The best story doesn’t always mean the best team.
Miami (Ohio) took the college basketball world by storm with its undefeated regular season. The RedHawks could be on their way to an at-large bid in the NCAA Tournament, but it’s clear the Mid-American Conference still belongs to Akron.
The Zips became the first team ever to win the MAC Tournament three years in a row with their thrilling 79-76 win over Toledo at Rocket Arena on March 14. With the MAC in position to earn two bids to March Madness for the first time this century, there’s a case this is the best the top of the league has ever been.
This also the best Akron team in Coach John Groce’s nine-year tenure.
“Each team has been different. I think this one is very well-rounded defensively and offensively,” Groce said. “We led the league in defensive efficiency. We led the league in offensive efficiency. We have the highest NET rating in the league and we have the highest KenPom rating in the league. Our strength of schedule was solid. There’s a lot of statistics and metrics that say this is a pretty good team. I believe in our team.”
Retaining players for multiple years has quickly become rare in college basketball. That’s what makes this Akron team so special.
After the game, Toledo coach Tod Kowalczyk made it a point to mention that Akron had five seniors on the floor during winning time. When you’ve won three straight MAC Tournaments, winning time is exactly what it should be called.
Amani Lyles and Tavari Johnson have played all four years at Akron. Shammah Scott, who hit the game-winning shot against Toledo and provided the dagger to get past rival Kent State in the semis, has played three seasons for the Zips. Experience still matters.
Akron has won its last three MAC Tournament title games by a combined six points. It trailed Toledo at halftime, 42-30, and only led for 3:02. These veterans are always ready for the moment and make big plays when called upon.
“Obviously, we were down last year, too,” said Lyles on Akron’s 12-point halftime deficit to Miami in 2025. “Just being resilient and keeping a level head, I think our experience gives us a lot of advantages.”
If stringing together three consecutive great weekends in Cleveland isn’t enough, the standard this team has set won’t be forgotten anytime soon. The Zips have won 103 games in the past four seasons. Good programs always talk about culture. Akron doesn’t just talk the talk, it walks the walk.
“We love them whether they make the shot, miss the shot, or win or lose the game,” Groce said of his players. “We hold them accountable to really, really high standards. We can’t stand mediocrity. That just doesn’t live here. That’s our mentality and I think those guys have thrived in it because that’s how they’re wired.”
Cleveland has been good to Akron. The NCAA Tournament? Not so much.
The Zips are still searching for the program’s first-ever win in the Big Dance. However, if there’s a team that can get it done, it’s this group.
The Miami hysteria was fun while it lasted. But once again, it was Akron, the class of the league, earning the auto bid. The Zips don’t need to be America’s darling. Taking a 29-5 record into the NCAA Tournament seems normal now. “It would mean a lot,” Lyles said. “Obviously, we made history tonight, but we’ve done it so much. We’re ready to take that next step. We take pride in that we’re not going to back down from anybody.”
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