2018 MAC Basketball Preview: Kent State Golden Flashes at Central Michigan Chippewas

The Kent State Golden Flashes (10-10, 4-3 MAC) will meet the Central Michigan Chippewas (13-7, 2-5 MAC) Saturday afternoon in a cross-divisional match-up that has CMU looking to improve their conference record.

The Chips enter the game having dropped five of their last six games while KSU has won three of their last four.

Game Details

• When: Saturday, Jan. 27th, 2018 at 4:30 p.m.
• Where: McGuirk Arena - Mt. Pleasant, Michigan
• Watch: ESPN3 and the WatchESPN app

Players to Watch

Kevin Zabo, G, KSU - Zabo has come on strong lately, scoring double-digits in the past ten games for the Flashes and 20+ in each of the last four. His recent success has propelled him to second on the team in scoring and assists (12.8 points and 2.1 assists per game).

Jaylin Walker, G, KSU - Walker leads the team in scoring, with 16.8 points per game and has scored 13+ in 14 games this season for them. Look for the offense to go through him first, then Zabo.

Shawn Roundtree, G, CMU - Roundtree leads CMU with 14.9 points per game and has scored less than ten points just three times all season. In the past four games he’s averaging 19.75 points and 4.25 assists per game.

Cecil Williams, F, CMU - Williams has 14+ points in 11 of the last 13 games for the Chips so it’s no surprise he’s challenging Roundtree for the team’s top scorer. His 14.4 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 2.6 assists per game are all good enough for second on the team. Look for him to do a little bit of everything.

Prediction

The Chippewas should find a way to right their ship and beat the Golden Flashes. CMU’s Williams, Roundtree, and David DiLeo will outshine KSU’s Zabo, Walker, and Adonis De La Rosa in the second half, allowing the Chips to pull away from an otherwise tight contest.

KSU Golden Flashes - 71
CMU Chippewas - 81