Broncos Gear Up for Tuesday Showdown Against Kent State

KALAMAZOO, Mich. – The Western Michigan men’s basketball squad is back on the road Tuesday evening as it takes on Kent State.
 

GAME INFO

Matchup: Western Michigan (3-12, 0-3 MAC) at Kent State (11-4, 2-1)

Date/Time: Tuesday, Jan. 14 – 7 pm

Location: M.A.C. Center (Kent, Ohio)

Video: ESPN+

Radio: Bronco Media Network

Live Stats: SIDEARM

OPENING TIP

• Western Michigan is returning to the road on Tuesday evening as it challenges Kent State.
• The Broncos suffered a 91-71 loss at Miami on Saturday, marking their initial MAC away game of the season.
• Four players achieved double-digit points for WMU, spearheaded by Markhi Strickland’s 14.
• Chansey Willis Jr. scored 12 points, reaching 10 or more in all seven of his matches.
• Owen Lobsinger remains second in the conference with an average of 7.3 rebounds per game.
• As they prepare for Tuesday, the Broncos lead the conference in both rebounding margin (+4.9) and offensive rebounds (13.7).
• The 13.7 offensive rebounds rank 27th in NCAA Division I.
• Kent State holds a 70-58 lead in the all-time rivalry between the two teams.
• The Golden Flashes have secured victory in six consecutive encounters, with WMU’s last win in the series on Jan. 18, 2020.
• Western Michigan’s last victory at Kent occurred on Jan. 23, 2014.

ON THE ROAD AGAIN
After traveling to Oxford to compete against Miami on Saturday in its first away game of 2025, Western Michigan ventures back out on the road Tuesday evening to face Kent State.

LAST TIME OUT

The Broncos are coming off a 91-71 defeat to Miami on Saturday in their first MAC away game of the season. Four players scored in double figures for Western Michigan, led by Markhi Strickland’s 14 points. 

BALANCED BRONCOS

Western Michigan had four players contribute double-digit points for the fifth occasion this season against Bowling Green on Saturday. Markhi Strickland led with 14 points, while JaVaughn Hannah and Chansey Willis Jr. added 12 points each, and Owen Lobsinger chipped in with 11 points. WMU currently has four players averaging double-digit points, with seven different Broncos having led the team in scoring at least once this season.

MAKING HIS MARK

Having not scored in double digits across 26 NCAA Division I games before this season, Markhi Strickland has achieved double-figures in 10 of Western Michigan’s 15 contests in 2024-25. The Miami native is currently WMU’s leading scorer among qualified players at 11.7 points per game this season.

WILLING HIS WAY TO THE TOP

After missing the first eight games due to injury, Chansey Willis Jr. has made a significant impact in his initial seven games as a Bronco. In the game against Miami on Saturday, Willis netted 12 points, recording double-digit points in all his appearances. For the season, the junior averages 15.3 points, 5.4 assists, and 5.0 rebounds. He just needs a few more games to qualify for the league leaders, which would make him the only player in the conference averaging at least 10.0 points, 5.0 assists, and 5.0 rebounds.

OWEN-ING THE GLASS

Owen Lobsinger continues to be WMU’s premier rebounder, ranking second in the MAC with an average of 7.3 per game. In league play, the senior stands third at 8.7 boards per match. 

CRASHING THE BOARDS

Western Michigan has sustained its impressive performance on the boards, securing the rebounding edge in nine contests so far this season. As the week begins, the Broncos lead the conference in both rebounding margin (+4.9) and offensive rebounding (13.7), while standing second in overall rebounding (38.7).

GETTING OFFENSIVE

The Broncos topped the MAC in offensive rebounding during each of the initial two seasons under head coach Dwayne Stephens and find themselves leading the conference again this year with an average of 13.7 offensive boards per match, ranking 27th nationwide in NCAA DI. WMU boasts three of the league’s top 15 offensive rebounders, including Owen Lobsinger (2.3, 7th), Max Burton (2.2, 8th), and JaVaughn Hannah (1.6, 14th).

PROTECTING THE ROCK

The Broncos have recorded 10 or fewer turnovers on seven occasions this season and currently hold the second position in the MAC and 62nd nationally for fewest turnovers per game, averaging 10.9.

SERIES HISTORY

As of Tuesday, Kent State enjoys a 70-58 lead in the all-time series. The Golden Flashes have claimed victory in six consecutive meetings, with WMU’s last win in this series occurring on Jan. 18, 2020. KSU has shown particular strength at home against Western Michigan, with the Broncos’ latest win in Kent being on Jan. 23, 2014. 

FOCUS ON THE FLASHES

Kent State enters Tuesday’s game having triumphed in two consecutive contests after falling in their league opener to Ball State. The Golden Flashes possess the best defense in the MAC, allowing only 62.5 points per game, which is eight points fewer than the next closest teams, CMU and Ball State at 70.8. KSU ranks 15th nationally in scoring defense and stands 37th in the nation with a field goal percentage defense of 40.0 percent. They are also closely trailing WMU in offensive rebounding at 13.5.

ON THE HORIZON

Western Michigan will return to Kalamazoo for its next two matchups, starting Saturday afternoon when they host Buffalo.