2018 MAC Basketball Preview: Ohio Bobcats vs Kent State Golden Flashes

Both the Ohio Bobcats (8-7) and Kent State Golden Flashes (7-9) come into this game at 1-2 in MAC play but will be playing hard to keep pace with the MAC East leaders.

Game Details

• When: Friday, January 12th, 2018 at 7 p.m.
• Where: MAC Center - Kent, Ohio
• Watch: CBSSports Network
• Line: Kent -1

Players to Watch

Mike Laster, G, Ohio - Laster struggled last game against Ball State, shooting just 5-17, but look for him to bounce back against the Golden Flashes. He’s scored 15+ points in seven games this year and is the Bobcats leading scorer, averaging 16.9 points per game.

Teyvion Kirk, G, Ohio - Kirk is all over for Ohio. He’s second on the team in points per game (14.5), rebounds per game (6.1), and assists per game (3.3). Look for him to have a big impact on the offense, whether it’s scoring himself or passing it off to others.

Jaylin Walker, G, Kent State - Walker leads the Golden Flashes in scoring, netting an average of 17.3 points per game. He’s scored 18 or more points in five of the last six games but often struggles from the field - shooting just 38.1% from the field.

Adonis De La Rosa, C, Kent State - De La Rosa started the year strong before falling off a few weeks ago. But recently he’s been back to his early-season form. In the last two games he’s averaging 20 points and 10.5 rebounds per game, he also leads the team in shooting percentage - hitting on 61.2% of his shots.

Prediction

This will be a close, hard fought game between two Ohio schools. The Bobcats have shot better than the Golden Flashes this season but Kent State is second in the MAC in offensive rebounds and get a lot of second chances... and that will make the difference in this one. If Ohio can box out on defense and prevent Kent from getting those offensive boards, they can pull it out, otherwise the Flashes pull out a squeaker.

Ohio Bobcats - 74
Kent State Golden Flashes - 78