Akron Zips men's basketball team begins stretch run leading to conference schedule

University of Akron men’s basketball coach John Groce calls this year’s nonconference schedule the toughest the team has played since his arrival.

The 5-4 record and games against the likes of Mississippi State, Louisiana State and Nevada along with good mid-major teams such as South Dakota State and Marshall are indicative of that.

“Obviously, our biggest thing with nonconference scheduling is we want to be aggressive, make sure that we can expose our team to home, away, neutral, different styles [of basketball],” Groce said after Monday’s practice. “Obviously this year's been the most difficult that we've played in the six years I've been here, and we've loved the challenge of that. I think it's taught us a lot.”

Groce has never been one to give up his secrets, but the nonconference schedule has served his team well, he said.

“I think it's exposed us in some areas where we need to get better, so it's allowing us to address those earlier, which is a good thing,” he said while declining to be more specific. “So that part from that standpoint has been good. Obviously, it's been challenging, and when we played a lot, I probably gave them a lot early.”

New Akron Zips players are starting to fit in

Forward Enrique Freeman (12.7 points, 9.7 rebounds) said Monday things are starting to fall into place for the Zips, who have several new players trying to fit into the team and scheme, with game 10 against another tough mid-major, Wright State, looming Wednesday night at Rhodes Arena.

“I think right now we're at a point where we're getting our chemistry together offensively, defensively,” he said. “[We’ve] had a few learning opportunities. We're just getting, I say getting back to the culture.”

More:Akron Zips men's basketball facing stiff competition right out of the gate

Groce said the new players are getting more comfortable with their surroundings. For example, forward Trendon Hankerson, a grad transfer from Northern Illinois, appears to have found his place, averaging double figures in the past three games. He said that ease is coming from across the board, which has allowed the players to alleviate problems such as shooting.

“I think part of it is comfortability with new guys within what we do offensively. Part of it has been, we've just missed them. Part of it has been execution,” Groce said. “Guys are starting to get more reps together, execution's getting better. I think the ball's moving better. We're working together better to get easier shots. So, it's really a combination of a lot of things, but which has been good to see.”

Beginning with the game against Wright State (5-5), which played in the 2022 NCAA Tournament and beat Bryant in the opening round, the Zips begin the last four games of the nonconference schedule.

Akron Zips coach John Groce takes one game at a time

Although Groce, like any coach, only looks at what game is before him and his team, there’s little doubt that working out as many kinks as possible prior to the start of the Mid-American Conference schedule is paramount.

“I don't necessarily emphasize one [game],” he said. “There's a mindset of preparing ourselves for Mid-American Conference play. But other than that, I mean, I'm not emphasizing a certain game or particular part of the schedule more than other parts.”

Groce may not, but his team at least understands what’s at hand. Freeman said it’s important for the Zips to go into the conference schedule with a sense of calm and stick to the fundamentals. But he doesn’t diminish the importance of what’s ahead.

“When you go to MAC play it's a whole different world of competition,” he said. “So, I think these next four games are really where we have to dial in, really focus on a lot of detailed things and get ready for the MAC competition.”

Reach George M. Thomas at gthomas@thebeaconjournal.com

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Akron Zips men's basketball coach sees benefit in tough scheduling