Golden Flashes Prepare For Upcoming Season with Exhibition Against Hiram on Saturday
11/2/2007 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
KENT, Ohio - The 2007-08 Kent State men's basketball team will be in action for the first time this season when they host Hiram College in a exhibition game at 1:00 pm on Saturday. Admission is free!
Saturday's Game ...
The Golden Flashes warm-up for the 2007-08 season with an exhibition contest against Hiram in the M.A.C. Center. Kent State officially starts the year next Saturday at Detroit. Last season KSU went 21-11 and 12-4 in the Mid-American Conference. the Terriers are coming off a 7-19 season and were picked to finish seventh in the NCAC preseason poll.
A Look at the Golden Flashes...
Kent State welcomes back nine returners from the 2006-07 team that won 12 of their final 15 games. Additionally the Golden Flashes return all five starters from last seasons 12-3 run.
New Faces...
There are four new faces in the KSU line-up this winter consisting of juniors Rashad Woods, Al Fisher, Gabe Garcia and freshman Antonio DiMaria.
Preseason Picks...
Kent State was picked first in the East Division of the Mid-American Conference Preseason Poll and also selected at the favorite to win the conference tournament. Additionally senior Mike Scott was named to the preseason All-MAC squad.
The 'D' was the Key...
During the 12-3 late season stretch, the defense was key as they held opponents to 60.7ppg and .412 field goal shooting. KSU opponents were also limited to a .309 shooting percentage from three. The Flashes permitted fewer than 50 points seven times on the season, including four times in the last nine games.
Head Coach Jim Christian...
• Entering his sixth-year at Kent State, Head Coach Jim Christian has amassed a career winning percentage of .683 (110-51), the second highest percentage in MAC history. Jerry Bush (129-59 at Toledo from 1947-54) is currently first at .686. Christian briefly passed Bush twice last season.
• Christian's .716 MAC-only winning percentage is second best behind only former Miami coach Bill Rohr (.757).
The Streak...
• Kent State is one of just nine Division I programs to win at least 20 games in each of the last nine seasons. KSU is also one of just seven teams to post at least 10 conference victories during that same span.
• Since the start of the 1998-99 season, Kent State has posted a 210-82 record and is 14th nationally over that span with a .719 winning percentage.
• Last season Coach Christian became the first coach in MAC history to win 20 games in each of his first five years. He is also one of just seven active coaches to win 20 games in each of his first five years.
