Kent State University
University at Buffalo
Flashes Head to Buffalo to Face the Bulls
2/1/2024 2:23:00 PM | Men's Basketball
Buffalo, NY- The Kent State Men's basketball team looks to bounce back from Tuesday night's loss to Miami as they travel to Buffalo on Friday to take on the Bulls at 6:30 p.m. ET.
The Flashes will play their fifth nationally televised game against Buffalo on CBS Sports Network. Shane Bacon and Mike O'Donnell will have the call. Fans can also catch the game on the Kent State Radio Network with Rob Polinsky. Tomorrow's game will also be the Flashes' ERACISM game and will feature our whole team wearing t-shirts that honor the legacy of John McLendon with five words - THIS GAME IS NO SECRET. It is an opportunity for players, coaches, and fans to learn more about Coach McLendon who is one of the greatest coaches in basketball history.
Last Time Out
The Flashes went 1-2 in their past three games including an OT victory against Bowling Green in their last road game. Currently, the Flashes are 3-4 on the road and will hope to even that out with a win against the Bulls.
The Flashes average 71.7 points per game while shooting 42.6 percent from the field, 40 percent from the three, and 77.1 percent from the field. Jalen Sullinger leads the Flashes with 14.7 points per game upping his total to 15.6 points per game in MAC play. Sullinger has recorded double-digit points in seven of the Flashes' nine MAC games, including a 30-point game against Bowling Green. VonCameron Davis has recorded double-digits in all of the Flashes' conference games, including three 20+ point games and a double-double. Chris Payton Jr. is also averaging double-digits in MAC play and leads the team with 6.1 rebounds per game and 1.4 blocked shots per game.
Key Players for the Bulls
The Buffalo Bulls are 2-18 overall and 1-7 in the MAC. Buffalo is led by head Coach George Halcovage who was hired in March 2023 after spending 15 years at Villanova. The Bulls are coming off a 91-70 loss against Ohio. Sy Chatman recorded his ninth game scoring 20+ points and Johnivius Smith finished with his fifth double-double of the season with 15 points and 13 rebounds. Chatman is sixth in the MAC averaging 18.5ppg and Smith is second averaging 9.3 rebounds in the MAC. As a whole, the Bulls shot 40.9 percent from the field, 26.5 percent from the three, and 71 percent from the charity stripe.
Series Match-up
The Flashes currently lead the series against the Bulls, 38-21. At home, Kent State has the upper hand going 20-6. At Buffalo, the Bulls narrowly lead the series 14-13. The last time these two teams faced one another was February 10th, 2023, resulting in a 72-65 Golden Flashes victory.
Follow the Flashes
The Flashes will be back home at the M.A.C Center to face Western Michigan on Tuesday, Feb. 6. The Western Michigan and Kent State game will be on ESPN+ at 7 p.m. ET. Single-game tickets for the MAC 2023-24 season are on sale now. For any questions regarding ticket information, email athletictickets@kent.edu or call 330-672-4455.
