Akron Zips

1-0 overall, 0-0 MAC, margin +14.0 · Coach Dustin Ford (since 2026-03-30) · Picked 3rd in the MAC preseason poll
TV scheduleTravel mapNewsRatings
+10.7
net rating per 100 · #70 in D-I · model
111.9
adjusted offense · #78
101.2
adjusted defense · #80
72.3
pace, possessions / 40 · #99
-12.7
strength of schedule so far · #241

Rotation

#PlayerPosClHtGP/GSMINPTSREBASTeFG%TS%Rating
2 Tahj Staveskie transfer GSR6' 1" 1/1 38.0 16.0 3.0 3.0 46.9 47.4 -5.6
8 Ty Pence transfer GSR6' 6" 1/1 34.0 19.0 8.0 2.0 58.3 66.9 +4.0
12 Evan Mahaffey FSR6' 6" 1/1 33.0 16.0 11.0 3.0 75.0 78.4 +7.1
21 Zach Halligan FJR6' 5" 1/0 21.0 0.0 2.0 1.0 0.0 0.0 +3.1
4 Buddy Hammer Jr. FSR6' 7" 1/0 20.0 4.0 4.0 1.0 50.0 45.0 +3.4
22 Colin White FJR6' 6" 1/1 16.0 9.0 4.0 1.0 60.0 66.6 +2.9
11 Kamrin Oriol GSR6' 3" 1/0 16.0 5.0 6.0 3.0 150.0 133.0 -1.1
5 Chabi Barre FSR6' 10" 1/1 14.0 4.0 4.0 0.0 100.0 106.4 +5.6
23 Marvin Musiime-Kamali FJR6' 6" 1/0 6.0 2.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 53.2 +5.1
6 Tai Perkins FR GFR6' 0" 1/0 2.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 – – -0.2
9 Cody Head GJR6' 3" 0/0 – – – – – – –
19 Devan Christion FR FFR6' 9" 0/0 – – – – – – –
1 Exavier Wilson FR GFR6' 1" 0/0 – – – – – – –
Exavier Wilson 0/0 – – – – – – –
7 Josh Henderson FR GFR6' 5" 0/0 – – – – – – –
10 Max Burton transfer FSR6' 10" 0/0 – – – – – – –
15 RJ Jones FR GFR6' 5" 0/0 – – – – – – –
Box scores from ESPN. eFG% weights threes; TS% includes free throws.

Schedule

DateOpponentWatchResultLineRestMiles
Mon 11/2 at Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns ESPN+ W 75-61 -4.5 cover – 953 -1h
Mon 11/9 vs Muskingum Fighting Muskies – 7 PM ET –model -50.7 6 953
Sat 11/14 vs Tulane Green Wave ESPN+ 12 PM ET –model -18.4 4 –
Tue 11/17 at Bucknell Bison – 7 PM ET –model -19.1 2 242
Fri 11/20 vs WVU Tech Golden Bears – 6 PM ET – 2 242
Mon 11/23 vs Wright State Raiders N ESPNU 1:30 PM ET – 2 883
Tue 11/24 vs Belmont Bruins N ESPN2 12:30 PM ET – 0 –
Wed 11/25 vs App State Mountaineers N ESPNU 3 PM ET – 0 –
Wed 12/2 vs Ball State Cardinals MAC ESPN+ 7 PM ET – 6 883
Sun 12/13 vs Frostburg State Bobcats – 2 PM ET – 10 –
Wed 12/16 at Buffalo Bulls MAC ESPN+ 6:30 PM ET – 2 184
Sat 12/19 vs Bowling Green Falcons MAC ESPN+ 2 PM ET – 2 184
Tue 12/29 at Massachusetts Minutemen MAC ESPN+ 7 PM ET – 9 472
Sat 1/2 vs Western Michigan Broncos MAC – 2 PM ET – 3 472
Tue 1/5 at Ohio Bobcats MAC – 7 PM ET – 2 125
Fri 1/8 vs Miami (OH) RedHawks MAC – 7 PM ET – 2 125
Tue 1/12 at Eastern Michigan Eagles MAC – 6:30 PM ET – 3 135
Fri 1/15 at Toledo Rockets MAC – 8 PM ET – 2 40
Tue 1/19 vs Central Michigan Chippewas MAC – 7 PM ET – 3 113
Fri 1/22 at Miami (OH) RedHawks MAC – 8 PM ET – 2 202
Tue 1/26 vs Ohio Bobcats MAC – 7 PM ET – 3 202
Sat 1/30 vs Massachusetts Minutemen MAC – 2 PM ET – 3 –
Tue 2/2 at Western Michigan Broncos MAC – 7 PM ET – 2 226
Tue 2/9 vs Buffalo Bulls MAC – 7 PM ET – 6 226
Sat 2/13 at Kent State Golden Flashes MAC – TBA ET – 3 10
Tue 2/16 at Bowling Green Falcons MAC – 7 PM ET – 2 122
Sat 2/20 vs Eastern Michigan Eagles MAC – TBA ET – 3 113
Tue 2/23 vs Toledo Rockets MAC – 7 PM ET – 2 –
Sat 2/27 at Ball State Cardinals MAC – 1:30 PM ET – 3 212
Tue 3/2 at Central Michigan Chippewas MAC – 7 PM ET – 2 237
Fri 3/5 vs Kent State Golden Flashes MAC – TBA ET – 2 240
Line is this team's spread (DraftKings via ESPN for finished games, our snapshots for upcoming). "cover" / "miss" is against that number. Click a result for the box score. Rest is full days off; miles are estimated travel into the game, with any time-zone change. Season total: 7,796 miles. See the route on the travel map · TV schedule.

Storylines

Dustin Ford era begins after Groce's exit to Charleston Groce left March 30, 2026 for College of Charleston; longtime associate head coach Ford was promoted the same day and introduced April 15. He won his first game as a head coach 75-61 at Louisiana on Nov 2, 2026. source

Chasing a fourth straight MAC Tournament title Akron has won three consecutive MAC Tournament championships and made the NCAA Tournament in 2024, 2025 and 2026; 2025-26 record was 29-6 (17-1 MAC). Picked 3rd in the MAC and No. 7 in the CollegeInsider Mid-Major Top 25. source

Heavy roster turnover: Tavari Johnson followed Groce, Eric Mahaffey to Cincinnati Johnson (Charleston), Eric Mahaffey (Cincinnati) and Sharron Young (WKU) transferred out; Lyles, Scott and Hardman graduated. Transfers Staveskie, Pence and Burton join returning Evan Mahaffey. source

Two preseason All-MAC Second Team picks Evan Mahaffey and Incarnate Word transfer Tahj Staveskie were named preseason All-MAC Second Team on Oct 20, 2026. source

ESPN Events Invitational in Orlando Akron plays Wright State, Belmont and Appalachian State Nov 23-25 in Orlando. source

Recent news

2026-11-02 Akron opens season with 75-61 win at Louisiana; Ford earns first victory as head coach MAC-SBC Challenge opener in Lafayette. Ty Pence scored 19 per AP. Full box score/quotes not captured (GoZips recap could not be fetched). Other recaps: Yahoo/Ragin' Cajuns 'Cajuns Battle But Fall Short To Akron, 75-61'; Crescent City Sports; ESPN Southwest Louisiana gamer. source

2026-11-02 Beacon Journal: Akron men's basketball opens 2026-27 season with win, Zips women lose City-paper gamer syndicated to Yahoo; not read (fetch budget exhausted). source

2026-11-09 Upcoming: home opener vs. Muskingum at James A. Rhodes Arena Home opener will also celebrate last season's MAC championship. Next MAC-SBC Challenge round is Feb 6, 2027. source

Fieldhouse Notes

+ Add dispatch

Latest headlines

All MAC news →

On Reddit: r/CollegeBasketball search. Reddit is closing its free feeds, so these are links, not part of the ticker.

Preseason previews

Wikipedia (2026-27 MAC men's basketball season): 2026-27 Mid-American Conference men's basketball season 2026-11 (living page) · projected 3rd (MAC preseason coaches poll, 110 points, 0 first-place votes)

Compiles the Oct 20, 2026 MAC preseason poll: Miami 133 (9 first-place votes), Toledo 117 (2), Akron 110, Kent State 108 (1), Ohio 82, UMass 79, Bowling Green 63, Western Michigan 58, Eastern Michigan 56, Buffalo 47, Ball State 40, Central Michigan 25. Lists Dustin Ford as a first-year head coach (0-0) after Groce left for Charleston on March 30, 2026. Evan Mahaffey (wing, 5th-Sr.) and Tahj Staveskie (guard, R-Sr.) are preseason All-MAC Second Team. Note: BVM Sports/GoZips give Miami 130 points rather than 133.

BVM Sports: Akron Picked Third in MAC Poll; Mahaffey, Staveskie Honored 2026-10-20 · BVM Sportsdesk · projected 3rd in MAC preseason poll (110 points; Miami 130, Toledo 117)

Akron was picked third in the MAC preseason coaches poll behind Miami and Toledo. Seniors Evan Mahaffey and Tahj Staveskie were named preseason All-MAC Second Team. Akron enters 2026-27 after three straight MAC Tournament titles and NCAA Tournament trips (2024, 2025, 2026) and is chasing a fourth straight. The piece frames the poll as a forecast, not a verdict, and says Akron must prove it can stay ahead of Miami and Toledo. Summary is AI-assisted from the GoZips release.

BVM Sports: Akron Basketball Ranked No. 7 in Mid-Major Top 25 Poll 2026-10-29 · BVM Sportsdesk · projected No. 7 in CollegeInsider.com Mid-Major Top 25 preseason poll (542 points); 3rd in MAC poll

Akron opens the Dustin Ford era ranked No. 7 in the CollegeInsider.com Mid-Major Top 25 with 542 points, after being picked third in the MAC. The program has won three consecutive MAC Tournament titles and reached the NCAA Tournament in 2024, 2025 and 2026. The article says the program is entering a new era under Ford and the team will be adjusting to him. Season opener Nov 2 at Louisiana in the MAC-SBC Challenge; home opener Nov 9 vs. Muskingum at James A. Rhodes Arena.

BVM Sports: Akron Opens 2026-27 Season vs. Youngstown State in Exhibition 2026-10-26 · BVM Sportsdesk · projected 3rd in MAC preseason poll

Previews the Oct 27, 2026 (7 p.m. ET) home exhibition against Youngstown State, described as a first look at how new coach Dustin Ford's 'retooled' squad is taking shape. Akron leads the regular-season series 59-32 and has won 8 of the last 9 meetings; YSU won last year's exhibition 84-78 after trailing by nine at halftime. Regular season opens Nov 2 at Louisiana; home opener Nov 9 vs. Muskingum will also celebrate last season's championship. No players named. Companion GoZips release: https://gozips.com/news/2026/10/26/mens-basketball-zips-open-2026-27-campaign-with-exhibition-matchup-against-youngstown-state (not read).

sMACk Talk (Substack): 2026-27 Mid-American Men's Basketball Overview 2026-10-21 · Kaily "KG" Godek (Akron section) · projected 3rd (cites MAC preseason poll)

Akron went 29-6 (17-1 MAC) in 2025-26 and now has a 'new looking' roster under first-year coach Dustin Ford, promoted from associate head coach after Groce left for Charleston. The piece says Ford is building the culture he wants after heavy turnover. Key pieces are returning grad forward Evan Mahaffey and three transfers: Ty Pence (Illinois State), Tahj Staveskie (Incarnate Word) and Max Burton (Western Michigan), with Burton called a key veteran resource. Departures: Tavari Johnson (Charleston), Eric Mahaffey (Cincinnati), Sharron Young (Western Kentucky); graduated Amani Lyles, Shammah Scott and Bowen Hardman. Non-conference highlight: ESPN Events Invitational in Orlando Nov 23-25 vs. Wright State, Belmont and Appalachian State.

Akron Beacon Journal (via Yahoo Sports): Five things to know about Akron men's basketball ahead of 2026-27 season

City-paper season preview located via search but not read: the WebFetch budget for this session was exhausted before it could be fetched. Content, author and date unverified.

Akron Zipped Up (Substack): Zips Men's Basketball ready for a seamless transition

Independent fan newsletter preview framing the Groce-to-Ford handoff as a 'seamless transition'. Located via search but not read (fetch budget exhausted). Content unverified.

Players

Tahj Staveskie #2 · G · Senior · 6' 1" · 185 lbs

Sandusky, OH · from Incarnate Word · transfer in · ESPN
16.0 pts3.0 reb3.0 ast38.0 min 5-16 FG5-15 3PT1-2 FT 47.4 TS%23.0 shots+TO/40
+ dispatch

Preseason All-MAC Second Team. At Incarnate Word: 17.3 ppg, 4.1 apg, 3.9 rpg. source source

Wikipedia (2026-27 MAC men's basketball season): Preseason All-MAC Second Team, guard, redshirt senior. source

BVM Sports: Averaged 17.3 points, 4.1 assists and 3.9 rebounds at Incarnate Word before transferring. source

BVM Sports: Preseason All-MAC Second Team. source

sMACk Talk (Substack): Redshirt senior guard, transfer from Incarnate Word; 17.3 ppg, 4.1 apg. source

Game log
DateOppResultMINPTSFG3PTFTREBASTTOSTLBLK
11-03at ULW 75-61 38165-165-151-233500

Ty Pence #8 · G · Senior · 6' 6" · 205 lbs

Saint Joseph, IL · from Illinois State · transfer in · ESPN · @tdotpence
19.0 pts8.0 reb2.0 ast34.0 min 6-12 FG2-7 3PT5-5 FT 66.9 TS%20.2 shots+TO/40
+ dispatch

9.4 ppg, 4.4 rpg at Illinois State in 2025-26. Scored 19 in the Nov 2, 2026 season-opening 75-61 win at Louisiana (AP headline). source source

sMACk Talk (Substack): Senior guard, transfer from Illinois State; 9.4 ppg, 4.4 rpg last season. source

Game log
DateOppResultMINPTSFG3PTFTREBASTTOSTLBLK
11-03at ULW 75-61 34196-122-75-582310

Evan Mahaffey #12 · F · Senior · 6' 6" · 215 lbs

Cincinnati, OH · returner · ESPN · @EvanMahaffey5
16.0 pts11.0 reb3.0 ast33.0 min 6-8 FG0-0 3PT4-5 FT 78.4 TS%14.8 shots+TO/40
+ dispatch

Preseason All-MAC Second Team. 2025-26: 10.2 ppg, 5.6 rpg, 3.4 apg; All-MAC Honorable Mention and MAC All-Defensive Team. source source source

Wikipedia (2026-27 MAC men's basketball season): Preseason All-MAC Second Team, wing, fifth-year senior. source

BVM Sports: Averaged 10.2 points, 5.6 rebounds and 3.4 assists last season (2025-26). source

BVM Sports: Preseason All-MAC Second Team. source

sMACk Talk (Substack): Grad forward, returning; 10.2 ppg, 5.6 rpg, 3.4 apg; All-MAC Honorable Mention and MAC All-Defensive Team in 2025-26. source

Game log
DateOppResultMINPTSFG3PTFTREBASTTOSTLBLK
11-03at ULW 75-61 33166-80-04-5113211

Zach Halligan #21 · F · Junior · 6' 5" · 210 lbs

Uniontown, OH · ESPN
0.0 pts2.0 reb1.0 ast21.0 min 0-2 FG0-2 3PT0-0 FT 0.0 TS%3.8 shots+TO/40
+ dispatch
Game log
DateOppResultMINPTSFG3PTFTREBASTTOSTLBLK
11-03at ULW 75-61 2100-20-20-021000

Buddy Hammer Jr. #4 · F · Senior · 6' 7" · 215 lbs

Westville, OK · ESPN · @BuddyHammer23
4.0 pts4.0 reb1.0 ast20.0 min 2-4 FG0-1 3PT0-1 FT 45.0 TS%10.9 shots+TO/40
+ dispatch
Game log
DateOppResultMINPTSFG3PTFTREBASTTOSTLBLK
11-03at ULW 75-61 2042-40-10-141100

Colin White #22 · F · Junior · 6' 6" · 220 lbs

Ottawa, OH · ESPN · @ColinWhite21
9.0 pts4.0 reb1.0 ast16.0 min 2-5 FG2-3 3PT3-4 FT 66.6 TS%21.9 shots+TO/40
+ dispatch
Game log
DateOppResultMINPTSFG3PTFTREBASTTOSTLBLK
11-03at ULW 75-61 1692-52-33-441201

Kamrin Oriol #11 · G · Senior · 6' 3" · 187 lbs

St. Petersburg, FL · ESPN
5.0 pts6.0 reb3.0 ast16.0 min 1-1 FG1-1 3PT2-2 FT 133.0 TS%7.2 shots+TO/40
+ dispatch
Game log
DateOppResultMINPTSFG3PTFTREBASTTOSTLBLK
11-03at ULW 75-61 1651-11-12-263100

Chabi Barre #5 · F · Senior · 6' 10" · 225 lbs

Cotonou, Benin · ESPN
4.0 pts4.0 reb0.0 ast14.0 min 1-1 FG0-0 3PT2-2 FT 106.4 TS%8.2 shots+TO/40
+ dispatch
Game log
DateOppResultMINPTSFG3PTFTREBASTTOSTLBLK
11-03at ULW 75-61 1441-10-02-240100

Marvin Musiime-Kamali #23 · F · Junior · 6' 6" · 195 lbs

Brockton, MA · ESPN
2.0 pts0.0 reb0.0 ast6.0 min 0-1 FG0-0 3PT2-2 FT 53.2 TS%12.5 shots+TO/40
+ dispatch
Game log
DateOppResultMINPTSFG3PTFTREBASTTOSTLBLK
11-03at ULW 75-61 620-10-02-200000

Tai Perkins #6 · G · Freshman · 6' 0" · 150 lbs

Westerville, OH · ESPN · @TaiPerkins0
0.0 pts0.0 reb0.0 ast2.0 min 0-0 FG0-0 3PT0-0 FT – TS%0.0 shots+TO/40
+ dispatch
Game log
DateOppResultMINPTSFG3PTFTREBASTTOSTLBLK
11-03at ULW 75-61 200-00-00-000000

Cody Head #9 · G · Junior · 6' 3" · 195 lbs

Cleveland, OH · ESPN · @codyhead15
Has not appeared yet.
+ dispatch
Game log
DateOppResultMINPTSFG3PTFTREBASTTOSTLBLK
11-03at ULW 75-61 DNP

Devan Christion #19 · F · Freshman · 6' 9"

Las Vegas, NV · ESPN
Has not appeared yet.
+ dispatch
Game log
DateOppResultMINPTSFG3PTFTREBASTTOSTLBLK
11-03at ULW 75-61 DNP

Exavier Wilson #1 · G · Freshman · 6' 1" · 170 lbs

Columbia, MO · ESPN · @ExavierWilson7
Has not appeared yet.
+ dispatch
Game log
DateOppResultMINPTSFG3PTFTREBASTTOSTLBLK
11-03at ULW 75-61 DNP

Josh Henderson #7 · G · Freshman · 6' 5" · 170 lbs

Westerville, OH · ESPN · @JHenderson2025
Has not appeared yet.
+ dispatch
Game log
DateOppResultMINPTSFG3PTFTREBASTTOSTLBLK
11-03at ULW 75-61 DNP

Max Burton #10 · F · Senior · 6' 10" · 240 lbs

Williamston, MI · from Western Michigan · transfer in · ESPN · @MaxBurton2022
Has not appeared yet.
+ dispatch

5.9 ppg, 5.2 rpg at WMU; described as a key veteran resource. Beacon Journal covered his portal commitment (Yahoo syndication). source source

sMACk Talk (Substack): Redshirt senior forward, transfer from Western Michigan; 5.9 ppg, 5.2 rpg; called a key veteran resource. source

Game log
DateOppResultMINPTSFG3PTFTREBASTTOSTLBLK
11-03at ULW 75-61 DNP

RJ Jones #15 · G · Freshman · 6' 5"

Cleveland, OH · ESPN
Has not appeared yet.
+ dispatch
Game log
DateOppResultMINPTSFG3PTFTREBASTTOSTLBLK
11-03at ULW 75-61 DNP

Departures and others in coverage

PlayerStatusNotes
Tavari JohnsonunknownTransferred out to College of Charleston following Groce. Was 2025-26 Blue Ribbon preseason All-Conference pick. source
Sharron YoungunknownTransferred out to Western Kentucky. source
Amani LylesunknownGraduated after 2025-26. source
Shammah ScottunknownGraduated after 2025-26. source
Bowen HardmanunknownGraduated after 2025-26. source
Named in previews or news but not on ESPN's current roster: mostly transfers out and graduates, sometimes a late addition ESPN has not listed yet.

Who covers Akron

SourceTypeHandleBeat writersNotes
The Buchtelite (University of Akron student paper)campus paper Tags: akron-basketball, zips-basketball, john-groce. No 2026-27 men's basketball article surfaced in search; beat writer not identified.
Akron Beacon Journalcity paper Main city paper. 2026-27 Zips MBB pieces syndicated to Yahoo Sports: 'Five things to know about Akron men's basketball ahead of 2026-27 season' (https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/five-things-know-akron-mens-105550930.html), 'Akron men's basketball opens 2026-27 season with win, Zips women lose' (https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/akron-mens-basketball-opens-2026-105551345.html), 'Akron introduces Zips basketball coach Dustin Ford at news conference' (https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/akron-introduces-zips-basketball-coach-140051839.html), 'Akron Zips basketball lands Max Burton through NCAA transfer portal' (https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/akron-zips-basketball-lands-max-175023377.html). Pages could not be read (fetch budget exhausted); author names not captured.
Cleveland 19 News (WOIO)tv radio Covered Ford's April 15, 2026 introduction. Cleveland-market TV.
Akron Athletics (GoZips.com) men's basketballofficial Official site; news releases include Nov 2 Louisiana recap and Oct 26 exhibition preview. Roster: https://gozips.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster. Media contact named in Ford presser release: Brian Dennison.
BVM Sportsblog Aggregator (BVM Sportsdesk, AI-assisted summaries of GoZips releases). Three 2026-27 Akron pieces: Oct 20 poll, Oct 26 exhibition, Oct 29 mid-major poll.
Akron Zipped Up (Substack)blog Independent Zips newsletter; 2026-27 piece 'Zips Men's Basketball ready for a seamless transition'. Could not be read (fetch budget exhausted).
sMACk Talk (Substack)blog Kaily "KG" GodekMAC-wide newsletter; Godek wrote the Akron section of the Oct 21, 2026 league overview.
ZipsNation.org forumsforum Independent Akron fan message board.
Hustle Belt (SB Nation MAC site)blog No 2026-27 MAC basketball preview surfaced in searches; most recent indexed content was 2025 football.
Mid-American Conference (getsomemaction.com)official League office; 2026-27 schedule release Aug 12, 2026.
Coverage research as of 2026-11-08.