The Akron Zips will face off against the Ball State Cardinals on Friday, February 20, at 6:30 p.m. in the 53rd all-time encounter between the two schools. This match will be broadcast on CBSSN, featuring Dave Ryan as the play-by-play announcer and BJ Taylor as the analyst. Fans can also tune into the Akron Sports Radio Network on WHLO 640 AM, with Dave Skoczen providing play-by-play commentary and Joe Dunn serving as analyst. Live stats will be available on GoZips.com/coverage.
Both teams have a notable history, with Akron leading the series 33-19. Coach John Groce has a solid record against Ball State, holding a 13-7 record overall and 10-4 at home. The last meeting occurred on January 13, 2026, when Akron emerged victorious with an 87-77 score. This season, Akron has already defeated Ball State once, earlier cruising to an 87-77 win at home. In their last encounter, Akron took control in the second half, scoring 47 points after being down by two at halftime.
In their recent outing on February 17, 2026, the Zips achieved an impressive 90-73 win against Western Michigan, marking their 11th consecutive victory in the MAC. Key players in this game included Tavari Johnson, who led the Zips with 17 points and six assists, followed by Amani Lyles, who contributed 14 points and nine rebounds. As a result of their strong performance, Akron improves its overall record to 21-5 and continues to dominate the MAC with a 12-1 record.
This Friday’s game will also serve as a national showcase for both teams, with Akron entering the matchup as the second-ranked team in the MAC in scoring, averaging nearly 90 points per game. The Zips’ high-octane offense relies on effective ball distribution, as evidenced by their ranking among the top in assists per game nationally.
On the other side, Ball State enters this contest with a record of 8-18 and aim to turn their season around. They recently fell to Ohio, losing 69-57 despite starting strong. The Cardinals will look to their leading scorer, Davion Hill, who averages 12.7 points per game, to make a significant impact against the Zips.
As Akron continues its pursuit of an impressive season, the Zips aim to secure another win against a rival just as they have in previous matchups. With growing momentum from recent performances, both teams are ready to make the most of this pivotal game under the national spotlight.