Kent, Ohio - After a week on the road, the Kent State men's basketball team (15-3) is back in the M.A.C. Center hosting the Ball State Cardinals (13-5). Tip-off is set for 6:30 p.m. this Friday, Jan. 20 in the MAC Center and is live on CBS Sports Network.
The Flashes remain the only undefeated team in the Mid-American Conference and return home where they sustain an undefeated record and will play for their tenth straight win. The Flashes are off to their best start in conference play since the 2005-06 season when they went on a 7-0 run to start MAC play. In the same season, they went 25-9 overall, making an appearance in the NCAA tournament.
Guard Sincere Carry leads the offense with 16.9 points per game and is ranked second for assists in the MAC averaging 4.8 per game. Guard Malique Jacobs leads the MAC in steals averaging 3.1 per game. Jacobs has a total of 52 steals, which is second in the nation. Forward Miryne Thomas leads the team with 6.1 rebounds per game and has scored double-digits in 13 games this season.
As a whole the Flashes are ninth in the nation with 10.0 steals per game, 17th with 17.2 turnovers forced, and 24th with a 12-point scoring margin.
Scouting the Cardinals
The Cardinals are sitting at the no. 2 spot in the MAC and are currently on a two-game win streak after conquering Western Michigan Broncos by a single point.
Ball State must continue to excel in its offensive efforts if they want to take down the Golden Flashes. The Cardinals are ranked second in the MAC with a 48% field goal percentage. They are also shooting 37.2% from the arc, which is the best in the MAC and tied for 44th in the nation.
The Cardinals have been shooting exceptionally well as they have four players averaging double digits. Center Payton Sparks is ranked second in the MAC, shooting 61% from the field, while Demarius Jacobs is in the Top 10, shooting 57% from the field. Guard Jaylin Seller also leads the MAC shooting 50% from the three.
The Cardinals are looking to continue to take advantage at the free-throw line, averaging 25.3 trips per game leading the MAC. They also lead the MAC in free throws made, with 17.3 per game. Sparks leads the MAC in free-throw attempts with 139, finishing at 51.8%.
Follow the Flashes
Next up, Kent State will visit the Huskies at Northern Illinois on Tuesday, Jan. 24. Tip-off time is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. ET.
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.
