The University of Akron men’s basketball team hosts Northern Illinois University on Friday, March 6, in its 18th and final Mid-American Conference regular-season game this season.
Akron has clinched the No. 2 seed in next week’s MAC Tournament at Rocket Arena in Cleveland.
Akron is the reigning MAC regular-season and MAC Tournament champion, and reached the NCAA Tournament in 2025. The Zips were also the MAC Tournament champs and played in the NCAA Tournament in 2024.
Tipoff is set for 6 p.m. Return throughout the night for live updates from Rhodes Arena.
Here is some pregame information:
What is Akron’s record in men’s basketball this season?
Akron (25-5, 16-1) enters Friday second in the MAC behind Miami (30-0, 17-0). The RedHawks play at Ohio University (15-15, 9-8) at 9 p.m. Friday.
Miami, Akron, Kent State (22-8, 13-4) and Toledo (16-14, 10-7) have clinched the top four seeds in next week’s MAC Tournament.
Northern Illinois (9-20, 4-13) is tied for last in the MAC standings with Eastern Michigan (10-20, 4-13) and Western Michigan (10-20, 4-13).
Akron men’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.
Akron continues to win men’s basketball games under coach John Groce
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 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. He previously played at Ohio State.
This is Mahaffey’s first year at Akron after previously playing at Ohio State and Penn State.
Akron men’s basketball projected starters vs. Northern Illinois
Series history between Akron and Northern Illinois men’s basketball team
Akron leads the series against Northern Illinois 34-14. The Zips are 21-3 at home against the Huskies.
Akron has won five consecutive games in the series, including a 73-63 win at Rhodes Arena on Feb. 18, 2025.
Akron brings six-game win streak into Friday
Akron is seeking its 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.
UA outrebounded CMU 41-25.
Northern Illinois set to play final Mid-American Conference men’s basketball game
Northern Illinois 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 Beacon Journal sports writer Michael Beaven can be reached by email at mbeaven@thebeaconjournal.
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Akron basketball score, live updates, highlights vs. Northern Illinois
Reporting by Michael Beaven, Akron Beacon Journal / Akron Beacon Journal
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
