Akron Battles Buffalo to Begin the MAC Tournament The University of Akron men’s basketball team will face the Buffalo Bulls in the first round of the 2026 Mid-American Conference Tournament on Thursday, March 12, at 4 p.m. at Rocket Arena in Cleveland, Ohio. The matchup marks the 80th all-time meeting between the two programs, with Akron holding a 46-33 series advantage. Head coach John Groce, who has led the Zips to a 194-93 record at Akron, will face Buffalo’s George Halcovage III, whose team has a 30-63 overall record. The game will be broadcast on ESPN+ with Michael Reghi and Rhett Boyd calling the action, while fans can listen on WHLO 640 AM with Dave Skoczen and Joe Dunn. Live stats will be available on GoZips.com/coverage. Akron’s recent performance has positioned it as a strong contender in the tournament. The Zips entered the MAC Tournament with a 26-5 overall record and a 17-1 mark in conference play. Their dominance at home has been notable, highlighted by a 31-game winning streak at James A. Rhodes Arena, which they extended with a 94-55 victory over Northern Illinois on March 6. Akron’s offense was explosive, hitting 18 of 27 three-pointers, led by Bowen Hardman’s career-high 20 points. The team also excelled defensively, limiting Northern Illinois to just 19.2% shooting from beyond the arc and 37.9% overall. Five players scored in double figures, including Amani Lyles with 17 points and two steals, and Sharron Young, who added 12 points, six rebounds, and two steals. The Zips’ recent matchup against Buffalo was equally impressive. On February 24, Akron defeated the Bulls 99-85 at home, securing its 30th consecutive home win. Tavari Johnson led the way with 23 points, going 11-of-11 from the free-throw line, while Evan Mahaffey recorded a career-high 20 points and nine rebounds.#mac_tournament #buffalo_bulls #university_of_akron #john_groce #rocket_arena
