Preview: Akron Looks to Extend Win Streak Against Tulane in New Orleans NEW ORLEANS (Interstat) — Two teams riding winning streaks will meet Saturday when the Akron Zips visit the Tulane Green Wave in a nonconference men’s basketball matchup at Devlin Fieldhouse. The Zips (7-2) have won three straight, most recently a 97-77 rout of Bucknell on Wednesday. They are powered by one of the nation’s most dynamic guards in Tavari Johnson. The standout is averaging 21.8 points and 6.0 assists over his last six games, including a 35-point, 8-assist performance in a narrow loss to Yale. In the win over Bucknell, Johnson scored 23 points with five assists. Akron’s offense has been potent, scoring 97 or more points in four of its last five victories. Forward Amani Lyles added 24 points against Bucknell, providing a strong interior complement to Johnson’s perimeter play. The Green Wave (6-2) have bounced back from a two-game skid in mid-November with three consecutive wins, though their last outing was a narrow 65-63 escape against Grambling on Tuesday. Tulane relies heavily on guard Curtis Williams, who leads the team in scoring. Williams logged 38 minutes and scored 17 points in the Grambling win and exploded for 32 points in an overtime victory at Boston College on Nov. 23. Tulane’s victories have been tighter than Akron’s recent blowouts, with the Green Wave winning their last three by an average of just 5.3 points. Guard Rowan Brumbaugh, who scored 17 points against Grambling, shares backcourt duties with Williams. Defense will be a key storyline. Akron’s high-octane attack, averaging 95.1 points during its three-game streak, will test a Tulane squad that allowed 96 points in a loss to Utah State but has since tightened up, holding its last three opponents to 72 points or fewer. This game serves as a final tune-up for both teams before each heads to Henderson, Nevada, for neutral-site games on Dec. 13. Akron will face Murray State there, while Tulane meets UC San Diego. Tipoff is set for Saturday, Dec. 6, in New Orleans. The Zips will look to continue their offensive onslaught, while the Green Wave aim to protect their home floor and notch a resume-building win against a surging opponent.