Akron Zips basketball score, live updates, highlights vs. UMass
The University of Akron men’s basketball team hosts the University of Massachusetts on Friday, Feb. 13, in its 12th Mid-American Conference game this season.
Akron (19-5, 10-1) is the reigning MAC regular-season and MAC Tournament champ and reached the NCAA Tournament last season.
advertisement
Tipoff is set for 9 pm Return throughout the night for live updates from Rhodes Arena.
What is Akron’s record in men’s basketball this season?
Akron (19-5, 10-1) enters Friday second in the MAC behind Miami (24-0, 11-0). The RedHawks host the Ohio Bobcats (13-12, 7-5) in a game at 9 pm Feb. 13.
UMass (15-10, 6-6) is in the middle of the MAC standings.
Akron Zips guard Tavari Johnson (5) moves past Kent State Golden Flashes guard Jahari Williamson (25) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game at the JAR, Jan. 30, 2026, in Akron, Ohio.
More Akron Zips coverage: Bowen Hardman’s late 3-pointer lifts Akron men’s basketball to win at Eastern Michigan
Akron men’s basketball starters vs. UMass
0 Amani Lyles F Sr. 6-9 240 Columbus, Ohio / Beechcroft
3 Sharron Young G Soph. 6-0 160 Morgantown, West Virginia / Morgantown
5 Tavari Johnson G Sr. 6-0 170 La Grange Park, Illinois / Lyons
12 Evan Mahaffey F Sr. 6-6 215 Cincinnati, Ohio / Archbishop Moeller / Penn State / Ohio State
21 Zach Halligan G R-Soph. 6-5 210 Uniontown, Ohio / Walsh Jesuit
More Akron Zips coverage: Tavari Johnson, Bowen Hardman guide Akron to men’s basketball win over Kent State
advertisement
UMass men’s basketball starters vs. Akron
0 Danny Carbuccia G Fr. 5′ 11” 177 Yonkers, NY / Archbishop Stepinac
1 Daniel Hankins-Sanford F Sr. 6′ 8” 236 Charlotte, NC / Julius L. Chambers
3 Leonardo Bettiol F Gr. 6′ 9” 238 Roncade, Italy / Liceo Duca degli Abruzzi
11 Jayden Ndjigue G/F Jr. 6′ 4” 206 Ayer, Mass. / The Rivers School
24 Marcus Banks Jr. G Gr. 6′ 3” 200 Hampton, Va. / Fork Union Military Academy
Series history between Akron and Massachusetts men’s basketball teams
Akron and Massachusetts have played twice previously, with each team earning a win in the series.
The teams first met on March 22, 2008 in the second round of the NIT and the Minutemen won 68-63.
Akron defeated Massachusetts 85-79 on December 30, 2019.
Akron men’s basketball at a glance
Akron lost to Troy 79-69 on Dec. 7 in the second round of the Mid-American Conference-Sun Belt Challenge.
Akron senior guard Tavari Johnson leads the MAC in scoring at 20.4 points per game and Amani Lyles is seventh in the MAC in rebounding with a 7.5 average.
UMass men’s basketball at a glance
Massachusetts lost to Coastal Carolina 94-91 in three overtimes on Dec. 7 in the second round of the 2025-26 MAC-SBC Challenge.
advertisement
K’Jei Parker scored a career-high 31 points to lead UMass. Marcus Banks Jr..who sent the game to a third overtime with a buzzer beater at the end of the second OT, finished with 21 points for UMass and Leonardo Bettiol added 17 points and 10 rebounds for his sixth double-double this season.
Daniel Hankins-Sanford recorded his nine double-double of the season with 10 points and a career-high 20 rebounds, the most rebounds in a game for a Minutemen player since Jim Town had 27 against Boston College on Dec. 12, 1976.
UMass features four players averaging double figures in points per game, including Bettiol (17.6 points), Banks (16.8), Hankins-Sanford (11.9) and Parker (11.6).
Bettiol and Banks Jr., rank sixth and eighth, respectively, in points per game in the MAC.
advertisement
Bettiol is also shooting 59.2% from the field to rank first in the league and 31st nationally. Bettiol is also averaging 7.9 rebounds per game to rank third in the MAC and Hankins-Sanford ranks fifth (7.6).
What to know about Akron coach John Groce and Massachusetts coach Frank Martin
Akron is led by coach John Groce, who is 187-93 as the Zips coach and 369-225 overall that includes stints at Ohio and Illinois.
UMass is led by coach Frank Martin, who is 62-57 as the coach of the Minutemen and 350-258 overall that includes stints at Kansas State and South Carolina.
Akron Beacon Journal sports writer Michael Beaven can be reached by email at mbeaven@thebeaconjournal and is on Twitter at @MBeavenABJ.
advertisement
Nate Ulrich is the sports columnist of the Akron Beacon Journal and a sports features writer. Nate can be reached at nullrich@thebeaconjournal.com. On Twitter: @ByNateUlrich.
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: UMass vs Akron Zips men’s basketball score, live updates
