Ohio (11-10 overall, 5-4 Mid-American Conference) has a tough and quick turnaround after the blowout loss it suffered at home at the hands of Akron, as Kent State (15-5 overall, 6-2 MAC) is up next on the road.
Following the 86-65 loss against the Zips, the Bobcats have to go on the road to face another tough opponent in the Golden Flashes.
Kent State has been a reliable powerhouse in the MAC for some time now, and this year is no different, as the 6-2 conference record is good for third in the MAC.
The Golden Flashes have been very solid this year, taking MAC-leading No. 24 Miami (OH) all the way to overtime at home in one of the best college basketball games of the year.
Head coach Rob Senderoff made sure it would be a marquee matchup for fans, as he bought the first 500 beers purchased in the arena that night to make sure it would be a raucous home environment.
Despite the sell-out crowd in Kent, the Golden Flashes fell just short of knocking off the undefeated RedHawks in overtime. Despite the loss, Senderoff and his squad have more than proven that they are able to compete at the highest level in the MAC, with the only other conference loss coming on the road against Central Michigan.
With that being said, let’s take a closer look at Kent State.
Game Information
Opponent: Kent State Golden Flashes
Location: Memorial Athletic and Convocation Center (Kent, Ohio)
Time: Tuesday at 7 p.m.
Where to watch: ESPN+
Follow live stats here
Meet the Opponent:
Head coach: Rob Senderoff (15th season)
Projected Starters:
#01 Cian Medley
#02 Rob Whaley Jr.
#08 Morgan Safford
#23 Delrecco Gillespie
#25 Jahari Williamson
Statistical leaders:
Points: Gillespie (19.4 per game)
Assists: Medley (6.8 per game)
Rebounds: Gillespie (12.3 per game)
Steals: Medley (1.4 per game)
Blocks: Gillespie (1.6 per game )
FG%: Winther (62.8%)
3-point%: Walters (38.2%)
Kent State player to watch: Delrecco Gillespie
Gillespie is one of the best MAC big men in recent memory, and he has been having a career year so far with the Golden Flashes.
For reference, Akron’s Enrique Freeman was the last MAC big man to win the Player of the Year in 2024. In that year, he put up 18.6 points per game and 12.9 rebounds per game.
Gillespie this year averages just .6 rebounds less and nearly a point more per game. With the way he has been playing this year his Kent State is eyeing the same result Freeman’s Akron team had: a MAC title and NCAA tournament appearance.
