Kent State basketball: 5 things to know about Wagon Wheel games with Akron Zips

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KENT — The Wagon Wheel rivalry between Akron and Kent State is being reignited for the first time this season, but the stakes could not be more different for the Golden Flashes basketball teams.

When the women’s team takes on the Zips at 1 p.m. Saturday at the M.A.C. Center, the Flashes will be looking to continue a trend of dominance. KSU has won the last four games between the two teams and 10 of the last 12. Kent State has also won each of the last three games by nine or more points.

It is the reverse on the men’s side. Last season, Akron won all three games against the Flashes, including 62-61 in the Mid-American Conference Tournament championship game for a ticket to the NCAA Tournament.

The men’s game will tip off at 7 p.m. Friday at the M.A.C. Center.

As one team looks to uphold recent history and one team seeks to buck the recent trend, here are five things to know before the upcoming weekend slate.

Kent State coach Rob Senderoff works the sideline during the second half in a Mid-American Conference Tournament semifinal March 15, 2024, in Cleveland, Ohio.

There is “no extra motivation” for the Kent State men’s basketball team against Akron

In the MAC title game last March, Kent State gifted Akron two late free throws, allowing the Zips to pull out a win in the waning seconds. The loss prevented Flashes coach Rob Senderoff from making his third NCAA Tournament appearance.

This time around, Kent State (13-7, 4-4) is playing a MAC powerhouse, as Akron is 15-5 overall record and a perfect 8-0 against MAC opponents. But Senderoff is not stressing the recent losses to Akron or the standings.

“There is no extra motivation for this game at all,” he said. “Akron has a great team, and we are just trying to get better and play well at home against a good opponent and continue to improve as we get closer to March.”

The Kent State men’s basketball team has improved its defense at home since the start of MAC play

Kent State has become a defensive-minded team in every…

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Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/kent-state-basketball-5-things-110701903.html

Author : Akron Beacon Journal

Publish date : 2025-01-31 11:07:00

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