Some may look on the schedule and not have a sense for Creighton men’s basketball opponent on Sunday afternoon, Akron. However, they need to be aware of the Zips, because they are a good team.
Akron went to the NCAA Tournament two season’s ago, including defeating Creighton in a Bracketbusters game. They came up just short last season when they were the regular season MAC champs, but lost in the finals of their conference tournament. The resume last year was not enough to get in as an at-large team.
Heading into this season, the Zips are looking to make their way to the top of their conference again and get back to the NCAA Tournament. A win against Creighton on Sunday would certainly enhance their resume.
To give us a little more insight into Akron before the 1PM tip on Sunday, we checked in with George Thomas of the Akron Beacon Journal. Here is what he had to say:
White & Blue Review: Akron has been on the cusp of being a dominant player in the MAC. What kind of expectations are there for the Zips this season and what are their chances on getting back to the NCAA Tournament after a just missing last season?
George Thomas: The expectations are they will take the MAC. With the return of four of last year’s starting five, the starting rotation is in good shape and bolstered by the addition of Demetrius Treadwell, a ferocious rebounder at the four spot. Their chances at the tournament depends on whether they can get by nemesis Ohio.
WBR: Quincy Diggs was supposed to be a key player on this year’s team. What happened to him and how has his absence affected the team so far?
GT: Quincy was ruled ineligible for the season and there’s been no formal explanation as to why. Near as I can see there hasn’t been an effect thus far. The team is still in the process of working out roles. The team may ultimately miss Diggs’ defense more than offense. He had the ability to guard four positions on the floor. Offensively, Nick Harney is expected to pick up some of the slack and freshman Jake Kretzer has impressed thus far.
WBR: Two seasons ago, Creighton played Akron as a part of Bracketbusters and the Zips came away with the victory. As a part of the Bracketbusters format, this game on Sunday is the return game in that series. Does this scheduling practice help Akron get quality opponents on the schedule, or is this something that might have been scheduled already, just naturally?
GT: Keith Dambrot has been working to get tougher opponents on the schedule to help the team’s RPI, so I think this is a logical extension of that.
WBR: Zeke Marshall was in some publications as a player to watch this season. How will he match up against Creighton’s Doug McDermott or Gregory Echenique?
GT: I suspect Zeke will be more on Echenique than McDermott. As far as how they match up, McDermott appears to be an offensive force, but Zeke’s strong suit is defense and within that element of his game, shot blocking. That’s what to expect on Echenique. As for McDermott? If Tree (Treadwell) is on him, he can expect a physical game.
WBR: Which players should Creighton fans be aware of that could make an impact for the Zips on Sunday?
GT: Point guard Alex Abreu runs a tight offense, but here’s the linchpin: the Zips are incredibly balanced offensively and member of the eight or nine players in the rotation can go off. Abreu can score or facilitate from the point. I mentioned Zeke. Kretzer comes off the bench and has been remarkably composed for a freshman. The Zips can hurt you from the inside if they try to work that game, but if they get hot, they will bury a team with threes.
WBR: Akron has won three straight games coming into this game. How is their confidence? Has playing in three overtime games helped them with playing in tight games?
GT: All signs point to them being generally confident about the games on their non-conference schedule and their conference schedule. The overtime games have made them a bit hungrier. They know that they could be undefeated right now.
WBR: With 17000 fans in attendance at the CenturyLink, how will the Zips handle the big crowd?
GT: I have no idea. I do know that they’re not rattled easily and that they tend to play with poise.
WBR: What is your final prediction? What will Akron need to do to pull out the upset?
GT: I don’t predict games. As for what they need to do? They have to rebound better and clean up their defense. Those are absolute musts.