Kent State Flashes Prove They're More Than Just Miami and Akron in the MAC

Kent State coach Rob Senderoff reminds everyone that his team has also had a strong season in the Mid-American Conference.

Mar. 13, 2026 at 2:49pm

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Despite the spotlight being on MAC powerhouses Miami and Akron, Kent State has quietly put together an impressive 23-8 overall record and 14-4 conference mark, good for third place in the league. After handling Ohio 86-75 in the quarterfinals, the Flashes now have a chance to take down rival Akron in the semifinals, proving they deserve more recognition for their successful season.

Why it matters

While Miami and Akron have garnered most of the attention in the MAC this season, Kent State's strong performance shows there is more parity in the conference than many realize. The Flashes' success challenges the narrative that it's a two-team race at the top of the MAC.

The details

Kent State entered the MAC tournament with a 23-8 overall record and 14-4 conference mark, good for third place in the league. After defeating Ohio 86-75 in the quarterfinals, the Flashes now have a chance to take down rival Akron in the semifinals. Coach Rob Senderoff pointed out that his team's record would be considered a top-two finish in most seasons, but has been overshadowed by the historic runs of Miami and Akron. The Flashes will need to focus on defense and rebounding, led by national top-5 rebounder Delrecco Gillespie, to have a chance against the Zips.

  • Kent State defeated Ohio 86-75 in the MAC tournament quarterfinals on March 13, 2026.
  • The Flashes will face rival Akron in the MAC tournament semifinals on March 14, 2026.

The players

Rob Senderoff

The head coach of the Kent State men's basketball team.

Delrecco Gillespie

The starting center for Kent State and the nation's fourth-leading rebounder at 11.2 per game.

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What they’re saying

“We came up here, and everything was about Miami and Akron. Rightfully so. They deserved everything to be about them because of the success that both of those teams have had.”

— Rob Senderoff, Head Coach (cleveland.com)

“We're 14-4 in the league, which in most seasons is top two. A lot of times that wins the league. I don't know what our overall record is, 24-8. We've had a pretty good year too.”

— Rob Senderoff, Head Coach (cleveland.com)

What’s next

The winner of the Kent State-Akron semifinal will advance to the MAC tournament championship game on March 15, 2026.

The takeaway

While the focus has been on MAC heavyweights Miami and Akron, Kent State has quietly put together an impressive season and is now one win away from reaching the conference tournament final. This shows there is more parity in the MAC than many realize, and the Flashes deserve recognition for their strong play this year.