This was not an easy list to make. So many games, so many memorable moments. And a lot of games to try and remember what it meant at the time, and what it meant moving forward.
I give myself wiggle room with the title of Games/Wins. Some wins meant more than others in the long term. Some were just great games.
We’ve had buzzer beaters, championship clinching wins, and historic moments. Added importance was given to championship clinches, conference rivalries, and for what the win meant moving forward.
Then ranking them from #10 through #1 was just as tough.
Why since 2004? That was my freshmen year in Kent and when my KSU fan-hood really started. Feel free to debate me on these, maybe you have a win that meant something special to you.
In honor of the MAC Center’s 75th anniversary this year, the top 10 games/wins at the MAC Center since 2004.
#10 February 27, 2013 Kent State 83, Buffalo 81
Kent State beat Buffalo on a buzzer beater by forward Chris Evans. Evans had an all conference season that year as KSU finished 21-14 and an appearance in the CIT. At the time KSU improved to 16-12 with Evans’ shot. After the shot, Evans sprinted to the band side of the student section where he was mobbed by his teammates, including current KSU assistant Randal Holt. It was a pure buzzer beater at home. Evans hung in the air and double clutched a layup through the net as the time expired.
#9 March 17, 2010 Kent State 75, Tulsa 74
It’s not often that a MAC school hosts an NIT game. As the #4 seed, Kent State hosted Tulsa. It was the third NIT win in school history, and the first postseason win since 2002 at the time.
Senior Chris Singletary led KSU with 16 points, seven assists and six rebounds. A redshirt junior, Rodriguez Sherman added 15 points while senior Anthony Simpson chipped in 13 points and eight rebounds. Kent State would lose in the next round at Illinois.
#8 February 28, 2006 Kent State 78, Ohio 58
Kent State routed the Bobcats, to clinch the 2006 MAC Regular Season Championship, and cut the MAC Center nets down after the game. Dre Haynes capped a MAC Player of the Year season with 24 points on 6-9 from the three point line.
The Flashes held a 21 point lead at halftime, and the party was on from the MAC Center. As time wound down, Haynes hopped up on the media tables to celebrate and high five with fans behind the bench. The 2005-2006 team was special.
#7 February 22, 2022 Kent State 93, Ball State 82
Kent State won their ninth game in a row in a historic night at the MAC Center. Sincere Carry scored a career high 42 points on a program record ten made three pointers. Malique Jacobs recorded the first triple double in program history with 17 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists.
After the game, highlights appeared on ESPN’s SportsCenter with Scott Van Pelt as the famous “Big Ass Lightning Bolts” phrase was founded.
#6 February 1, 2014 Kent State 60, Akron 57
Darren Goodson hit a step back, three pointer that banked in with 1.6 seconds left to lift the struggling Flashes past the Zips. At the time KSU was just 11-9 and 2-5 in league coming into the game.
“I’m really happy for Darren because he had a tough time recently, Regardless of what happens this year, that will go down as one of the biggest shots in Kent State history,” KSU Head Coach Rob Senderoff said. “And I am anticipating this spring boarding another run like last season’s.”
#5 March 4, 2011 Kent State 79, Akron 68
Justin Greene had 18 points and 10 rebounds as Kent State clinched an outright MAC Championship, winning back to back titles for just the second time in MAC play since 1963.
Kent State trailed 31-27 at halftime, but went 22 for 32 from the floor (68.8 percent) in the second half.
A gold out and a sell out made for another really fun atmosphere in another national television showcase of the MAC Center.
#4 March 6, 2017 Kent State 116, Central Michigan 106 OT
Kent State, as the #6 seed, beat CMU on a Monday night in the opening round of the MAC tournament, then went on to win three games in three days in Cleveland to get back to the NCAA Tournament.
It was an awful start as KSU was down 26-9 to the nation’s leading scorer, Marcus Keene. Jimmy Hall had 33 points in his final KSU home game. Current KSU assistant Jalen Avery was a hero with 24 points. Central Michigan had a three in the air that would have won the game in regulation that went in and out at the buzzer.
“It’s March, right?” exclaimed head coach Rob Senderoff. “That’s where all this crazy stuff happens. What a game, I’m really proud of our toughness and resiliency. I called it ‘basketball character’ prior to the game. We showed a never quit attitude throughout the game. It was a great win for us and now we move onto the next one. “
#3 March 6, 2015 Kent State 79, Akron 77
Kent State’s Kris Brewer went coast to coast for a layup at the buzzer to give KSU a wild win on the final day of the regular season, while also clinching a share of the regular season title.
Derek Jackson had 22, Brewer had 20 and Jimmy Hall had 18.
#2 February 18, 2006 Kent State 80, Butler 76 OT
Back in the day, the ESPN Bracket Buster event was a huge event for the top mid-majors and Kent State played a share of their memorable games over the years. In 2005-2006, Kent State was a championship team, and the Butler program was beginning to rise.
At a packed MAC Center, DeAndre Haynes hit a step back three to send the game to overtime before KSU prevailed.
The memory is a little foggy since then, but an epic game that I still remember to this day.
#1 March 3, 2023 Kent State 89, Akron 84 OT
Kent State defeated their rivals on senior night in an epic game at the MAC Center. A phantom foul called by former BGSU point guard John Floyd sent the game to OT as the Zips sunk all three free throws. Inexplicably, Floyd then gave Senderoff a technical foul, making his phantom call even worse.
Sincere Carry was sensational as he scored 35 points and 11 in overtime. Chris Payton scored 22. What made this game even sweeter, was a week later the Flashes beat the Zips in the MAC tournament semifinals, then beat Toledo to go back to the NCAA tournament.
Honorable Mention:
January 30, 2010: Kent State 74, Western Michigan 73 (Rod Sherman dunk)
March 5, 2018: Kent State 61, Northern Illinois 59 (Zabo buzzer beater)
February 25, 2025: Kent State 105, Toledo 65 (beat down)
December 8, 2007: Kent State 73, George Mason 55
February 4, 2006: Kent State 63, Akron 57
March 4, 2008: Kent State 50, Miami 39 (ice storm, Tuesday night on ESPN2)
February 25, 2017: Kent State 70, Ohio 67 (late season surge continued)