groce gives an official an earful during the second half of the Mid-American Conference championship at Rocket Arena, March 14, 2026, in Cleveland, Ohio.
(Jeff Lange, Akron Beacon Journal)

Akron Zips guard Bowen Hardman (15) celebrates after a three during the first half of the Mid-American Conference championship at Rocket Arena, March 14, 2026, in Cleveland, Ohio.
(Jeff Lange, Akron Beacon Journal)

An Akron cheerleader performs during the first half of the Mid-American Conference championship at Rocket Arena, March 14, 2026, in Cleveland, Ohio.
(Jeff Lange, Akron Beacon Journal)

Akron Zips guard Evan Mahaffey (12) puts up a shot during the second half of the Mid-American Conference championship against the Toledo Rockets at Rocket Arena, March 14, 2026, in Cleveland, Ohio.
(Jeff Lange, Akron Beacon Journal)

Akron Zips guard Tavari Johnson (5) looks to the basket for a layup over Toledo Rockets guard Kyler Vanderjagt (4) during the second half of the Mid-American Conference championship at Rocket Arena, March 14, 2026, in Cleveland, Ohio.
(Jeff Lange, Akron Beacon Journal)

Akron Zips guard Sharron Young (3) and Toledo Rockets guard Mynor Strong (5) fights for the ball during the second half of the Mid-American Conference championship at Rocket Arena, March 14, 2026, in Cleveland, Ohio.
(Jeff Lange, Akron Beacon Journal)

Akron Zips guard Sharron Young (3) looks for a layup ahead of Toledo Rockets guard Leroy Blyden Jr. (2) and center Austin Parks (25) during the second half of the Mid-American Conference championship at Rocket Arena, March 14, 2026, in Cleveland, Ohio.
(Jeff Lange, Akron Beacon Journal)

Akron Zips guard Eric Mahaffey (4) celebrates after a three during the second half of the Mid-American Conference championship against the Toledo Rockets at Rocket Arena, March 14, 2026, in Cleveland, Ohio.
(Jeff Lange, Akron Beacon Journal)

Akron Zips forward Amani Lyles (0) controls the ball against Toledo Rockets guard Will James Jr. (11) during the first half of the Mid-American Conference championship at Rocket Arena, March 14, 2026, in Cleveland, Ohio.
(Jeff Lange, Akron Beacon Journal)

Toledo Rockets forward Sean Craig (7) and Akron Zips guard Sharron Young (3) fight for the ball during the second half of the Mid-American Conference championship at Rocket Arena, March 14, 2026, in Cleveland, Ohio.
(Jeff Lange, Akron Beacon Journal)

An Akron Zips player shows off his section of net after winning the Mid-American Conference championship at Rocket Arena, March 14, 2026, in Cleveland, Ohio.
(Jeff Lange, Akron Beacon Journal)

Akron Zips guard Shammah Scott (1) shoots over Toledo Rockets guard Will James Jr. (11) during the first half of the Mid-American Conference championship at Rocket Arena, March 14, 2026, in Cleveland, Ohio.
(Jeff Lange, Akron Beacon Journal)

Akron Zips forward Amani Lyles (0) celebrates with guard Zach Halligan after winning the Mid-American Conference championship at Rocket Arena, March 14, 2026, in Cleveland, Ohio.
(Jeff Lange, Akron Beacon Journal)

Akron Zips head coach John Groce celebrates his third consecutive Mid-American Conference championship win with Sandy Hamad at Rocket Arena, March 14, 2026, in Cleveland, Ohio.
(Jeff Lange, Akron Beacon Journal)

Akron Zips guard Tavari Johnson cuts down the net after winning the Mid-American Conference championship at Rocket Arena, March 14, 2026, in Cleveland, Ohio.
(Jeff Lange, Akron Beacon Journal)

Akron seniors Tavari Johnson, Amani Lyles and Evan Mahaffey remained starters.

Redshirt freshman Eric Mahaffey and graduate student Shammah Scott — a two-time MAC Sixth Man of the Year — shifted to reserve roles, and redshirt sophomore Zach Halligan and sophomore Sharron Young were inserted into the starting lineup.

UA's defensive intensity improved and the Zips beat the Eagles 93-72 .

University of Akron's Zach Halligan (21) is embraced by University of Akron's coach John Groce after coming off the floor in a game against Toledo, Jan. 27, 2026, at James A Rhodes Arena in Akron, Ohio. — University of Akron’s Zach Halligan (21) is embraced by University of Akron’s coach John Groce after coming off the floor in a game against Toledo, Jan. 27, 2026, at James A Rhodes Arena in Akron, Ohio.

Three months later, No. 12 seed Akron (29-5) is set to play No. 5 seed Texas Tech (22-10) in an NCAA Tournament Midwest Region first-round game March 20 in Tampa .

Groce made an additional change to the starting lineup later in the season, inserting senior Bowen Hardman into Young's spot.

Johnson, Lyles, Scott, Young, Hardman and the Mahaffey brothers are scholarship athletes.

Halligan is a walk-on.

Akron Zips' Zach Halligan (21) guards UMass's Dwayne Wimbley Jr. (2), Feb. 13, 2026, at James A Rhodes Arena in Akron, Ohio. — Akron Zips’ Zach Halligan (21) guards UMass’s Dwayne Wimbley Jr. (2), Feb. 13, 2026, at James A Rhodes Arena in Akron, Ohio.

"He is physical," Groce said Dec. 19 of Halligan. "He is tough. He brings a different element to our defense, our defensive rebounding percentages and our 3-point defense. And he moves the ball and takes care of the ball on offense. He is smart."

Halligan , who is 6-foot-5 and 205 pounds, grew up in Uniontown and graduated from Walsh Jesuit in 2023 . He was a star on WJ's basketball and baseball teams .

"Zach plays hard everyday," Johnson said Dec. 19. "Zach is good enough to be a scholarship player. It is not his situation right now, but it is not a surprise that Zach is getting minutes. Zach has always been good enough to play at this level, and he is showing that now.

"During the summer, me, Zach and Marv [Marvin Musiime-Kamali] play a lot of 1-on-1. Zach is really talented and it doesn't show maybe a lot on the offensive side of the ball, but on the defensive side you can tell that Zach is someone that is really impactful on our team."

Akron Zips wing Zach Halligan (21), forward Amani Lyles (0) and forward Rich Brisco (2) celebrate after beating Kent State in an NCAA college basketball game at the M.A.C. Center, Feb. 27, 2026, in Kent, Ohio.

Halligan has appeared in 33 games (22 starts) this season. He averages 11.8 minutes, 2.7 points and 2.2 rebounds. He scored a career-high 10 points in a 91-81 win over Toledo on Jan. 27.

"He has gotten stronger," Lyles said Dec. 19. "He is staying consistent in the gym. He has a mindset to get better, and even though his role may not be as big as other players, his impact is as big as everybody else and he understands that. He comes to practice everyday and he plays hard. He challenges everyone to be at their best everyday, and you can respect Zach for that."

Halligan suffered a broken nose Jan. 23 in Athens in an 86-65 win over Ohio.

University of Akron's Zach Halligan (21) during a game against Toledo, Jan. 27, 2026, at James A Rhodes Arena in Akron, Ohio. — University of Akron’s Zach Halligan (21) during a game against Toledo, Jan. 27, 2026, at James A Rhodes Arena in Akron, Ohio.

Halligan's most memorable play of the season is probably when he dove on the Rhodes Arena's floor with Kent State's Jahari Williamson for a loose ball seconds after the opening tipoff Jan. 30 . Halligan and Williamson got tangled up, and neither initially relinquished the ball.

"He is a tough dude," Groce said of Halligan on Jan. 30 after a 69-52 win over Kent. "There are not very many tougher than him. He is physically tough. He is mentally tough. He is super competitive and he brings an edge to our team. Young is that way as well. Marv is that way as well. Lyles a little bit.

"You gotta have guys like that give you an edge. Halligan does that all the time. That is just who he is habitually. That is how he plays in practice. That is how he competes. He is going to fight to win. He is going to fight to win the drill. He is going to fight to win the sprint. He is going to fight to win the jump-ball. That is just who he is."

Akron Zips' Zach Halligan (21) shoots in a game against UMass, Feb. 13, 2026, at James A Rhodes Arena in Akron, Ohio. — Akron Zips’ Zach Halligan (21) shoots in a game against UMass, Feb. 13, 2026, at James A Rhodes Arena in Akron, Ohio.

Halligan , who was a three-year letter winner at Walsh for former Akron assistant basketball coach Kevin Byrne , said this season has been "awesome."

"Everybody loves each other," Halligan said March 15 after watching the NCAA Tournament Selection Show with teammates. "It is one group that is amazing. You spend every second with them on the court and off the court and you are just having a blast."

Halligan said playing a starting role on a Division I college team is "something you dream about."

"Coming from a high school program where you are winning in baseball and basketball, and then coming here to a program that is going to develop you and grow you as a player and a person is awesome," Halligan said. "My growth over the time has been tremendous, and that is all to the coaching staff and my family and everybody that's led me on a path to get that way."

Akron Beacon Journal sports writer Michael Beaven can be reached by email at mbeaven@thebeaconjournal .

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Walk-on Zach Halligan is a starter for March Madness team Akron Zips

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Akron heads into NCAA Tournament with walk-on starter Zach Halligan

Mid-American Conference championship photos, Akron Zips vs. Toledo

Mid-American Conference championship photos, Akron Zips vs. Toledo

Mid-American Conference championship photos, Akron Zips vs. Toledo

Mid-American Conference championship photos, Akron Zips vs. Toledo

Mid-American Conference championship photos, Akron Zips vs. Toledo

Mid-American Conference championship photos, Akron Zips vs. Toledo

Mid-American Conference championship photos, Akron Zips vs. Toledo

Mid-American Conference championship photos, Akron Zips vs. Toledo

Mid-American Conference championship photos, Akron Zips vs. Toledo

Mid-American Conference championship photos, Akron Zips vs. Toledo

Mid-American Conference championship photos, Akron Zips vs. Toledo

Mid-American Conference championship photos, Akron Zips vs. Toledo

Mid-American Conference championship photos, Akron Zips vs. Toledo

Mid-American Conference championship photos, Akron Zips vs. Toledo

Mid-American Conference championship photos, Akron Zips vs. Toledo

Mid-American Conference championship photos, Akron Zips vs. Toledo

Mid-American Conference championship photos, Akron Zips vs. Toledo

Mid-American Conference championship photos, Akron Zips vs. Toledo

Mid-American Conference championship photos, Akron Zips vs. Toledo

Mid-American Conference championship photos, Akron Zips vs. Toledo

Mid-American Conference championship photos, Akron Zips vs. Toledo

Mid-American Conference championship photos, Akron Zips vs. Toledo

Mid-American Conference championship photos, Akron Zips vs. Toledo

Mid-American Conference championship photos, Akron Zips vs. Toledo

Mid-American Conference championship photos, Akron Zips vs. Toledo

Mid-American Conference championship photos, Akron Zips vs. Toledo

Mid-American Conference championship photos, Akron Zips vs. Toledo

Mid-American Conference championship photos, Akron Zips vs. Toledo

Mid-American Conference championship photos, Akron Zips vs. Toledo