The Akron Zips will travel to Brookings, South Dakota on Monday, November 6th, to face the South Dakota State Jackrabbits in their season opener. The game is scheduled to tip off at 9:15pm ET and will be televised live on Summit.
The Zips are coming off a 22-12 season in 2022-23, while the Jackrabbits finished with a record of 26-7. South Dakota State is a member of the Summit League, while Akron plays in the Mid-American Conference (MAC).
The game between the Akron Zips and the South Dakota State Jackrabbits will be televised live on Summit. Summit is a regional sports network that is available in the Midwest United States. You can check your local cable or satellite provider to see if Summit is available in your area.
Matchup: Akron vs South Dakota State
Time: Monday, November 6, 2023, 9:15pm ET (Local time)
Locations: Frost Arena, Brookings, SD
TV: Summit
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The Zips will be led by senior guard Xavier Castaneda, who averaged 14.8 points and 4.2 assists per game last season. Castaneda is a Preseason All-MAC selection and is one of the top players in the conference.
The Jackrabbits will be led by senior forward Matt Mors, who averaged 16.2 points and 7.2 rebounds per game last season. Mors is a Preseason All-Summit League selection and is one of the most dominant players in the conference.
The game between the Zips and the Jackrabbits is expected to be a close one. Both teams are evenly matched and have a number of talented players. Akron has a slight edge in experience, while South Dakota State has a slight edge in size.
I predict that the South Dakota State Jackrabbits will defeat the Akron Zips by a score of 78-75.
South Dakota State has a slight edge in size over Akron. The Jackrabbits also have a more experienced team, with four seniors in their starting lineup. Akron has a more balanced scoring attack, with five players averaging in double figures last season.
The Jackrabbits also have a slight edge in defense. They ranked 43rd in the country in defensive efficiency last season, while Akron ranked 103rd.
Overall, I believe that South Dakota State has the edge in this matchup. They have a more experienced team with a better defense. However, Akron is a talented team and could pull off the upset if they play their best game.
