KALAMAZOO, Mich. – Western Michigan men's basketball hits the road for a Tuesday match-up against defending Mid-American Conference Tournament champion Kent State inside the M.A.C. Center.
Tuesday, Jan. 16 • 7:00 p.m. • Kent, Ohio • M.A.C. Center
Western Michigan Broncos (11-6, 3-1 MAC) at Kent State Golden Flashes (8-9, 2-2 MAC)
Series Record: WMU trails 61-57
Last Meeting: Jan. 14, 2017 (WMU, 92-88)
BROADCAST INFORMATION:
Radio • Bronco Radio Network –
Robin Hook (PBP)
Stations • WZOX – 96.5 FM: (Flagship) Kalamazoo, Portage, Mattawan; WMAX – 96.1 FM: Holland, Muskegon; WTKG 1230 AM: Grand Rapids, WDFN 1130 AM: Detroit
Watch Live: ESPN3 (Ty Linder – PBP, Tanner Castora – Color)
Get Your Tickets
The next Bronco home game is a big one as ESPNU comes to Kalamazoo as WMU men's basketball takes on preseason MAC East favorite Buffalo on Friday, Jan. 19. Don't miss out on the action inside University Arena as WMU plays on ESPNU at home for the first time since 2011.
Tickets can be purchased at the Bronco Ticket Office, online at
wmubroncos.com/tickets or by calling 1-888-4-WMU-Tix.
Scouting the Broncos
Western Michigan is fresh off a 73-58 victory over Ball State on Saturday to improve to 3-1 in conference play and 11-6 overall. The Broncos have won five of their last six games and 11 of their 12 MAC regular season games.
Keeping the Ball is Essential
WMU is one of the best in the country at keeping the ball, ranking 25
th in the NCAA in fewest turnovers with 195.
Bryce Moore is Prolific from Three
Junior guard
Bryce Moore is cementing himself as one of the best three-point shooters in the MAC, ranking second with a .464 three-point field goal percentage. Moore over the past four games has scored 57 points and has reached double digits in each contest.
Defense Wins Championships
The Bronco defense has been stifling opponents this season ranking first in the MAC in turnover margin at +3.0. WMU also ranks third in the conference with 6.9 steals per game.
Road Warriors
Away from Kalamazoo the Broncos are 4-2 this season, surpassing their road win total from a year ago. WMU has won four of its last five road contests including victories over Milwaukee, Detroit Mercy and Saint Louis.
Starters are Getting It Done
The starting five of Wilder, Moore, junior
Josh Davis, sophomore
Brandon Johnson and senior
Drake LaMont have carried the Bronco offense this season, accounting for 73 percent of the team's total points.
Scouting Kent State
Kent State heads into Tuesday's contest with an overall record of 8-9 and 2-2 in MAC play. The Golden Flashes are coming off a thrilling 70-69 victory over Ohio with senior Kevin Zabo leading the way with 24 points and six rebounds.
KSU is 6-2 at home this season and are led by junior guard Jaylin Walker who is fifth in the MAC in scoring at 17.1 points per game. Junior Adonia De La Rosa has been efficient for the Golden Flashes, ranking second in the MAC with a .604 field-goal percentage.
Kent State represented the Mid-American Conference last season in the NCAA tournament after defeating No.1 seed Akron, 70-65 to clinch the MAC Tournament Title.
