Akron routs Buffalo, advances to MAC final four

CLEVELAND, Ohio (WOIO) - It’ll be Akron and Kent State Friday in the MAC semifinals, after the Zips blasted Buffalo 101-77 in Thursday’s opening round.

❌FOR3⃣🎯

2023 #MACtion 🏆 | #1Akron🦘#GoZips

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— Akron Zips MBB (@ZipsMBB) March 10, 2023

The two Northeast Ohio rivals split a pair of regular-season matchups. Akron beat Kent to win last year’s MAC tournament title.

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2023 MAC Tournament Winner.

Toledo +170
Kent State +185
Akron +380
Ohio +950
Ball State +1200
Buffalo +3000
Northern Illinois +5500
Miami (OH) +10000

Via @FDSportsbook.
— Jon Rothstein (@JonRothstein) March 7, 2023

The Kent-Akron matchup will be game 2 on Friday at 7:30 p.m.; top seed Toledo will meet Ohio at 5 p.m. at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse.

Xavier Castaneda’s 31 points led Akron to an easy win Thursday over Buffalo. The Zips led 45-31 at the half and improved to 22-10 overall.

GARV DRIVING THE LANE#MACtion 🏆 | #1Akron🦘#GoZips

📺 ESPN+: https://t.co/ygAK51ujYy pic.twitter.com/oiSp8TovZs
— Akron Zips MBB (@ZipsMBB) March 9, 2023