Many clamored for it. We are now ranked #25. First game since we have been ranked. Now we have to go out and prove it against one of the other top 4 teams in the MAC. Kent State, led by perhaps the best post player in the MAC Gillespie. He is a beast.
Kent State is currently 14-4 (5-1 MAC), as the Golden Flashes most recently defeated Buffalo (87-81) last Tuesday night and Toledo (87-84) this past Friday evening. Kent State went 24-12
(11-7 MAC) last year. Head coach Rob Senderoff is in his 15th season with the Golden Flashes. Heading into the 2025-26 season, Kent State was selected to finish third overall in the 2025-26 MAC Preseason Men’s Basketball Poll. Senior forward Delrecco Gillespie was named to the Preseason All-MAC First Team. Gillespie leads the Golden Flashes in points (19.8/game), rebounds (12.6/game) and blocks (1.7/game). Junior guard Cian Medley has produced the most assists (7.0/game) and steals (1.4/game) for Kent State. Graduate student guard Morgan Safford, who is a former RedHawk, stands at second on the team in points (14.1/game).
As Travis said this week, we are everyone’s target in the MAC. Every game expect the opponents best shot. Some may not like him, but Rob Senderoff can coach and can recruit. Kent has sustained success under him. This should be a great game. LET"S GO REDHAWKS!!
As I’ve watched games all year, I’ve been pretty sure Delrecco would be the greatest threat to us in league, not Akron. Firstly, because we had Akron at home, but mostly because he’s just such a unique challenge for a MAC team. You kindly say perhaps the best post player in the MAC, but I can’t even think who would be worthy to put in the comparison. He’s not Freeman from Akron from a few years past, but he’s damn close. He’s a monster. They have serviceable MAC players around him, but he is the engine. Antwone has been great all MAC season so far. This is what he’s here for. Need a huge game from him today.
I do think we have one thing going for us: pace. Kent is going to play our game. They play a faster pace than we do statistically. If we shoot our average, I don’t think they can score with us and we’ll win that game. If we shoot poorly, that’s the threat where we could get in deep water.
I didn’t want to come right out and say it, but he is hands down the best post in the league. I love Gillespie’s game. Woolfolk has to stay out of foul trouble because I don’t see Atlason or Robbins being able to defend him. And one of the most unlikely looking BB players, but very effective is 6’7" 289 pound Whaley.
And you don’t think Kent is hyping this game up? First thing in their crap preview is this is the first time they have hosted a top 25 team since UB in 2019. I think that also might be the last time the MAC had a top 25 ranked team, but I could be wrong on that.
I hope we don’t try to live up to the hype of a ranked team and just play our game. Teams that are newly ranked often try to do out of character things and get in trouble. Ball movement and disruptive defense will be enough to win.
I’ve watched Kent a couple of times. Defensively, we need to stick to shooters and make them create. Forgive my spelling as I’m on the blue line in Chicago, but Safford, Williamson and Wodke want to hang out by the 3 point line and shoot 3s. So when Medley drives or Gillespie gets the ball on the block, I hope we don’t double because then Kent can move the ball and find shooters. Medley has improved his outside shooting, but he still struggles when he has to shoot off the dribble.
Gillespie is a good post player but a great rebounder. Keeping him off the boards is more important than denying the post. Whaley is also good on the boards, more so offensively.
Defensively, they rarely pressure the ball. I wouldn’t be surprised if they try to pressure us. We should attack, but not get careless. Teams that try to play more intense defense at the start of a game than they’re used to can’t sustain it. Survive the first wave and settle in.
And last but not least, they will try to get under our skin. They will do a lot of talking. Don’t take the bait. Dagger 3s speak louder than words.
not sure I would spend time game planning to stop Gillespie. Let him get 40 on 2 pointers, who cares. Shut down the perimeter, they are turnover prone, and let’s play our game Kent has one of the worst 3P defenses in the conference.
