Kent State University
Southern Methodist University
Kent State Set to Face Undefeated No. 18 SMU in Continental Tire Las Vegas Classic Semifinals
12/21/2015 3:18:00 PM | Men's Basketball
Kent State (7-2) will face its biggest challenge to-date this season in Tuesday evening's 2015 Continental Tire Las Vegas Classic semifinal clash with No. 18 SMU (9-0). The game is scheduled to tip-off at 8 p.m. ET with the winner advancing to the championship on Wednesday at 10:30 p.m. ET and the loser playing in the consolation game at 8 p.m. ET.
The Golden Flashes have enjoyed nine days of rest after a busy stretch in which they won four games in eight days. The Flashes' perimeter play has been key during the four-game winning streak. Kellon Thomas has led the way with 15.5 ppg, while Xavier Pollard has added 12.3 ppg and Jaylin Walker continues to improve and has averaged 8.8 ppg. Thomas and Pollard have combined to shoot 16-for-36 (44.4%) from the three-point line.
The frontcourt of Jimmy Hall (15.6 ppg, 7.4 rpg), Khaliq Spicer (7.9 ppg, 6.9 rpg) and Chris Ortiz (7.8 ppg, 5.8 rpg) has helped Kent State control play around the basket. The Flashes own a +7.0 rebounding advantage while outscoring opponents 35.6-24.9 in the paint and 13.9-9.6 on second chance opportunities. Hall has also shown a terrific ability to find teammates out of double-teams and averages a team-high 3.1 assists per game.
Redshirt junior Kellon Thomas has displayed more of a scoring mindset in his return to action and is averaging 13.8 points per game. Graduate student Galal Cancer has provided a good all-around floor game with 4.2 points, 2.7 rebounds and 2.3 assists per game. Freshman guard Jaylin Walker (7.0 ppg) has averaged 8.7 points per game since being inserted into the starting lineup six games ago.
The Flashes are receiving nearly 11 more points per game off the bench than their opponents. Redshirt senior Xavier Pollard leads the way with 12.1 points per game and adds 4.1 rebounds and 2.7 assists per game. Pollard scored a season-high 23 points at Pittsburgh. Redshirt juniors Deon Edwin (4.0 ppg) and Marvin Jones (2.3 ppg) and sophomore Raasean Davis (2.3 ppg) have also made contributions in a reserve role.
Scouting SMU
SMU is one of six remaining unbeaten teams in NCAA Division I. Picked to win a second straight American Athletic Conference championship, the Mustangs will look to start 10-0 for the first time since the 1997-98 season, which is also the last season they played Kent State.
The Mustangs are among the national leaders in several statistical categories, including rebound margin (+18.0; 1st), fewest fouls per game (14.4; 2nd), scoring margin (84.9 ppg; 3rd), field goal percentage (.532; 3rd), assists (20.9 apg; 5th), three-point field goal percentage (.437; 6th), assist-to-turnover ratio (1.76; 9th), field goal percentage defense (.370; 12th), scoring defense (60.4 ppg; 18th), and scoring offense (84.9 ppg; 23rd).
SMU is balanced on offense with seven players averaging at least 9.9 points per game. All-American point guard Nic Moore was named to the Wooden Award and Naismith Trophy preseason watch lists. Moore averages a team-best 14.3 points and 5.1 assists per game and shoots 44-percent from the three-point line. All-AAC forward Markus Kennedy (9.9 ppg, 5.0 rpg) was named to the Karl Malone Award Watch List, which recognizes the top power forward in Division I men's college basketball. Forward Jordan Tolbert (13.8 ppg, 11.0 rpg) was named Lute Olson National Player of the Week after averaging 19.0 points and 21 rebounds over two games last week. Keith Frazier (13.4 ppg), Ben Moore (13.1 ppg, 8.5 rpg) Shake Milton (10.6 ppg) and Sterling Brown (10.2 ppg) are also key contributors for the Mustangs.
Series History
• Kent State is 0-2 all-time vs. SMU.
• The first matchup between the schools was played at the M.A.C. Center on December 7, 1996 with the Mustangs coming away with a 74-68 victory.
• SMU won the rematch the following season in Dallas, 83-76.
FLASHback to Last Meeting
• SMU defeated Kent State, 83-76, on its homecourt on December 6, 1997.
• The Mustangs led 44-34 at halftime.
• John Whorton led Kent State with 18 points on 8-for-11 shooting.
• Scott Effertz made all four of his shots from the three-point line en route to 14 points.
• Al Moore (11 points) and Mike Perry (10 points) also scored in double-figures.
• The Flashes shot 29-for-55 (52.7%) overall and 6-for-14 (42.9%) from the three-point line.
• Jeryl Sasser led all players with 20 points.
• Stephen Woods added 17 points and a game-high six assists for the Mustangs.
• Chad Eisley accounted for all 15 of SMU's bench points, as the rest of the team's reserves combined to shoot 0-for-3 from the field in 28 minutes.
TV / Radio
Ty Linder will bring you the action on the Golden Flashes iHeartRadio channel and 640 WHLO.
