Kent State University
Eastern Michigan
Flashes Hit the Road to Face Eastern Michigan
2/17/2020 3:37:00 PM | Men's Basketball
KENT, Ohio-Â The Kent State men's basketball team is back on the road as the Flashes travel to Ypsilanti, Mich. to take on Eastern Michigan on Tuesday night. Tip time is scheduled for 7 p.m. at the Convocation Center. Â
THE GAME
Kent State (17-8, 7-5 MAC) vs. Eastern Michigan (14-11, 4-8 MAC)
Tuesday, Feb. 18 | Convocation Center  | Ypsilanti, Mich.  | 7 PM
BROADCAST
TV: ESPN+
Radio: Ty Linder (pbp), WHLO 640 AM (flagship), iHeart Radio
EASTERN MICHIGAN HEAD COACH
Rob Murphy
Record at EMU: 158-138 (9th season)
KENT STATE HEAD COACH
Record at Kent State: 178-117 (9th season)
SERIES HISTORY
Kent State leads the all-time series with a 43-34 record.
Kent State is 12-23 when playing the Eagles at the Convocation Center
Kent State is 6-4 against the Eagles under head coach Rob Senderoff.
Last season the two teams split as Kent State fell at Eastern Michigan in the series opener, 95-61, and closed out the series with a win at home, 71-58.
LAST TIME OUT
The Kent State men's basketball team improved to 17-8 overall and 7-5 in conference play after an 87-72 win over Ohio at home. The Flashes connected on a season-high 17 3-pointers in route to the victory led by senior Troy Simons who scored a career-high 27 points. Simons connected on a season-best 7-of-11 from beyond the arc. Three other Flashes scored in double digits as sophomore Anthony Roberts added 21 points, senior Antonio Williams with 16 points and seven assists and senior CJ Williamson with 14 points.
On the season, the Flashes are shooting 45.3 percent (686-1515) from the floor and 223-625 (35.7 percent) from long range. Pippen leads the team averaging (13.8 ppg) as well in rebounds averaging 7.2 boards a game.
FLASH FACTS
- The Flashes have four players averaging in double-figure scoring with Troy Simons (13.4 ppg), Anthony Roberts (12.5 ppg), Antonio Williams (13.6 ppg), and Danny Pippen (13.8 ppg).
- Kent State leads the conference in FG percentage shooting 45.3 percent.
- Kent State ranks 55th in the country and third in the conference in scoring offense (76.3 ppg).
- As a team, Kent State ranks 46th in the country and leads the conference with 4.4 blocked shots per game.
- Danny Pippen leads the team with 42 total blocks, five of which he had against Towson. Kent State ranks 53rd in the nation in total blocked shots (110) and lead the conference. Pippen also ranks 46th in the nation and is second in conference stats averaging 1.75 blocked shots per game.
- Troy Simons ranks 16th in the nation in 3-point FG per game (3.16) and leads conference stats.
-Kent State ranks 41st in 3-point FG per game (8.9) and ranks 3rd in conference stats.
- In conference stats, KSU is first in FG percentage (45.3) and ranks 78th in the country. Â
-Flashes rank 55th in the country and lead the conference with a +8.0 scoring margin. Kent State ended the non-conference schedule with the highest scoring margin during the non-conference schedule in 20 seasons. (+12.5).
- Defensively, the Flashes have held its opponents to 68.2 points per game on 40.8 percent shooting from the field and 33.8 percent shooting from beyond the arc.
- Kent State has forced 362 turnovers (14.5 tpg) while collecting 183 steals (7.3 stl/g). On the glass, the Flashes have out re-bounded their opponents 908-894Â for a +0.6 margin.
SCOUTING EASTERN MICHIGAN
The Eagles, stand 14-11 overall and 4-8 in MAC play under nine-year head coach Rob Murphy. EMUÂ is coming off a 69-51 win against Western Michigan and is currently on a two-game win streak. Boubacar Toure led the Eagles with 17 points on a perfect 8-of-8 from the floor, while Chris James broke out of his offensive slump as he tied a career-high 15 points, including three triples. The Eagles have three players who are averaging in double figures with Ty Groce (11.5), Toure (10.9), and Noah Morgan (10.6). Toure leads the team in rebounds averaging 9.1 per game.
Defensively, EMU has held its opponents to score 62.6 points per game on 40.6 percent shooting from the field and 34.4 percent shooting from beyond the arc. The Eagles have 379 turnovers (15.2 tpg) while collecting 264 steals (10.6 stl/g) On the glass, EMU has out-rebounded their opponents 869-859 for a +0.6 margin. The Eagles rank second in the nation and lead the Mid-American Conference in steals per game (10.6). EMU also ranks fourth among Division I teams in total steals with 264. The Eagles are forcing 17.5 turnovers per game, which leads the league and ranks 12th in the nation.
FOLLOW ALONG
Flash fans unable to attend the game can watch the game on ESPN+, listen through iHeart Radio and Tune-In and follow along with live stats via sidearm. All the links are located below.
Listen: https://www.iheart.com/live/640-whlo-3520/
Live Stats: https://emueagles.com/sidearmstats/mbball/summary
