Takeaways from University of Akron victory over Western Michigan Broncos

Akron Zips forward Mikal Dawson (22) celebrates after making a three during the first half of an NCAA basketball game Western Michigan Broncos, Tuesday, Jan. 18, 2022, in Akron, Ohio. [Jeff Lange/Beacon Journal]
Akron Zips forward Mikal Dawson (22) celebrates after making a three during the first half of an NCAA basketball game Western Michigan Broncos, Tuesday, Jan. 18, 2022, in Akron, Ohio. [Jeff Lange/Beacon Journal]

If the University of Akron men’s basketball team was feeling lucky after Tuesday night’s 74-73 Mid-American Conference win over Western Michigan, no one could blame it.

In a game in which the Zips (1-5, 3-2) trailed by 10 with 2:40 left, they gathered themselves to win on a turnaround jump shot by forward Ali Ali with four seconds to play.

That in itself was a welcome sight. Ali produced a three-game stretch in which he averaged more than 20 points. But in his last two, he’s averaged 4.5 points. Tuesday night, on his way to winning the game, he scored 18 points — and the Zips needed every one of them.

That is one of several takeaways from the nail-biter against the Broncos (4-13, 0-7).

Ali Ali back on track

Ali has elevated his game this season. It cannot be argued. He’s averaging six more points so far this season and he’s a player his teammates trust and on whom they rely. UA coach John Groce said Ali has learned from his recent struggles, especially on his game-winning shot.

“I thought he was much more intelligent in terms of how he attacked [Western Michigan],” Groce said. “I thought he’d learned from what he’d been through previously. Pretty neat to see that.”

Western Michigan forward Markeese Hastings (0) tries to grab rebound over University of Akron forward Ali Ali (24) during the second half of Tuesday's game at Rhodes Arena. Ali made the game-winning shot in a 74-73 win for the Zips. [Jeff Lange/Beacon Journal]
Western Michigan forward Markeese Hastings (0) tries to grab rebound over University of Akron forward Ali Ali (24) during the second half of Tuesday's game at Rhodes Arena. Ali made the game-winning shot in a 74-73 win for the Zips. [Jeff Lange/Beacon Journal]

Ali said he was just more aggressive against the Broncos.

“Just finding other ways to score because I haven’t had to deal with this type of attention since I’ve been here,” he said. “Just adjusting and finding different ways to help us score as a team and just not myself.”

As for teams being more aware of him on the court, Ali said he sees it.

“It’s not crazy or anything," he said. "It’s still basketball. It’s still 5-on-5. I obviously struggled for two games here, but I’m getting back on track and starting to see defenses better.”

Akron Zips forward Mikal Dawson (22) makes a three during the first half of an NCAA basketball game against the Western Michigan Broncos, Tuesday, Jan. 18, 2022, in Akron, Ohio. [Jeff Lange/Beacon Journal]
Akron Zips forward Mikal Dawson (22) makes a three during the first half of an NCAA basketball game against the Western Michigan Broncos, Tuesday, Jan. 18, 2022, in Akron, Ohio. [Jeff Lange/Beacon Journal]

The Zips need a strong voices

The most significant issue the Zips faced this season was finding a leader.

That was pressing given the loss of point guard Loren Cristian-Jackson, who was the team's clear leader last season. So far, no one player has stepped up definitively.

With 2:40 left and UA trailing by 10, anyone who truly thought the Zips were going to win Tuesday night's game is fibbing. It has been evident this year's team lacks that one player who pulls the team together and says, “Let’s go.”

University of Akron guard Greg Tribble (2) reaches up to block the shot of Western Michigan guard Mack Smith (32) during Tuesday night's game at Rhodes Arena. UA coach John Groce said Tribble showed leadership qualities in leading the Zips to a 74-73 comeback win. [Jeff Lange/Beacon Journal]
University of Akron guard Greg Tribble (2) reaches up to block the shot of Western Michigan guard Mack Smith (32) during Tuesday night's game at Rhodes Arena. UA coach John Groce said Tribble showed leadership qualities in leading the Zips to a 74-73 comeback win. [Jeff Lange/Beacon Journal]

But Groce said he saw some of that needed voice against the Broncos in guard Greg Tribble.

“I thought Greg, his voice, especially when you’re a guy like him who’s been on winning teams the past two years now going on three years — that voice from a player in addition to the coaches — I thought was impactful,” Groce said.

Ali said the players on the floor in those final moments lifted one another up. He didn’t have a preference as to whether there should be one voice.

“It’s different for every team. It’s a mystery for every year, finding out who’s the leader, who can lead and stuff like that,” he said. “Obviously, we have to get better at that.”

As for whether he prefers one definitive voice, Groce had a simple answer: “The more guys the better."

Not-so-intense defense

In one game against your rival, anything can happen.

But the Zips' defensive intensity didn’t look to be at a high level in the second half in Friday night's loss to Kent State, and that certainly appeared to carry over against Western Michigan.

Groce's teams normally play defense first. Recently, it’s been a case of playing defense when they feel like it for the Zips. Allowing 60% shooting from behind the 3-point line in a half? That is the type of thing that will turn around and bite a team in the hindquarters if it is not careful. The Zips almost got bit.

Groce chalked it up to the Broncos starting to feel good early in the game.

“I don’t think we disrupted them enough with our ball pressure,” he said. “They were very comfortable.”

The Broncos remained comfortable until the final 10 minutes, when the Zips started switching things up.

“[We] played a lot of different coverages and pressed more,” Groce said, “and did different things in the second half to try to get them out of rhythm. It was a real challenge, because those two guards [Lamar Norman Jr. (19 points) and B. Artis White (23 points)]? Unbelievable. The last time I saw shot-making like that in our building was two years ago in the championship year when Toledo beat us.”

In that game, Toledo’s Marreon Jackson scored 36 points and Cristian-Jackson had 33.

“So give those two guards and their team credit,” Groce said.

Reach George M. Thomas at gthomas@thebeaconjournal.com or on Twitter @ByGeorgeThomas.

Akron at Bowling Green

Time: 7 p.m. Thursday

TV/Radio: ESPN3/WHLO (640-AM)

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: University of Akron men's basketball team should learn in close win