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3 things to know ahead of Akron at Kent State men's basketball game
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- 3 things to know ahead of Akron at Kent State men's basketball game
The Akron and Kent State men's basketball teams are will meet in another Wagon Wheel rivalry game at 8 p.m. Friday, Feb. 27, at the Memorial Athletic and Convocation Center.
The Zips are 23-5 overall and 14-1 in the Mid-American Conference. The Golden Flashes are 21-7 and 12-3. Both teams are behind the Miami RedHawks (28-0, 15-0).
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The game will be televised by ESPNU, and it can be heard on local radio via WHLO 640-AM and Fox Sports 1350-AM.
Here are three things to know.
More on the Zips and Flashes: Tavari Johnson, Bowen Hardman guide Akron to basketball win over Kent
Akron Zips basketball vs. Kent State Golden Flashes series history
Akron leads the all-time series 86-82 and has won the past six meetings, including a 69-52 win Jan. 30 at Rhodes Arena .
The last time KSU beat UA was March 10, 2023, when the Flashes prevailed 79-73 in a MAC Tournament semifinal in Cleveland .
Akron's previous five wins over over Kent State were Jan. 19, 2024 ( 77-71 at KSU ), Feb. 23, 2024 ( 83-70 at UA ), March 16, 2024 ( 62-61 in MAC Tournament final in Cleveland ), Jan. 31, 2025 ( 85-71 at KSU ) and Feb. 28, 2025 ( 77-72 at UA ).
Akron Zips guard Tavari Johnson (5) attempts a layup against Kent State during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game at the JAR, Jan. 30, 2026, in Akron, Ohio.
Who leads the Akron Zips men's basketball team?
Akron is led by coach John Groce and seniors Tavari Johnson, Amani Lyles, Shammah Scott, Evan Mahaffey and Bowen Hardman.
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Johnson, Lyles, Mahaffey and Hardman are projected starters with redshirt sophomore Zach Halligan.
The Zips' leading scorers are Johnson (20.6 points), Lyles (15.2), Scott (12.6), Evan Mahaffey (10.1), redshirt freshman Eric Mahaffey (8.1), Hardman (7.4) and sophomore Sharron Young (6.9). Lyles averages 7.5 rebounds.
Akron's top reserves are Scott, Young, Eric Mahaffey, redshirt sophomore Marvin Musiime-Kamali and redshirt junior Halil "Chabi" Barre.
Kent State’s Delrecco Gillespie (23) fights for room to shoot against Eastern Michigan, Feb. 11, 2026.
Who lead the Kent State Golden Flashes men's basketball team?
Kent State features coach Rob Senderoff and graduate players Rob Whaley Jr., Morgan Safford and Magnus Entenmann and senior Delrecco Gillespie.
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Whaley, Safford and Gillespie are projected starters with juniors Jahari Williamson and Cian Medley.
The Golden Flashes' leading scorers are Gillespie (18.7 points), Safford (14.1), Whaley (11.6), Medley (10.6), Williamson (10.0) and freshman Quinn Woidke (9.2). Gillespie averages 11.6 rebounds.
Kent's top reserves are Entenmann, Woidke, Rayvon Griffith, redshirt junior Brenden Moss and freshman Dezmon Briscoe.
Akron Beacon Journal sports writer Michael Beaven can be reached by email at mbeaven@thebeaconjournal .
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: What to know about Akron vs Kent State men's basketball game
