Kent State University
Eastern Michigan
Flashes Host Eastern Michigan for Rematch on Saturday
2/15/2019 6:02:00 PM | Men's Basketball
KENT, Ohio- The Kent State University men's basketball team wraps up its two-game cross-division Mid-American Conference series with Eastern Michigan on Saturday, Feb. 16 at the M.A.C. Center. Tip-off is slated for 7 p.m. and will be broadcasted on ESPN+.
AUTISM SPEAKS
Kent State University men's basketball will bring attention to an important cause during Saturday's home game against Eastern Michigan that takes place on NCAA Autism Awareness and Acceptance Weekend.
On Saturday, head coach Rob Senderoff and the men's basketball staff, along with other NCAA men's basketball coaches, will sport a light blue puzzle piece pin in honor of Autism Awareness and Acceptance Week.
The cause will take on extra significance for the Flashes as 2019 commit Kalin Bennett has Autism.
THE GAME
Kent State (18-6, 7-4 MAC) vs. Eastern Michigan (11-13, 5-6 MAC)
Saturday, Feb. 15 | 7 p.m. | M.A.C. Center
BROADCAST
TV:ESPN+- Ty Linder (pbp) and Tanner Castora (analyst)
RADIO: Kent State-IMG Sports Network, Jacob Pavilack (pbp), WHLO 640 AM (flagship), iHeart Radio
EASTERN MICHIGAN HEAD COACH
Rob Murphy
Record at EMU: 146-131 (8th season)
KENT STATE HEAD COACH
Record at Kent State: 157-104 (8th Season)
ALL-TIME SERIES
Kent State holds a 42-34 all-time series advantage. The Flashes have won 20 of the last 24 games against Eastern Michigan. Earlier in the season, the Flashes and Eagles met in Ypsilanti with Eastern Michigan protecting home court with a 95-61 win over Kent State.
Kent State is 5-4 against the Eagles under head coach Rob Senderoff.
FLASH FACTS
- Kent State improved to 18-6 overall and 7-4 in conference play after claiming a 82-63 victory over Western Michigan on Thursday night.
- The Flashes shot 64 percent in the second 20 minutes to pull away with the win, and scored 51 second-half points. Kent State was led by conference leading scorer Jaylin Walker with 25 points and 17 points from Mitch Peterson. Philip Whittington recorded his sixth double-double with 17 points and 13 rebounds.
- The Flashes have won six of their last eight games and are 8-0 in games decided by five points or fewer.
- On the season, the Flashes are shooting 43.8 percent (637-1455) from the floor, and 202-of-571 from long range (35.4 percent). ). The Flashes have three players averaging in double-figure scoring with Walker leading the team averaging 22.6 points per game, Jalen Avery with 11.9, and Williams with 10.5. Junior Philip Whittington leads the team averaging 7.8 rebounds per game and has 188 total on the season. Defensively, Kent State has held its opponents to 72.4 points per game on 45.2 percent shooting from the field and 34.4 percent from long range. Defensively, Kent State has held its opponents to 72.8 points per game on 45.2 percent shooting from the field and 34.6 percent from long range.
- Eastern Michigan is 11-13 overall and 5-6 in conference play after coming off a 66-57 win at Ohio on Tuesday Night. Elijah Minnie led the Eagles with 19 points and pulled down six rebounds. James Thompson IV notched a double-double with 18 points and 15 rebounds.
- The Eagles have three players averaging in double figures with Minnie leading the way with 14.1 points per game. Paul Jackson is averaging 13.8 points per game and Thompson IV rounds out the double-figure scoring with 10.7. Thompson also leads the team's rebounding category averaging 10.5 rebounds per game.
- Defensively, the Eagles have limited their opponents to score 69.4 points per game on 43.1 percent shooting from the field and 33.2 percent from downtown allowing 8.3 made 3-pt FG per game. EMU has 332 turnovers (13.8 tpg) while collecting 182 steals (7.6 stl/g). On the glass, the Eagles have out-rebounded their opponents 887-830 for a +2.4 margin.
- Kent State is 5-1 on the season against MAC West opponents.
