Akron Zips Aim for Historic NCAA Tournament Breakthrough After Dominant MAC Run
TAMPA, Fla. — The Akron Zips have already made history this season by becoming the first team to win three consecutive Mid-American Conference (MAC) Tournament titles. Now, they’re chasing an even bigger milestone: their first-ever NCAA Tournament victory.
Seeded 12th in the Midwest Region, Akron (29-5) will face fifth-seeded Texas Tech (22-10) on Friday in Tampa, Florida. Despite seven previous March Madness appearances, the Zips have never advanced past the first round. But with a veteran roster, a high-powered offense, and a favorable matchup, this could be their best shot yet.
A Program on the Rise
Under ninth-year head coach John Groce, Akron has quietly built one of the most consistent mid-major programs in the country. This season, they’ve matched powerhouses like Duke and St. John’s with a 19-1 record over their last 20 games. Their only loss in that stretch came against Troy, which also earned an NCAA Tournament bid.
“We’re ready to take that next step,” said senior forward Amani Lyles, a first-team All-MAC selection averaging 14.6 points and 8.0 rebounds per game. “We take pride in that. We’re not going to back down from anybody.”
The Zips boast one of the nation’s most explosive offenses, ranking seventh in scoring (88.4 points per game) and ninth in three-pointers made (10.9 per game). Their balanced attack features MAC scoring leader Tavari Johnson (20.1 PPG), sharpshooter Shammah Scott (the conference’s Sixth Man of the Year), and Lyles, who provides a dominant inside presence.
Experience and Momentum
Akron’s roster includes five seniors or graduate students, giving them crucial tournament experience. That maturity showed in Saturday’s MAC championship game, where Scott nailed a clutch three-pointer to seal a 79-76 win over Toledo.
“We’re in this position for a reason,” Scott said. “We just have to stay together and play hard.”
Groce, who led Ohio to the Sweet 16 in 2012—the last MAC team to do so—knows what it takes to pull off an upset.
“You’ve got to have a good enough team—I think we do. You’ve got to be prepared—we will be. And you need a little luck,” Groce said. “We focus on controlling what we can control.”
A Favorable Draw?
History suggests Akron has a real shot. Since the NCAA Tournament expanded to 64 teams in 1985, a 12-seed has upset a 5-seed in 34 of 40 tournaments. In the last two years, a 12-seed has even won two games.
Texas Tech presents a tough challenge but isn’t at full strength. The Red Raiders lost All-American guard JT Toppin (21.8 PPG, 10.8 RPG) to a torn ACL last month and have gone 3-4 without him. Still, they feature sophomore playmaker Christian Anderson (7.6 assists per game) and senior marksman Donovan Atwell, who set a program record with 124 three-pointers this season.
“They’ve adjusted well after Toppin’s injury,” Groce said. “They’re still a dangerous team.”
What’s Next?
If Akron pulls off the upset, they’ll face either Alabama or Hofstra on Sunday. For a program that’s never tasted NCAA Tournament success, this could be their moment to shine.
“We want to make history again,” Lyles said.
And this time, the Zips are ready.
— Reported by Nexio News
