NIU (9-20, 4-13) will be playing its final men's basketball game in the MAC, with the school set to join the Mountain West Conference for football and the Horizon League for the majority of the other sports it offers. NIU has submitted a request to the MAC for its wrestling and gymnastics programs to remain in the league as affiliate members.
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.
(Jeff Lange, Akron Beacon Journal)
Akron Zips wing Evan Mahaffey (12) dunks over Kent State Golden Flashes guard Quinn Woidke (6) during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game at the M.A.C. Center, Feb. 27, 2026, in Kent, Ohio.
(Jeff Lange, Akron Beacon Journal)
Kent State Golden Flashes guard Cian Medley (1) gets tripped up as he controls the ball against Akron Zips guard Sharron Young (3) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game at the M.A.C. Center, Feb. 27, 2026, in Kent, Ohio.
(Jeff Lange, Akron Beacon Journal)
Akron Zips guard Shammah Scott (1) drives past Kent State Golden Flashes guard Morgan Safford (8) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game at the M.A.C. Center, Feb. 27, 2026, in Kent, Ohio.
(Jeff Lange, Akron Beacon Journal)
Akron Zips guard Sharron Young (3) attempts a three during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game at the M.A.C. Center, Feb. 27, 2026, in Kent, Ohio.
(Jeff Lange, Akron Beacon Journal)
Kent State Golden Flashes forward Delrecco Gillespie (23) reacts after a foul during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against the Akron Zips at the M.A.C. Center, Feb. 27, 2026, in Kent, Ohio.
(Jeff Lange, Akron Beacon Journal)
Akron Zips guard Tavari Johnson (5) is fouled by Kent State Golden Flashes guard Morgan Safford (8) on his way to the basket during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game at the M.A.C. Center, Feb. 27, 2026, in Kent, Ohio.
(Jeff Lange, Akron Beacon Journal)
Akron Zips guard Tavari Johnson (5) gets past Kent State Golden Flashes guard Jahari Williamson (25) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game at the M.A.C. Center, Feb. 27, 2026, in Kent, Ohio.
(Jeff Lange, Akron Beacon Journal)
Akron Zips guard Shammah Scott (1) attempts a shot over Kent State Golden Flashes guard Quinn Woidke (6) during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game at the M.A.C. Center, Feb. 27, 2026, in Kent, Ohio.
(Jeff Lange, Akron Beacon Journal)
Akron Zips head coach John Groce lets an official know what he thinks about a call during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game at the M.A.C. Center, Feb. 27, 2026, in Kent, Ohio.
(Jeff Lange, Akron Beacon Journal)
Kent State Golden Flashes head coach Rob Senderoff surveys the court during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game at the M.A.C. Center, Feb. 27, 2026, in Kent, Ohio.
(Jeff Lange, Akron Beacon Journal)
Kent State Golden Flashes forward Rob Whaley Jr. (2) looks to make a pass over Akron Zips wing Evan Mahaffey (12) during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game at the M.A.C. Center, Feb. 27, 2026, in Kent, Ohio.
(Jeff Lange, Akron Beacon Journal)
Akron Zips wing Evan Mahaffey (12) is fouled by Kent State Golden Flashes forward Rob Whaley Jr. (2) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game at the M.A.C. Center, Feb. 27, 2026, in Kent, Ohio.
(Jeff Lange, Akron Beacon Journal)
Kent State Golden Flashes guard Jahari Williamson (25) celebrates after making a three during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against the Akron Zips at the M.A.C. Center, Feb. 27, 2026, in Kent, Ohio.
(Jeff Lange, Akron Beacon Journal)
Akron Zips guard Sharron Young (3) gets the game plan from head coach John Groce during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game at the M.A.C. Center, Feb. 27, 2026, in Kent, Ohio.
(Jeff Lange, Akron Beacon Journal)
Akron Zips forward Amani Lyles (0) and Kent State Golden Flashes guard Cian Medley (1) fight for a loose ball during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game at the M.A.C. Center, Feb. 27, 2026, in Kent, Ohio.
(Jeff Lange, Akron Beacon Journal)
Kent State Golden Flashes forward Delrecco Gillespie (23) looks for a layup during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game at the M.A.C. Center, Feb. 27, 2026, in Kent, Ohio.
(Jeff Lange, Akron Beacon Journal)
Kent State Golden Flashes forward Rob Whaley Jr. (2) and Akron Zips wing Evan Mahaffey (12) fight for the ball during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game at the M.A.C. Center, Feb. 27, 2026, in Kent, Ohio.
(Jeff Lange, Akron Beacon Journal)
Akron Zips guard Sharron Young (3) looks for a layup during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game at the M.A.C. Center, Feb. 27, 2026, in Kent, Ohio.
(Jeff Lange, Akron Beacon Journal)
Akron Zips forward Amani Lyles (0) and wing Evan Mahaffey (12) attempt to block Kent State Golden Flashes forward Delrecco Gillespie (23) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game at the M.A.C. Center, Feb. 27, 2026, in Kent, Ohio.
(Jeff Lange, Akron Beacon Journal)
1/20
Akron vs. Kent State men's basketball, Wagon Wheel rivalry photos
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.
(Jeff Lange, Akron Beacon Journal)
1/20
Akron vs. Kent State men's basketball, Wagon Wheel rivalry photos
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.
(Jeff Lange, Akron Beacon Journal)
2/20
Akron vs. Kent State men's basketball, Wagon Wheel rivalry photos
Akron Zips wing Evan Mahaffey (12) dunks over Kent State Golden Flashes guard Quinn Woidke (6) during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game at the M.A.C. Center, Feb. 27, 2026, in Kent, Ohio.
(Jeff Lange, Akron Beacon Journal)
3/20
Akron vs. Kent State men's basketball, Wagon Wheel rivalry photos
Kent State Golden Flashes guard Cian Medley (1) gets tripped up as he controls the ball against Akron Zips guard Sharron Young (3) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game at the M.A.C. Center, Feb. 27, 2026, in Kent, Ohio.
(Jeff Lange, Akron Beacon Journal)
4/20
Akron vs. Kent State men's basketball, Wagon Wheel rivalry photos
Akron Zips guard Shammah Scott (1) drives past Kent State Golden Flashes guard Morgan Safford (8) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game at the M.A.C. Center, Feb. 27, 2026, in Kent, Ohio.
(Jeff Lange, Akron Beacon Journal)
5/20
Akron vs. Kent State men's basketball, Wagon Wheel rivalry photos
Akron Zips guard Sharron Young (3) attempts a three during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game at the M.A.C. Center, Feb. 27, 2026, in Kent, Ohio.
(Jeff Lange, Akron Beacon Journal)
6/20
Akron vs. Kent State men's basketball, Wagon Wheel rivalry photos
Kent State Golden Flashes forward Delrecco Gillespie (23) reacts after a foul during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against the Akron Zips at the M.A.C. Center, Feb. 27, 2026, in Kent, Ohio.
(Jeff Lange, Akron Beacon Journal)
7/20
Akron vs. Kent State men's basketball, Wagon Wheel rivalry photos
Akron Zips guard Tavari Johnson (5) is fouled by Kent State Golden Flashes guard Morgan Safford (8) on his way to the basket during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game at the M.A.C. Center, Feb. 27, 2026, in Kent, Ohio.
(Jeff Lange, Akron Beacon Journal)
8/20
Akron vs. Kent State men's basketball, Wagon Wheel rivalry photos
Akron Zips guard Tavari Johnson (5) gets past Kent State Golden Flashes guard Jahari Williamson (25) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game at the M.A.C. Center, Feb. 27, 2026, in Kent, Ohio.
(Jeff Lange, Akron Beacon Journal)
9/20
Akron vs. Kent State men's basketball, Wagon Wheel rivalry photos
Akron Zips guard Shammah Scott (1) attempts a shot over Kent State Golden Flashes guard Quinn Woidke (6) during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game at the M.A.C. Center, Feb. 27, 2026, in Kent, Ohio.
(Jeff Lange, Akron Beacon Journal)
10/20
Akron vs. Kent State men's basketball, Wagon Wheel rivalry photos
Akron Zips head coach John Groce lets an official know what he thinks about a call during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game at the M.A.C. Center, Feb. 27, 2026, in Kent, Ohio.
(Jeff Lange, Akron Beacon Journal)
11/20
Akron vs. Kent State men's basketball, Wagon Wheel rivalry photos
Kent State Golden Flashes head coach Rob Senderoff surveys the court during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game at the M.A.C. Center, Feb. 27, 2026, in Kent, Ohio.
(Jeff Lange, Akron Beacon Journal)
12/20
Akron vs. Kent State men's basketball, Wagon Wheel rivalry photos
Kent State Golden Flashes forward Rob Whaley Jr. (2) looks to make a pass over Akron Zips wing Evan Mahaffey (12) during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game at the M.A.C. Center, Feb. 27, 2026, in Kent, Ohio.
(Jeff Lange, Akron Beacon Journal)
13/20
Akron vs. Kent State men's basketball, Wagon Wheel rivalry photos
Akron Zips wing Evan Mahaffey (12) is fouled by Kent State Golden Flashes forward Rob Whaley Jr. (2) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game at the M.A.C. Center, Feb. 27, 2026, in Kent, Ohio.
(Jeff Lange, Akron Beacon Journal)
14/20
Akron vs. Kent State men's basketball, Wagon Wheel rivalry photos
Kent State Golden Flashes guard Jahari Williamson (25) celebrates after making a three during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against the Akron Zips at the M.A.C. Center, Feb. 27, 2026, in Kent, Ohio.
(Jeff Lange, Akron Beacon Journal)
15/20
Akron vs. Kent State men's basketball, Wagon Wheel rivalry photos
Akron Zips guard Sharron Young (3) gets the game plan from head coach John Groce during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game at the M.A.C. Center, Feb. 27, 2026, in Kent, Ohio.
(Jeff Lange, Akron Beacon Journal)
16/20
Akron vs. Kent State men's basketball, Wagon Wheel rivalry photos
Akron Zips forward Amani Lyles (0) and Kent State Golden Flashes guard Cian Medley (1) fight for a loose ball during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game at the M.A.C. Center, Feb. 27, 2026, in Kent, Ohio.
(Jeff Lange, Akron Beacon Journal)
17/20
Akron vs. Kent State men's basketball, Wagon Wheel rivalry photos
Kent State Golden Flashes forward Delrecco Gillespie (23) looks for a layup during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game at the M.A.C. Center, Feb. 27, 2026, in Kent, Ohio.
(Jeff Lange, Akron Beacon Journal)
18/20
Akron vs. Kent State men's basketball, Wagon Wheel rivalry photos
Kent State Golden Flashes forward Rob Whaley Jr. (2) and Akron Zips wing Evan Mahaffey (12) fight for the ball during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game at the M.A.C. Center, Feb. 27, 2026, in Kent, Ohio.
(Jeff Lange, Akron Beacon Journal)
19/20
Akron vs. Kent State men's basketball, Wagon Wheel rivalry photos
Akron Zips guard Sharron Young (3) looks for a layup during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game at the M.A.C. Center, Feb. 27, 2026, in Kent, Ohio.
(Jeff Lange, Akron Beacon Journal)
20/20
Akron vs. Kent State men's basketball, Wagon Wheel rivalry photos
Akron Zips forward Amani Lyles (0) and wing Evan Mahaffey (12) attempt to block Kent State Golden Flashes forward Delrecco Gillespie (23) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game at the M.A.C. Center, Feb. 27, 2026, in Kent, Ohio.
(Jeff Lange, Akron Beacon Journal)
The gamewill be televised by CBS Sports Network, and it can be heard on local radio via Fox Sports 1350-AM.
Akron Zips guard Tavari Johnson (5) gets past Kent State Golden Flashes guard Jahari Williamson (25) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game at the M.A.C. Center, Feb. 27, 2026, in Kent, Ohio.
Akronmen's basketball brings 30-game home win streak into Friday
Akron will attempt to win its 31st consecutive game at Rhodes Arena, which would break the program record at the venue previously set from 2015-2017. It also would tie Duke and Miami for the longest active streak in NCAA Division I men's basketball.
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
John Groce has a 193-93 record as Akron's coach since being hired in 2017. Akron has compiled a 162-59 overall record since the start of the 2019-20 season and a 99-28 MAC record in that same span. Akron is 120-15 at home under Groce.
Akron Zips guard Shammah Scott (1) drives past Kent State Golden Flashes guard Morgan Safford (8) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game at the M.A.C. Center, Feb. 27, 2026, in Kent, Ohio.
Akron men's basketball set to honor five seniors
Akron will honor its five seniors — Bowen Hardman, Tavari Johnson, Amani Lyles, Evan Mahaffey and Shammah Scott — before tipoff.
Johnson, Lyles and Scott have helped Akron win the past two MAC Tournament championships, one MAC regular season title and make two NCAA Tournament appearances.
Hardman was on last year's Zips team that won MAC regular season and tournament championships and played in the NCAA Tournament.
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
This is Mahaffey's first year at Akron.
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.
Akron brings six-game win streak into Friday
Akron is seeking it's seventh win in a row and 16th win in its last 17 games.
The Zips topped host Central Michigan 77-64 on March 3 in Mount Pleasant with four players scoring in double figures.
Johnson finished with 17 points, four assists, three rebounds and two steals in 32 minutes. Hardman made 5 of 10 shots from beyond the 3-point arc for 15 points in 21 minutes. Lyles had 13 points, 11 rebounds and three steals and sophomore Sharron Young totaled 11 points and five steals. Mahaffey grabbed a career-high 16 rebounds against CMU and also had nine points, four assists and two steals.
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
UA outrebounded CMU 41-25.
Akron Beacon Journal sports writer Michael Beaven can be reached by email at mbeaven@thebeaconjournal.
