Three members of the University of Akron men's basketball team were named to the Mid-American Conference all-conference team.

Sophomore Alex Abreu, junior Zeke Marshall and senior Nikola Cvetinovic received All-MAC honors from the league office Wednesday.

Abreu and Marshall were named second-team All-MAC, the first all-conference honors for both, while Cvetinovic, named third-team All-MAC, the second straight all-league distinction for him.

The Zips finished 21-10 and wrapped up their first regular-season MAC title. They will look to defend their title in the semifinals of the MAC Tournament in Cleveland Friday night at 7pm.

 Press Release:

Sophomore Alex Abreu, junior Zeke Marshall and senior Nikola Cvetinovic were named to the Mid-American Conference all-conference team the league office announced on Wednesday.

Abreu and Marshall were named second-team All-MAC, the first all-conference honors for both, while Cvetinovic, named third-team All-MAC, earned his second-straight all-league honor (second-team All-MAC in 2011). This is the third time that Akron has placed three players on the All-MAC roster (2010, 2009).

“Having three players named All-MAC is a tribute to the hard work and dedication of each individual,” eighth-year head coach Keith Dambrot said. “All three have made sacrifices to make our program better and this is one more acknowledgement of their importance to this team.”

Abreu has started 28 games this season en route to his second-straight 100-assist season (128). He is one of just seven players all-time to crack the century mark in assists at Akron. Against Kent State, he broke Dru Joyce’s sophomore assist record (126, 2004-05). He also leads the team in steals (52) and is shooting 45.0 percent from the floor, 41.1 percent from long range and 82.7 percent from the charity stripe (fourth in the MAC).

Marshall, the 2011 Defensive Player of the Year, has 89 blocked shots this season, tied for the 11th-most in the nation while his 2.9 blocked shots/game average is tied for the 13th-best mark nationally. He has more blocked shots than four MAC and 123 teams nationally this season. He is averaging a team-best 10.3 points and 5.3 rebounds per game while connecting on 53.2 percent of his shots from the field and 71.0 percent at the free throw line.

Cvetinovic is the eighth player to earn All-MAC honors in multiple seasons following his second-team All-MAC performance last season. He leads the team in rebounding (5.4 rpg) and double-doubles (3), and is second on the team in points/game (10.0). He currently ranks 30th all-time in scoring at Akron (1,129) and needs to play in four games (138) to break Steve McNees’ school record (141) for career games played.

Abreu, Marshall, Cvetinovic and the rest of the Zips begin their quest for a third MAC title in four seasons on Friday, March 9, when they play in the tournament semifinals at 7 p.m. ET on SportsTime Ohio.

All-MAC First Team
Mitchell Watt, Buffalo
Javon McCrea, Buffalo
Justin Greene, Kent State
Julian Mavunga, Miami
D.J. Cooper, Ohio

All-MAC Second Team
Zeke Marshall, Akron
Alex Abreu, Akron
Jarrod Jones, Ball State
Austin Calhoun, Bowling Green
Rian Pearson, Toledo

All-MAC Third Team
Nikola Cvetinovic, Akron
Scott Thomas, Bowling Green
Trey Zeigler, Central Michigan
Darrell Lampley, Eastern Michigan
Michael Porrini, Kent State

Honorable Mention
Randal Holt, Kent State
Carlton Guyton, Kent State
Ivo Baltic, Ohio
Walter Offutt, Ohio
Curtis Dennis, Toledo
Flenard Whitfield, Western Michigan

All-Freshman Team
Aaron Adeoye, Ball State
Austin McBroom, Central Michigan
Brian Sullivan, Miami
Abdel Nader, Northern Illinois
Julius Brown, Toledo