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ATHENS, Ohio -- The Ohio men's basketball team (11-10, 5-4 MAC) is back in action on Tuesday, Jan. 27 when the Bobcats head to Kent, Ohio to take on Kent State (15-5, 6-2 MAC). Tip-off is set for 7 p.m. ET inside the M.A.C. Center and can be seen on ESPN+ where Cameron Manna and Jana Ashley will have the call.
The Bobcats' matchup can also be heard on the Ohio Sports Network from Learfield, presented by Holzer Health System. Jason Toy begins his second season on the mic for the Bobcats and will be joined by veteran college basketball analyst Dave Cecutti. WXTQ (Power 105) in Athens returns as the 11-station net- work's flagship and can be heard on the Varsity Network App.
TIP-OFF
- This is the 160th all-time meeting between Ohio and Kent State.
- Ohio leads the all-time series, 100-59.
- Ohio is 15-20 against Kent State since 2009-10, while the Bobcats are 6-7 against the Flashes under Jeff Boals.
- The Bobcats and the Flashes met twice last season, splitting the season series.
- The two teams last met on Feb. 14, 2025 in Kent, Ohio, with the Flashes winning, 76-75.
- Ohio won the matchup in Athens on Jan. 24, 2025, 61-59.
- This is the only matchup between the Bobcats and Kent State during the regular season.
- The Bobcats are currently ranked 228 in the latest NET rankings, with opponent Kent State in at 141.
- Redshirt junior forward Javan Simmons and senior guard Jackson Paveletzke both finished the Bobcats game against Akron on Jan. 23 with 16 points.
- Freshman guard JJ Kelly finished the game against NIU with a career-high 17 points and nine rebounds.
- Redshirt junior forward Javan Simmons recorded a season-high 21 points against Toledo on Jan. 13.
- Against Buffalo on Jan. 10, senior forward Aidan Hadaway had 27 points and 10 rebounds, while senior guard Jackson Paveletzke finished with 23 points, six rebounds and eight assists.
- Redshirt junior forward Javan Simmons is recorded his 1,000 career point on Jan. 6 against UMass.
SCOUTING KENT STATE
Kent State is currently 15-5 overall and 6-2 in MAC play and are coming off a 76-75 double overtime win at Eastern Michigan on Saturday.
Overall, Kent State averages 90.0 points per game, while shooting 47.6 percent from the field, 36.5 percent from three and 75.3 percent from the line. Meanwhile, opponents are averaging 82.8 points per game, while shooting 44.1 percent from the field, 35.2 percent from three and 71.8 percent from the line.
Kent State is averaging 40.0 rebounds, 17.9 assists, 6.6 steals and 3.8 blocks a game, while forcing opponents to turn the ball over an average of 12.4 times a game while scoring 15.3 points off them. Kent State opponents are averaging 33.5 rebounds, 15.8 assists, 7.7 steals and 2.9 blocks a game, while forcing 14.1 turnovers a contest and scoring 17.1 points off them.
Delrecco Gillespie leads the Flashes with 19.4 points and 12.3 rebounds a game, while shooting 56.3 percent from the field, 32.5 percent from three and 77.6 percent from the line. Morgan Safford adds 13.7 points and 6.0 rebounds a game, while Rob Whaley, Jr. averages 12.3 points, 4.1 rebounds and shoots 51.5 percent from the field.
SCOUTING OHIO
Ohio is 11-10 overall and 5-4 in MAC play and are coming off an 86-65 loss at home to Akron on Friday.
Ohio is averaging 77.5 points a game, while shooting 47.0 percent from the field, 30.7 percent from three and 69.0 percent from the line. The Bobcats also add 33.9 rebounds a game, while dishing out 13.2 assists and recording 6.7 steals a contest. Ohio is also forcing opponents to turn the ball over 12.9 times a game, scoring on average 15.2 points off them.
Meanwhile, Ohio opponents are averaging 77.6 points a game, while shooting 45.4 percent from the field, 35.2 percent from three and 74.0 percent from the line. Opponents are averaging 35.6 rebounds, 13.4 assists and 6.7 steals a game, while forcing Ohio to turn the ball over an average of 12.2 times a game, while scoring on average 13.1 points off them.
Individually, Ohio is led by senior guard Jackson Paveletzke with 17.6 points and 4.7 assists a game, while shooting 51.7 percent from the field and 37.1 percent from three. Senior forward Aidan Hadaway averages 14.0 points and a team-leading 7.3 rebounds a game, while shooting 47.0 percent from the field, while redshirt junior froward Javan Simmons adds 13.7 points and 5.0 rebounds, while shooting 51.7 percent from the field.
ALL-TIME AGAINST KENT STATE
This is the 160th all-time meeting between Ohio and Kent State.
Ohio leads the all-time series, 100-59.
Ohio is 15-20 against Kent State since 2009-10, while the Bobcats are 6-7 against the Flashes under Jeff Boals.
The Bobcats and the Flashes met twice last season, splitting the season series.
The two teams last met on Feb. 14, 2025 in Kent, Ohio, with the Flashes winning, 76-75.
Ohio won the matchup in Athens on Jan. 24, 2025, 61-59.
This is the only matchup between the Bobcats and Kent State during the regular season.
LAST AGAINST KENT STATE
The two teams last met on Feb. 14, 2025 in Kent, Ohio, with the Flashes winning, 76-75.
Jackson Paveletzke added 12 points two rebounds and five assists, while Elijah Elliott recorded five points, six rebounds and dished out five assists
OHIO IN THE MAC
Senior guard Jackson Paveletzke is currently sixth in the conference in scoring (17.6), fifth in assists (4.7) and first in minutes (36.0).
Senior forward Aidan Hadaway is sixth in the league in rebounding (7.3).
Senior guard Ajay Sheldon is eighth in the MAC in steals (1.6).
OHIO IN NET
The Bobcats are currently ranked 228 in the latest NET rankings, with Kent State ranked at 141
Miami leads the conference in NET this week at 48.
BOBCATS IN THE NCAA
Ohio is currently ranked 90th in the nation in field goal percentage.
Senior guard Jackson Paveletzke is currently 17th in the nation in minutes per game, 83rd in assists and 88th in assists per game.
Senior forward Aidan Hadaway is 93rd in rebounds and 90th in defensive rebounds per game.
Redshirt junior forward Javan Simmons is 70th in the nation in free throw attempts.
PAV LEADS THE WAY
Senior point guard Jackson Paveletzke continues the hot start to his season.
In his final season, Paveletzke is averaging 17.6 points a game, while shooting 51.7 percent from the field, 37.1 percent from three and 77.8 percent from the line, while adding 4.7 assists per game.
UP NEXT
The Bobcats remain on the road on Saturday, Jan. 31 when the Bobcats head to Buffalo, N.Y. to take on Buffalo. Tip-off is set for 2 p.m. ET inside Alumni Arena and can be seen on ESPN+.
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