Akron Zips Announce Strategic 2025-26 Men’s Basketball Non-Conference Schedule
AKRON,Ohio – The University of Akron men’s basketball program,preparing for its historic 125th season,revealed a demanding non-conference schedule on Friday,August 15. Head Coach John Groce emphasized the strategic intent behind the slate, designed to fortify the team’s pursuit of Mid-American Conference (MAC) championships.
Coach Groce acknowledged the increasing complexity of college basketball scheduling in recent years. He stated, “As we all know, the college basketball landscape has changed drastically over the last few years, thus making scheduling even harder than it was before.” Despite thes challenges, the coaching staff expressed confidence in the assembled schedule, believing it will adequately prepare the Zips for conference play.
Pro Tip: Following a challenging non-conference schedule can considerably improve a team’s seeding in postseason tournaments.
Key Matchups and Tournament Play
The Zips will launch their 2025-26 campaign with the MAC-SBC Challenge,hosting James Madison University on November 3 at James A. Rhodes Arena. Additional home contests at the JAR include matchups against Princeton University on November 8 and Penn State Shenango on November 12.
Akron will then participate in the paradise Jam tournament, held in the US Virgin Islands from November 21-24. The Zips will open the tournament against Iona College on November 21, followed by a game against either Evansville or Oregon State on November 22 or 23. The Paradise jam field also includes Charleston, UMass, Yale, and Green Bay.
December Road Swing and Jack Jones Classic
November concludes with home games against milwaukee on November 29 and Bucknell University on December 3. The team will then embark on a road trip, facing Tulane University on December 6 and competing in the Jack Jones Classic in henderson, Nevada, against Murray State University on December 13. The Jack Jones Classic will also feature Santa Clara, Arizona State, UNLV, Tennessee State, UC San Diego, and Tulane.
Akron will play a final non-conference game at home against Concord University on December 29 before completing the MAC-SBC Challenge series on February 7.
Season ticket Information
Season tickets are currently available for purchase. Single-game tickets for the 2025 season can be obtained through GoZips.com, by calling or texting 888-99-AKRON (25766), or by visiting The C.P. and Cornelia S. Chima Athletics Ticket Office at InfoCision Stadium-Summa Field. The ticket office is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
2025-26 Non-Conference Schedule at a Glance
| Date | Opponent | Location |
|---|---|---|
| November 3 | James Madison | Akron, OH |
| November 8 | Princeton | Akron, OH |
| November 12 | Penn State Shenango | Akron, OH |
| November 21-24 | paradise Jam (Iona, Evansville/Oregon State) | US Virgin Islands |
| November 29 | Milwaukee | Akron, OH |
| December 3 | Bucknell | Akron, OH |
| December 6 | Tulane | New Orleans, LA |
| December 13 | Murray State | henderson, NV |
| December 29 | Concord | Akron, OH |
| February 7 | MAC-SBC Challenge (Round 2) | TBD |
Did You Know? the University of Akron has a rich basketball history, with the men’s program achieving multiple NCAA Tournament appearances and MAC championships.
What impact will this challenging schedule have on the Zips’ overall performance? How will the Paradise Jam tournament specifically prepare them for the rigors of MAC play?
The Akron zips’ commitment to a rigorous non-conference schedule reflects a broader trend in college basketball. Teams increasingly prioritize challenging early-season matchups to improve their NET ranking and secure favorable seeding in the NCAA Tournament. This strategy, while demanding, is seen as crucial for long-term success. The emphasis on strength of schedule is supported by research indicating a correlation between non-conference performance and postseason outcomes ( NCAA Selection Committee Explanations).
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the MAC-SBC Challenge? The MAC-SBC Challenge is an annual event where teams from the Mid-American Conference and Sun Belt Conference face off in a home-and-home series.
- Where is the Paradise Jam tournament held? The Paradise Jam is held annually in the US Virgin Islands.
- How can I purchase tickets to Akron Zips basketball games? Tickets can be purchased online at GoZips.com, by phone, or in person at the Athletics Ticket Office.
- Who is the head coach of the Akron Zips men’s basketball team? The head coach is John Groce.
- What is the importance of a strong non-conference schedule? A challenging non-conference schedule can improve a team’s ranking and increase its chances of receiving an NCAA Tournament bid.
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