‘Any one of them could start’: Bench unit vital for Kent State basketball’s early wins

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KENT — The Kent State men’s basketball team is coming off a 19-point win Friday at home over Portland University, is 7-2 this season, has won five of the last six games and has the best record in the Mid-American Conference by three wins.

How are the Golden Flashes doing it?

They are third in the MAC in scoring, fourth in 3-point percentage and, most importantly, are receiving nearly 28 points per game from their bench — about 37% of their total points.

“I have five guys coming off that bench — any one of them could start,” Kent State coach Rob Senderoff said. “Sometimes they play more minutes than the starters. We’re trying to win games, and in doing that there are sacrifices involved.”

With big contributions from the bench game in and game out, the Flashes can thank their depth for their early success, and several players stand out specifically for one of the nation’s best bench units.

Who are the players making noise from Kent State’s bench?

Kent State’s Jalen Sullinger (13) dribbles the ball past Auburn defender Miles Kelly on Nov. 13 in Auburn, Alabama.

Guard Jalen Sullinger is the sixth man of the Golden Flashes, and he plays like it.

“I am just trying to do whatever the team needs,” Sullinger said on playing off the bench. “If that’s what the team needs, if that is what is going to look best for us, that’s what’s going to get us the most wins this season, that’s what I am going to do.”

So far this season, the 2022-23 MAC Sixth Man of the Year is averaging 9.1 points, 2.2 assists and 1.7 rebounds while shooting 38.2% from the floor.

Against Portland, Sullinger scored seven points, and one of his 3-pointers etched him in the Kent State history books by putting him over 1,000 career points. He is the 33rd Kent State player to reach that milestone.

“Obviously, it feels good, but I am just happy we won,” Sullinger said. “It would not have felt good without the win — that is the most important thing. I could not have done it without my…

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Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/one-them-could-start-bench-110550875.html

Author : Akron Beacon Journal

Publish date : 2024-12-10 11:05:00

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