The Akron Zips secured a 99-92 victory over the Massachusetts Minutemen, improving their record to 20-5. Tavari Johnson led the way with 23 points, while Amani Lyles and Shammah Scott added 19 and 14 points, respectively. Massachusetts, now 15-11, was paced by K'Jei Parker's 20 points, with Marcus Banks Jr. and Leonardo Bettiol each scoring 18 points. The 7-point margin was closer than the predicted 10.5-point spread, but Akron's performance was strong, with 55 points scored in the second half.
Tavari Johnson's 23 Points Mark His 5th Game This Season With 20 Or More Points
The game was closely contested, with Akron holding a slim 44-43 lead at halftime. The Zips then outscored Massachusetts 55-49 in the second half to secure the 99-92 win. Akron's 55 second-half points were fueled by 43.8% shooting from the field and 40% from three-point range. Massachusetts, meanwhile, shot 42.9% from the field and 35.7% from three-point range in the second half, scoring 49 points. The Minutemen's 18 points from Marcus Banks Jr. and Leonardo Bettiol were not enough to overcome Akron's balanced attack, which saw three players score in double figures. The Zips' 99 points marked their 10th game this season with 90 or more points, and their 20-5 record puts them in a strong position with a 60 NET ranking.
Tavari Johnson and K'Jei Parker were the top performers in the game, with Johnson scoring 23 points on 9-15 shooting and Parker scoring 20 points on 7-12 shooting. Amani Lyles added 19 points for Akron, while Marcus Banks Jr. and Leonardo Bettiol scored 18 points each for Massachusetts. The three players combined for 78 points, with Johnson and Parker accounting for 43 of those points. Lyles' 19 points marked his 10th game this season with 15 or more points, and his 43.8% shooting percentage was a key factor in Akron's victory. Parker's 20 points, meanwhile, marked his 12th game this season with 15 or more points, and his 58.3% shooting percentage was a highlight for Massachusetts.
CHD Scout Report Card
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Final
The game saw Akron outshoot Massachusetts 49.3% to 42.9% from the field, with the Zips also outscoring the Minutemen 30-24 in the paint. Akron's 12 three-pointers, including 4 from Amani Lyles, were a key factor in their victory, as they outscored Massachusetts 36-24 from beyond the arc. The Zips also outrebounded the Minutemen 34-31, with 12 of those rebounds coming on the offensive glass. Massachusetts, meanwhile, committed 14 turnovers, which Akron converted into 18 points. The Minutemen's 18 points from turnovers were not enough to overcome Akron's 18-point advantage in points from three-pointers.
The CHD Scout model predicted an Akron victory by 10.5 points, with a predicted score of 85-75. While the actual margin was closer, at 7 points, the model was correct in predicting an Akron win. The model's prediction was based on Akron's strong offense, which has averaged 82.1 points per game this season, and Massachusetts's struggles on defense, which have allowed 76.4 points per game. The model's accuracy in predicting the winner and the general outcome of the game is a reflection of its effectiveness in evaluating team performance. The 7-point margin, however, was closer than expected, and the model may have underestimated Massachusetts's ability to score, as the Minutemen put up 92 points.
The victory improves Akron's record to 20-5, with a 60 NET ranking. The win was a Quadrant 4 victory for the Zips, while it was a Quadrant 1 loss for Massachusetts, which falls to 15-11 with a 191 NET ranking. The loss does not significantly harm Massachusetts's tournament chances, but it does make their path to the postseason more difficult. Akron, meanwhile, continues to build its resume, with the win marking their 10th victory over a team with a NET ranking above 200. The Zips' strong performance and 20-5 record put them in a strong position for the postseason, and their 60 NET ranking is a key factor in their chances.
Akron's next game is against the Buffalo Bulls on February 17, while Massachusetts faces the Fordham Rams on February 15. Both games matters in determining the teams' postseason chances, and a win for either team could significantly improve their resume. Akron's game against Buffalo will be a key test of their strength, as the Bulls are a strong opponent with a 18-7 record. Massachusetts's game against Fordham, meanwhile, will be an opportunity for the Minutemen to bounce back from their loss to Akron and improve their tournament chances.