Zip's standout senior center Zeke Marshall led four University of Akron players making the Mid-American Conference all-conference teams announced today.

Marshall, leading the league in blocked shots and with a 13 points-per-game scoring averge, made the First Team. Junior forward Demetrius "Tree" Treadwell is on the second team while Alex Abreu and Jake Kretzer were honorable mention and all-freshman respectively.

Abreu continues to serve out a suspension pending his case on drug trafficking charges filed last week. The Zips are the top seed in the MAC Tournament opening this week at Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland; they play Friday night.

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(University of Akron athletics) Senior center Zeke Marshall and junior forward Demetrius "Tree" Treadwell headlined four Akron Zips on this year's Mid-American Conference all-conference teams, the league office announced on Monday.

Marshall earned First-Team All-MAC honors while Treadwell was named Second-Team All-MAC. Joining Marshall and Treadwell were Alex Abreu (Honorable Mention All-MAC) and Jake Kretzer (All-Freshman). The four selectees join the 2009 and 2010 seasons as the most players named All-MAC in program history.

"Each of these players had great years and helped this team win a lot of games," ninth-year head coach Keith Dambrot said. "Having four players earn All-MAC honors is a tribute to the balance of this team and I am glad they were recognized for their hard work and sacrifices for that balance."

Marshall led the league in blocked shots (3.6 bpg) and finished in the top-15 in field goal percentage (1st, .659), rebounds (7th, 6.9 rpg), offensive rebounding (7th, 2.5 rpg), defensive rebounding (8th, 4.4 rpg) and scoring (11th, 13.0 ppg). Marshall was a second-team All-MAC selection in 2012.

Treadwell earned his first All-MAC selection after averaging 11.2 points and 7.7 rebounds per game. The junior from Euclid, Ohio, is shooting .506 from the field and is tied for fourth in the MAC with seven double-doubles this season.

Abreu, a Second-Team All-MAC selection last season, averaged 10.3 points and 6.0 assists in the regular season while finishing top-five in the league in assists (3rd, 6.0 apg), assist-to-turnover ratio (3rd, 2.0) and free throw shooting percentage (5th, .810).

Kretzer is the eighth Zip to earn a spot on the MAC All-Freshman team and the first since Marshall made it in 2010. He finished in the top-10 among MAC freshmen in 3-pointer percentage (4th, .346), rebounding (9th, 3.2 rpg) and points (10th, 6.0 ppg). He made four starts and appeared in all 30 games.

The league will announce the Freshman and Defensive Players of the Year, as well as the Sixth Man Award, on Tuesday. Coach and Player of the Year will be announced on Wednesday.

The Zips will open the MAC Tournament as the No. 1 seed and will play in the semifinals on Friday, March 15, at Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland. Tip-off is set for 6:30 p.m. ET and the contest will air live on SportsTime Ohio.

All-MAC First Team
Zeke Marshall, C, Akron
Javon McCrea, F, Buffalo
Chris Evans, W/F, Kent State
Rian Pearson, G, Toledo
D.J. Cooper, G, Ohio

All-MAC Second Team
Demetrius "Tree" Treadwell, F, Akron
Jauwan Scaife, G, Ball State
A'uston Calhoun, F, Bowling Green
Kyle Randall, G, Central Michigan
Shayne Whittington, F/C, Western Michigan

All-MAC Third Team
Majok Majok, F, Ball State
Randal Holt, G, Kent State
Walter Offutt, G, Ohio
Reggie Keely, F, Ohio
Julius "Juice" Brown, G, Toledo

Honorable Mention
Alex Abreu, G, Akron
Jordon Crawford, G, Bowling Green
Glenn Bryant, F, Eastern Michigan
Will Felder, F, Miami
Nate Hutcheson, F, Western Michigan

MAC All-Freshman Team
Jake Kretzer, G/F, Akron
Jarryn Skeete, G, Buffalo
Chris Fowler, G, Central Michigan
Nathan Boothe, C, Toledo
Darius Paul, F, Western Michigan

Playing as a ranked team for the first time in program history, the Akron Zips passed their first test thanks to an 88-81 overtime win over Ohio on Wednesday in a Mid-American Conference East Division showdown at the Convocation Center.

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(University of Akron athletics - www.gozips.com) Akron (23-4, 13-0 MAC) extended its winning streak to a nation's-best 19 games, in addition to breaking the MAC record for the best start to league play in the conference's 65 years of existence.

Demetrius "Tree" Treadwell led the charge with a career-high 21 points on 7-of-13 shooting from the field and 7-of-9 from the charity stripe. He also grabbed eight rebounds and dished out two assists in leading four Zips in double figures.

Jake Kretzer also set a career-high with 19 points, going 6-of-6 from the floor and 5-of-5 from long range. Zeke Marshall and Alex Abreu finished with 16 points each. Marshall, who fouled out with 47.8 seconds left in regulation, added seven boards and four blocked shots while Abreu dished out a game-high nine dimes.

D.J. Cooper led Ohio (20-8, 11-2 MAC) with 26 points.

The Zips opened the second half on a 10-4 run to force Ohio to call its second timeout with 16:38 mark with the Bobcats' lead down to five (45-40). The highlight of the run was a Marshall blocked shot of Reggie Keely's dunk attempt, opening up Nick Harney for the uncontested fastbreak dunk. Kretzer extended the run to 13-4 with his second 3-pointer to cut the deficit to 45-43 by the first media timeout of the second half.

The run climbed to 19-4 as Akron opened up a 49-45 lead by the 13:57 mark. The Zips' defense held the Bobcats without a field goal for 6:12 on the clock before a Jon Smith lay-up ended the run. Ohio tied the game briefly at 49-all before Abreu put the Zips back on top with a long 3-pointer (11:49).

After the Zips opened several six-point leads, Ohio tied the game at 63-63 with 6:18 remaining on back-to-back 3-pointers by Cooper. Kretzer's fifth 3-pointer of the night pushed Akron back in front, 66-63, with 4:46 to go in the game.

This one came down to the end of regulation. The Zips had a shot to extend their lead, but Harney's shot would just miss. Smith would tie the game at 72-all with 0.7 seconds left to send this one into overtime.

Akron opened up a 76-72 lead early in overtime, converting on two of its first three possessions. Treadwell gave the Zips a 79-73 lead with 2:16 left with an old fashion 3-point play, his 20th point of the night.

The Zips kept Ohio at bay from the charity stripe, holding an 87-81 lead with 41.6 left in the game. Akron would hold on for the 88-81 win in overtime.

Akron opened up an early 7-0 lead to force the Bobcats to call the first timeout of the game just 1:19 into the contest. The Zips scored on their next possession to make it 9-0. The Bobcats would answer and tie the game at 9-9 with 13:51 on the clock.

By the under-12 media timeout, the score remained tied at 13-13. Ohio used the game's third 9-0 run to open up a 22-13 advantage with 8:47 remaining in the opening half.

After a Kretzer 3-pointer with 5:37 on the clock cut the OU lead to 26-16, the Bobcats would hit back-to-back 3-pointers to open up a 32-16 advantage with 4:41 remaining to force an Akron timeout.

The Zips would win the final 4:41 to cut the Bobcat lead to 41-30 by halftime. Treadwell led the Zips with 10 points and three rebounds, while Marshall pitched in with seven points, three boards and one blocked shot.

Both teams shot the ball well over the first 20 minutes, with the Zips connecting on 52.2 percent (12-of-23) and the Bobcats shooting 56.0 percent (14-of-25). UA was forced into six turnovers compared to three by Ohio.

The Zips will conclude the final regular-season road trip of the season when they travel to Buffalo, N.Y., to face the Buffalo Bulls on Saturday, March 2. Tip off is set for 6 p.m. ET on SportsTime Ohio.

Zips Notebook: Zeke Marshall, with four blocked shots, broke his own school record with his 96th swat of the season ... the last Zips' player to shoot 100 percent from long range on at least five attempts was Steve McNees against Miami (Ohio) on Jan. 5, 2008 ... the Zips' 13-0 start to MAC play is the best since Miami (Ohio) went 12-0 to start league play during the 1957-58 season ... UA's 19-game winning streak is the second-longest in MAC history.

College football is back in full swing on the campus of the campus of the University of Akron, and there's a new optimism surrounding the program.

Zips fan Lori says that new head coach Terry Bowden will bring an exciting brand of football to Akron in 2012.

"We are so excited for Bowden ball, and it's time to fear the dadgum roo!!"

"Fear the Dadgum Roo" was one of the slogans used  by coach Bowden in the months leading up to the season. It was a play on the Southern charm of the new Zips football coach and his father Bobby, who popularized the use of "dadgum" during his coaching days at Florida State.

Kailey Hruska of the AK-Rowdies agrees that the Zips' new head man is the right man for the job here in Akron.

"I think Terry's going to do a great job coaching this year."

One of Zips' loyal fans Steve says once Bowden can recruit some of his athletes, he can get the Zips out of the basement and into the MAC Championship in the near future.

"You put a good coach in with the facilities we have and the backing of the university I think that all signs point to success."

One of the more popular changes is coming off the field. Starting this season at InfoCision Stadium-Summa Field, beer will now be sold at the game, much to the delight of Dylan Leemier.

"I'm thrilled," Dylan says. "I like beer."

For some fans, suds won't put people in the seats.

"It doesn't matter if the team's no good, says student Spencer Forshey.

"People want to see a competitive team."

Mike Saxon says you have to put a good product on the field or it won't matter what gets sold at the concession stands.

"I think it's good (beer at the stadium), but I think the only way you can bring people here is to put a winning program on and I feel Terry Bowden and his staff will bring that winning tradition to the University."

University of Akron men's basketball coach Keith Dambrot will continue to patrol the Zips' sideline for the next decade.

Dambrot and the university have agreed in principle to a new ten-year contract which will keep him as head coach of the men's squad through the 2021-22 season.

The coach has compiled an 184-87 overall record in his eight seasons at Akron, including seven straight 20-win seasons,  two NCAA Tournament appearances, three NIT berths, and the first MAC regular-season title in school history last season.

The contract is finalized and pending approval from the UA Board of Trustees.

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Press Release

University of Akron head men’s basketball coach Keith Dambrot has agreed in principle to a new ten-year contract, President Dr. Luis M. Proenza and director of athletics Tom Wistrcill announced Friday. The contract is finalized and pending approval from the UA Board of Trustees.

Dambrot, who has compiled a 184-87 (93-39 in Mid-American Conference play) record in eight seasons at the helm of the Zips’ program, is now under contract through the 2021-22 season.

This past season, Dambrot led Akron to its seventh-straight 20-win season. The Zips are one of just seven Division I teams to record at least 22 wins per year during that stretch (Duke, Gonzaga, Kansas, Ohio State, Pittsburgh and Utah State) and are one of 17 programs (out of 345) to reach the 20-win plateau annually during that stretch. UA’s 184 wins under Dambrot are the most by any team in the MAC and are tied for 31st-most nationally.

“Keith is the best coach in the MAC and one of the top coaches in basketball,” Wistrcill said. “He has built the Zips into one of the top mid-major programs in the country and continues to lead his alma mater to new heights. This contract is not only a reward for his team's performance over the past eight years, but a reflection of how the program continues to flourish. Our University and community are thrilled that he will continue to lead Zips basketball well into the future.”

During Dambrot’s tenure, Akron has posted a 104-17 record at James A. Rhodes Arena (.860), including a 57-9 record in league play. Dambrot ranks second in school history in wins (184) and is fourth in overall winning percentage (.679). He sits in the top-10 in MAC history in overall winning percentage as a league coach (fifth, .628), tied for fifth in overall wins as a MAC coach (204), sixth in MAC winning percentage (.620) and seventh in MAC wins (103).

"The University continues to be committed to our team and has been integral in helping us build one of the top mid-major programs in the nation," Dambrot said. "I want to thank Dr. Proenza, the Board of Trustees and Tom for all they have done for us. I am excited that I can continue to represent my alma mater and my community with a program that is ready to take that next step and advance in the NCAA Tournament."

The 2011-12 campaign was a season of firsts as the Zips won their first MAC regular season title and became the first league team to play in six-straight conference tournament title games (second-longest active streak in the nation to Gonzaga). Dambrot also became the first Akron coach to be named to the NABC all-district list, earning co-district coach of the year honors.

The Zips have appeared in the postseason six times under Dambrot, including two NCAA Tournament appearances (2011, 2009), three NIT appearances (2012, 2008, 2006) and the 2010 CBI.

Named the 2009 Best Mid-Major Coach by Dan Wetzel of Yahoo Sports, Dambrot’s time at UA has been highlighted by mentoring a total of 23 All-MAC honorees, 11 MAC All-Tournament team selections, three Sixth Man of the Year honors, three Defensive Players of the Year, two tournament MVPs and one player of the year award.

An Akron native and two-time alumnus of the University, Dambrot served as an assistant coach on the UA basketball staff for the three seasons prior to his current post. Before that he spent three seasons at Akron's St. Vincent-St. Mary High School, leading the Irish to a 69-10 record and two state championships thanks to the help of three-time NBA MVP and Miami Heat star LeBron James.

Dambrot's late mother, Faye, was a trend-setting professor at the University who taught in the psychology department and was instrumental in forming the Women's Studies Program. 

University of Akron mens' basketball coach Keith Dambrot and members of the 2012 MAC-Regular Season Championship squad will recieve a special honor during Friday's (today's) Akron Aeros game.

Before the Aeros take on the Altoona Curve at 7:05, the coach and the team will be honored by the team for winning the first ever MAC regular-season title in school history.

Dambrot will throw out the first pitch and be wearing his # 3 Zips baseball jersey, a throwback to his days on the diamond for the Blue and Gold.

You can catch some of your favorite Zips hoopsters in the concourse of Canal Park signing autographs for the first pair of innings.

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Press Release:

AKRON, Ohio – University of Akron head men’s basketball coach Keith Dambrot and members of the 2012 Mid-American Conference Regular Season Championship squad will be honored prior to the Akron Aeros baseball game on Friday, June 8.

Dambrot and the Zips will be honored by the Aeros at approximately 6:45 p.m. ET. Dambrot will be decked out in a No. 3 Zips baseball jersey reminiscent of his days as a member of the Akron baseball team.

Prior to the start of the Aeros game against the Altoona Curve, which is set to begin at 7:05 p.m., Dambrot will throw out the ceremonial first pitch.

Several Akron student-athletes will be on-hand on the concourse to sign autographs for the first couple of innings. A fireworks show is also scheduled to follow the contest.

For more information on the Akron Aeros or to purchase tickets for Friday’s game, visit akronaeros.com.

Akron closed out the 2011-12 season with a 22-12 record (13-3 MAC) and captured the first MAC regular season title in program history. The Zips advanced to their sixth-straight MAC title game – a conference record and second-longest active streak in the nation – before falling 64-63 to Ohio. Akron appeared in its fifth NIT, third under head coach Keith Dambrot, falling 76-74 to Northwestern in the first round.

The Zips are one of 17 teams nationally that have won at least 20 games in each of the past seven seasons. The other 16 teams to do so are Brigham Young, Butler, Duke, Florida, Gonzaga, Kansas, Louisville, Marquette, North Carolina, Ohio State, Pittsburgh, San Diego State, Syracuse, Texas, Utah State and Xavier.

Three members of the University of Akron men's basketball team were named to the Mid-American Conference all-conference team.

Sophomore Alex Abreu, junior Zeke Marshall and senior Nikola Cvetinovic received All-MAC honors from the league office Wednesday.

Abreu and Marshall were named second-team All-MAC, the first all-conference honors for both, while Cvetinovic, named third-team All-MAC, the second straight all-league distinction for him.

The Zips finished 21-10 and wrapped up their first regular-season MAC title. They will look to defend their title in the semifinals of the MAC Tournament in Cleveland Friday night at 7pm.

 Press Release:

Sophomore Alex Abreu, junior Zeke Marshall and senior Nikola Cvetinovic were named to the Mid-American Conference all-conference team the league office announced on Wednesday.

Abreu and Marshall were named second-team All-MAC, the first all-conference honors for both, while Cvetinovic, named third-team All-MAC, earned his second-straight all-league honor (second-team All-MAC in 2011). This is the third time that Akron has placed three players on the All-MAC roster (2010, 2009).

“Having three players named All-MAC is a tribute to the hard work and dedication of each individual,” eighth-year head coach Keith Dambrot said. “All three have made sacrifices to make our program better and this is one more acknowledgement of their importance to this team.”

Abreu has started 28 games this season en route to his second-straight 100-assist season (128). He is one of just seven players all-time to crack the century mark in assists at Akron. Against Kent State, he broke Dru Joyce’s sophomore assist record (126, 2004-05). He also leads the team in steals (52) and is shooting 45.0 percent from the floor, 41.1 percent from long range and 82.7 percent from the charity stripe (fourth in the MAC).

Marshall, the 2011 Defensive Player of the Year, has 89 blocked shots this season, tied for the 11th-most in the nation while his 2.9 blocked shots/game average is tied for the 13th-best mark nationally. He has more blocked shots than four MAC and 123 teams nationally this season. He is averaging a team-best 10.3 points and 5.3 rebounds per game while connecting on 53.2 percent of his shots from the field and 71.0 percent at the free throw line.

Cvetinovic is the eighth player to earn All-MAC honors in multiple seasons following his second-team All-MAC performance last season. He leads the team in rebounding (5.4 rpg) and double-doubles (3), and is second on the team in points/game (10.0). He currently ranks 30th all-time in scoring at Akron (1,129) and needs to play in four games (138) to break Steve McNees’ school record (141) for career games played.

Abreu, Marshall, Cvetinovic and the rest of the Zips begin their quest for a third MAC title in four seasons on Friday, March 9, when they play in the tournament semifinals at 7 p.m. ET on SportsTime Ohio.

All-MAC First Team
Mitchell Watt, Buffalo
Javon McCrea, Buffalo
Justin Greene, Kent State
Julian Mavunga, Miami
D.J. Cooper, Ohio

All-MAC Second Team
Zeke Marshall, Akron
Alex Abreu, Akron
Jarrod Jones, Ball State
Austin Calhoun, Bowling Green
Rian Pearson, Toledo

All-MAC Third Team
Nikola Cvetinovic, Akron
Scott Thomas, Bowling Green
Trey Zeigler, Central Michigan
Darrell Lampley, Eastern Michigan
Michael Porrini, Kent State

Honorable Mention
Randal Holt, Kent State
Carlton Guyton, Kent State
Ivo Baltic, Ohio
Walter Offutt, Ohio
Curtis Dennis, Toledo
Flenard Whitfield, Western Michigan

All-Freshman Team
Aaron Adeoye, Ball State
Austin McBroom, Central Michigan
Brian Sullivan, Miami
Abdel Nader, Northern Illinois
Julius Brown, Toledo

Wednesday's National Signing Day turned out to be a productive one for first-year head coach Terry Bowden and the University of Akron Zips.

Bowden said that to create a culture of winning, it was important for him and his staff to recruit players that came from winning programs in high school.

"When you're trying to change a culture from losing to winning, your're trying to create a winning program, you want to get players that know how to win."

Overall, the Zips signed 21 players, with ten of them being from the Buckeye State.

As for neighborhood rival Kent State, second year head coach Darrell Hazell inked 25 players, with 13 on offense, 11 on defense and one kicking specialist.

14 of those 25 players were from the state of Ohio

Hazell said his staff did a great job of cultivating relationships with the players, their coaches and the regions in which they were chosen from.

The KSU head coach said as well it was important for his team to develop a culture of winning by recruiting players from winning programs.

"I think that with this group, we need them to hit the ground running and be able to work hard and help us in the buisness of winning championships," he said.

For complete listings of both team's recruiting classes, visit either www.gozips.com. or www.kentstatesports.com

The University of Akron men’s basketball team opened its eight-day tour of Canada with a 112-59 victory over Sheridan College on Thursday.

Junior forward Chauncey Gilliam led the way with 21 points in his first action as a Zip while freshman forward Nick Harney had 14 points. Four other Zips scored in double figures, including sophomore forward Josh Egner (14), senior guard Brett McClanahan (13) and freshmen guards Blake Justice (11) and Adedeji Ibitayo (10).

After a slow start, Akron picked up the pace to close out the first half with a 55-24 lead. The Zips kept the pressure on Sheridan College, scoring 57 points in the second half.

The Zips will have the day off before playing two games on Saturday, Aug. 12. Akron will face off against the University of Quebec at 1 p.m. ET in Montreal before taking on the Champlain Alumni at 7 p.m. ET in St. Lambert, Quebec.

Fans are encouraged to visit the Zips’ Canada trip blog online at GoZips.com to see videos, pictures and updates.