There’s nothing quite like a late-season Wagon Wheel grudge match to help the Akron and Kent State men’s basketball programs gear up for the Mid-American Conference Tournament next month in Cleveland.
Akron (22-6, 14-1 in the MAC) will face Kent State (19-9, 9-6) on Friday night at Rhodes Arena after the Zips beat the Golden Flashes 85-71 on Jan. 31 in Kent.
Tipoff for the showdown televised nationally by ESPN2 is scheduled for 9 p.m. Check back here for updates throughout the game.
Here is some pregame information:
What is the history between Akron and Kent State in men’s basketball?
Akron leads 84-82 in its all-time series with Kent State. John Groce is 11-7 as Akron’s coach against Kent State and 15-12 overall versus KSU (he was previously at the helm of Ohio). Akron is 46-25 at home against Kent State.
UA has won its past four games against KSU. Akron won all three meetings last season, including 62-61 in the MAC Tournament championship. With the win, the Zips captured the MAC’s automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament and then lost 77-60 to Creighton in the first round of March Madness.
Akron and Kent State will each have two regular-season games left after they face each other. Both teams have already clinched MAC Tournament berths. The tourney is scheduled for March 13-15 at Rocket Arena.
Looking back at Wagon Wheel 2025 Part 1: Akron men’s basketball plays like ‘an unbelievable team’ in win over Kent State to stay atop MAC
Zips, Golden Flashes men’s basketball broadcast information. How can I watch on TV, listen on radio or stream the Akron vs Kent State game?
The Akron-Kent State game will be televised nationally on ESPN2. It will be broadcast on local radio via WHLO (640-AM).
More on Kent State vs. Akron basketball: 5 things to know about second round of Wagon Wheel rivalry
Nate Ulrich can be reached at nulrich@thebeaconjournal.com. On Twitter: @ByNateUlrich.
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Akron vs Kent State men’s basketball score, live updates, highlights
