Troy University Athletics
Troy Men’s Basketball to Host Kent State in MAC-SBC Challenge
1/22/2024 1:03:00 PM | Basketball (M)
TROY, Ala. – For the second game of the MAC-SBC Challenge, Troy men's basketball will welcome Kent State to Trojan Arena on Saturday, Feb. 10. Tip-off for the game is scheduled for 3:33 p.m.
All games in the challenge are carried on an ESPN platform. The challenge is a part of the Sun Belt's strategic plan, as the conference utilizes these meetings to appreciate the league's roots while looking to increase competition and success on the court.
"We're excited to be welcoming a team of Kent State's pedigree to Trojan Arena for the MAC-SBC Challenge," head coach Scott Cross said. "This is a unique opportunity for us to continue to challenge our players by matching up against a good team in a premier group of five conference. A game like this will only help us come the postseason."
Troy (11-8, 5-2 SBC) got off to its best conference start since the 2003-04 season and its best since joining the Sun Belt. The Trojans currently sit in a tie for second place in the conference standings. In the first game of the MAC-SBC challenge, Troy was on the road at Ohio and fell 88-70.
Troy has been led this season by senior guard Christyon Eugene and his 15.6 points per game. After a difficult non-conference slate that saw them play at Oregon State, Dayton and Ole Miss, the Trojans opened their conference schedule with a 5-0 record before falling in a pair of close road battles this past week.
Kent State (9-9, 2-4 MAC) is the defending MAC Tournament champions after defeating Toledo in the championship game last season. They lost to Indiana in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.
The Golden Flashes were selected second in the MAC preseason coaches' poll and have been led by Chris Payton – a preseason All-Mac First Team selection – and Jalen Sullinger – a preseason All-Mac Second Team selection.
The matchups were selected with the assistance of Ordinal Sports Group and based on a variety of factors, including relevant NET data, geography and frequency of past contests.
This will be the first-ever meeting between the two programs.
The MAC-SBC Challenge will continue in the 2024-25 season, with Troy getting one home game and one away game.
All games in the challenge are carried on an ESPN platform. The challenge is a part of the Sun Belt's strategic plan, as the conference utilizes these meetings to appreciate the league's roots while looking to increase competition and success on the court.
"We're excited to be welcoming a team of Kent State's pedigree to Trojan Arena for the MAC-SBC Challenge," head coach Scott Cross said. "This is a unique opportunity for us to continue to challenge our players by matching up against a good team in a premier group of five conference. A game like this will only help us come the postseason."
Troy (11-8, 5-2 SBC) got off to its best conference start since the 2003-04 season and its best since joining the Sun Belt. The Trojans currently sit in a tie for second place in the conference standings. In the first game of the MAC-SBC challenge, Troy was on the road at Ohio and fell 88-70.
Troy has been led this season by senior guard Christyon Eugene and his 15.6 points per game. After a difficult non-conference slate that saw them play at Oregon State, Dayton and Ole Miss, the Trojans opened their conference schedule with a 5-0 record before falling in a pair of close road battles this past week.
Kent State (9-9, 2-4 MAC) is the defending MAC Tournament champions after defeating Toledo in the championship game last season. They lost to Indiana in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.
The Golden Flashes were selected second in the MAC preseason coaches' poll and have been led by Chris Payton – a preseason All-Mac First Team selection – and Jalen Sullinger – a preseason All-Mac Second Team selection.
The matchups were selected with the assistance of Ordinal Sports Group and based on a variety of factors, including relevant NET data, geography and frequency of past contests.
This will be the first-ever meeting between the two programs.
The MAC-SBC Challenge will continue in the 2024-25 season, with Troy getting one home game and one away game.
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