Men's Basketball Set for Three Games at Gulf Coast Showcase
11/20/2016 12:40:00 PM | Men's Basketball
KENT, Ohio - The Kent State University men's basketball team (3-0) is will face three opponents this week at the 2016 Gulf Coast Showcase, held at Germain Arena in Estero, Florida from Nov. 21-23.Â
The Golden Flashes enter the heart of the Gulf Coast Showcase undefeated at 3-0, most recently defeating Hiram at home Friday, 111-63. The Golden Flashes scored over 110 points for the first time in over a decade. The 56-point win margin is the third highest in program history, and the highest since 1998. Kent State had 10 blocks, reaching double digits for the first time in program history. Kent State secured 58 rebounds, the program's best mark in this century.Â
The next three games of the Gulf Coast Showcase will be played in Germain Arena, whose main tenant is the Florida Everblades hockey team of the ECHL, and an affiliate Tampa Bay Lightning and Carolina Hurricanes. The arena seats 7,181 for basketball and hockey. The Flashes flew to Fort Myers, Florida on Saturday and practiced Sunday for the 2016 Gulf Coast Showcase. That tournament will feature the Flashes in one game on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. South Dakota is the only opponent currently scheduled for Kent State. On Tuesday, the Flashes will take on either Houston or George Mason. On Wednesday, they could be pitted against Vermont, Wofford, Hofstra or Bradley.
Scouting South Dakota
South Dakota enters the game undefeated at 4-0. They hold a victory margin of 21.5 points this season. They have the 3rd lowest 'minutes continuity' in the country according to KenPom.com, meaning a low percentage (13.1%) of their minutes are played by the same player from last season to this season. In turn, they are one of the 35 youngest teams in the country. Head coach Craig Smith has his young team playing well in his third year, having taken wins against Drake and Bowling Green. They most recently defeated Presentation and Doane.
Series History
This is the first game ever between the South Dakota Coyotes and the Golden Flashes. The Flashes have only played one game against an NCAA school from the state of South Dakota: a 105-50 win in the 2006 BCA Classic over South Dakota State.Â
Radio
Ty Linder will bring you the action on the Golden Flashes iHeartRadio channel and 640 WHLO.
