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Kent State men's basketball team to play at Illinois State in NIT
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- Kent State men's basketball team to play at Illinois State in NIT
Coach Rob Senderoff wasn't optimistic about Kent State securing a postseason spot after the Golden Flashes were eliminated by Akron in the Mid-American Conference Tournament semifinals.
There will be more basketball for Kent State after all. The Flashes will play at Illinois State in the first round of the National Invitation Tournament at 8 p.m. Wednesday, March 18.
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Akron Zips head coach John Groce celebrates after a foul during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against the Kent State Golden Flashes in the semifinals of the MAC Basketball Tournament at Rocket Arena, March 13, 2026, in Cleveland, Ohio.
(Jeff Lange, Akron Beacon Journal)
Kent State Golden Flashes guard Cian Medley (1) looks to the basket against Akron Zips wing Evan Mahaffey (12) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in the semifinals of the MAC Basketball Tournament at Rocket Arena, March 13, 2026, in Cleveland, Ohio.
(Jeff Lange, Akron Beacon Journal)
Akron Zips forward Amani Lyles (0) and guard Shammah Scott (1) guard Kent State Golden Flashes forward Delrecco Gillespie (23) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in the semifinals of the MAC Basketball Tournament at Rocket Arena, March 13, 2026, in Cleveland, Ohio.
(Jeff Lange, Akron Beacon Journal)
Akron Zips wing Evan Mahaffey (12) brings down a rebound against Kent State Golden Flashes guard Rayvon Griffith (0) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in the semifinals of the MAC Basketball Tournament at Rocket Arena, March 13, 2026, in Cleveland, Ohio.
(Jeff Lange, Akron Beacon Journal)
Akron Zips guard Shammah Scott (1)makes a three over Kent State Golden Flashes guard Morgan Safford (8) during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in the semifinals of the MAC Basketball Tournament at Rocket Arena, March 13, 2026, in Cleveland, Ohio.
(Jeff Lange, Akron Beacon Journal)
Akron Zips guard Shammah Scott (1) celebrates after making a three over Kent State Golden Flashes guard Morgan Safford (8) during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in the semifinals of the MAC Basketball Tournament at Rocket Arena, March 13, 2026, in Cleveland, Ohio.
(Jeff Lange, Akron Beacon Journal)
Akron Zips head coach John Groce surveys the court during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in the semifinals of the MAC Basketball Tournament at Rocket Arena, March 13, 2026, in Cleveland, Ohio.
(Jeff Lange, Akron Beacon Journal)
Akron Zips forward Amani Lyles (0) looks for a layup ahead of Kent State Golden Flashes guard Rob Whaley Jr. (2) during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in the semifinals of the MAC Basketball Tournament at Rocket Arena, March 13, 2026, in Cleveland, Ohio.
(Jeff Lange, Akron Beacon Journal)
Kent State Golden Flashes guard Morgan Safford (8) is fouled by Akron Zips guard Sharron Young (3) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in the semifinals of the MAC Basketball Tournament at Rocket Arena, March 13, 2026, in Cleveland, Ohio.
(Jeff Lange, Akron Beacon Journal)
Akron Zips guard Tavari Johnson (5) shoots over Kent State Golden Flashes guard Jahari Williamson (25) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in the semifinals of the MAC Basketball Tournament at Rocket Arena, March 13, 2026, in Cleveland, Ohio.
(Jeff Lange, Akron Beacon Journal)
Akron Zips wing Evan Mahaffey (12) celebrates after a three during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in the semifinals of the MAC Basketball Tournament at Rocket Arena, March 13, 2026, in Cleveland, Ohio.
(Jeff Lange, Akron Beacon Journal)
Kent State Golden Flashes head coach Rob Senderoff reacts to a call during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against the Akron Zips in the semifinals of the MAC Basketball Tournament at Rocket Arena, March 13, 2026, in Cleveland, Ohio.
(Jeff Lange, Akron Beacon Journal)
Akron Zips wing Evan Mahaffey (12) and Kent State Golden Flashes forward Delrecco Gillespie (23) reach for a loose ball during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in the semifinals of the MAC Basketball Tournament at Rocket Arena, March 13, 2026, in Cleveland, Ohio.
(Jeff Lange, Akron Beacon Journal)
Kent State Golden Flashes forward Magnus Entenmann (14) looks to pass against Akron Zips wing Marvin Musiime-Kamali (23) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in the semifinals of the MAC Basketball Tournament at Rocket Arena, March 13, 2026, in Cleveland, Ohio.
(Jeff Lange, Akron Beacon Journal)
Akron cheerleaders perform during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in the semifinals of the MAC Basketball Tournament at Rocket Arena, March 13, 2026, in Cleveland, Ohio.
(Jeff Lange, Akron Beacon Journal)
Kent State Golden Flashes forward Delrecco Gillespie (23) has the ball knocked away by Akron Zips guard Eric Mahaffey (4) during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in the semifinals of the MAC Basketball Tournament at Rocket Arena, March 13, 2026, in Cleveland, Ohio.
(Jeff Lange, Akron Beacon Journal)
Kent State Golden Flashes guard Jahari Williamson (25) shoots during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in the semifinals of the MAC Basketball Tournament at Rocket Arena, March 13, 2026, in Cleveland, Ohio.
(Jeff Lange, Akron Beacon Journal)
Kent State Golden Flashes guard Rayvon Griffith (0) eyes down the ball against Akron Zips guard Sharron Young (3) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in the semifinals of the MAC Basketball Tournament at Rocket Arena, March 13, 2026, in Cleveland, Ohio.
(Jeff Lange, Akron Beacon Journal)
Akron Zips guard Tavari Johnson (5) moves across the court against Kent State Golden Flashes guard Rob Whaley Jr. (2) during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in the semifinals of the MAC Basketball Tournament at Rocket Arena, March 13, 2026, in Cleveland, Ohio.
(Jeff Lange, Akron Beacon Journal)
Akron Zips guard Bowen Hardman (15) shoots a three over Kent State Golden Flashes guard Morgan Safford (8) during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in the semifinals of the MAC Basketball Tournament at Rocket Arena, March 13, 2026, in Cleveland, Ohio.
(Jeff Lange, Akron Beacon Journal)
Kent State Golden Flashes guard Morgan Safford (8) looks to the basket against a pair of Akron defenders during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in the semifinals of the MAC Basketball Tournament at Rocket Arena, March 13, 2026, in Cleveland, Ohio.
(Jeff Lange, Akron Beacon Journal)
Kent State Golden Flashes guard Rob Whaley Jr. (2) and Akron Zips wing Evan Mahaffey (12) and guard Eric Mahaffey (4) reach for a rebound during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in the semifinals of the MAC Basketball Tournament at Rocket Arena, March 13, 2026, in Cleveland, Ohio.
(Jeff Lange, Akron Beacon Journal)
Akron Zips guard Shammah Scott (1) gets a pass off around Kent State Golden Flashes forward Delrecco Gillespie (23) during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in the semifinals of the MAC Basketball Tournament at Rocket Arena, March 13, 2026, in Cleveland, Ohio.
(Jeff Lange, Akron Beacon Journal)
Akron Zips wing Evan Mahaffey (12) reaches for the ball over Kent State Golden Flashes guard Rob Whaley Jr. (2) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in the semifinals of the MAC Basketball Tournament at Rocket Arena, March 13, 2026, in Cleveland, Ohio.
(Jeff Lange, Akron Beacon Journal)
Kent State Golden Flashes forward Delrecco Gillespie (23) looks to the basket over Akron Zips guard Bowen Hardman (15) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in the semifinals of the MAC Basketball Tournament at Rocket Arena, March 13, 2026, in Cleveland, Ohio.
(Jeff Lange, Akron Beacon Journal)
The Akron men’s basketball team celebrates after beating Kent State in an NCAA college basketball game in the semifinals of the MAC Basketball Tournament at Rocket Arena, March 13, 2026, in Cleveland, Ohio.
(Jeff Lange, Akron Beacon Journal)
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Akron Zips vs. Kent State, MAC basketball tournament semifinal photos
Akron Zips head coach John Groce celebrates after a foul during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against the Kent State Golden Flashes in the semifinals of the MAC Basketball Tournament at Rocket Arena, March 13, 2026, in Cleveland, Ohio.
(Jeff Lange, Akron Beacon Journal)
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Akron Zips vs. Kent State, MAC basketball tournament semifinal photos
Akron Zips head coach John Groce celebrates after a foul during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against the Kent State Golden Flashes in the semifinals of the MAC Basketball Tournament at Rocket Arena, March 13, 2026, in Cleveland, Ohio.
(Jeff Lange, Akron Beacon Journal)
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Akron Zips vs. Kent State, MAC basketball tournament semifinal photos
Kent State Golden Flashes guard Cian Medley (1) looks to the basket against Akron Zips wing Evan Mahaffey (12) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in the semifinals of the MAC Basketball Tournament at Rocket Arena, March 13, 2026, in Cleveland, Ohio.
(Jeff Lange, Akron Beacon Journal)
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Akron Zips vs. Kent State, MAC basketball tournament semifinal photos
Akron Zips forward Amani Lyles (0) and guard Shammah Scott (1) guard Kent State Golden Flashes forward Delrecco Gillespie (23) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in the semifinals of the MAC Basketball Tournament at Rocket Arena, March 13, 2026, in Cleveland, Ohio.
(Jeff Lange, Akron Beacon Journal)
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Akron Zips vs. Kent State, MAC basketball tournament semifinal photos
Akron Zips wing Evan Mahaffey (12) brings down a rebound against Kent State Golden Flashes guard Rayvon Griffith (0) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in the semifinals of the MAC Basketball Tournament at Rocket Arena, March 13, 2026, in Cleveland, Ohio.
(Jeff Lange, Akron Beacon Journal)
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Akron Zips vs. Kent State, MAC basketball tournament semifinal photos
Akron Zips guard Shammah Scott (1)makes a three over Kent State Golden Flashes guard Morgan Safford (8) during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in the semifinals of the MAC Basketball Tournament at Rocket Arena, March 13, 2026, in Cleveland, Ohio.
(Jeff Lange, Akron Beacon Journal)
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Akron Zips vs. Kent State, MAC basketball tournament semifinal photos
Akron Zips guard Shammah Scott (1) celebrates after making a three over Kent State Golden Flashes guard Morgan Safford (8) during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in the semifinals of the MAC Basketball Tournament at Rocket Arena, March 13, 2026, in Cleveland, Ohio.
(Jeff Lange, Akron Beacon Journal)
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Akron Zips vs. Kent State, MAC basketball tournament semifinal photos
Akron Zips head coach John Groce surveys the court during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in the semifinals of the MAC Basketball Tournament at Rocket Arena, March 13, 2026, in Cleveland, Ohio.
(Jeff Lange, Akron Beacon Journal)
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Akron Zips vs. Kent State, MAC basketball tournament semifinal photos
Akron Zips forward Amani Lyles (0) looks for a layup ahead of Kent State Golden Flashes guard Rob Whaley Jr. (2) during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in the semifinals of the MAC Basketball Tournament at Rocket Arena, March 13, 2026, in Cleveland, Ohio.
(Jeff Lange, Akron Beacon Journal)
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Akron Zips vs. Kent State, MAC basketball tournament semifinal photos
Kent State Golden Flashes guard Morgan Safford (8) is fouled by Akron Zips guard Sharron Young (3) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in the semifinals of the MAC Basketball Tournament at Rocket Arena, March 13, 2026, in Cleveland, Ohio.
(Jeff Lange, Akron Beacon Journal)
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Akron Zips vs. Kent State, MAC basketball tournament semifinal photos
Akron Zips guard Tavari Johnson (5) shoots over Kent State Golden Flashes guard Jahari Williamson (25) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in the semifinals of the MAC Basketball Tournament at Rocket Arena, March 13, 2026, in Cleveland, Ohio.
(Jeff Lange, Akron Beacon Journal)
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Akron Zips vs. Kent State, MAC basketball tournament semifinal photos
Akron Zips wing Evan Mahaffey (12) celebrates after a three during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in the semifinals of the MAC Basketball Tournament at Rocket Arena, March 13, 2026, in Cleveland, Ohio.
(Jeff Lange, Akron Beacon Journal)
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Akron Zips vs. Kent State, MAC basketball tournament semifinal photos
Kent State Golden Flashes head coach Rob Senderoff reacts to a call during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against the Akron Zips in the semifinals of the MAC Basketball Tournament at Rocket Arena, March 13, 2026, in Cleveland, Ohio.
(Jeff Lange, Akron Beacon Journal)
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Akron Zips vs. Kent State, MAC basketball tournament semifinal photos
Akron Zips wing Evan Mahaffey (12) and Kent State Golden Flashes forward Delrecco Gillespie (23) reach for a loose ball during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in the semifinals of the MAC Basketball Tournament at Rocket Arena, March 13, 2026, in Cleveland, Ohio.
(Jeff Lange, Akron Beacon Journal)
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Akron Zips vs. Kent State, MAC basketball tournament semifinal photos
Kent State Golden Flashes forward Magnus Entenmann (14) looks to pass against Akron Zips wing Marvin Musiime-Kamali (23) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in the semifinals of the MAC Basketball Tournament at Rocket Arena, March 13, 2026, in Cleveland, Ohio.
(Jeff Lange, Akron Beacon Journal)
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Akron Zips vs. Kent State, MAC basketball tournament semifinal photos
Akron cheerleaders perform during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in the semifinals of the MAC Basketball Tournament at Rocket Arena, March 13, 2026, in Cleveland, Ohio.
(Jeff Lange, Akron Beacon Journal)
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Akron Zips vs. Kent State, MAC basketball tournament semifinal photos
Kent State Golden Flashes forward Delrecco Gillespie (23) has the ball knocked away by Akron Zips guard Eric Mahaffey (4) during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in the semifinals of the MAC Basketball Tournament at Rocket Arena, March 13, 2026, in Cleveland, Ohio.
(Jeff Lange, Akron Beacon Journal)
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Akron Zips vs. Kent State, MAC basketball tournament semifinal photos
Kent State Golden Flashes guard Jahari Williamson (25) shoots during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in the semifinals of the MAC Basketball Tournament at Rocket Arena, March 13, 2026, in Cleveland, Ohio.
(Jeff Lange, Akron Beacon Journal)
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Akron Zips vs. Kent State, MAC basketball tournament semifinal photos
Kent State Golden Flashes guard Rayvon Griffith (0) eyes down the ball against Akron Zips guard Sharron Young (3) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in the semifinals of the MAC Basketball Tournament at Rocket Arena, March 13, 2026, in Cleveland, Ohio.
(Jeff Lange, Akron Beacon Journal)
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Akron Zips vs. Kent State, MAC basketball tournament semifinal photos
Akron Zips guard Tavari Johnson (5) moves across the court against Kent State Golden Flashes guard Rob Whaley Jr. (2) during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in the semifinals of the MAC Basketball Tournament at Rocket Arena, March 13, 2026, in Cleveland, Ohio.
(Jeff Lange, Akron Beacon Journal)
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Akron Zips vs. Kent State, MAC basketball tournament semifinal photos
Akron Zips guard Bowen Hardman (15) shoots a three over Kent State Golden Flashes guard Morgan Safford (8) during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in the semifinals of the MAC Basketball Tournament at Rocket Arena, March 13, 2026, in Cleveland, Ohio.
(Jeff Lange, Akron Beacon Journal)
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Akron Zips vs. Kent State, MAC basketball tournament semifinal photos
Kent State Golden Flashes guard Morgan Safford (8) looks to the basket against a pair of Akron defenders during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in the semifinals of the MAC Basketball Tournament at Rocket Arena, March 13, 2026, in Cleveland, Ohio.
(Jeff Lange, Akron Beacon Journal)
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Akron Zips vs. Kent State, MAC basketball tournament semifinal photos
Kent State Golden Flashes guard Rob Whaley Jr. (2) and Akron Zips wing Evan Mahaffey (12) and guard Eric Mahaffey (4) reach for a rebound during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in the semifinals of the MAC Basketball Tournament at Rocket Arena, March 13, 2026, in Cleveland, Ohio.
(Jeff Lange, Akron Beacon Journal)
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Akron Zips vs. Kent State, MAC basketball tournament semifinal photos
Akron Zips guard Shammah Scott (1) gets a pass off around Kent State Golden Flashes forward Delrecco Gillespie (23) during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in the semifinals of the MAC Basketball Tournament at Rocket Arena, March 13, 2026, in Cleveland, Ohio.
(Jeff Lange, Akron Beacon Journal)
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Akron Zips vs. Kent State, MAC basketball tournament semifinal photos
Akron Zips wing Evan Mahaffey (12) reaches for the ball over Kent State Golden Flashes guard Rob Whaley Jr. (2) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in the semifinals of the MAC Basketball Tournament at Rocket Arena, March 13, 2026, in Cleveland, Ohio.
(Jeff Lange, Akron Beacon Journal)
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Akron Zips vs. Kent State, MAC basketball tournament semifinal photos
Kent State Golden Flashes forward Delrecco Gillespie (23) looks to the basket over Akron Zips guard Bowen Hardman (15) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in the semifinals of the MAC Basketball Tournament at Rocket Arena, March 13, 2026, in Cleveland, Ohio.
(Jeff Lange, Akron Beacon Journal)
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Akron Zips vs. Kent State, MAC basketball tournament semifinal photos
The Akron men’s basketball team celebrates after beating Kent State in an NCAA college basketball game in the semifinals of the MAC Basketball Tournament at Rocket Arena, March 13, 2026, in Cleveland, Ohio.
(Jeff Lange, Akron Beacon Journal)
"It's a great honor for us to be selected to play in the National Invitational Tournament," Senderoff said. "We won 24 games and 14 league games, so I am glad this team got recognized with the opportunity to play in the postseason. I am excited for this group to get to play again."
This will be Kent State's second consecutive NIT appearance and 11th overall. Last year, the Flashes defeated St. Bonaventure and Stanford before losing in the quarterfinals to Loyola of Chicago.
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This article originally appeared on The Repository: Kent State men's basketball, Golden Flashes selected to play in NIT
