Zips Announce 2017-18 Non-Conference Men’s Hoops Schedule

Akron, Ohio – A new era of Akron Zips men's basketball has started, as first-year and veteran head coach John Groce leads the new-look Zips into battle for the 2017-18 season. Groce introduces a tough challenge for six returning players and nine newcomers with a demanding 12-game non-conference schedule that is highlighted by the Hawaiian Airlines Diamond Head Classic and seven home games, the program announced on Wednesday.

The Zips' 2017-18 non-conference campaign features teams from 16 different conferences, including nine programs that won 20 or more games last season and eight teams that advanced to postseason play.

"Our non-conference schedule offers us the opportunity to prepare for MAC play by putting us in position to be tested early," Groce said. "We will be challenged by competing against quality teams with different styles of play in unique environments. This is exactly the type of schedule we feel like our team needs in order to grow."

The third-annual Northeast Ohio Coaches vs. Cancer event kicks off the 2017-18 season, hosted by Akron at James A. Rhodes Arena. On Saturday, Nov. 11, the Zips are scheduled to play Cleveland State in the opening game of a doubleheader, starting at 7 p.m., followed by a showdown between Kent State and Youngstown State at 9 p.m.

"The Coaches vs. Cancer doubleheader has recently become a staple here in Northeast Ohio," Groce said. "It is an honor for us to host the event for the first time. Cancer has directly or indirectly affected all of our friends and families. It certainly has mine, and we look forward to partnering with Coaches vs. Cancer and the American Cancer Society to raise awareness and funding in the fight against cancer."

Seven days later, the Zips are scheduled to host Tennessee Martin at Rhodes Arena, beginning at 7 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 18. During the 2016-17 season, the Skyhawks posted a 22-13 overall record while advancing to the CollegeInsider.com (CIT) postseason tournament. In addition, UT Martin advanced to Ohio Valley Conference (OVC) title game for the second-straight season.

Akron will hit the road for its third game of the season, traveling to Dayton, Ohio to play the Flyers at UD Arena on Saturday, Nov. 25. Game times are to be determined. Last season, the Flyers won the Atlantic 10 regular season title with a 24-8 overall mark and a 15-3 league record. Dayton made their fourth-straight NCAA Tournament appearance and 18^th overall.

Next, the Zips return to the JAR to play Tennessee Chattanooga for the first midweek game of the season on Tuesday, Nov. 28, at 7 p.m. A year ago, UT Chattanooga posted a 19-12 overall record in the Southern Conference (SoCon).

For the third straight season, Akron will battle the Thundering Herd of Marshall. The Zips claimed the last two contests as the series moves back to Huntington, W.Va. at the Henderson Center on Saturday, Dec. 2, with the game time to be announced in the future. Marshall posted a 20-win season in 2016-17. In addition, The Herd fell to Middle Tennessee State in the Conference USA Championship game.

After the first road game in December, the Zips return to the Rubber City for a three game home stand before heading to Hawaii. On Wednesday, Dec. 6, at 7 p.m., Akron will host Fort Wayne (IPFW), who posted a 20-13 overall record in the Summit League last season. The Mastodons advanced to postseason play and defeated Ball State in the opening round of the CIT.

The second contest of the three-game stretch welcomes Appalachian State for a matinee game at Rhodes Arena on Saturday, Dec. 9, at 2 p.m. The Mountaineers are members of the Sun Belt Conference.

The final home game before the Hawaiian Airlines Diamond Head Classic is another midday game at Rhodes Arena. On Saturday, Dec. 16 at 2 p.m., the Zips host Mississippi Valley State of the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC).

Over the holiday break, Akron travels to the Stan Sheriff Center in Honolulu, Hawaii for its second appearance at the Hawaiian Airlines Diamond Head Classic and fourth trip all-time to Hawaii. The Zips join host Hawaii, as well as Davidson, Miami (Fla.), New Mexico State, Princeton, Southern California, and Middle Tennessee State. Six of the eight teams in the 2017 field qualified for the postseason last year, including five teams in the NCAA Tournament in Miami (Fla.), New Mexico St., Princeton, USC, and MTSU.

Akron opens the eight-team men's college basketball tournament against Southern California (USC) on Friday, Dec. 22 at 7:30 p.m. ET. The Trojans finished fifth in regular season Pac-12 Conference play with a 26-10 overall record. USC fell to UCLA in the quarterfinal round of the PAC-12 Tournament before registering two wins in the NCAA Tournament over Providence and Southern Methodist (SMU).

The tournament features 12 games over a three-day span and each team will compete in one game per day on Dec. 22, 23 and 25, advancing through a bracket-tournament format. The two teams that remain undefeated throughout will face off in a championship match. The Hawaiian Airlines Diamond Head Classic is owned and operated by ESPN Regional Television (ERT), a subsidiary of ESPN. Additional information can be found on the Hawaiian Airlines Diamond Head Classic website at www.diamondheadclassic.com.

The Zips are scheduled to play one final game before Mid-American Conference play begins in January, concluding the 12-game non-conference schedule at Rhodes Arena. On Friday, Dec. 29 at 7 p.m., Akron will play Concord, a NCAA Division II member in the Mountain East Conference.

Season Tickets

Season tickets are now on sale for the 2017-18 campaign, with ticket packages starting at $60 for General Admission to $810/seat for midcourt. Renewal deadline for existing season ticket holders is September 15.

Also available is a $175 Alumni All sport plan that includes season tickets for all of our ticketed sports (MBB, WBB, volleyball, football, men's soccer, and women's soccer).

Akron faculty and staff may purchase Upper Reserved season tickets for $175 and Lower Reserved for $260 plus applicable donation. The Zips also offer a family plan allowing two adults and two children season tickets for $210.

Another option is the All-Access 10-pack available for $100 that allows fans 10-undated vouchers which can be redeemed for 10 general admission tickets for any of Akron's ticketed sporting events.

Tickets can be purchased online anytime at GoZips.com/Tickets, or from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET on Mondays through Fridays by either calling 1-888-99-AKRON (25766) or visiting The C.P. and Cornelia S. Chima Athletics Ticket Office at InfoCision Stadium - Summa Field (located at 375 E. Exchange Street, near Gate 1 at the southwest corner of the venue, at the corner of E. Exchange and S. Union streets).

2017-18 Akron Men's Basketball Non-Conference Schedule
Saturday, Nov. 11 – vs. Cleveland State, 7 p.m. (HOME)
Saturday, Nov. 18 - vs. UT Martin, 7 p.m. (HOME)
Saturday, Nov. 25 – @ Dayton, TBA (AWAY)
Tuesday, Nov. 28 – vs. UT Chattanooga, 7 p.m. (HOME)
Saturday, Dec. 2 – @ Marshall, TBA (AWAY)
Wednesday, Dec. 6 – vs. IPFW, 7 p.m. (HOME)
Saturday, Dec. 9 - vs. Appalachian State, 2 p.m. (HOME)
Saturday, Dec. 16 – vs. Mississippi Valley State, 2 p.m. (HOME)
Friday, Dec. 22 - vs. USC, Diamond Head Classic, 7:30 p.m. ET (NEUTRAL)
Saturday, Dec. 23 – vs. TBA, Diamond Head Classic, 4:30 or 7 p.m. ET (NEUTRAL)
Monday, Dec. 25 – vs. TBA, Diamond Head Classic, TBA (NEUTRAL)
Friday, Dec. 29 – vs. Concord, 7 p.m. (HOME)

The University of Akron Athletics

Zips Announce 2017-18 Non-Conference Men’s Hoops Schedule

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