KALAMAZOO, Mich.  – After claiming the No.6 seed, Western Michigan men's basketball host No.11 seed Akron in the first round of the 2018 Mid-American Conference Tournament on Monday, March 5 inside University Arena.  


Monday, March 5 • 7:45 p.m. • Kalamazoo, Mich. • University Arena  
No. 11 Akron Zips (13-17, 6-12 MAC) vs. No. 6 Western Michigan Broncos (17-14, 9-9 MAC)

Series Record: WMU trails 20-30
University Arena: WMU leads 13-7
Last Meeting: Jan. 2, 2018 in Kalamazoo, Mich. (WMU 87-75)
Last MAC Tournament Meeting: March 11, 2015 in Cleveland, Ohio (Akron 58-45)

BROADCAST INFORMATION:
Radio • Bronco Radio Network – Robin Hook (PBP)
Stations • WZOX – 96.5 FM: (Flagship) Kalamazoo, Portage, Mattawan; WMAX – 96.1 FM: Holland, Muskegon; WTKG 1230 AM: Grand Rapids, WDFN 1130 AM: Detroit
Watch Live: ESPN3 (Mike Monaco – PBP, Austin Richie – Color)

2018 MAC Tournament
The winner of Monday's contest heads to Cleveland and Quicken Loans Arena for a match-up with No. 3 seed Eastern Michigan on Thursday, March 8. For bracket, hotel and ticket information for the 2018 MAC Tournament in Cleveland, Ohio at Quicken Loans Arena. CLICK HERE.

Scouting the Broncos
Western Michigan ended the regular season with an overall record of 17-14 and 9-9 in conference play. In its last game the Brown & Gold fell to Central Michigan, 84-71 and have now lost two straight heading into the conference tournament.  The 17 regular season wins are the most for the Broncos since 2014. WMU hosts the first round of the MAC Tournament for the third time in the last four years.

Home Sweet Home for the MAC Tourney
Since 2004, WMU has won five straight first round MAC Tournament games that have been played in Kalamazoo. This season the Broncos finished with a home record of 10-5, marking the ninth straight season WMU has collected double digit home victories.

Wilder Records 2,000^th Career Point
With 5:18 left in the first half against Central Michigan on Saturday, senior guard Thomas Wilder recorded his 2,000^th career point on a left-handed lay-up.  Wilder joins David Kool as the only two players in program history to eclipse the 2,000-point mark.

One of a Kind
Wilder needs just seven rebounds to become the only current player in the NCAA to have 2,000 career points, 500 rebounds, 400 assists and 175 steals.  

Offense Leads the Way
In 31 games, Western Michigan has scored 2,324 total points which ranks as the sixth most in a single-season in program history. The Broncos need just 116 points to eclipse the all-time mark of 2,440 set by the 2010-11 team.

Broncos in the MAC Tournament
Under head coach Steve Hawkins the Broncos are 17-11 in the MAC Tournament, capturing tournament titles in 2004 and 2014.

Three's the Day
WMU's 224 made three-pointers this season rank as the fifth most in a single season in school history. The 649 three-pointers attempted by the Broncos rank as the third most in school history in a single season.   

Seth is Moore
Over the past five games, the junior duo of Seth Dugan and Bryce Moore have been outstanding for the Broncos. Moore has connected on 11 threes' and is averaging 10.8 points per game while Dugan is 7.4 points and 5.0 rebounds off the bench.

Scouting Akron
Akron is the No.11 seed in the MAC Tournament after compiling an overall record of 13-17 and 6-12 in conference play.  Akron is coming off a thrilling 67-65 victory over rival Kent State on Friday but before that had lost four of the last five games.

The Zips are led by sophomore Daniel Utomi who leads the team and ranks eighth in the MAC in scoring at 16.5 points per game. Akron is averaging 72 points per game which ranks 11^th in the MAC but is lethal from beyond the three-point line with 284 made three's.