Kent State University
Akron
The Flashes Look to Bring the Wagon Wheel Back Home
2/3/2023 12:30:00 PM | Men's Basketball
AKRON, Ohio - The Kent State men's basketball team (18-4, 8-1 MAC) heads to the school down the road to face the Akron Zips (15-6, 7-1 MAC). The Crystal Clinic Wagon Wheel Challenge contest is one of the best rivals in Northeast Ohio and is scheduled for 9 p.m. on ESPNU. The first 100 Kent State students who present their student ID will receive free admission.
The last time the Flashes faced the Zips was in the 2021-2022 MAC Championship. The Zips conquered the Flashes by 20 points and broke their 14-game win streak. The Flashes are looking for redemption and to take the NO.1 seed in the Mid-American Conference. Both teams are tied at 8-1 in the MAC and are looking to take the top spot.
There has been a number of contributors who have put great games together for the Flashes including forward Chris Payton. In the most recent win against the Chippewas, Payton recorded his first career double-double, with a career-high 18 points and 12 rebounds. Sincere Carry has led the Flashes with double-digits in 20 games and six games with 20+ points. He leads the team with 17 points and five assists per game.
As a team, Kent State leads the MAC, holding their opponents to 39.4% from the field, and is first in the conference with a 5.45 turnover margin. They also averaged 9.32 steals per game with Malique Jacobs leading the conference with 2.8 steals per game.
Scouting the Zips
The Zips (15-6, 7-1 MAC) are looking to defend their home court where they are undefeated. Akron is currently on a seven-game winning streak, including four consecutive games on the road.
The Zips are coming off a 17-point win on the road at Buffalo, with guard Xavier Castaneda scoring 32 points. He shot lights out going 10-of-12 from the field and 7-of-8 from the three. This is Castaneda's fifth 30+ point game and he leads the MAC with 20.9 points per game.
Forward Enrique Freeman is a two-time MAC Player of the Week and leader of the MAC with 10.7 rebounds per game and is in the top five leaders for blocks per game. Freeman shoots 59.7 percent from the field and has recorded ten double-doubles with a career-high 32 points. Akron holds their opponents to 63 points per game, which leads the conference and also lead the MAC with 8.8 three-pointers per game.
Follow the Flashes
Next up, Kent State is back home on Tuesday, Feb. 7 to host BGSU. Tip-off time is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. ET. The game will be live on ESPN2 and can be listened to on 850 AM ESPN Cleveland.
Tickets for the 2022-23 season are on sale now. For 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, Facebook, and Instagram, and visit kentstatesports.com for additional updates.
