The Akron Zips and the Kent State Golden Flashes are separated by approximately 10 miles in Northeast Ohio. This distance has fostered a natural geographic rivalry and has borne a fierce competitive hatred between the programs. Akron’s James A. Rhodes Arena and Kent State’s MAC Center sell out for basketball games only once a year, and that is for this fierce rivalry. On Friday night, the rivalry gets its next installment in James A. Rhodes Arena at 9 p.m. ET on ESPN2.
The series’ first installment came in February 1916, when Akron secured a 37-16 victory. As the game evolved, the matchups did too. The series between the teams is remarkably close, with Kent State leading with 83 wins to Akron’s 81. The near-even split shows just how close these teams are. Throughout the rivalry, it has not mattered how good these teams are, the games are always close.
Recently, things have leaned in Akron’s favor. They defeated Kent State on the road this year 85-71, leaving little room for any chance of life the Flashes had. One of the more memorable moments in the rivalry’s history came in their second-to-last matchup, which was for the MAC tournament championship. The game was extremely close going into the finishing stretch. Both teams traded bucket for bucket. Kent State guard Jalen Sullinger put up a tough jumper, which didn’t fall. Center Cli’Ron Hornbeak went up for the offensive board and put in with 6 seconds left to put the Flashes up 61-60. Akron inbounded the ball and Kent State guard Julius Rollins lost track of the score and intentionally fouled Akron’s guard Greg Tribble. Tribble hit the free throws, putting the Zips up by 1 to secure the victory.
Players felt the intensity of the game. Following Akron’s MAC Championship victory over Kent State last year, Zips forward Enrique Freeman expressed his intensity, stating, “It’s an amazing feeling to come out on top against our biggest rivals.”
Tribble added, “Games like these are what we live for; the energy, the competition, it’s unmatched.”
On the other side of the rivalry, emotions also run high. Before the 2022 MAC Championship, where Akron and Kent played for a chance to be in the 2022 March Madness tournament, Kent State forward DJ Johnson made a video expressing strong sentiments about the upcoming matchup using several expletives, highlighting the deep-seated emotions involved in this rivalry. Fans found the video on his social media and made rounds on both teams’ social media communities before the matchup. Akron would decisively beat Kent State in the matchup, 75-55.
Tonight, Akron enters the game with a 14-1 conference record, having a dominant season in the MAC. Since their loss to the Zips earlier in the season, the Golden Flashes are 6-1 in their last seven matchups. They want to split the season with Akron, but it will not be easy at a sold-out James A. Rhodes Arena.
This rivalry extends beyond the basketball court. This matchup is an important moment for the communities of both universities every year, fostering school spirit and local pride. The environment is on par with some of the best rivalries in basketball. The close proximity of the campuses ensures that fans from both sides are well-represented at games.
The Akron-Kent State men’s basketball rivalry exemplifies the passion and competitiveness that define mid-major college basketball. It’s a series rich in history, emotion, and memorable moments, deserving greater recognition in the broader sports landscape.
