Tuesday, March 10th, 2:30 p.m. (et)

FACTS & STATS: Site: Quicken Loans Arena (20,562) -- Cleveland, Ohio. Television: None. Home Record: NIU 7-5, KSU 13-3. Away Record: NIU 2-11, KSU 5-8. Neutral Record: NIU 1-3, KSU 0-2. Conference Record: NIU 5-11, KSU 10-6. Series Record: Kent State leads, 27-17.

GAME NOTES: Opening round play of the MAC Tournament will take place this afternoon when the sixth-seeded Kent State Golden Flashes take on the 11th- seeded Northern Illinois Huskies at the Quicken Loans Arena. The Huskies did not have much success this season, winning just 10 contests, while finishing 5-11 in league play. NIU, which is just 8-13 in this event, closed out the season with two consecutive losses. As for the Golden Flashes, they have won 10 of their last 12 games heading into the tournament, including two in a row. The Flashes will have to remain on this hot streak if they plan on repeating as MAC champions. Last year Kent State collected its fifth league title and fourth since 2001. The Golden Flashes have are strong lead in the all-time series against NIU, holding a 27-17 edge over the Huskies. The Flashes have won seven straight against Northern Illinois, and 11 of the last 12 matchups.

The Huskies' struggles this season can be attributed to the team's poor play offensively, as NIU is netting just 66.3 ppg. Darion Anderson did everything for the Huskies, as the guard led the way with 16.9 ppg and 5.4 rpg. Anderson, who was selected to the All-MAC Second Team, also dished out 69 assists and collected 44 steals. Mike DiNunno is shooting well below 40.0 percent on the season, but the guard is still netting 11.9 ppg. The last time NIU was in action the team finished with 69 points in a loss to Toledo. The Huskies shot 44.8 percent from the floor, but made just 9-of-28 attempts from long range and committed 17 turnovers. Michael Patton led the way with 15 points, while Michael Fakuade also posted 15 points, to go along with nine rebounds. As for Anderson, he tallied 13 points in the loss, while Najul Ervin contributed a double-double of 12 points and 11 rebounds.

The Flashes have used more of a defensive approach this season, holding teams to just 64.3 ppg and a mere 41.0 percent shooting effort. Kent State continued its strong defensive play, holding Akron to just 63 points in a regular-season finale victory. KSU limited the Zips to a meager 38.0 percent shooting effort, which included an 8-of-24 clip from long range. At the other end of the court the team was paced by Al Fisher, who scored 18 points, to go along with six rebounds and five assists. Mike McKee chipped in 10 points off the bench in the win. Fisher, who was tabbed as one of the members on the All-MAC First Team, was the main scoring option all season for KSU, as the guard comes into the tourney averaging 15.1 ppg, to go along with a team-high 107 assists. Chris Singletary is contributing 12.1 ppg on the season, while Tyree Evans is posting 11.9 ppg.

The Flashes have dominated the Huskies over the years and should cruise past Northern Illinois once again thanks to another strong defensive showing.

Predicted Outcome

Kent State 67, Northern Illinois 57