Akron Zips Secure Historic Three-Peat, Set Sights on Texas Tech in NCAA Tournament
AKRON, Ohio — The University of Akron men’s basketball program has officially cemented its status as a Mid-American Conference (MAC) dynasty. On March 14, 2026, the Zips captured their third consecutive MAC Tournament championship in dramatic fashion, defeating the Toledo Rockets 79-76 at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse in Cleveland. The victory not only extended Akron’s dominance in the region but also secured their spot in the 2026 NCAA Tournament as a No. 12 seed.
The Road to the Three-Peat
The championship game against Toledo was a testament to the grit that has defined the Zips’ season. Trailing by eight points at halftime, Akron mounted a furious second-half comeback. The hero of the night was redshirt senior Shammah Scott, who drained a go-ahead three-pointer with just 6.4 seconds remaining on the clock to seal the 79-76 victory. Scott, who was named the MAC Sixth Man of the Year, finished the night with 12 points.
Leading the charge throughout the tournament was senior guard Tavari Johnson, who earned Tournament MVP honors. Johnson, an All-MAC First Team selection, averaged 19.3 points and 3.3 assists over the three-day stretch in Cleveland. Senior forward Amani Lyles also proved critical, recording a massive double-double in the final with 15 points and a career-best 16 rebounds. With this win, Akron became the first team in MAC history to win three consecutive tournament titles.
Season Highlights and Key Personnel
Under the leadership of ninth-year head coach John Groce, the Zips finished the regular season with a program-record 29-5 overall record and a 17-1 mark in conference play. The team’s efficiency has been a hallmark of their success; Akron currently ranks seventh in Division I scoring, averaging 88.4 points per game, and ninth nationally in three-pointers made.
Coach Groce, who was recently honored as the 2025 Hugh Durham National Coach of the Year, has now guided the Zips to four NCAA Tournament appearances in the last five seasons (2022, 2024, 2025, and 2026). His ability to recruit and develop veteran talent—evidenced by a roster featuring five seniors or graduate students—has turned Akron into a perennial mid-major powerhouse.
While the men’s team celebrated a banner year, the Akron women’s basketball team concluded a challenging season under coach Ryan Gensler. Finishing with a 7-24 record, the Lady Zips saw a bright spot in freshman Shaina Brew, who was named to the MAC All-Freshman Team after a standout debut campaign. The team wrapped up its season on March 6 with a loss to Eastern Michigan on Senior Day.
Historical Context and the Quest for a First Win
Despite their regional dominance, the Akron Zips are still hunting for their first-ever victory in the NCAA Division I Tournament. Since transitioning to D-I in 1980, the program has made eight appearances (1986, 2009, 2011, 2013, 2022, 2024, 2025, and 2026) but holds an 0-7 record in the “Big Dance.”
The program has a storied coaching lineage, including Bob Huggins, who led the Zips to their first D-I tournament berth in 1986, and Keith Dambrot, who fostered a culture of consistent 20-win seasons between 2004 and 2017. Groce has built upon this foundation, taking the program to even higher heights in the 2020s.
Looking Ahead: The First Round in Tampa
The 12th-seeded Zips are scheduled to face the 5th-seeded Texas Tech Red Raiders today, Friday, March 20, 2026, in Tampa, Florida. Texas Tech (22-10) enters the tournament following a late-season stumble and the loss of star forward JT Toppin to an ACL injury. For Akron, this represents perhaps their best opportunity yet to break their tournament drought and advance to the second round.
“We’re in this position for a reason,” Shammah Scott said following the selection show. “We just have to stay together and play our brand of basketball. The history is great, but we’re focused on what’s next.”