Akron Basketball: 3 keys to Zips Round of 64 matchup with UCLA Bruins
By Bryan Mauro
![Akron head coach John Groce, center, draws up a play during a time out against Northern Illinois in the second half of their game at University of Akron James A. Rhodes Arena on Tuesday Feb. 16, 20201. Akron beat Northern Illinois 81 to 76. [Mike Cardew/Beacon Journal]Uahoops 13](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_1080,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape%2Fcover%2Fsport%2Fba08ce3a5d629e36c29424823b5fd7820e725fa486544fe536ea8f95c1df46d5.jpg "Akron head coach John Groce, center, draws up a play during a time out against Northern Illinois in the second half of their game at University of Akron James A. Rhodes Arena on Tuesday Feb. 16, 20201. Akron beat Northern Illinois 81 to 76. [Mike Cardew/Beacon Journal]Uahoops 13")
Heading into the MAC tournament during championship week all you heard about were the Toledo Rockets and how they should run away and hide in the tournament as well. Toledo struggled in the tournament and the automatic bid ended up going to Akron Basketball. The Zips were the four seed heading into the conference tournament and beat the top two seeds in Akron and Kent State to find themselves in the NCAA tournament.
Akron was given a 13 seed and they matched up with the 4 seed UCLA. The game is Thursday night as the final game at the Moda Center in Portland Oregon. Akron is going to provide a very interesting matchup for the Bruins and if you are one who bets on College Basketball I would bet the under. Akron and UCLA are going to play a defensive battle and be prepared for a lot of missed shots and very physical game that could be tough on the eyes.
There is always an upset in these seed lines and the Zips have a very capable team who can beat UCLA. Akron played right with Ohio State earlier this year as they had a late lead and were beaten on a buzzer-beater.
They have won six games in a row heading into the NCAA tournament and in order for the Zips to secure the upset on Thursday night, they are going to have to make sure they accomplish these three things. It won’t be easy and they are going to have to play their best but a path to an upset is there.