 The rivalry in men's basketball is an even closer series with Kent State leading the Zips 72–71 through the 2015–16 season.Since the late 1990s, both teams have been consistent contenders for the MAC East, MAC, and MAC Tournament titles, so games between the two often have implications in the conference standings or in the tournament.Since Akron's first MAC East title in 1998, the two teams have combined for eight MAC Tournament championships, eight MAC regular-season championships, and 13 MAC East division titles.