ATHENS, Ohio -- The Ohio men's basketball team (11-9, 5-3 MAC) is back in Athens this Friday, Jan. 23 when Akron (15-4, 6-1 MAC) comes to town. Tip-off is set for 8 p.m. ET and can be seen nationally on ESPNU where Eric Rothman and Mark Adams will have the call.

The Bobcats' matchup can also be heard on the Ohio Sports Network from Learfield, presented by Holzer Health System. Jason Toy begins his second season on the mic for the Bobcats and will be joined by veteran college basketball analyst Dave Cecutti. WXTQ (Power 105) in Athens returns as the 11-station net- work's flagship and can be heard on the Varsity Network App. 

TIP-OFF
- This is the 96th all-time meeting between Ohio and Akron
- Akron leads the all-time series, 50-45
- The two teams met twice last season, splitting the season series.
- The two teams last met on Feb. 20, 2025 in Athens, with the Bobcats defeating the Zips, 84-67, handing the Zips their only MAC loss of the season.
- Ohio is 15-20 against Akron since 2009-10, while the Bob- cats are 5-8 against The Zips under Jeff Boals.
- Ohio has registered an impressive 586-188 (.756) all-time record at the Convocation Center, which opened in 1968.
- Ohio is 81-20 in the Convo under Boals in the last seven seasons.
- Senior guard Jackson Paveletzke was named the MAC Player of the Week on Jan. 12 for his performance the week of Jan. 5.
- Ohio is coming off an 80-77 win over NIU on Tuesday in Athens.
- Freshman guard JJ Kelly finished the game against NIU with a career-high 17 points and nine rebounds.
- Redshirt junior forward Javan Simmons recorded a season-high 21 points against Toledo on Jan. 13.
- Against Buffalo on Jan. 10, senior forward Aidan Hadaway had 27 points and 10 rebounds, while senior guard Jackson Paveletzke finished with 23 points, six rebounds and eight assists.
- Redshirt junior forward Javan Simmons is recorded his 1,000 career point on Jan. 6 against UMass.
- The Bobcats are currently ranked 223 in the latest NET rankings, with opponent Akron in at 54.

SCOUTING AKRON
Akron is currently 15-4 overall and 6-1 in MAC play and are coming off an 82-63 win over Buffalo on the road Tuesday night.  

Overall, Akron averages 93.0 points per game, while shooting 52.0 percent from the field, 38.6 percent from three and 76.6 percent from the line. Meanwhile, opponents are averaging 75.8 points per game, while shooting 42.7 percent from the field, 33.9 percent from three and 73.8 percent from the line. 

Akron is averaging 38.1 rebounds, 20.5 assists, 8.4 steals and 3.3 blocks a game, while forcing opponents to turn the ball over an average of 14.2 times a game. Akron opponents are averaging 33.1 rebounds, 13.9 assists, 5.5 steals and 3.3 blocks a game, while forcing 10.7 turnovers a contest.

Tavari Johnson leads the Zips with 20.1 points and 5.7 assists a game, while shooting 53.6 percent from the field, 39.0 percent from three and 90.7 percent from the line. Amani Lyles adds 15.5 points and 7.5 rebounds a game, while shooting 59.9 percent from the field, while Shammah Scott adds 13.3 points and is shooting 46.4 percent from the field and 43.6 percent from three. 

SCOUTING OHIO
Ohio is 11-9 overall and 5-3 in MAC play defeating NIU, 80-77, Tuesday night in the Convo. 

Ohio is averaging 78.2 points a game, while shooting 47.8 percent from the field, 31.0 percent from three and 68.5 percent from the line. The Bobcats also add 34.1 rebounds a game, while dishing out 13.6 assists and recording 6.6 steals a contest. Ohio is also forcing opponents to turn the ball over 13.0 times a game, scoring on average 15.6 points off them. 

Meanwhile, Ohio opponents are averaging 77.2 points a game, while shooting 45.2 percent from the field, 35.2 percent from three and 73.8 percent from the line. Opponents are averaging 35.2 rebounds, 13.5 assists and 6.9 steals a game, while forcing Ohio to turn the ball over an average of 12.4 times a game, while scoring on average 13.0 points off them. 

Individually, Ohio is led by senior guard Jackson Paveletzke with 17.7 points and 4.7 assists a game, while shooting 52.5 percent from the field and 36.7 percent from three. Senior forward Aidan Hadaway averages 14.3 points and a team-leading 7.5 rebounds a game, while shooting 47.7 percent from the field, while redshirt junior froward Javan Simmons adds 13.5 points and 5.0 rebounds, while shooting 51.8 percent from the field. 

ALL-TIME AGAINST AKRON
This is the 96th all-time meeting between Ohio and Akron

Akron leads the all-time series, 50-45

The two teams met twice last season, splitting the season series.

Ohio is 15-20 against Akron since 2009-10, while the Bob- cats are 5-8 against The Zips under Jeff Boals.

LAST AGAINST AKRON
The two teams last met on Feb. 20, 2025 in Athens, with the Bobcats defeating the Zips, 84-67, handing the Zips their only MAC loss of the season. 

Jackson Paveletzke led all scorers with 21 points, going 8-of-13 from the field, 5-of-5 from the line, while grabbing four rebounds and dishing out two assists. Elijah Elliott added nine points, five rebounds and four assists.

MARCH TO 1,000
On Jan, 6, 2026 against UMass, redshirt junior forward Javan Simmons scored his 1,000th career point, becoming the 49th member of the 1,000-point club for the Bobcats. 

Simmons is also the ninth Bobcat to do so under Jeff Boals.  

OHIO IN THE MAC
Senior guard Jackson Paveletzke is currently fifth in the conference in scoring (17.7), fifth in assists (4.7) and first in minutes (36.0). 

Senior forward Aidan Hadaway is sixth in the league in rebounding (7.5).

Freshman guard JJ Kelly is 12th in the MAC in field goal percentage (.571). 

Senior guard Ajay Sheldon is eighth in the MAC in steals (1.7). 

OHIO IN NET
The Bobcats are currently ranked 223 in the latest NET rankings, with Akron ranked at 54

Miami leads the conference in NET this week at 51.

BOBCATS IN THE NCAA
Ohio is currently ranked 62nd in the nation in field goal percentage. 

Senior guard Jackson Paveletzke is currently 16th in the nation in minutes per game, 78th in assists, 84th in assists per game and 94th in points per game. 

Senior forward Aidan Hadaway is 86th in rebounds, 77th in defensive rebounds per game, and 115th in rebounds per game. He is also 99th in double doubles. 

Hadaway and Paveletzke are tied at 92nd for field goals. 

Redshirt junior forward Javan Simmons is 72nd in the nation in free throw attempts. 

CONVO MAGIC
Ohio has registered an impressive 586-188 (.756) all-time record at the Convocation Center, which opened in 1968.

Ohio is 81-20 in the Convo under Boals in the last seven seasons.

UP NEXT
The Bobcats are back on the road on Tuesday, Jan. 27 when Ohio heads to Kent, Ohio to take on Kent State. Tip-off is set for 7 p.m. ET inside the M.A.C. Center and can be seen on ESPN+.