Akron is trying to remain the hottest men’s basketball program in the country Tuesday night, when the Zips will honor UA great Enrique Freeman by unveiling his jersey number in the rafters at Rhodes Arena during a halftime ceremony.
Victorious in each of its past 13 games, Akron owns the nation’s longest active winning streak entering its Mid-American Conference showdown with Northern Illinois on what UA has dubbed “Enrique Freeman Night.” When the Indiana Pacers picked Freeman during the second round (No. 50 overall) in June, he became the first Zips player drafted by an NBA team since 1987. A Cleveland native, Freeman was voted an Associated Press All-America Honorable Mention selection and the MAC Player of the Year last season as a UA senior.
Tipoff for Akron (20-5, 12-0) versus Northern Illinois (5-20, 1-11) occurred shortly after 7 p.m. Updates will be here throughout the game.
The Akron Zips lead the Northern Illinois Huskies 12-2 with 15:08 left in the first half
Akron jumped out to a 12-2 lead and held the 10-point advantage during the first media timeout with 15:08 remaining in the first half.
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Guard Tavari Johnson got off to a hot start with a 3-pointer and a layup during a 10-0 run by UA.
Here is some pregame information:
The Akron Zips have the nation’s longest winning streak among men’s basketball teams. What is the school record for consecutive wins?
Akron entered Tuesday with a 13-game winning streak, the longest active streak in the nation. Towson ranks second with a 12-game winning streak.
According to UA, the Zips still have a decent amount of work to do to break program records for most wins in a row.
- 19 consecutive wins during the 2012-13 season is Akron’s longest winning streak in its Division I era
- 21 consecutive wins during the 1958-59 season is Akron’s longest winning streak regardless of division
- 22 consecutive wins from 1918-20 is Akron’s longest winning streak spanning multiple seasons
The Akron Zips men have a perfect home record during the 2024-25 college basketball season
Akron is 13-0 at home this season. According to UA, only 14 of the 364 men’s hoops teams in NCAA Division I are unbeaten at home this season. No other MAC team has an unblemished home record this season.
Speaking of the MAC, UA would improve to 13-0 in the conference for the first time since the 2012-13 season with a win over Northern Illinois.
More Akron Zips men’s basketball:Tavari Johnson goes from ‘quiet as a church mouse’ to making noise with UA
![University of Akron head coach John Groce check a video replay on the scoreboard during the game against Western Michigan on Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2025, in Akron, Ohio, at James A. Rhodes Arena. [Phil Masturzo/ Beacon Journal]](/gcdn/authoring/authoring-images/2025/02/12/NABJ/78437738007-zips-m-wmu-3.jpg?width=300&height=358&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
What is the history between Akron and Northern Illinois in men’s basketball?
Earlier this season, Akron prevailed 80-70 at Northern Illinois on Jan. 28.
Akron leads its all-time series with Northern Illinois 33-14. UA has won the past four meetings.
And Akron’s John Groce is 9-3 in his head coaching career against NIU.
Why are Zips so hot right now?:UA remains atop MAC men’s basketball standings with ‘modern NBA-style offense’
Zips basketball broadcast information. How can I watch on TV, listen on radio or stream the Akron vs Northern Illinois men’s basketball game?
The Akron-Northern Illinois game will be televised on ESPN+, with Michael Reghi serving as the play-by-play announcer and Jeff Phelps the analyst. It will be broadcast on local radio via WHLO (640-AM), with Dave Skoczen doing play by play and Joe Dunn analyzing.
Nate Ulrich can be reached at nulrich@thebeaconjournal.com. On Twitter: @ByNateUlrich.
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