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Akron Zips men's basketball takes nation's longest winning streak to ESPN2 game vs Ohio
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- Akron Zips men's basketball takes nation's longest winning streak to ESPN2 game vs Ohio
Cavs Frog apparently has a relative in Akron .
In the midst of the Cavaliers beginning the 2024-25 NBA season with a record of 15-0 , an impromptu frog mascot emerged and went viral on social media.
With the University of Akron men's basketball team on a roll now, another green amphibian costume has surfaced.
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When UA extended the nation's longest active winning streak to 14 games Tuesday night with a 73-63 Mid-American Conference victory over Northern Illinois , there was a Zips Frog sighting in the Akron student section at Rhodes Arena.
Akron Zips basketball column: College sports landscape underscores UA's Enrique Freeman appreciation
Fans having fun in quirky ways make historic stretches in sports more memorable.
And Akron isn't done yet, so here's what you need to know about its winning streak and what could lie ahead:
Akron Zips will take 14-0 hot streak to ESPN2 vs. Ohio Bobcats
Akron (21-5, 13-0) will visit Ohio (14-12, 8-5) at 6 p.m. Saturday in a MAC game televised nationally by ESPN2.
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The Zips defeated the Bobcats 92-80 on Jan. 17 in Akron. It was the fifth triumph in UA's 14-game winning streak.
"We don't want to lose any game, so really the streak is incredible to have, but we try not to focus on it as much as we can," Zips junior guard Nate Johnson said. "We try to just go 1-0 each day. We try to just focus and stay in the moment."
What is the Akron men's basketball record for longest winning streak?
Akron has five regular-season games remaining before the MAC Tournament March 13-15 at Rocket Arena , the recently renamed home of the Cavs .
The UA men's hoops record for longest winning streak in the school's Division I era is 19 consecutive victories during the 2012-13 season. Akron could end the 2024-25 regular season by tying the record and then have a chance to break it during the conference tourney in downtown Cleveland.
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The Akron record for longest winning streak in a single season regardless of division is 21 games during the 1958-59 season. The Zips could break the record by running the table in the regular season and then winning the three MAC Tournament games required to capture the conference's tourney title and automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament.
The Akron Zips are undefeated in Mid-American Conference basketball
Akron Zips coach John Groce calls out from the sideline during a game on Feb. 18, 2025, in Akron, Ohio.
Akron's 13-0 record in conference games this season tied school and MAC records for the best start to MAC play.
The accomplishment pleased Zips coach John Groce , particularly because the other Akron team to do it was guided by his predecessor, Keith Dambrot , in the 2012-13 season.
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"I have a lot of respect for him as a coach, a lot of respect for him as a person," Groce said. "He means a lot to me, means a lot to this program, means a lot to Akron. So anytime you're mentioned in any type of breath with him, that's a privilege and an honor."
A win over Ohio this weekend would give the Zips sole possession of school and conference records for the best start to MAC play (14-0).
The longest single-season winning streaks in MAC play are 15 games, and they belong to Kent State (2001-02) and Toledo (2022-23). UA would start MAC play 16-0 and break the record with wins in its next three games (at Ohio Saturday, followed by at Ball State Tuesday and Kent State Feb. 28).
What is the Akron Zips men's basketball record for wins in a season?
Akron's Amani Lyles (0) celebrates with teammate Shammah Scott (1) during the second half against Northern Illinois on Feb. 18, 2025, in Akron, Ohio.
The 2016-17 Akron team coached by Dambrot finished 27-9 and holds the UA record for most wins in a season. It's another milestone within striking distance for this season's Zips.
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Groce and UA players insisted they are unaware of program records the team could reach if it continues to win.
"Don't even tell us," Johnson said. "Trust me. There's too much going on."
UA streak includes 1 nonconference game: Akron men's basketball recap vs South Alabama in MAC-SBC Challenge
Depending on a team's perspective, winning streaks can spark motivation to keep them alive or pressure to preserve them. Groce said he doesn't view navigating the Zips' streak as a challenge, provided his players "buy in" by keeping the proverbial blinders on.
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"If we get too caught into the streak," Akron senior guard Shammah Scott said, "we're going to be out there playing tense."
Perhaps the best approach is to keep things loose and have a good time like Zips Frog.
Nate Ulrich can be reached at nulrich@thebeaconjournal.com. On Twitter: @ByNateUlrich .
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Akron Zips basketball brings nation's longest winning streak to ESPN2
