Bowling Green State University’s men’s basketball team will host the Akron Zips on Friday, January 9 at the Stroh Center. The game is scheduled for an 8 p.m. start and will be broadcast nationally on CBS Sports Network. This marks the third consecutive season that Bowling Green and Akron have met on national television.
According to the university, this matchup will be the 76th meeting between the two programs, with Akron leading the all-time series 47-28. Bowling Green has not defeated Akron since February 26, 2021, and their last home win against them was on February 25, 2020.
The Falcons are averaging 100.2 points per game over their last four contests and rank 20th in the nation in scoring with an average of 89.3 points per game. The team also leads the nation in steals per game (12.1), ranks second in turnovers forced per game (18.5), and is fifth in fastbreak points per game (19.2).
A win for Bowling Green would give them consecutive national TV victories, following last year’s CBS Sports Network win over Toledo on February 21 by a score of 69-68. It would also mark a positive start to their home schedule for 2026.
The upcoming contest will serve as both the Bill Frack Game and Alumni Night for Bowling Green. There will be a pregame recognition of the Frack Chair, as well as moments throughout the evening to honor Bill Frack. Alumni from the men’s basketball program, including members of the 1980-81 MAC Championship team, will also be recognized.
For those attending games at BGSU venues such as the Stroh Center, a clear bag policy is now in effect for all events moving forward.
To accommodate fans with limited mobility, additional designated parking spaces have been made available for all home men’s and women’s basketball games at Lot 24 north of the arena. These spaces remain paid parking and are marked with signage.
Akron enters Friday’s game with an overall record of 11-4 and a Mid-American Conference record of 2-1. Their only conference loss came against Miami (OH). The Zips have posted five games this season with at least 100 points scored and have reached at least 90 points in ten out of fifteen contests, ranking fifth nationally in scoring offense with an average of 94.5 points per game.
Javontae Campbell has started strong in January, playing every minute across two games while averaging 37.5 points per contest and maintaining an 80 percent free throw rate (32-for-40). He has also led his team in assists during these games.
Defensively, Bowling Green holds a record of 10-1 when limiting opponents to under a 49 percent shooting percentage this season.
Campbell currently averages 3.3 steals per game through sixteen contests—a figure that leads the nation—and is on pace to break both his own school single-season record and potentially surpass Ball State’s Bonzi Wells’ Mid-American Conference record set during the1997-98 season.
“Be sure to follow the Falcons’ men’s basketball team on social media
Twitter – @BGSU_Athletics and @BGSUMBB
Instagram – ‘bgfalcons’ and ‘bgsumhoops’
Facebook – ‘BGSU Athletics’ and ‘BGSU Men’s Hoops’
YouTube – ‘Falcon Athletics'”
