Akron Reporter

The Kent State (24-6 overall, 14-3 MAC) men's basketball team looks to finish their regular season inside the M.A.C. Center against rival UA. The Flashes are hosting the school down the road for the Crystal Clinic Wagon Wheel Challenge and Senior Night. 

The Crystal Clinic Wagon Wheel Challenge contest is one of the best rivals in Northeast Ohio and is scheduled for Friday, March 3 at 6 p.m. and will be available live on ESPNU. ESPN's Connor Onion (pxp) and Terrence Oglesby (analyst) will be on the call and fans can listen on the GoFlashes App and will be joined later by ESPN Cleveland at 7 p.m.

The Golden Flashes will honor its three seniors, Miryne Thomas, Sincere Carry, and Malique Jacobs prior to tip-off. 

The Flashes are currently second in the MAC behind Toledo. With a win against UA and a Toledo loss against Ball State on Friday, the Flashes would be the Co-Champs of the Mid-American Regular Season Conference. 

The Flashes are currently undefeated at home with the second-longest winning home streak with 21 games. With a win on Friday, the Flashes would be undefeated at home for the first time since the 2007-08 season when the Flashes went 16-0 at home. The Flashes won the MAC tournament that same season and made it to the NCAA Tournament. 

Inside the M.A.C. Center, the Flashes average 83.6 points per game with a +19.2 scoring margin. The Flashes have shot 47.6 percent from the field, 35.4 percent from the three, and 75.8 percent from the free throw line.

Scouting the Zips

Akron (21-9, 13-4 MAC)  is looking to sweep the Flashes in conference play. When the two teams met earlier this season inside the James A. Rhodes Arena, the Zips won 67-55.

The Zips are coming off a comeback victory over Ball State earlier this week, 87-83. Guard Xavier Castaneda led the team with 29 points. Castaneda also leads the MAC averaging 21.8 points per game. Forward Sammy Hunter poured in a career-high six threes, recording 25 points. Forward Enrique Freeman recorded his 17th double-double and leads the MAC with 11.1 rebounds.

With a 5-5 record on the road, Akron averages 68.4 points per game with a +0.7 scoring margin. The zips also average 41.2 percent from the field, 33.2 percent from beyond the arch, and 70.4 percent from the free throw line. The Zips are looking to take second or third seed in the MAC Tournament next week.

Follow the Flashes

The Golden Flashes will set off for Cleveland next Thursday for the Mid-American Conference Tournament. The Flashes will be a top-two seed depending on Friday's results. To purchase MAC Tournament tickets, call our ticket office at 330-672-4455.

For more information on the men's basketball team, follow Kent State Men's Basketball on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram, and visit kentstatesports.com for additional updates.

Original source can be found here.