Akron Men's Basketball 2026 NCAA Tournament Capsule

 
Akron Zips
 
Mid-American (29-5, 17-1)
 
 
Big Wins: 2/27 at Kent State (92-70), 3/14 vs Toledo (79-76)
Bad Losses: 12/13 vs Murray State (100-115), 2/7 at Troy (69-79)
Coach: John Groce
 
Probable Starters:
Amani Lyles, Senior, Forward, 14.6 ppg, 8.1 rpg, 2.2 apg
Zach Halligan, Sophomore, Guard, 2.7 ppg, 2.2 rpg
Tavari Johnson, Senior, Guard, 20.1 ppg, 5.0 apg, 3.0 rpg
Evan Mahaffey, Senior, Guard, 10.2 ppg, 3.5 apg, 5.6 rpg, 1.7 spg
Bowen Hardman, Senior, Guard, 7.9 ppg, 1.6 rpg
 
Key Role Players:
Eric Mahaffey, Freshman, Guard, 7.8 ppg, 1.6 apg, 5.7 rpg
Sharron Young, Sophomore, Guard, 7.3 ppg, 1.6 apg, 2.7 rpg
Shammah Scott, Senior, Guard, 12.7 ppg, 2.9 apg, 2.6 rpg
 
By the Numbers:
Scoring Offense: 89.6 (6th in nation, 2nd in conference)
Scoring Defense: 73.7 (176, 4)
Field-Goal Percentage: 50.7 (9, 2)
Field-Goal Defense: 42.2 (67, 1)
Three-Point Field Goals Per Game: 11.1 (8, 1)
Three-Point Field-Goal Percentage: 38.5 (13, 2)
Free-Throw Percentage: 77.1 (26, 1)
Rebound Margin: 5.5 (41, 2)
Assists Per Game: 19.0 (4, 1)
Turnovers Per Game: 11.1 (142, 6)
 
Recent Postseason Appearances:
 
2025NCAARound of 64 loss to Arizona
2024NCAARound of 64 loss to Creighton
2022NCAARound of 64 loss to UCLA
2017NITFirst Round win over Houston
2017NITSecond Round loss to UT-Arlington
2016NITFirst Round loss to Ohio State
2014CITFirst Round loss to IPFW
2013NCAARound of 64 loss to VCU
2011NCAARound of 64 loss to Notre Dame
2010CBIFirst Round loss to Green Bay
2009NCAARound of 64 loss to Gonzaga
2008NITFirst Round win over Florida State
2008NITSecond Round loss to Massachusetts
2006NITOpening Round win over Temple
2006NITFirst Round loss to Creighton
 
*all team stats through 3/8