As quickly as Ohio’s season began, it is already nearing its end. The Bobcats are closing in on the final week of their regular season schedule, which consists of road games against Bowling Green and Northern Illinois.
But before the Bobcats leave, they have one final night in The Convo ahead of them. They’ll host Akron on Friday night for one final home game before the season concludes.
When the Bobcats (23-5, 14-3 Mid-American Conference) last faced the Zips (18-9, 11-6 MAC) in early January, they jumped ahead behind an excellent shooting night and held out for their second conference win of the season. Now, both teams have secured spots in the MAC Tournament and are looking to secure a better seeding.
Here’s another look at the Zips ahead of Ohio’s final game in The Convo:
Game information
Opponent: Akron
Venue: The Convo
Time: 6 p.m.
Watch: CBS Sports Network
Listen: Ohio IMG Sports Network
Live stats: Live stats are provided here.
Meet the opponent
Probable starters
02 Greg Tribble
13 Xavier Castaneda
22 Mikal Dawson
24 Ali Ali
25 Enrique Freeman
Individual statistical leaders
Points: Ali (13.8 points per game)
Rebounds: Freeman (11.2 rebounds per game)
Assists: Ali (2.6 assists per game)
Field goal percentage: Sekou Kalle (85.7%)
3-point percentage: Michael Wynn (44.4%)
Free throw percentage: Castaneda (81.8%)
Team statistical profile
Points per game: 70.6
Rebounds per game: 35.8
Assists per game: 12.0
Turnovers per game: 11.8
Field goal percentage: 45.9%
3-point percentage: 35%
Free throw percentage: 67.3%
Akron since Game 1
The Zips have gone 10-5 since they first faced the Bobcats in early January. They’ve lost three of their last five games, and all three losses were decided by four points or fewer.
They’ve also struggled with stronger conference opponents this season. They’ve lost games to Toledo and Ohio, and they lost both games against Kent State earlier this season.
Player to watch
Ali — The sophomore is Akron’s leading scorer and ranks 15th in the MAC in points per game. Ali has cracked double figures in his last three games and averages 13.8 points per game. In Akron’s loss to Ohio, Ali scored 22 points and turned the ball over four times.
