Kent State University
University at Buffalo
Flashes Take National Stage on CBSSN for Friday’s MAC Home Opener vs. Buffalo
1/6/2016 3:15:00 PM | Men's Basketball
Kent State (10-4, 1-0 MAC) looks to stay hot Friday night when it opens its Mid-American Conference home schedule against Buffalo (7-7, 0-1 MAC) for a 6:30 p.m. contest that will be broadcast nationally on CBS Sports Network.
The Golden Flashes started conference play with a thrilling 87-84 victory at Western Michigan on Tuesday. Despite a 3-for-16 shooting performance from the three-point line, Kent State was able to dominate play around the basket for a 50-24 scoring advantage in the paint to grind out a road win. The Flashes also forced 19 turnovers while committing just 8, which led to a 28-7 edge in points off turnovers. Jimmy Hall led the way with 21 points and 7 rebounds with Chris Ortiz (15 points, 6 rebounds), Marvin Jones (12 points, 4 rebounds) and Khaliq Spicer (8 points, 5 rebounds) contributing to a stellar night by the frontline.
The frontcourt of Jimmy Hall (15.5 ppg, 6.7 rpg), Khaliq Spicer (7.2 ppg, 6.0 rpg) and Chris Ortiz (8.1 ppg, 5.4 rpg) has helped Kent State control play around the basket. The Flashes own a +4.9 rebounding advantage while outscoring opponents 36.1-25.7 in the paint and 12.1-9.6 on second chance opportunities.
The Golden Flashes' backcourt has stepped up its offensive production over the past month, as Kellon Thomas (13.7 ppg), Xavier Pollard (12.1 ppg) and Jaylin Walker (10.5 ppg) have combined for 33.5 points per game over the last eight contests. Thomas is enjoying the best season of his Kent State career, averaging 12.2 points and 2.4 assists per game after missing all but eight games last season due to injury. Pollard has been terrific in a sixth man role and leads the team in assists (44) and steals (16) while scoring 11.9 points per game. Walker is averaging 7.5 points per game and needs just three points to become the first Kent State freshman to hit the century mark since Eric Gaines during the 2010-11 season. In the Flashes' game against #18 SMU on December 22, Walker turned in the first 20-point performance by a freshman since all-time leading scorer Trevor Huffman dropped 21 against Miami on January 20, 1999. Deon Edwin has played terrific since being inserted into the starting lineup, averaging 9.3 points, 7.0 rebounds and 3.0 steals over the last three games.
Scouting Buffalo
Buffalo is coming off a 75-71 loss to Akron on Tuesday to open the conference season. The Bulls average 76.7 ppg and are allowing 75.5 ppg, which is last in the MAC.
Lamonte Bearden (13.0 ppg, 3.1 apg) is one of four Bulls scoring in double-digits. Blake Hamilton (10.9 ppg), C.J. Massinburg (10.3 ppg) and Willie Conner (10.1 ppg) provide Buffalo with a balanced offense.
Series History
• Kent State owns a 29-12 record all-time vs. Buffalo.
• Kent State won the first nine matchups between the schools, which is the longest winning steak in the series. Buffalo's first victory over the Flashes came on January 9, 2002 in Buffalo.
• Buffalo has won the past four matchups to snap a four-game winning streak by the Golden Flashes.
• Kent State is 16-2 all-time when hosting Buffalo at the M.A.C. Center.
• On four occasions, the schools have needed an overtime period to decide a winner with Kent State coming away victorious each time. Most recently, Chris Evans banked in a shot at the buzzer for an 83-81 Flashes victory on February 27, 2013.
FLASHback to Last Meeting
• A poor shooting effort by Kent State resulted in Buffalo leaving the M.A.C. Center with a 71-65 victory on February 28, 2015.
• The Golden Flashes shot just 23/61 (37.7%) overall and 4/22 (18.2%) from the 3-point arc.
• Jarryn Skeete made 3-point field goals on 4 of Buffalo's first 5 possessions for a 12-7 lead.
• A 13-2 run gave KSU its first lead with 3:43 left in the first half, but 6 straight missed shots resulted in a 34-31 deficit at halftime.
• Buffalo led by as many as 15 with 4:36 to play, but KSU had one last comeback attempt left and got it within 4 with 10 seconds to play.
• Devareaux Manley led the Flashes with 19 points, but needed to 18 shots to do so. Derek Jackson added 10 points and 5 steals
• Jimmy Hall won the battle of elite MAC post players with 18 points and 10 rebounds, while UB's Justin Moss finished with just 6 points and 2 rebounds.
• KSU's bench contributed just 4 points on 2-for-12 shooting (16.7%) and 8 rebounds.
• Buffalo's backcourt combined for 49 points. Skeete led the way with 21 points and Shannon Evans and Lamonte Bearden added 14 points each.
TV / Radio
Brent Stover and Bob Wenzel will have the call on CBS Sports Network, while Ty Linder and David Carducci will bring you the action on the Golden Flashes iHeartRadio channel and 640 WHLO. The game will not be streamed online.
Next Up For Kent State
The Golden Flashes continue their three-game homestand against Miami on Tuesday, January 12 and then host Ohio on Saturday, January 16.
