Akron Zips travel to play Houston Cougars in NIT on Wednesday
“And Houston, I don’t think they’re out of our league by any means.”
6-10 and 290? Jebus, our entire front line will foul out by halftime trying to guard that kid.
Players to watch: 6-10 center Isaiah Johnson leads the team in scoring (16.5) and rebounding (7.4). Kwan Cheatham Jr., a 6-10 forward, averages 11.4 points and 7.1 rebounds. 5-11 guard Antino Jackson of Cy Springs averages 11.3 points and 2.7 assists.
Cougars MBB Earns Postseason NIT Bid
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Odds mamker Predicted Score
70.5
67.2
Akron will WIN, Cover the Spread 
Bulletin board material
Looking at Akron from a statistical standpoint, here’s a breakdown of their record this year:
Overall: 25-8
Home: 12-2
Away: 7-5
Neutral: 6-1
Non-Conference: 9-3
Non-Conference SOS: 207
Overall SOS: 155
RPI: 58
Record against RPI 1-50: 0-2
Record against RPI 51-100: 0-0
Record against RPI 101-200: 16-3
Record against RPI 201+: 9-3
PPG Offense: 76.7
PPG Defense: 71.2
Akron got off to an 18-3 start, but finished 7-5, including losses @Bowling Green (12-19), and at home to Miami OH (9-21).
Key: Hold this team to 70 or under points; they’re 5-6 in games when held to 70 or under points this year. 20-2 when scoring more.
Akron, outside of their best player, Isaiah Johnson, lives and dies by the three. They’ve shot 927 this year and made 347 (37.4%). Compare that to us at 261-666 (39.2%). Of their main rotation guys, outside of Johnson (6’10") and Jimond Ivey (6’4"), every other one of their players has shot more 3’s than 2’s. Only Dotson and Van Beck have done that for Houston among our core rotation.
Johnson is their only player that gets to the line with any regularity and he shoots 58.1% from there. Outisde of that, every other regular, except Josh Williams shoots above 70% from the line.
Akron commits 12 turnovers per game and Johnson gives it up the most at 2.3 per game. In contrast, Houston only commits 10 turnovers per game.
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Well lets hope Sampson can turn his tournament trend around.
Bakersfield takes down Cal.
