Kent State University
Northern Illinois
Kent State Travels to Northern Illinois for Final Regular Season Road Matchup
3/2/2026 4:15:00 PM | Men's Basketball
DEKALB, Ill. – Kent State Men's Basketball (21-8, 12-4 MAC) looks to bounce back from this past Friday evening turning their attention to a team they dispatched back at the turn of the new year, the Huskies of Northern Illinois University. Kent State takes on NIU on Tuesday night at 8:00 p.m.eastern time in DeKalb. The Flashes bested NIU 77-73 on Jan. 3 for their second MAC win of the season. With the MAC Tournament in Cleveland on the horizon, Kent State sits third in the conference standings with two games left to play.
Last Time Out
Most recently Kent State fell at home to the University of Akron by a 92-70 final score. The Zips came out hot in the opening half shooting 58.1% from the field and connecting on nine three-pointers to build an advantage. Kent State battled to stay within striking distance with Medley providing a memorable moment early in the half. His second assist of the game made on a Morgan Safford three made him Kent State's single-season assists leader with 181. He finished the game with 186 and counting with two regular season games to go. Rayvon Griffith provided a spark off the bench with a pair of three-pointers to energize the home crowd. The Golden Flashes trailed 47-37 at halftime as Akron's hot shooting kept them ahead. The Blue and Gold continued to fight in the second half. Griffith remained aggressive off the bench, finishing with an efficient 13 points on 5-of-6 shooting. Safford knocked down 15 points to lead the Flashes while Medley capped his night with 10 points. Akron ultimately kept their cushion until the final horn.
The Golden Flashes vs. NIU
Kent State and NIU look to renew a series that began in 1964. Saturday is the 71st meeting between the two programs. The Golden Flashes hold an overall record of 46-24 over the Huskies and seek to make it six straight victories over NIU. The teams last met earlier this season on Jan. 3, 2026 in the MACC with Kent State edging the Huskies by a final score of 77-73. Northern Illinois' last win in the series was on Jan. 24, 2023, winning at home 86-76. Following this season, NIU Men's Basketball will depart the MAC and start play in the Horizon League. The Huskies' final home game in the Mid-American Conference will be against Kent State just as it was earlier this school year in football.
Broadcast Info
Fans can tune into the game on Fox Sports 1350 with Dane Richardson on the call. The game will be broadcast nationally on ESPN+.
Next Up for Kent State
Kent State will play their final home game of the season this Friday, March 6 in the M.A.C. Cetner against Western Michigan University. Tip-off between the Golden Flashes and Broncos is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. Senior night recognition will take place during pregame. Â
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