Troy University Athletics
Troy University
Akron
Troy Hosts Akron in Nationally Televised MAC–SBC Challenge Clash
2/6/2026 12:20:00 PM | Basketball (M)
TROY, Ala. – Troy men's basketball is set for a marquee nonconference matchup Saturday evening, as the Trojans welcome the Akron Zips to Trojan Arena as part of the MAC–SBC Challenge. Tip-off is scheduled for 5 p.m. CT and will be nationally televised on ESPN2.
Troy (16-8, 9-3 SBC) picked up its 16th win of the season Wednesday night in Atlanta, defeating Georgia State, 74-63. The win marked Troy's ninth Sun Belt victory of the season, as the Trojans hold a half-game lead for first place in the conference.
Five Trojans scored in double figures Wednesday night, led by Thomas Dowd's 16 points. Dowd added 15 rebounds, his fourth game this season with 15 or more boards.
In addition to Dowd, Victor Valdes recorded 12 points and nine assists, while Cobi Campbell added 15 points on 5-for-10 shooting from 3-point range.
Akron (19-4, 10-1 MAC) enters Saturday's game riding a nine-game winning streak, most recently defeating Eastern Michigan, 66-64. Despite the win, the 66 points marked the Zips' lowest scoring output of the season, as they are averaging 90.4 points per game.
Saturday marks the first-ever meeting between Troy and Akron.
Game Information
Location: Troy, Ala.
The Matchup: Troy vs. Akron
When: Saturday, February 7 – 5:00 p.m.
Watch: ESPN2
Listen: Troy Sports Media Network
Saturday Showdown
Both Troy and Akron sit near the top of their respective conferences, as Troy holds a half-game lead for first place in the Sun Belt. Akron is in second place in the MAC, one game behind Miami (OH). Troy (143) and Akron (52) both rank first in their respective conferences on KenPom.
Leading the Way
Troy ranks first in the Sun Belt in several categories, including scoring margin (+8.1), scoring offense (83.3 points per game), and assist-to-turnover ratio (1.39).
Free Points
Victor Valdes is fourth in the Sun Belt in free throws made (121) and third in free throws attempted (160). Troy's Division I record for free throws made in a season is 142, set by Myles Rigsby last year.
Attacking the Glass
Thomas Dowd is near the top of several statistics nationally. The Dothan native ranks fifth in total rebounds (253) and 9th in rebounds per game (10.5).
Scouting Akron
Akron makes the trip down to Troy in the midst of a nine-game winning streak. It's only loss in MAC play this season came on Jan. 3 at Miami (OH), 76-73. The Zips boast a top 10 scoring offense nationally, averaging 90.4 points per game. That offensive output has helped Akron post the nation's 11th-best scoring margin at +16.4. Tavari Johnson has averaged 20.1 points this season while shooting 38.1% from three. Two other Zips are averaging double figures - Amani Lyles (14.7) and Shammah Scott (12.7). In the first round of the MAC-SBC Challenge on Nov. 3, Akron defeated James Madison, 85-71.
Up Next
Troy resumes Sun Belt action on Wednesday, heading west to take on Texas State at 7 p.m. The game will be streamed live on ESPN+, with audio available on the Troy Sports Media Network.
Notables
- Scott Cross is in his seventh season at the helm of the Trojans, amassing a 119-95 record during his time at Troy. Over the last four seasons, Troy has won 20-plus games every year, which includes 10-plus Sun Belt wins each season.
- Saturday's game marks the second round of this season's MAC–SBC Challenge, with the first occurring on the opening night of the season on Nov. 3. Troy traveled to Kent State, where it took down the Golden Flashes, 103–97, in overtime. Overall, the Sun Belt won four of the 13 road contests that night, with 13 home games set for the conference on Saturday.
- Cooper Campbell boasts the best assist-to-turnover ratio in the Sun Belt at 2.9, which also ranks 43rd nationally. Additionally, Campbell ranks second in the league in assists per game at 4.8.
- Following Saturday, Troy will begin a four-game road stretch. The Trojans will take on Texas State (Feb. 11), Southern Miss (Feb. 14), ULM (Feb. 18) and South Alabama (Feb. 21) to wrap up their road schedule.
- Victor Valdes and Thomas Dowd have paced the scoring output at 15.8 and 14.9 points per game this season, respectively. Dowd has also added a Sun Belt-leading 10.5 rebounds per contest, while Theo Seng is Troy's third-leading scorer.
