Men’s Hoops Tabbed Third, Whittington Named Preseason All-MAC
10/31/2019 10:08:00 AM | Men's Basketball
CLEVELAND, Ohio- The Kent State University men's basketball team has been picked to finish third in the Mid-American Conference East Division in the 2019-20 MAC Men's Basketball Coaches' Preseason Poll, which was announced by the conference office Thursday (Oct. 31) morning. Additionally, senior Philip Whittington was named to the five-player Preseason All-MAC East Team. The preseason poll and divisional all-conference teams are both voted on by the league's 12 head coaches.
The Flashes are one of three MAC East Division teams that posted a 20-win season a year ago and received 43 points. Bowling Green was selected to win the East Division title as well as predicted as MAC Tournament Champions, while Buffalo placed second in the division with 58 points.
Toledo (69 points) edged out Northern Illinois (52 points) as the favorite to win the West Division.
Whittington posted averages of 11.1 points, 8.1 rebounds and 1.5 assists per game. He reached double-figures in 20 of 33 games on the season and recorded nine double-doubles.
Kent State returns six players from last season's team, including three starters in proven seniors Whittington, Antonio Williams (11.5 ppg, 4.0 rpg), and CJ Williamson (6.2 ppg, 3.6 rpg). Other notable returners are senior Mitch Peterson (3.8 ppg), junior Danny Pippen, and lone sophomore Anthony Roberts (5.9 ppg, 1.7 rpg) who was named to the All-MAC Freshman Team.
Kent State will open the season Wednesday, Nov. 6 against Hiram at the M.A.C. Center at 7 p.m.
Season Tickets are currently on sale and begin as low as less than $15 per game. Fans can purchase tickets by calling the Ticket Office at 330-672-4455.
Men's Basketball East Division Predictions (First Place Votes)
Bowling Green - 69 (9)
Buffalo - 58 (3)
Kent State - 43
Miami - 37
Akron - 33
Ohio - 12
Men's Basketball West Division Predictions (First Place Votes)
Toledo - 69 (11)
Northern Illinois - 52
Ball State - 51 (1)
Central Michigan - 41
Western Michigan - 23
Eastern Michigan - 16
Tournament Champs: Bowling Green (6), Toledo (2), Buffalo (1), Kent State (1), Miami (1), NIU (1)
East Division Preseason All-MAC Team
Justin Turner, Bowling Green, R-Jr., G
Dylan Frye, Bowling Green, Sr., G
Phillip Whittington, Kent State, Jr., F
Nike Sibande, Miami, Jr., G
Jayvon Graves, Buffalo, Jr., G
West Division Preseason All-MAC Team
Eugene German, Northern Illinois, Sr., G
Tahjai Teague, Ball State, R-Sr., F
Marreon Jackson, Toledo, Jr., G
Luke Knapke, Toledo, Sr., C
Michael Flowers, Western Michigan, Jr., G
Dave DiLeo, Central Michigan, Sr., F
