The Akron men’s basketball team is heading to the 2025 NCAA Tournament after winning the Mid-American Conference. In the MAC tourney, it defeated Bowling Green 96-67, Toledo 100-90, and Miami (OH) 76-74 in the championship game to clinch the auto-bid.
The Zips are 28-6 this season and on a 7-game winning streak.
Akron NCAA Tournament Appearances
In 2025, Akron basketball will make its 7th appearance in the Division 1 NCAA Tournament.
The Zips also reached the tourney in 1986, 2009, 2011, 2013, 2022, and 2024.
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Akron Basketball NCAA Tournament Wins
Akron has not won a game in the Division 1 NCAA Tournament, losing to Michigan in 1986, Gonzaga in 2009, Notre Dame in 2011, VCU in 2013, UCLA in 2022, Creighton in 2024, and Arizona in 2025.
Its overall record in the Big Dance is 0-7.
Akron Basketball Coach John Groce Salary
John Groce has a base salary of $650,000 as Akron’s head coach.
Groce is in his eighth season leading the Akron program, being hired on April 6, 2017. After 14-18 and 17-16 records in his first two seasons, Akron has won at least 20 games in five of the last six seasons, including the last four. The Zips have reached the NCAA Tournament three times under Groce — 2022, 2024, and 2025.
Groce had had previous head coaching stints at Ohio and Illinois. He went 85-56 with Ohio from 2008 to 2012. And at Illinois from 2012 to 2017, Groce went 95-75.
