Story by
LeBron James, Donovan Mitchell congratulate Akron Zips on MAC basketball title, NCAA bid
- Story by
- LeBron James, Donovan Mitchell congratulate Akron Zips on MAC basketball title, NCAA bid
The University of Akron men's basketball team is headed back to the NCAA Tournament with the support of Cavaliers stars from the present and the past.
Cavaliers All-Star Donovan Mitchell and Lakers All-Star LeBron James took to social media to congratulate the Zips after they won in dramatic fashion Saturday night at Rocket Arena in front of a national television audience on ESPN2.
Advertisement
Nate Johnson , the Mid-American Conference Player of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year , made a game-winning, floating layup with 2.3 seconds remaining to give Akron a 76-74 win over Miami in the MAC Tournament title game.
Mitchell tweeted "Champs @AkronZips" with two fire emojis and two championship trophy emojis at 9:32 p.m.
James fired off two tweets and retweeted three others by the MAC with videos and photos of Akron coaches and players celebrating the victory.
James quote tweeted a MAC tweet with video of Johnson's game-winner, and said "AKRON IS DANCING" with a dancing emoji and "SOUNDS TOO GOOD!! CONGRATULATIONS HOME TEAM!!" at 11:55 p.m.
Advertisement
Akron Zips news: 'Wow, what a game': Nate Johnson leads Akron men's basketball to MAC Tournament title
James also retweeted a SportsCenter tweet near midnight that said "AKRON, THIS IS FOR YOU" with a dancing emoji and "Nate Johnson hits the game-winner to send the Zips to the Big Dance after an 18-point comeback."
Johnson's game-winner came after Miami's Evan Ipsaro missed a hook shot that was contested by Akron's Tavari Johnson with eight seconds remaining. Akron's Amani Lyles grabbed a defensive rebound after Ipsaro missed and made a long outlet pass to Nate Johnson, who maneuvered around Miami's Peter Suder for the game-winner.
Advertisement
Akron Zips column: John Groce coaching vs. brother Travis Steele adds rare layer to Zips' MAC title
Ipsaro fired a desperation shot from beyond half court on the final possession and missed as the Zips held on for the victory.
Akron won its second consecutive MAC tournament championship and third in the past four seasons under coach John Groce . The Zips won three MAC tournament titles under former coach Keith Dambrot.
Johnson, who was named MAC Tournament MVP, finished with 22 points, five assists and two rebounds to lead UA.
Suder led Miami with 24 points, three assists and two rebounds.
Former Akron stars Enrique Freeman and Loren Cristian Jackson also tweeted congratulatory messages about the Zips. Freeman guided Akron to last year's MAC Tournament title and the NCAA Tournament.
Advertisement
Among the attendees at Akron's game Saturday were Freeman's mother, Tania, and former Zips star Ali Ali.
The Zips find out Sunday who, when and where they will play in the NCAA Tournament. UA is hosting a watch party at Rhodes Arena. Doors open at 5 p.m. The CBS March Madness announcement show starts at 6 p.m.
Michael Beaven can be reached by email at mbeaven@thebeaconjournal.com and is on Twitter at @MBeavenABJ .
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Lakers' LeBron James, Cavs' Donovan Mitchell congratulate Akron Zips
