Kent State University
Hampton University
Flashes Head South For Paradise Jam Tournament
11/15/2023 4:47:00 PM | Men's Basketball
U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS – The Kent State Men's basketball team is switching out their winter jackets for swim trunks and heading South to the Virgin Islands to play three games in the Paradise Jam Tournament. The Flashes will start the tournament on Friday, Nov. 17 against the Hampton Pirates. Tip-off time is scheduled for 5:45 p.m. ET and will air on ESPN+ and can be heard on the GoFlashes App.
About the Paradise Jam Tournament
The annual U.S. Virgin Islands Paradise Jam men's and women's basketball tournaments return to St. Thomas and the University of the Virgin Islands Elridge Blake Sports and Fitness Center this November. The 23rd annual men's tournament will take place, November 17-20, while the 24th edition of the women's tournament, will be played Nov. 23-25.
The men's tournament will be a traditional eight-team bracket, with the women's field being split into two, four-team round-robin tournaments. All times are Atlantic Standard Time and are subject to change (EST+1).
The eight-team men's field for 2023 will begin Friday, Nov. 17 with Norfolk State vs. Fordham facing off at 2 p.m. followed by Abilene Christian and San Jose State at 4:15 p.m. In the evening doubleheader, Hampton will take on Kent State at 6:45 p.m., while Missouri State and Florida Gulf Coast will tangle at 9 p.m.
Based on the outcome of game one will determine when Kent State plays next. The winner of the Kent State and Hampton game will advance to the semifinals that will be played on Sunday, Nov. 19 at 6 p.m. while the other team will play Saturday, Nov. 18 at 6:45 p.m. The winners of the semifinals game will advance to the tournament championship game on Nov. 20 at 9 p.m. while the other team will play on Nov. 20 at 4:15 p.m (see below).
Last time out
The Golden Flashes are currently 2-1 and fresh off a 79-69 win over Fresno State. Jalen Sullinger ended the night with 17 points and two assists while his teammate Chris Payton Jr. concluded the evening with 13 points, seven rebounds, and two assists. Sullinger has recorded double digits in all three games averaging 19 points per game. The Flashes average 88.7 points per game while holding a +8.7 scoring margin against their opponents. Each of Flashes' starting five average double-digits in points per game.
Key Players for Hampton
The Pirates are coming off their first season in the Coastal Athletic Association. Head Coach Edward Joyner Jr. enters his 14th season under the helm. The Pirates leading scorer from the 2022-23 season, Jordan Nesbitt, returns for his junior season. Nesbitt averaged just shy of 15 points per game and six rebounds last season. Kyrese Mullen also returned to the Hamptons and leads the team with 18.7 points per game, 9.7 boards, 0.3 steals per game, and 2.0 steals per game. The Pirates also made seven additions to the roster this off season including five players from the portal and two from high school ranks.
Series Match-up
The Golden Flashes will meet Hampton for the fourth time in program history. The last time the two teams met was in 2019 inside the M.A.C. Center and the Flashes defeated the Pirates 103-64. This will be Giovanni Santiago's second time playing Hampton while being at Kent State. The last time was Santiago's freshman year.
Follow the Flashes
The Paradise Jam Tournament will be available on ESPN+ and our KSU GoFlashes App. Single-game tickets for the non-conference 2023-24 season are on sale now. Season tickets are also available and start at $85. For any questions regarding ticket information, email athletictickets@kent.edu or call 330-672-4455.
For more information on the men's basketball team, follow Kent State Men's Basketball on Twitter and Instagram, and visit kentstatesports.com for additional updates.
