By Anna Ramirez
3 23 2025
GAME NOTES
https://kentstatesports.com/documents/2025/3/23/KSUMBB_24-25_Game_35_vs._Stanford_Notes.pdf
STANFORD, Calif. – Kent State Men’s Basketball (23-11) has advanced to the second round of the 2025 National Invitation Tournament. The Golden Flashes travel to Stanford University for the second round to be held on Sunday, March 23. Tipoff is scheduled for 9:00 p.m. eastern time, and 6:00 p.m. local time in Stanford’s Maples Pavilion. Kent State is seeking to advance to the NIT quarterfinals for the first time since the 2010-2011 season when the Blue and Gold defeated Saint Mary’s and Fairfield before falling to Colorado. The Flashes’ opening round matchup against St. Bonaventure saw Kent State win by 19 points notching their first postseason win since the 2014-2015 season.
Last Time Out
Most recently, Kent State defeated St. Bonaventure 75-56 on the road in the first round of the NIT. The Flashes erased a first half deficit to ultimately blowout the Bonnies by 19 points by all zeros. The historic win saw Cli’Ron Hornbeak score 11 with 12 rebounds for his fourth double-double of the season. Delrecco Gillespie scored 12 with 10 rebounds for his fourth of the season. With the win Kent State tallied their first win in the National Invitation Tournament since March of 2011 when they bested Saint Mary’s and Fairfield. The win also marked the first postseason win for the Golden Flashes since the 2015 CIT when they bested Middle Tennessee State and Texas A&M-Corpus Christi.
Scouting the Cardinal
This Sunday will be the first meeting in history between the Kent State Golden Flashes and Stanford Cardinal. Stanford enters the matchup posting an overall record of 21-13 and an ACC record of 11-9. The Cardinal finished seventh in the ACC regular season standings going on to defeat rival California before falling to Louisville in the conference tournament. Head Coach Kyle Smith is in his first season at the helm of the Stanford program.
Broadcast Info
Sunday night’s game can be heard on the 850 ESPN Cleveland with Rob Polinsky and Jana Ashley on the call. The game can be watched on ESPN2.
Next Up for Kent State
If the Golden Flashes win against Stanford, they will travel to take on the winner of the University of San Francisco and Loyola University Chicago.
Follow Kent State Men’s Basketball
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For complete coverage of Kent State Athletics, download the official Kent State Golden Flashes app (iOS, Android) and follow the Golden Flashes on social media on X, Instagram , and Facebook for news and updates.
COURTESY KENT STATE ATHLETIC COMMUNICATIONS
