Last week the Kent State men’s basketball program released the 2024-2025 non-conference schedule. In a post that appeared on social media, members of the team made drawings of each team’s logo on the schedule, and then asked children at the Kent State Child Development Center to guess the logo. Some of the guesses are humorous and interesting to say the least.
The season begins Monday, November 4 in the MAC/Sun Belt Challenge at Louisiana. The Ragin’ Cajuns were picked to finish sixth in the SBC by Blue Ribbon College Basketball Yearbook and return two starters this season. The other MAC/Sun Belt Challenge game will take place Saturday, February 8 at the MAC Center vs. an opponent to be named in January.
The home opener is set for Friday, November 8 against Miami Hamilton.
Trips to Southeastern Conference heavy weights Auburn on November 13 and Alabama on December 22 give the Flashes a chance to test themselves and make an impression nationally. Two seasons ago, close losses at Houston and Gonzaga helped set the tone for a season that ended in a MAC Championship. A veteran team in 2024-2025 will get to see where they stand against some of the nation’s best.
“It’s another very competitive non-conference schedule,” Rob Senderoff said. “We are playing two of the top 10 schools in the country in most preseason rankings along with a number of powerful mid-major programs that will be picked at or near the top of their leagues. The MAC/Sun Belt Challenge also guarantees two competitive games each year on our schedule as well. I know we will be tested in November and December and I hope it prepares us for the league, which is always ultra competitive.”
A home game with Niagara on November 21 is right before a regional rivalry matchup in Cleveland against the Vikings of Cleveland State.
A trip to Alberta, Canada for the Western Slam Tournament puts the Flashes against some top mid-major competition over Thanksgiving. Both Towson (November 28) and UC-Irvine (November 29) are picked to win their league by Blue Ribbon. Towson from the Coastal Athletic Conference and UC-Irvine from the Big West. Senderoff and the Flashes always try to play in a three game in three day event to help simulate what the conference tournament feels like.
The Flashes host Portland December 6 and Mercyhurst December 15, before a trip to Tuscaloosa to take on former Buffalo coach Nate Oats and the Crimson Tide.
Non-conference play concludes December 29 at home against Heidelberg, before the Flashes gear up for the gauntlet that is Mid-American Conference play on January 4 vs. Ball State.
BIG BLUE: The team got tested in their mile time this past weekend at the Kent State Outdoor Track or “Big Blue’ as it’s affectionately been referred to with a bright blue track color.
Jalen Sullinger had the top time for the guards at 5:13, Derrick Lee Jr. had the top time for wings at 5:20 and walk-on big Drew Huffman led that group with a time of 5:30.