Kent State University
University of Toledo
Flashes Set to Host Toledo for National TV Contest
1/8/2024 4:07:00 PM | Men's Basketball
Kent, OH – The Kent State Men's basketball team returns home to face The Toledo Rockets on Tuesday, January 9. Tip-off time is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET. The matchup is the first time the two teams will meet since the 2023 MAC Tournament Championship. Tuesday night's game will be nationally televised on CBS Sports Network.Â
Last time out
The Golden Flashes started the year with an 82-69 victory over Ball State in their MAC season opener and fell to Eastern Michigan on the road in OT 69-71. The Flashes are now 8-6 overall and are tied for fourth in the Mid-American Conference going into Tuesday evening's game. The Flashes look to continue their streak against Toledo after defeating them three times in the 2022-23 season. The Flashes are led by Senior Chris Payton Jr. who has recorded double-digits eleven times this season and three double-doubles. Payton Jr. has opened up the MAC averaging 17.5 points and seven rebounds in their first two games. Tyem Freeman has been another contributor to the Flashes' offense in the past few games and has worked himself into the starting lineup. Freeman shoots 50.9 percent from the field and 52 percent from the three going into Tuesday night's game. The Flashes lead the MAC averaging 79.3 points per game, shooting 78.2% from the charity stripe, and averaging 7.79 steals per game. The Flashes are also top-10 in the NCAA with their 78.2 free throw percentage.Â
Key Players for the Rockets
The Rockets are currently 8-6 overall and 2-0 in the MAC. The Rockets are 3-1 on the road and are sitting in second place in the MAC going into Tuesday Night's game. The Rockets are reigning 2022-23 Regular Season Champions and were picked to finish fourth in the MAC Preseason Polls. The Rockets are led by Guard Dante Maddox Jr. who was picked to be on the MAC Preseason Second Team. The Rockets are second in the MAC averaging 47.3 percent from the field and 76.7 percent from the charity stripe. Rockets' offensive leader Ra'Hein Moss led the Rockets with 18 points, six rebounds, and four steals in their recent 68-64 victory against Miami. Three other players followed him recording double-digits.Â
Series Match-up
Toledo leads the all-time series against Kent State 85-58 while the Flashes lead inside the M.A.C. Center 35-34. The Flashes are on a four-game winning streak against the Rockets. The last time the two teams met the Flashes defeated the Rockets 93-78 in the 2023 MAC Tournament Championship game.Â
Follow the Flashes
The Flashes are back on the road for their next two games. The Flashes will first head to Central Michigan on Saturday, Jan. 14. TIp-off time is scheduled for 2 p.m. ET and will be available on ESPN+. Following the Central Michigan game, the Flashes will head to play NIU on Tuesday, Jan. 16. Tip-off time is scheduled for 7 p.m. and will also be available on ESPN+. Single-game tickets for the MAC 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.
