THE MATCHUP
Western Michigan Broncos (6-12, 2-4 MAC)
vs. Akron Zips (16-3, 6-0 MAC)
Jan. 24, 2017 • 7 p.m. • University Arena (5,421)

Series Record: WMU trails, 28-19
Last Meeting: 66-59, Akron (1/6/17, in Akron, Ohio

BROADCAST INFORMATION
Radio • Bronco Radio Network - Robin Hook PBP (Pre-game show begins at 6:30 p.m. ET)
Stations • WZOX — 96.5 FM: (Flagship) Kalamazoo, Portage, Mattawan; WMAX — 96.1 FM: Holland, Muskegon; WMAX — 96.1 FM: WTKG 1230 AM: Grand Rapids
Watch Live: ESPN3
Talent: Mike Monaco (PBP), Brian Snider (Color)
Twitter Updates: @WMUMBB

THE TIP-OFF
Western Michigan looks to take down Mid-American Conference leader Akron Tuesday night as the Zips and Broncos square off in University Arena at 7 p.m. WMU has had one of the tougher schedules to open the MAC slate, playing four of its first six on the road. The Broncos have won both of their home league games and are 2-4 in conference play. Akron is the leader in the clubhouse with a 16-3 overall and undefeated 6-0 MAC record.

SCOUTING WESTERN MICHIGAN
Western Michigan maintains a 6-12 record, with all six wins coming at home - vs. Marygrove (90-74), Central Arkansas (80-63), James Madison (74-67), Alabama A&M (80-50), Toledo (90-74) and Kent State (92-88).

> Junior point guard Thomas Wilder is averaging a team-best 17.2 ppg and 4.0 rpg while senior Tucker Haymond is averaging 13.7 ppg and 4.3 rpg. The two have 118 assists combined. Freshman guard Reggie Jones (8.9 ppg), junior center Drake LaMont (7.9) and freshman post Brandon Johnson (7.8), are all averaging over seven points per game. Johnson is the team's leading rebounder with 5.6 rpg and has three double-doubles this season.

> The Broncos are averaging 74.2 ppg this season and allowing 78.2 ppg defensively. WMU is shooting 44.7 percent from the field, 36.4 percent from three and 67.9 percent from the free-throw line.

DUGAN DOING HIS THING
Over the last three games, sophomore center Seth Dugan is averaging 11.0 points and 5.7 rebounds a game, while shooting 59.7 percent from the floor. Dugan had 11 points and four rebounds in WMU's last home game against Kent State. This past Saturday, he tallied 18 points and 12 rebounds against Buffalo for his second career double-double. The 18 points was also a career high.

HOME SWEET HOME
Western Michigan is riding a four-game winning streak at University Arena. To open MAC home play, the Broncos scored over 90 points in back-to-back wins over Toledo (1/10) and Kent State (1/14). The Broncos shot 70 percent (second best in school history) in the game vs. Toledo and 54 percent against Kent State. Over the two games, WMU's field goal average was 61.1 %, including 55.2 % (16-for-29) from behind the arc. WMU averaged 18.0 apg.

SCOUTING AKRON
Akron is coached by Keith Dambrot in his 13th season and is off to a 16-3 overall, 6-0 MAC record. The Zips' offense features a balanced attack that has four players scoring in double figures. Isaiah Johnson is Akron's top producer with 15.8 ppg, 7.4 rpg and 64 assists - all of which are team highs.

> The Zips are averaging 78.7 ppg this season and allowing 68.5 ppg defensively. Akron is shooting 48.4 percent from the field, 38.8 percent from three and 67.4 percent from the free-throw line.

SERIES HISTORY VS. THE ZIPS
This will be the 48th meeting between the two teams, with the Zips owning a 28-19 advantage in the all-time series. Since defeating Akron twice in 2014, WMU has dropped five straight to the Zips. Akron narrowly edged the Broncos in the first meeting this year,  66-59, in Ohio. The game was tied at 58-58 with 1:20 to play, but Akron went on an 8-1 run to close out the contest.

LOOKING AHEAD
Western Michigan travels to Ball State this Saturday, Jan. 28 for the first of two meetings against the Cardinals this season. Tip-off from Muncie, Ind., is at 1 p.m. The Broncos return to University Arena to host Ohio next Tuesday, Jan. 31 at 6 p.m. The Ball State contest will be aired on ESPN3, while the Ohio matchup will be carried on the American Sports Network (ASN) and ESPN3.