Trio of Flashes Named to All-MAC Teams
3/10/2021 10:03:00 AM | Men's Basketball
CLEVELAND, Ohio- Seniors Danny Pippen, Michael Nuga, and junior Malique Jacobs were each recognized on Wednesday with the announcement of the Mid-American Conference All-League squads. Pippen earned a spot on the All-MAC First Team, while Nuga was an All-MAC Third Team selection. Jacobs was named to the All-MAC Defensive Team.
Pippen led the team averaging 19.3 points per game and 8.7 boards per game. He became the 32nd member of the Kent State Basketball program to reach 1,000 career points. The forward recorded nine double-doubles this season ranking 21st in the nation and leading the league, while scoring in double-figures in 18 games, including eight 20-point performances. Pippen hit his career-high 34 points twice this season against Toledo and Bowling Green, He blocked a team-high 27 shots ( 3rd in MAC) and averaged 1.3 blocks per game.
Nuga ranked third on the team this season in 3-point field goals made (37) and finished shooting 50 percent from the floor and 36 percent shooting from beyond the arc. He finished the year with 12 games in double-figures and had three games where he scored 20 or more points. Nuga scored a career-high 26 points against Western Michigan this season on 10-of-19 from the field. Against Buffalo, he knocked down a career-best 7 three-pointers in the 84-81 win over the Bulls. At Ohio, Nuga notched his first double-double with 16 points and 10 rebounds.
Jacobs averaged 9.7 points per game and grabbed 4.9 rebounds per game. He ended the season with a team-high 43 steals (2nd in MAC), averaging 2.0 steals per game. He went 17 games where he at least recorded a steal and swiped a career-high 4 steals against Virginia and Northern Kentucky.
Kent State begins the quest for its MAC Tournament championship on Thursday afternoon against No. 5 Ohio. Tip from Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse in Cleveland is expected around 1:30 p.m.
2020-21 MAC Men's Basketball Postseason Awards
Coach of the Year: Tod Kowalczyk, Toledo
Player of the Year: Marreon Jackson, Sr., G, Toledo
Freshman of the Year: Ryan Rollins, G, Toledo
Defensive Player of the Year: Josh Mballa, Jr., F, Buffalo
Sixth Man of the Year: Trey Diggs, Sr., G/F, Bowling Green
All-MAC First Team
Loren Cristian Jackson, Sr., G, Akron
Justin Turner, Gr., G, Bowling Green
Danny Pippen, Sr., F, Kent State
Jason Preston, Jr., G, Ohio
Marreon Jackson, Sr., G, Toledo
All-MAC Second Team
Ishmael El-Amin, Sr., G, Ball State
Josh Mballa, Jr., F, Buffalo
Jeenathan Williams, Jr., F, Buffalo
Jayvon Graves, Sr., G, Buffalo
Spencer Littleson, Sr., G, Toledo
All-MAC Third Team
Daeqwon Plowden, Sr., G/F, Bowling Green
Michael Nuga, Sr., G, Kent State
Dae Dae Grant, So., G, Miami
Ben Vander Plas, R-Jr., F, Ohio
Dwight Wilson III, Sr., F, Ohio
Honorable Mention
Bryan Trimble Jr., Jr., G, Akron
K.J. Walton, Gr., G, Ball State
Ryan Rollins, Fr., G, Toledo
B. Artis White, So., G, Western Michigan
Greg Lee, Sr., F, Western Michigan
All-Freshman Team
Josiah Fulcher, G, Bowling Green
Kaden Matheny, G, Bowling Green
Aundre Polk, F, Central Michigan
Mark Sears, G, Ohio
Ryan Rollins, G, Toledo
All-Defensive Team
Enrique Freeman, So., F, Akron
Josh Mballa, Jr., F, Buffalo
Malique Jacobs, Jr., G, Kent State
Lunden McDay, So., G, Ohio
Spencer Littleson, Sr., G, Toledo
