The Akron and Kent State men’s basketball teams are on a collision course for another Wagon Wheel rivalry game at 6 p.m. Friday, Jan. 30, at Rhodes Arena.
The Zips are 17-4 overall and 8-1 in the Mid-American Conference. The Golden Flashes are 16-5 and 7-2.
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The game will be televised by CBS Sports Network, and it can be heard on local radio via WHLO 640-AM and Fox Sports 1350-AM.
Here are five elements of the Akron-Kent State game to know:
Akron Zips basketball vs. Kent State Golden Flashes series history
Akron leads the all-time series 85-82 and has won the past five meetings.
“They’ve had our numbers for a couple years, and so we’re going to go in there with one mindset to win. Relentless — it’s going to be a dogfight. We’re not going to make it a pretty ballgame,” Kent State guard Morgan Safford said.
The last time KSU beat UA was March 10, 2023, when the Flashes prevailed 79-73 in a MAC Tournament semifinal in Cleveland.
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“Whoever throws the biggest punch wins,” Kent State forward Magnus Entenmann said. “So that’s what it’s got to be.”
Akron Zips guard Sharron Young celebrates after a first-half 3-pointer at Kent State, Jan. 31, 2025.
With a 91-81 victory over Toledo on Jan. 27, Akron extended its winning streak at Rhodes Arena to 27 games. The Zips have also won their last seven games.
“That is a fun matchup,” Akron senior guard Tavari Johnson said of playing Kent State. “It’s going to be fun. Pack the JAR. You gotta be there.”
Johnson, senior forward Amani Lyles and senior guard Shammah Scott have played for Akron during wins over Kent State on Jan. 19, 2024 (77-71 at KSU), Feb. 23, 2024 (83-70 at UA), March 16, 2024 (62-61 in MAC Tournament final in Cleveland), Jan. 31, 2025 (85-71 at KSU) and Feb. 28, 2025 (77-72 at UA).
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“I am excited for the challenge,” Lyles said. “Pack the JAR. Be there. It is going to be a fun opportunity.”
Akron Zips guard Shammah Scott (1) looks to pass around Kent State Golden Flashes forward Delrecco Gillespie (23) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game on Friday, Jan. 31, 2025, in Kent, Ohio.
University of Akron basketball’s rivalry vs. Kent State
John Groce is 12-7 as Akron’s coach against Kent State and 16-12 overall versus KSU, including his time at Ohio. Akron’s home record is 47-25 all-time against Kent.
“Rivalry games, they can always go either way,” Groce said. “They really can. Usually, both teams play above their level. The energy and the emotion, I think in coaching in rivalry games you have to be able to play with passion and emotion, and the electricity of all that is going on, while also having enough poise, composure and focus to execute. In other words, emotion can’t turn into two more letters — emotional. Now you got problems.
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“It is really hard and I have seen it go both ways. It is a real tough balance in games like the one on Friday night. Fortunately for us, we have got some older guys that have been through the game. We know we are going to get their best shot and our job is to make sure they get our best shot. That is usually what happens in those games. Fun game.”
Kent State University basketball’s rivalry vs. Akron
The Akron-Kent State basketball series began during the 1915-16 season. From KSU coach Rob Senderoff’s perspective, the two programs have combined to maintain a special rivalry because they’re in close proximity to each other and have strong traditions.
“Because both teams are generally pretty good and we’re 11 miles apart, the games have always had importance, not just from the location standpoint, but also because they’re meaningful games in league play, generally,” Senderoff said. “And, obviously, when we play them up in Cleveland [during the MAC Tournament], they’re the most meaningful games when we play them up there. [These game are] special opportunities for all the guys that are playing.”
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A Kent State starter, Safford said the Golden Flashes realize “a tough environment” awaits them in Akron. “It’s gonna come down to who wants it more,” he said.
The JAR was sold out for the Wagon Wheel Rivalry between the Akron Zips and the Kent State Golden Flashes on Friday, Feb. 28, 2025, in Akron, Ohio.
Akron’s keys to the game vs. Kent State basketball
Lyles, Johnson, redshirt freshman Eric Mahaffey and senior Evan Mahaffey said “rebounding” will be a big key Friday.
“It is good they said that. They are smart,” Groce said. “That is a key every year when you play them. … They are playing a little bigger. They have had different lineups throughout the course of the year.”
University of Akron’s coach John Groce gesticulates during a game against Toledo, Jan. 27, 2026, at James A Rhodes Arena in Akron, Ohio.
Groce said he is impressed with the play of KSU big men Delrecco Gillespie, Rob Whaley Jr. and Entenmann.
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“Gillespie leads the nation in double-doubles [with 16 in 20 games],” Groce said. “He can rebound the snot out of that thing. That is always what Kent has done. They have always been one of the better if not the best rebounding team in our league. They have always been near the top. If you don’t rebound, you don’t have a shot. You better be able to rebound and compete on the glass.”
Johnson is Akron’s leading scorer at 20.5 points per game and is also averaging 5.6 assists and 2.5 rebounds.
Akron’s other top players are Lyles (15.6 points, 7.6 rebounds, 2.3 assists), Scott (13.3 points, 2.9 assists, 2.9 rebounds), Evan Mahaffey (9.8 points, 5.2 rebounds, 3.8 assists), Eric Mahaffey (8.2 points, 5.9 rebounds), Sharron Young (7.6 points) and Bowen Hardman (7.2 points).
Zips basketball: Tavari Johnson leads Akron past WMU
Kent State Golden Flashes coach Rob Senderoff reacts to a call during the second half against Akron on Friday, Jan. 31, 2025, in Kent, Ohio.
Kent State’s keys to the game vs. Akron basketball
Whether Whaley, a starting forward/center, will play is a significant factor for Kent State. Whaley sat out during Kent State’s 72-57 win over Ohio on Jan. 27 at the M.A.C. Center because of an undisclosed injury. Dezmon Briscoe started in his place.
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Senderoff said Whaley’s setback is “not a long-term injury,” but Senderoff spoke as if Whaley’s status for the Akron game is up in the air.
“I think it’s a possibility [he’ll play], but not sure,” Senderoff said.
Whaley is Kent State’s third-leading scorer (12.3 points, 4.1 rebounds). KSU is led by its other four starters: forward Delrecco Gillespie (19.1 points, 12.3 rebounds), Safford (13.9 points, 6.2 rebounds), point guard Cian Medley (10.8 points, 6.9 assists) and guard Jahari Williamson (10 points).
KSU basketball: Miami of Ohio rallies past Kent State to go 20-0
Gillespie’s average of 12.3 rebounds is No. 1 in NCAA Division I men’s basketball.
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Kent State is scoring 89.2 points and surrendering 81.6. Akron is scoring 92.6 and allowing 75.5.
Senderoff stressed Kent State must reduce its turnovers (it committed 20 earlier this week against Ohio), and he emphasized defense must be KSU’s top priority against Akron.
“Since we lost at Central Michigan [on Jan. 10], we’re starting to defend like the teams that I’m used to coaching, and we had not defended that way up till that point,” Senderoff said. “[Akron is] going to present an incredible challenge for us defensively. … They’re just an elite team in transition. They shoot the ball well. They share the ball well.”
Nate Ulrich is the sports columnist of the Akron Beacon Journal and a sports features writer. Nate can be reached by email at nulrich@thebeaconjournal.com. On Twitter: @ByNateUlrich. Akron Beacon Journal sports writer Michael Beaven can be reached by email at mbeaven@thebeaconjournal and is on Twitter at @MBeavenABJ.
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Akron vs Kent State game. What to know for college basketball rivalry
