Saturday, February 22
Kent, Ohio
12:00 p.m.
Kent State University
vs
University at Buffalo
Khaliq Spicer
Photo by: David Dermer
Men’s Basketball Hosts First-Place Buffalo for Noon Tip-Off Saturday
2/21/2014 1:37:00 PM | Men's Basketball
Game Notes (.pdf)
Kent State (15-11, 6-7) returns to the M.A.C. Center on Saturday when it hosts Buffalo at noon in a contest that will be televised live on Time Warner Cable SportsChannel. The Golden Flashes will look to continue climbing the Mid-American Conference standings and avenge a 71-60 loss in Buffalo on Jan. 18.
Winners of three straight, the Golden Flashes are the MAC East's hottest team entering the weekend. The Flashes own the division's longest winning streak and only Buffalo matches their 4-2 mark during February.
Kent State has regained the shooting touch it displayed early in the season on its way to an 8-1 start. Over the last three games, the Flashes are shooting 50.9 percent from the field overall and 49.3 percent (33-for-67) from the three-point arc. This comes on the heels of shooting just 28.6 percent over their first 10 conference games (3-7). Junior Kris Brewer has led the three-point barrage (11-for-15), followed by Devereaux Manley (9-for-20) and Derek Jackson (8-for-17).
At least one Golden Flash has set or tied their career-high for points and three-pointers in each game of the current winning streak. In his only game coming off the bench this season, Jackson poured in 25 points and shot 5-for-7 from the three-point line to lead the Flashes in a 62-61 comeback victory over Bowling Green. Last Saturday against Central Michigan, it was sophomores Chris Ortiz and Kellon Thomas who led the way with 17 points each. Ortiz did most of his damage from long range (3-for-3), while Thomas spent much of the night at the foul line (9-for-11). Brewer led the charge against Miami Wednesday night, torching the nets with a 7-for-7 performance from the three-point line on his way to matching his career-high 28 points, which he set earlier in the season against Seton Hall.
Scouting the Bulls
Led by first-year head coach Bobby Hurley, Buffalo (15-8, 9-4) is tied with Akron for first place in the MAC East after defeating the Zips, 96-90, on Wednesday. Forward Javon McCrea had another monster game with 20 points, 13 rebounds, 8 assists and 3 blocks. Guards Joshua Freelove (21 points) and Jarod Oldham (20 points) also had big scoring nights for the Bulls.
McCrea is among the favorites for MAC Player of the Year and is among the conference leaders in several categories, including second in scoring (18.3 ppg), rebounding (10.2 rpg) and field goal percentage (.585) and third in blocked shots (2.4 bpg).
Freelove is the team's top perimeter scorer at 12.8 points per game and ranks in the top 10 in the conference in three-pointers (2.1/gm) and three-point percentage (.381). Forward Will Regan can score inside and on the perimeter and average 10.4 points and 5.7 rebounds.
Tickets
Fans can purchase tickets over the phone by calling 330-672-2244, in person by coming to the M.A.C. Center ticket office or online by clicking the banner below. Tickets are selling fast and fans are encouraged to purchase their tickets in advance.
Quick Flashes
• Third-year head coach Rob Senderoff is 11-1 in home games during th month of February. The lone loss came in the 2012 BracketBusters game vs. College of Charleston.
• The Flashes are getting huge bench contributions this season and are outscoring opposing benches, 25.1-16.1. On Wednesday, Kent State was +36 in bench scoring (50-14) thanks to a career night from Kris Brewer.
• At least 10 players have scored for KSU in nine games this season. The Flashes have received 20 or more bench points in 20 games.
FLASHback
• Will Regan led a second-half surge as Buffalo handed Kent State a 71-60 loss at Alumni Arena. After scoring just six points and one rebound in the opening half, Regan finished with 25 points and 10 rebounds.
• Kent State led 29-27 at the break thanks in large part to a defense that forced nine Bulls turnovers while holding the Bulls to just 37.5% shooting.
• Buffalo connected on 6-of-11 from beyond the arc after the break and led by as many as 16 points.
• Devareaux Manley led the Flashes with 17 points. Kris Brewer joined him in double-figures with 11.
• Javon McCrea was held to 12 points and seven rebounds, well below his averages. But McCrea did a good job of finding opponent teammates and finished with a team-high five assists.
• Joshua Freelove added 14 points for the Bulls.
• The Flashes outscored the Bulls, 32-30, in the paint, but attempted 10 fewer free throws (23-13).
Series History
• Kent State leads the all-time series 29-9.
• The Golden Flashes have never lost to the Bulls at the M.A.C. Center (16-0).
• The Flashes had their four-game winning streak snapped in a 71-60 defeat at Buffalo last month.
• On four occasions, the schools have needed an overtime period to decide a winner with Kent State coming away victorious each time, inclduing the most recent meeting on Feb. 27, 2013 in Kent.
• The two schools met twice prior to Buffalo joining the Mid-American Conference for the 1998-99 season. The Flashes won, 47-33, during the 1938-39 season and 63-55 on Feb. 26, 1966. Both games were played in Buffalo.
• Kent State won the first nine macthups between the schools, which is the longest winning streak in the series. Buffalo's first victory over the Flashes came on Jan. 9, 2002 in Buffalo.
• The Bulls have only won consecutive games in the series once, winning back-to-back home games in 2010 and 2011.
TV / Radio
The game will be televised live regionally on TWC Sports Channel and streamed nationally on ESPN3. Todd Bell and Tony White will be on the call.
Ty Linder (play-by-play) and David Carducci (color) will bring you the action on 640 AM WHLO and the Golden Flashes iHeartRadio channel.
Next Up For Kent State
The Golden Flashes go back on the road to play Bowling Green on Wednesday (Feb. 26).
Kent State (15-11, 6-7) returns to the M.A.C. Center on Saturday when it hosts Buffalo at noon in a contest that will be televised live on Time Warner Cable SportsChannel. The Golden Flashes will look to continue climbing the Mid-American Conference standings and avenge a 71-60 loss in Buffalo on Jan. 18.
Winners of three straight, the Golden Flashes are the MAC East's hottest team entering the weekend. The Flashes own the division's longest winning streak and only Buffalo matches their 4-2 mark during February.
Kent State has regained the shooting touch it displayed early in the season on its way to an 8-1 start. Over the last three games, the Flashes are shooting 50.9 percent from the field overall and 49.3 percent (33-for-67) from the three-point arc. This comes on the heels of shooting just 28.6 percent over their first 10 conference games (3-7). Junior Kris Brewer has led the three-point barrage (11-for-15), followed by Devereaux Manley (9-for-20) and Derek Jackson (8-for-17).
At least one Golden Flash has set or tied their career-high for points and three-pointers in each game of the current winning streak. In his only game coming off the bench this season, Jackson poured in 25 points and shot 5-for-7 from the three-point line to lead the Flashes in a 62-61 comeback victory over Bowling Green. Last Saturday against Central Michigan, it was sophomores Chris Ortiz and Kellon Thomas who led the way with 17 points each. Ortiz did most of his damage from long range (3-for-3), while Thomas spent much of the night at the foul line (9-for-11). Brewer led the charge against Miami Wednesday night, torching the nets with a 7-for-7 performance from the three-point line on his way to matching his career-high 28 points, which he set earlier in the season against Seton Hall.
Scouting the Bulls
Led by first-year head coach Bobby Hurley, Buffalo (15-8, 9-4) is tied with Akron for first place in the MAC East after defeating the Zips, 96-90, on Wednesday. Forward Javon McCrea had another monster game with 20 points, 13 rebounds, 8 assists and 3 blocks. Guards Joshua Freelove (21 points) and Jarod Oldham (20 points) also had big scoring nights for the Bulls.
McCrea is among the favorites for MAC Player of the Year and is among the conference leaders in several categories, including second in scoring (18.3 ppg), rebounding (10.2 rpg) and field goal percentage (.585) and third in blocked shots (2.4 bpg).
Freelove is the team's top perimeter scorer at 12.8 points per game and ranks in the top 10 in the conference in three-pointers (2.1/gm) and three-point percentage (.381). Forward Will Regan can score inside and on the perimeter and average 10.4 points and 5.7 rebounds.
Tickets
Fans can purchase tickets over the phone by calling 330-672-2244, in person by coming to the M.A.C. Center ticket office or online by clicking the banner below. Tickets are selling fast and fans are encouraged to purchase their tickets in advance.
Quick Flashes
• Third-year head coach Rob Senderoff is 11-1 in home games during th month of February. The lone loss came in the 2012 BracketBusters game vs. College of Charleston.
• The Flashes are getting huge bench contributions this season and are outscoring opposing benches, 25.1-16.1. On Wednesday, Kent State was +36 in bench scoring (50-14) thanks to a career night from Kris Brewer.
• At least 10 players have scored for KSU in nine games this season. The Flashes have received 20 or more bench points in 20 games.
FLASHback
• Will Regan led a second-half surge as Buffalo handed Kent State a 71-60 loss at Alumni Arena. After scoring just six points and one rebound in the opening half, Regan finished with 25 points and 10 rebounds.
• Kent State led 29-27 at the break thanks in large part to a defense that forced nine Bulls turnovers while holding the Bulls to just 37.5% shooting.
• Buffalo connected on 6-of-11 from beyond the arc after the break and led by as many as 16 points.
• Devareaux Manley led the Flashes with 17 points. Kris Brewer joined him in double-figures with 11.
• Javon McCrea was held to 12 points and seven rebounds, well below his averages. But McCrea did a good job of finding opponent teammates and finished with a team-high five assists.
• Joshua Freelove added 14 points for the Bulls.
• The Flashes outscored the Bulls, 32-30, in the paint, but attempted 10 fewer free throws (23-13).
Series History
• Kent State leads the all-time series 29-9.
• The Golden Flashes have never lost to the Bulls at the M.A.C. Center (16-0).
• The Flashes had their four-game winning streak snapped in a 71-60 defeat at Buffalo last month.
• On four occasions, the schools have needed an overtime period to decide a winner with Kent State coming away victorious each time, inclduing the most recent meeting on Feb. 27, 2013 in Kent.
• The two schools met twice prior to Buffalo joining the Mid-American Conference for the 1998-99 season. The Flashes won, 47-33, during the 1938-39 season and 63-55 on Feb. 26, 1966. Both games were played in Buffalo.
• Kent State won the first nine macthups between the schools, which is the longest winning streak in the series. Buffalo's first victory over the Flashes came on Jan. 9, 2002 in Buffalo.
• The Bulls have only won consecutive games in the series once, winning back-to-back home games in 2010 and 2011.
TV / Radio
The game will be televised live regionally on TWC Sports Channel and streamed nationally on ESPN3. Todd Bell and Tony White will be on the call.
Ty Linder (play-by-play) and David Carducci (color) will bring you the action on 640 AM WHLO and the Golden Flashes iHeartRadio channel.
Next Up For Kent State
The Golden Flashes go back on the road to play Bowling Green on Wednesday (Feb. 26).
TWO for Tuesday
For Kent State's home finale against Miami on Tuesday, March 4, fans will have a 2-for-1 opportunity. Fans can purchase TWO general admission tickets for the price of one ($12). To purchase tickets, contact the athletics ticket office at 330-672-2244 or stop by the M.A.C. Center Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
For Kent State's home finale against Miami on Tuesday, March 4, fans will have a 2-for-1 opportunity. Fans can purchase TWO general admission tickets for the price of one ($12). To purchase tickets, contact the athletics ticket office at 330-672-2244 or stop by the M.A.C. Center Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
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