Akron Men’s Basketball 2026 NCAA Tournament Capsule
March 8, 2026 · CSM Staff
Akron Zips
Mid-American (29-5, 17-1)
Big Wins: 2/27 at Kent State (92-70), 3/14 vs Toledo (79-76)
Bad Losses: 12/13 vs Murray State (100-115), 2/7 at Troy (69-79)
Coach: John Groce
Probable Starters:
Amani Lyles, Senior, Forward, 14.6 ppg, 8.1 rpg, 2.2 apg
Zach Halligan, Sophomore, Guard, 2.7 ppg, 2.2 rpg
Tavari Johnson, Senior, Guard, 20.1 ppg, 5.0 apg, 3.0 rpg
Evan Mahaffey, Senior, Guard, 10.2 ppg, 3.5 apg, 5.6 rpg, 1.7 spg
Bowen Hardman, Senior, Guard, 7.9 ppg, 1.6 rpg
Key Role Players:
Eric Mahaffey, Freshman, Guard, 7.8 ppg, 1.6 apg, 5.7 rpg
Sharron Young, Sophomore, Guard, 7.3 ppg, 1.6 apg, 2.7 rpg
Shammah Scott, Senior, Guard, 12.7 ppg, 2.9 apg, 2.6 rpg
By the Numbers:
Scoring Offense: 89.6 (6th in nation, 2nd in conference)
Scoring Defense: 73.7 (176, 4)
Field-Goal Percentage: 50.7 (9, 2)
Field-Goal Defense: 42.2 (67, 1)
Three-Point Field Goals Per Game: 11.1 (8, 1)
Three-Point Field-Goal Percentage: 38.5 (13, 2)
Free-Throw Percentage: 77.1 (26, 1)
Rebound Margin: 5.5 (41, 2)
Assists Per Game: 19.0 (4, 1)
Turnovers Per Game: 11.1 (142, 6)
Recent Postseason Appearances:
| 2025 | NCAA | Round of 64 loss to Arizona |
| 2024 | NCAA | Round of 64 loss to Creighton |
| 2022 | NCAA | Round of 64 loss to UCLA |
| 2017 | NIT | First Round win over Houston |
| 2017 | NIT | Second Round loss to UT-Arlington |
| 2016 | NIT | First Round loss to Ohio State |
| 2014 | CIT | First Round loss to IPFW |
| 2013 | NCAA | Round of 64 loss to VCU |
| 2011 | NCAA | Round of 64 loss to Notre Dame |
| 2010 | CBI | First Round loss to Green Bay |
| 2009 | NCAA | Round of 64 loss to Gonzaga |
| 2008 | NIT | First Round win over Florida State |
| 2008 | NIT | Second Round loss to Massachusetts |
| 2006 | NIT | Opening Round win over Temple |
| 2006 | NIT | First Round loss to Creighton |
*all team stats through 3/8
