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Akron Zips
2017–18 Akron Zips men's basketball team
UniversityUniversity of Akron
Head coachJohn Groce (1st season)
ConferenceMid-American
LocationAkron, Ohio
ArenaJames A. Rhodes Arena
(capacity: 5,500)
NicknameZips
Student sectionAK-Rowdies
ColorsBlue and gold[1]
   
Uniforms
Home jersey
Team colours
Home
Away jersey
Team colours
Away


NCAA tournament appearances
1986, 2009, 2011, 2013
Conference tournament champions
1986 (OVC)
2009, 2011, 2013 (MAC)
Conference regular season champions
1986 (OVC)
2012, 2013, 2016, 2017 (MAC)
Conference division season champions
1998, 2007, 2012, 2013, 2016, 2017

The Akron Zips men's basketball team represents the University of Akron in Akron, Ohio. The team currently competes in the Mid-American Conference East division. The Zips are currently coached by John Groce, who is in his first year with the school. Prior to becoming members of the MAC in 1992, the Zips were members of the Ohio Valley Conference and the Mid-Continent Conference.

In 2008, the Zips officially announced they had signed a three-year partnership to be outfitted by the LeBron James line by Nike. They are now the only team with a LJ23/Nike contract. Nike has released several Zips themed versions of LeBron's shoes. Some are available to the public, while others are exclusively for the members of the basketball team.[2]

The team first played in the NCAA Tournament in 1986 when Bob Huggins was their coach. The Zips won their first MAC East division title in 1998. In 2006, the Zips received an invitation to the NIT and won their first-ever post season game at Temple University before falling in the second round. In 2007, the team won their second MAC East title and tied the school record for wins in a season in the Division I era with 26. They also made their first-ever appearance in the MAC Tournament Championship game, which they lost on a last-second shot 53–52 to the Miami RedHawks. The loss cost them the MAC's automatic berth and they were subsequently not selected for either the 2007 NCAA Tournament or NIT, despite finishing with a 26–7 record. The Zips posted a 24–11 record (11–5 in the MAC) in 2008 which included a second-straight appearance in the MAC tournament championship game and a berth in the 2008 National Invitation Tournament.

History

The team was established in 1901, when the school was still known as Buchtel College, playing out of Crouse Gym, the school's original building, built in 1888. They played their first game against Mount Union College, a 120–9 loss.[3] The team played just four games in the 1901–1902 season, winning their final two against the Western Reserve College medical school. The team's first three seasons were spent without the benefit of a head coach. This changed with the arrival of the first head coach, Earl Williams, who would coach from 1904–1908.[3]

Early history

Growing too big for Crouse, the team began playing at the Akron Armory, just a few blocks off-campus, in the 1920s. The Zips began play in the Ohio Athletic Conference in 1923 where they would compete from 1923–1965 except for 1936–1944 when the University left the OAC and competed as an independent. In the OAC, Akron would win 8 conference titles and five tournament titles, three of them under legendary coach, Tony Laterza. In 1954 the Zips moved into their own on-campus home, Memorial Hall, located to the east of Crouse Gym. After the 1965–1966 season Akron left the OAC for good and competed as an independent in the NCAA's College Division, which would later be renamed Division II. When the NCAA divided into three divisions in 1973, the Zips would play one season in Division III before moving to Division II, where they would play from 1975–1980. During the final three years as a Division II member, the Zips were part of an earlier Mid-Continent Conference for two years before joining the Ohio Valley Conference for the 1979–1980 season (though they did not play conference games until the 1980–1981 season), their last in Division II. The Zips participated in the NCAA Division II tournament on seven different occasions, making the Division II Final Four three times (1964, 1966, and 1972) and reaching the championship game in 1964 and 1972, falling to Evansville and Roanoke, respectively.[3] Coach Laterza’s winning percentage at UA of .751 (178–59 from 1960–68) remains best in the history of the program.

  • OAC regular-season titles: 1919, 1920, 1934, 1946, 1953, 1958, 1965, 1966
  • OAC tournament titles: 1949, 1956, 1964, 1965, 1966
  • NAIA tournament appearance: 1943
  • NCAA Division II tournament appearances: 1958, 1964, 1965, 1966, 1967, 1971, 1972, 1975
  • NCAA Division II Final Four: 1964, 1966, 1972
  • NCAA Division II runner-up: 1964, 1972

Division I era

Akron attained NCAA Division I status in 1980 and began play in the Ohio Valley Conference that fall.[3] In 1983, the Zips moved into their current arena, the James A. Rhodes Arena, just to the east of old Memorial Hall. In 1984 Bob Huggins began coaching the team, leading the Zips to the 1986 OVC title and tournament title to gain their first berth in the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament as a No. 15 seed, where they fell to the 5th-ranked and No. 2-seeded Michigan Wolverines 70–64 in the first round. Akron would play one more season in the OVC and earn a berth in the 1987 National Invitation Tournament before another stint as an independent from 1987–1990. Huggins would lead the Zips to the 1989 NIT before leaving Akron after the season to coach at Cincinnati. Akron would rejoin the Mid-Continent Conference in 1990 and compete for two seasons before officially beginning play in the Mid-American Conference in 1992. The Zips struggled early on as members of the MAC including a disastrous 0–18 MAC season in 1995–1996 which saw the Zips finish the season 3–23 overall on a 21-game losing streak after a 3–1 start. Akron posted their first winning season in MAC play during the 1997–1998 season under coach Dan Hipsher going 13–5 and winning the first-ever MAC East division title and qualifying for the MAC tournament for the first time. The Zips posted winning MAC records in 1998–1999 and 1999–2000 before struggling for several seasons, ultimately leading to the dismissal of Hipsher and the hiring of Keith Dambrot as head coach in 2004.[3]

Keith Dambrot era

Dambrot had previously coached at nearby St. Vincent - St. Mary High School in Akron and had coached LeBron James. Dambrot lead a resurgence in Zips basketball, posting a winning record (19–10, 11–7 MAC) in the 2004–2005 season, their first winning campaign since 2000, and a second MAC East division title in 2007. Under Dambrot, the Zips have won 21 or more games in each of the last 12 seasons (beginning in 2005–2006) and have made ten postseason appearances: the 2009, 2011, and 2013 NCAA Tournament, the 2006, 2008, 2012, 2016, and 2017 NIT, the 2010 CBI, and the 2014 CIT.[3] The 2006–2007 team tied the school record for wins, finishing 26–7, but failed to earn an invitation to any postseason tournament. In 2007, the Zips advanced to the MAC tournament championship game for the first time in program history, losing on a last-second shot 53–52 to the Miami RedHawks at Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland. They made a second appearance in 2008, falling to arch-rival Kent State 74–55. Finally, in 2009, the Zips defeated Buffalo in the MAC Championship Game and advanced to their first NCAA Tournament in 23 years, falling to Gonzaga in Round One. The Zips fell to Ohio in the 2010 MAC Championship Game, but returned to beat Kent State in the 2011 MAC Championship Game (their 5th consecutive appearance in the title game) to advance to the NCAA Tournament for the 2nd time in 3 seasons.[3]

MAC season records

Season Overall record* MAC tournament record Postseason record Head coach
1992–93 8–18 (3–15) Did not qualify – Coleman Crawford
1993–94 8–18 (2–16) Did not qualify – Coleman Crawford
1994–95 8–18 (4–14) Did not qualify – Coleman Crawford
1995–96 3–23 (0–18) Did not qualify – Dan Hipsher
1996–97 8–18 (6–12) Did not qualify – Dan Hipsher
1997–98 17–10 (13–5) 0–1; Lost in quarterfinal – Dan Hipsher
1998–99 18–9 (12–6) 0–1; Lost in quarterfinal – Dan Hipsher
1999-00 17–11 (11–7) 0–1; Lost in quarterfinal – Dan Hipsher
2000–01 12–16 (9–9) 0–1; Lost in first round – Dan Hipsher
2001–02 10–21 (5–13) 1–1; Lost in quarterfinal – Dan Hipsher
2002–03 14–14 (9–9) 0–1; Lost in first round – Dan Hipsher
2003–04 13–15 (7–11) 0–1; Lost in first round – Dan Hipsher
2004–05 19–10 (11–7) 1–1; Lost in quarterfinal – Keith Dambrot
2005–06 23–10 (14–4) 1–1; Lost in semifinal 1–1; NIT Second Round Keith Dambrot
2006–07 26–7 (13–3) 2–1; Lost in final – Keith Dambrot
2007–08 24–11 (11–5) 2–1; Lost in final 1–1; NIT Second Round Keith Dambrot
2008–09 23–13 (10–6) 4–0; Won tournament 0–1; NCAA Tournament First Round Keith Dambrot
2009–10 24–11 (12–4) 2–1; Lost in final 0–1 CBI Second Round Keith Dambrot
2010–11 23–13 (9–7) 4–0; Won tournament 0–1; NCAA Tournament Second Round Keith Dambrot
2011–12 21–12 (13–3) 1–1; Lost in final 0–1; NIT First Round Keith Dambrot
2012–13 26–7 (14–2) 2–0; Won tournament 0–1; NCAA Tournament Second Round Keith Dambrot
2013–14 21–13 (12–6) 1–1; Lost in Semifinals 0–1; CIT First Round Keith Dambrot
2014–15 21–14 (9–9) 3–1; Lost in Semifinals – Keith Dambrot
2015–16 26–9 (13–5) 2–1; Lost in final 0–1; NIT First Round Keith Dambrot
2016–17 24–7 (14–4) 2–1; Lost in final 1–1; NIT Keith Dambrot

* – Overall record includes tournament/postseason results; Regular season conference record contained in parentheses
Overall regular-season conference titles shaded in ██ gold. East division titles shaded in ██ light gold.

MAC Tournament

Since joining the MAC for the 1992–1993 season, the Zips have appeared in the last 16 conference tournaments, making their first appearance in 1998, the same year they won their first MAC East division title.[4] Since then they have posted a record of 21–14 in tournament play including appearances in the championship game between 2007–2013. By appearing in 7 consecutive MAC Tournament Championship Games, the Zips are the MAC record-holder for the most consecutive appearances.

Year Seed Location Round Result
1998 3rd Akron, OH Quarterfinal L 95–88 to (6) Kent State
1999 4th Akron, OH Quarterfinal L 80–74OT (5) Bowling Green
2000 4th Akron, OH Opening L 75–73 to (13) Central Michigan
2001 9th Oxford, OH Opening L 69–56 to (8) Miami
2002 11th Kalamazoo, MI Opening W 90–83 over (6) Western Michigan
Cleveland, OH Quarterfinal L 60–58 to (3) Bowling Green
2003 6th Akron, OH Opening L 79–77 to (11) Ohio
2004 11th Muncie, IN Opening L 76–72 to (6) Ball State
2005 6th Akron, OH Opening W 79–66 over (11) Eastern Michigan
Cleveland, OH Quarterfinal L 66–60OT to (3) Western Michigan
2006 3rd Cleveland, OH Quarterfinal W 72–57 over (6) Western Michigan
Semifinal L 77–69 to (7) Toledo
2007 2nd Cleveland, OH Quarterfinal W 82–53 over (7) Central Michigan
Semifinal W 61–54 over (3) Kent State
Final L 53–52 to (4) Miami (OH)
2008 3rd Cleveland, OH Quarterfinal W 81–60 over (6) Central Michigan
Semifinal W 73–62 over (2) Western Michigan
Final L 74–55 to (1) Kent State
2009 5th Cleveland, OH Opening W 93–922OT over (12) Toledo
Quarterfinal W 73–63 over (4) Miami
Semifinal W 63–55 over (1) Bowling Green
Final W 65–53 over (3) Buffalo
2010 3rd Cleveland, OH Quarterfinal W 97–892OT over (6) Eastern Michigan
Semifinal W 66–64 over (7) Western Michigan
Final L 81–75OT to (9) Ohio
2011 6th Akron, OH Opening W 67–53 over (11) Eastern Michigan
Cleveland, OH Quarterfinal W 82–752OT over (3) Miami
Semifinal W 79–68 over (2) Western Michigan
Final W 66–65OT over (1) Kent State
2012 1st Cleveland, OH Semifinal W 78–74 over (4) Kent State
Final L 64–63 to (3) Ohio
2013 1st Cleveland, OH Semifinal W 62–59 over (4) Kent State
Final W 65–46 to (2) Ohio
2014 4th Cleveland, OH Quarterfinal W 83–77 over (5) Ohio
Semifinal L 64–60OT to (1) Western Michigan
2015 7th Akron, OH First Round W 76–52 over (10) Northern Illinois
Cleveland OH Second Round W 58–45 over (6) Western Michigan
Quarterfinal W 53–51 over (3) Kent State
Semifinal L 68–59 to (2) Buffalo
2016 1st Cleveland, OH Quarterfinal W 65–63 over (8) Eastern Michigan
Semifinal W 80–66 over (12) Bowling Green
Final L 64–61 to (3) Buffalo
2017 1st Cleveland, OH Quarterfinal W 79–62 over (8) Eastern Michigan
Semifinal W 74–70 over (4) Ball State
Final L 70–65 to (6) Kent State

Postseason

NCAA Tournament

The Zips have appeared in four NCAA Tournaments their combined record is 0–4.

Year Seed Round Opponent Result
1986 #15 First Round #2 Michigan L 70–64
2009 #13 First Round #4 Gonzaga L 77–64
2011 #15 Second Round #2 Notre Dame L 69–56
2013 #12 Second Round #5 VCU L 88–42

NIT

The Zips have appeared in seven National Invitation Tournaments. Their combined record is 3–7.

Year Seed Round Opponent Result
1987 NA First Round Illinois State L 79–72
1989 NA First Round Ohio State L 81–70
2006 #8 Opening Round
First Round		 #7 Temple
#2 Creighton		 W 80–73
L 71–60
2008 #6 First Round
Second Round		 #3 Florida State
#2 UMass		 W 65–60
L 68–63
2012 #5 First Round #4 Northwestern L 76–74
2016 #6 First Round #3 Ohio State L 72–63OT
2017 #7 First Round
Second Round		 #2 Houston
#6 UT Arlington		 W 78–75
L 85–69

Note: Beginning in 2006, the NIT began using a seeding and region system similar to what is used in the NCAA Tournament.

CIT

The Zips have appeared in one CollegeInsider.com Postseason Tournament. Their record is 0–1.

Year Location Round Opponent Result
2014 Fort Wayne, IN First Round IPFW L 97–91

Individual career records

These records are up to date as of the 2008 season.[5]

Points
1. Joe Jakubick – 2,583
2. Len Paul – 2,028
3. Eric McLaughlin – 1,810
4. John Britton – 1,657
5. Bill Turner – 1,630
6. Jimmal Ball – 1,577
7. Romeo Travis – 1,491
8. Don Williams – 1,445
9. Alex Adams – 1,442
10. Bob Smith – 1,437

Rebounds
1. Fred Golding – 1,360
2. Don Williams – 1,218
3. Ray Pryear – 1,213
4. Bill Turner – 1,171
5. Len Paul – 1,021
6. Frank Thompson – 996
7. Alex Adams – 872
8. Harvey Glover – 801
9. Romeo Travis – 783
10. Jeremiah Wood – 777

Assists
1. Dru Joyce – 503
2. Eric McLaughlin – 476
3. Jimmal Ball – 391
4. Nate Barnett – 351
5. Andy Hipsher – 344
6. Nick Dials – 326
7. Steve McNees – 318
8. Joe Jakubick – 300
9. Jami Bosley – 276
10. Mike Dowdell – 261

Steals
1. Jimmal Ball – 242
2. Joe Jakubick – 189
3. Nate Linhart – 186
4. Eric McLaughlin – 177
5. Jami Bosley – 165
6. Shawn Roberts – 156
7. Andy Hipsher – 140
8. Roy Coleman – 136
9. Cedrick Middleton – 131
10. Romeo Travis – 124

Blocked shots
1. Zeke Marshall – 246
2. Romeo Travis – 165
3. Bruce Weinkein – 109
4. George Phillips – 107
5. Rob Preston – 86
6. Joel Price – 82
7. David Mason – 76
8. Quade Milum – 65
9. Mike Bardo – 59
10. Nate Linhart – 53

References

  1. ^ The University of Akron Department of Athletics Brand Guide (PDF). June 19, 2018. Retrieved August 8, 2018.
  2. ^ http://www.gozips.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=10800&ATCLID=1481389[permanent dead link‍]
  3. ^ a b c d e f g Akron Media Relations (2008). "Records and History". 2008–2009 University of Akron Men's Basketball Media Guide. University of Akron.
  4. ^ Mid-American Conference (2007). "Tournament History" (PDF). 2006–07 MAC Men’s Basketball Media Guide. Mid-American Conference. pp. 83–87. Archived from the original (PDF) on 18 July 2011. Retrieved 17 November 2008. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help) The MAC Tournament did not include all conference teams until the 2000 tournament
  5. ^ 2008–09 Akron Zips Basketball (PDF). Akron: Akron Media Relations. 2008. pp. 78–79. Retrieved 2009-10-05.
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