The Kent State men’s basketball team will host Cornell Friday night, coming off a 103-97 overtime loss to Troy in their season opener on Monday.
This will be Cornell’s first game of the season. Second year Head Coach Jon Jaques led his alma mater to an 18-11 season, losing in the finals of the Ivy League Tournament. Jaques was a senior captain on the 2010 Cornell team that made it to a Sweet 16.
The Big Red play fast, really fast. They were 25th in the nation last year in KenPom’s adjusted tempo and they finished 60th in offensive efficiency.
In 2024-2025, Cornell was in the top 25 in the nation in seven offensive categories. They were fourth in points per game at 85.1, third in field goal percentage at 50.1%, first in two point field goal percentage at 62%, 23rd in three point field goal percentage at 37.6%, 4th in threes made per game at 11.2 second in assists per game at 19.1 and 12th in assist to turnover ratio at 1.60.
All of that, combined with the Flashes inability to get consistent stops in Monday’s opener, make for a very unique and tough challenge Friday night.
Kent State Head Coach Rob Senderoff knows his team will have to defend much better.
“We need to defend at a high level, Senderoff said Thursday. “We are playing a better offensive team than we did Monday and obviously we weren’t great defensively on Monday.”
“We need to convert our transition opportunities, whether at the rim or on threes. We need to take care of the ball at a high level and continue to do a good job on the glass.”
Monday saw multiple contributions from many players, some new and old. Rico Gillepsie finished with 22 points and 16 rebounds, along with seven turnovers. Newcomer Rob Whaley Jr, and Gillespie’s first cousin finished with 21 points and 8 rebounds. Morgan Safford returned to the court with 21 points on 5-10 from the three point line. Quinn Woidke, Omer Hamama and Rayvon Griffith all gave the team solid contributions in their debuts.
Collectively and as a whole, the group will have to find a way to defend at a much higher level. Senderoff and his staff will most likely tweak the lineup and the rotation based on who is producing and based on what they saw Monday and in this week of practice as roles continue to be refined, earned and accepted in the early going.
But one thing is for sure, it’ll need to start on the defensive end.
“Then defensive transition,” he said. “Guarding the ball, having great, multiple efforts on defense is a top priority. They are a top tier offensive team with pace and ability to shoot and cut.”
Friday’s game can be seen on ESPN+ and listened to on AM1350 The Gambler.
The Flashes stay home and will host top mid-major UNC-Wilmington on Monday.