A Legacy of Excellence: Exploring Akron Zips Men's Basketball History
The University of Akron's basketball program boasts a rich and evolving history, dating back to its inception in 1901. From its humble beginnings as Buchtel College to its current standing in the Mid-American Conference (MAC), the Akron Zips men's basketball team has woven a compelling narrative of growth, resilience, and achievement. This article delves into the key milestones, figures, and traditions that have shaped the program into what it is today.
Early Years and Conference Affiliations
The Akron Zips men's basketball team represents the University of Akron in Akron, Ohio. The team was established in 1901, when the school was still known as Buchtel College, playing out of Crouse Gym, the school's original building, built in 1888. They played their first game against Mount Union College, a 120-9 loss. The team played just four games in the 1901-1902 season, winning their final two against the Western Reserve College medical school. The team's first three seasons were spent without the benefit of a head coach. Growing too big for Crouse, the team began playing at the Akron Armory, just a few blocks off-campus, in the 1920s.
The Zips have navigated through various conference affiliations, each marking a distinct chapter in their history. The Zips began play in the Ohio Athletic Conference in 1923 where they would compete from 1923 to 1965 except for 1936-1944 when the University left the OAC and competed as an independent. During their first season back in the OAC, Akron would unknowingly find themselves on the opposite end on what could be considered the first gambling scandal in college basketball history with five of Brooklyn College's players being arrested in a failed attempt to throw a January 29, 1945 game against Akron. In the OAC, Akron would win 8 conference titles and five tournament titles, three of them under legendary coach, Tony Laterza. After the 1965-1966 season Akron left the OAC for good and competed as an independent in the NCAA's College Division, which would later be renamed Division II. When the NCAA divided into three divisions in 1973, the Zips would play one season in Division III before moving to Division II, where they would play from 1975 to 1980. Akron attained NCAA Division I status in 1980 and began play in the Ohio Valley Conference that fall. Prior to becoming members of the MAC in 1992, the Zips were members of the Ohio Valley Conference and the Mid-Continent Conference.
Rhodes Arena and the Bob Huggins Era
In 1983, the Zips moved into their current arena, the James A. Rhodes Arena, just to the east of old Memorial Hall. The following year, Bob Huggins began coaching the team, leading the Zips to the 1986 OVC title and tournament title to gain their first berth in the NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament as a No. 15 seed, where they fell to the 5th-ranked and No. 2-seeded Michigan Wolverines 70-64 in the first round. Akron would play one more season in the OVC and earn a berth in the 1987 National Invitation Tournament before another stint as an independent from 1987 to 1990. Huggins would lead the Zips to the 1989 NIT before leaving Akron after the season to coach at Cincinnati.
Transition to the Mid-American Conference
Akron would rejoin the Mid-Continent Conference in 1990 and compete for two seasons before officially beginning play in the Mid-American Conference in 1992. The Zips struggled early on as members of the MAC including a disastrous 0-18 MAC season in 1995-1996 which saw the Zips finish the season 3-23 overall on a 21-game losing streak after a 3-1 start. Akron posted their first winning season in MAC play during the 1997-1998 season under coach Dan Hipsher going 13-5 and winning the first MAC East division title and qualifying for the MAC tournament for the first time.
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The Keith Dambrot Years
Dambrot had previously coached at nearby St. Vincent - St. Mary High School in Akron and had coached LeBron James. Dambrot lead a resurgence in Zips basketball, posting a winning record (19-10, 11-7 MAC) in the 2004-2005 season, their first winning campaign since 2000, and a second MAC East division title in 2007. Under Dambrot, the Zips had won 21 or more games in each of the last 12 seasons (beginning in 2005-2006) and had made ten postseason appearances: the 2009, 2011, and 2013 NCAA tournament, the 2006, 2008, 2012, 2016, and 2017 NIT, the 2010 CBI, and the 2014 CIT.[2] The 2006-2007 team tied the school record for wins, finishing 26-7, but failed to earn an invitation to any postseason tournament. In 2007, the Zips advanced to the MAC tournament championship game for the first time in program history, losing on a last-second shot 53-52 to the Miami RedHawks at Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland. They made a second appearance in 2008, falling to arch-rival Kent State 74-55. Finally, in 2009, the Zips defeated Buffalo in the MAC Championship Game and advanced to their first NCAA tournament in 23 years, falling to Gonzaga in Round One.
The John Groce Era
Groce had coached at the University of Illinois since 2012 before being hired as the Head coach for the Zips. The Zips had a rough start adjusting to their new head coach, finishing 14-18 overall on the season and losing to Eastern Michigan in the Quarterfinals of the MAC tournament 58-67. During the 2019-2020 season the Zips finally caught their stride with Groce at the helm finishing the season with a record of 24-7, the best since Groce began his tenure.
NCAA Tournament Appearances
The Zips have appeared in seven NCAA tournaments. The team first played in the NCAA tournament in 1986 when Bob Huggins was its coach. The Zips most recently appeared in the NCAA tournament in 2025.
National Invitation Tournament (NIT)
The Zips have appeared in seven National Invitation Tournaments. In 2006, the Zips received an invitation to the NIT and won their first post season game at Temple University before falling in the second round. In 1987 and 1989 the Zips also appeared in the NIT.
CollegeInsider.com Postseason Tournament
The Zips have appeared in one CollegeInsider.com Postseason Tournament.
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MAC Tournament History
Since joining the MAC for the 1992-1993 season, the Zips have appeared in the last 23 conference tournaments, making their first appearance in 1998, the same year they won their first MAC East division title. Since then they have posted a record of 30-19 in tournament play including consecutive appearances in the championship game between 2007 and 2013 for which is the current record for consecutive appearances.
Statistical Leaders
The Akron Zips men's basketball statistical leaders are individual statistical leaders of the Akron Zips men's basketball program in various categories, including points, rebounds, assists, steals, and blocks. Within those areas, the lists identify single-game, single-season, and career leaders. Akron began competing in intercollegiate basketball in 1901. However, the school's record book does not generally list records from before the 1950s, as records from before this period are often incomplete and inconsistent.
The Spirit of the Zips
The University of Akron's storied athletics history dates back nearly 130 years. The Zips' intercollegiate athletics program includes basketball, cross country, lacrosse, soccer, softball, swimming and diving, indoor and outdoor track and field and volleyball for women; and baseball, basketball, football, soccer, and indoor and outdoor track and field for men. In 1927, a campus-wide contest was conducted to choose a nickname for the University's athletic teams. Student Margaret Hamlin suggested "Zippers," which was also the name of a popular rubber overshoe sold by Akron's B.F. Goodrich Co. The evolution of Zippy, The University of Akron’s mascot, began 54 years ago when the student council, under president Dave Frye, decided the University needed a mascot.“Zippy” the kangaroo was officially declared UA’s mascot on May 1, 1953. The first known printed reference to the mascot as “Zippy” was a 1965 Zips football press brochure. The Buchtelite's first use of the name “Zippy” came Sept.
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