Game of the Week: Miami (OH) vs. Akron

Akron will host Miami (OH) in a highly anticipated showdown between the top two teams in the Mid-American Conference at 2 p.m. ET Saturday, with the game broadcasted on ESPN+. This clash of unbeaten squads is this week’s Mid-Major Basketball Game of the Week. 

The Zips (13-5, 6-0 MAC) enter the matchup on a six-game winning streak and remain perfect at home with a 9-0 record. Meanwhile, the RedHawks (14-4, 6-0 MAC) are equally impressive, riding an eight-game winning streak.

The game also features a unique storyline, as Akron coach John Groce faces off against his brother, Miami coach Travis Steele.

Miami (OH)

Miami boasts one of the top-scoring offenses in college basketball. The RedHawks are averaging 82.8 points per game, ranking 28th in the country. They also rank eighth in field goal percentage (50.1%) and 3-point percentage (39.8%). They are averaging 10.7 makes from behind the arc per game this season, ranking 11th in the country.

The RedHawks have a balanced offensive attack, with nine players averaging at least five points per contest. Six-foot-6 sophomore forward Kam Craft leads the RedHawks in scoring, averaging 15.2 points per game. Peter Suder (14.1 ppg) and Eian Elmer (12.2 ppg) also average double figures in scoring for the RedHawks.

Akron

The Zips excel as a 3-point shooting team, with their efficiency from beyond the arc propelling them to rank among the top-scoring teams in the nation. They are 23rd in the country with 83.2 points per game.

Akron leans heavily on the 3-point shot, averaging 31.6 attempts per game, fifth-most in college basketball. The Zips convert an impressive 11.4 3-pointers per game, ranking third nationally.

Nate Johnson (13.1 ppg) and Tavari Johnson (11.9 ppg) lead the Zips in scoring, with Isaiah Gray also making a significant impact, contributing 10.4 points per game to round out the team’s double-figure scorers.