KENT — The Wagon Wheel rivalry between the Akron and Kent State men’s basketball teams is shifting to the M.A.C. Center for a rematch on Friday, Feb. 27.
Akron won the first meeting this season between the two Mid-American Conference adversaries, prevailing 69-52 on Jan. 30 at Rhodes Arena. The result kept Kent State seeking revenge amid a six-game series losing streak.
Tip-off for Akron (23-5, 14-1) versus Kent State (21-7, 12-3) is scheduled for 8 p.m. Each team is riding a four-game winning streak. Check back here for updates throughout the showdown.
Below is some pregame information.
Akron vs. Kent State men’s basketball series history
Akron leads the all-time series 86-82 and has emerged victorious from the past six clashes.
Kent State hasn’t triumphed in the series since March 10, 2023, when the Golden Flashes won 79-73 in a MAC Tournament semifinal in Cleveland.
Zips coach John Groce is 13-7 against Kent State during his UA tenure. Groce is 17-12 overall versus KSU, including his time at Ohio.
The Akron-Kent State basketball series began during the 1915-16 season.
Could big man Rob Whaley Jr. be the difference for Kent State basketball this time vs. the Akron Zips after previously landing on injury report?
An undisclosed injury prevented Kent State starting center Rob Whaley Jr. from playing at Akron earlier this season.
Whaley has played in each of Kent State’s past six games, though, and he even made a game-winning shot on Feb. 24, lifting KSU to an 83-81 victory over Central Michigan.
Whaley has started 21 of the 26 games in which he’s appeared this season, averaging 11.6 points on 50.2% shooting from the field, 4.3 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 23.5 minutes.
Kent State basketball’s projected starters vs. Akron
- Point guard Cian Medley (10.6 points, 6.6 assists, 2.2 rebounds, 1.4 steals)
- Guard Jahari Williamson (10 points, 1.8 rebounds)
- Guard Morgan Safford (14.1 points, 5.9 rebounds, 1.5 assists)
- Forward Delrecco Gillespie (18.7 points, 11.6 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 1.5 blocks)
- Center Rob Whaley Jr. (11.6 points, 4.3 rebounds, 1.5 assists)
Akron basketball’s projected starters vs. Kent State
- Point guard Tavari Johnson (20.6 points, 2.9 rebounds, 5.2 assists, 1.3 steals)
- Guard Bowen Hardman (7.4 points, 1.5 rebounds)
- Wing Zach Halligan (3 points, 2.5 rebounds)
- Wing Evan Mahaffey (10.1 points, 5.1 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 1.8 steals)
- Forward Amani Lyles (15.2 points, 7.5 rebounds, 2.3 assists)
How can I watch, listen, stream the Akron Zips basketball game vs. the Kent State Golden Flashes tonight?
The Akron-Kent State game will be broadcast nationally by ESPNU. The Akron radio broadcast can be heard locally on WHLO (640-AM). The Kent State radio broadcast can be heard locally on Fox Sports 1350 the Gambler (1350-AM).
The Akron Beacon Journal sports department can be contacted via email at bjsports@thebeaconjournal.com.
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Akron men’s basketball score vs Kent State, live updates, highlights