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Bracketology 2024: Akron, Drake, and Gonzaga highlight first-place battles this weekend

By Jason Burgess

Akron Zips head coach John Groce has a moment with forward Enrique Freeman during the second half of
Akron Zips head coach John Groce has a moment with forward Enrique Freeman during the second half of / Jeff Lange / USA TODAY NETWORK
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Toledo Rockets (14-7, 8-1 in MAC) at Akron Zips (16-5, 8-1 in MAC), Friday, February 2, 9:00 PM ET, ESPN 2

Let's start with some MACtion. Friday night features a first-place battle between two familiar foes when Toledo travels to Akron to take on the Zips. Only three times since 2006 have the MAC finals not had one of these two teams playing, and it looks like we could see one or both again when a tournament berth is on the line.

The in-state rivals are tied for the conference lead at 8-1 after a pair of victories on Tuesday. The winner of this one will start February on the right foot and give themselves a one-game cushion before the return match on February 20th.

Akron is 16-5 after defeating Eastern Michigan on Tuesday, a win that got them back on the winning track after a loss to Miami-Ohio halted a seven-game winning streak. Akron’s could be even better than it is, of their five losses, four of them have come by a total of eight points and only two of them have come in the last two months.

The Rockets have been equally as hot coming into this contest, having won eight of nine after their win over Western Michigan on Tuesday. This is the first of two meetings between the two favorites of the MAC, with the winner getting a leg up on the top seed in the conference tournament.

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