Akron Zips Basketball Score, Updates Vs Texas Tech In NCAA Tournament

TAMPA, Fla. — The Akron Zips men’s basketball team hopes to finally dance a little longer.

Akron is back in the NCAA Tournament for eighth time during its Division I era, which began with the 1980-81 season. UA has gone 0-7 (1986, 2009, ’11, ’13, ’22, ’24 and ’25).

After three-peating as the Mid-American Conference Tournament champion, 12th-seeded Akron (29-5, 17-1 MAC) will try end its March Madness drought when it meets No. 5 Texas Tech (22-10, 12-6 Big 12) in a first-round Midwest Region game on Friday, March 20.

Akron is the underdog, yet Texas Tech may be vulerable without its best player, forward JT Toppin, who suffered a season-ending torn anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee on Feb. 17.

Tipoff for Akron versus Texas Tech is scheduled for 12:40 p.m. Check back here throughout the game for our updates from Benchmark International Arena.

Below is some pregame information.

Who will the winner of Akron vs. Texas Tech face in the second round of the NCAA Tournament?

The winner of the Akron-Texas Tech game will advance to face either No. 4 Alabama (23-9) or No. 13 Hofstra (24-10) in the second round on Sunday, March 22.

Akron Zips forward Amani Lyles (0) celebrates as Akron comes back during the second half of the Mid-American Conference championship at Rocket Arena, March 14, 2026, in Cleveland, Ohio.

Akron’s projected starters vs. Texas Tech

Here are Akron’s projected starters:
Point guard Tavari Johnson (20.1 points, 5 assists, 3 rebounds)
Forward Amani Lyles (14.6 points, 8.1 rebounds, 2.2 assists)
Wing Evan Mahaffey (10.2 points, 5.6 rebounds, 3.5 assists)
Guard Bowen Hardman (7.9 points, 1.6 rebounds)
Wing Zach Halligan (2.7 points, 2.2 rebounds)
Key players off the bench: Guards Shammah Scott (12.7 points, 2.9 assists, 2.6 rebounds), Sharron Young (7.3 points, 2.7 rebounds, 1.6 assists) and Eric Mahaffey (7.8 points, 5.7 rebounds, 1.6 assists)

Texas Tech's Christian Anderson prepares to shoot against Cincinnati during a Big 12 Conference men's basketball game, Tuesday, Feb. 24, 2026, in United Supermarkets Arena.

Texas Tech’s projected starters vs. Akron

Here are Texas Tech’s projected starters:
Guard Christian Anderson (18.9 points, 7.6 assists, 3.6 rebounds)
Guard Donovan Atwell (13.5 points, 3.3 rebounds)
Guard Jaylen Petty (9.5 points, 3.9 rebounds, 2.2 assists)
Forward LeJuan Watts (11.5 points, 6 rebounds, 2.5 assists)
Center Luke Bamgboye (4.7 points, 3.3 rebounds)
Key players off the bench: Guard Tyeree Bryan (3.7 points, 2.6 rebounds) and forward Josiah Moseley (4.6 points, 3.7 rebounds)

Akron Zips’ coach John Groce applauds during a game against UMass, Feb. 13, 2026, at James A Rhodes Arena in Akron, Ohio.

What is the history between Akron and Texas Tech basketball?

Akron and Texas Tech have never previously played each other.

Did Akron and Texas Tech have any common opponents this season?

Akron and Texas Tech played Purdue and Milwaukee this season.

Akron lost 97-79 on Nov. 16 at Purdue and won 105-81 on Nov. 29 at Milwaukee.

Texas Tech lost 86-56 on Nov. 22 against Purdue after prevailing 80-63 on Nov. 14 against Milwaukee.

Nov 16, 2025; West Lafayette, Indiana, USA; Purdue Boilermakers center Oscar Cluff (45) grabs a rebound over Akron Zips forward Marvin Musiime-Kamali (23) during the second half at Mackey Arena. Mandatory Credit: Marc Lebryk-Imagn Images

What is the NCAA Tournament men’s basketball history for games between No. 5 seeds and No. 12 seeds?

Since the NCAA Tournament field expanded in 1985, No. 5 seeds have gone 104-58 against No. 12 seeds.

On March 19, No. 5 Vanderbilt beat No. 12 McNeese 78-68, and No. 12 High Point upset No. 5 Wisconsin 83-82.

Akron Zips basketball history in NCAA Tournament

Here are the results of Akron’s previous seven Division I March Madness games:
2025: No. 13 Akron lost 93-65 to No. 4 Arizona in Seattle
2024: No. 14 Akron lost 77-60 to No. 3 Creighton in Pittsburgh
2022: No. 14 Akron lost 57-53 to No. 3 UCLA in Portland, Oregon
2013: No. 12 Akron lost 88-42 to No. 5 VCU in Detroit
2011: No. 15 Akron lost 69-56 to No. 2 Notre Dame in Chicago
2009: No. 13 Akron lost 77-64 to No. 4 Gonzaga in Portland, Oregon
1986: No. 15 Akron lost 70-64 to No. 2 Michigan in Minneapolis

How can I watch, listen, stream Akron Zips vs. Texas Tech Red Raiders today in NCAA Tournament?

Akron versus Texas Tech will be televised by truTV. The national radio broadcast will be on Westwood One, and the local radio broadcast will be on WHLO (640-AM).

Nate Ulrich is the sports columnist of the Akron Beacon Journal and a sports features writer. Nate can be reached at nulrich@thebeaconjournal.com. On Twitter: @ByNateUlrich.

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Akron vs Texas Tech live score, March Madness updates in NCAA bracket

NCAA Basketball Report News