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After a tough road loss to Akron, Buffalo will now play four of their next five games on the road. Playing on the road hasn't been kind to the Bulls yet this season so this will be an ultimate test. Let's take a look at our first opponent in this stretch:
Quick Facts
Opponent: Kent State
Head Coach: Rob Senderoff (86-57, 5th year with Kent State)
Date/Time: 1/8/16, 6:30 PM
Home/Away: Away
Opponent's Mascot: Flash, the Golden Eagle
Current Record: 10-4
2014-15 Season Record: 23-12 (12-6 MAC)
Postseason: Lost to Northern Arizona in CIT Quarterfinals
All-Time Series: Kent State leads 29-12
Opponent's Roster and Stats
| Jimmy Hall | F | 6'8" | 28.9 | 15.5 | 6.7 | 2.4 | 0.503 | 0.714 | 0.25 |
| Kellon Thomas | G | 5'11" | 28.9 | 12.2 | 1.9 | 2.4 | 0.417 | 0.672 | 0.328 |
| Xavier Pollard | G | 6'4" | 25.2 | 11.9 | 3.7 | 3.1 | 0.468 | 0.617 | 0.378 |
| Chris Ortiz | F | 6'8" | 24.9 | 7.9 | 5.4 | 0.7 | 0.448 | 0.667 | 0.238 |
| Jaylin Walker | G | 6'1" | 19.1 | 7.5 | 2.2 | 0.9 | 0.345 | 0.852 | 0.308 |
| Khaliq Spicer | C | 6'9" | 21.2 | 7.2 | 6 | 0.6 | 0.603 | 0.594 | 0 |
| Deon Edwin | G | 6'3" | 12.6 | 5.4 | 3.1 | 0.7 | 0.509 | 0.593 | 0.25 |
| Galal Cancer | G | 6'2" | 20.1 | 3.8 | 2.5 | 1.7 | 0.373 | 0.4 | 0.355 |
| Marvin Jones | F | 6'10" | 10.1 | 3.5 | 2.3 | 0.1 | 0.467 | 0.7 | 0.375 |
| Raasean Davis | F | 6'8" | 8 | 3.3 | 2.4 | 0 | 0.636 | 0.727 | 0 |
| Jon Fleming | G | 5'9" | 3.5 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0.5 | 0.5 | 0 |
| Jalen Avery | G | 6'0" | 8.2 | 0.8 | 0.5 | 1.5 | 0.2 | 0.5 | 0.125 |
| Totals | -- | 77 | 38 | 14 | 0.458 | 0.662 | 0.312 |
UB is looking like they're going to have a size advantage in this one against players with significant minutes. Jimmy Hall is looking like one of players this season who will be contending for MAC POTY. This might end up being a good test for Ikenna Smart's defense. Xavier Pollard is also somebody to watch as he's doing a little bit of everything. The 6'4" guard can shoot, grab some rebounds, and dish out some assists. Putting Kent on the free throw line shouldn't be too costly as they're only shooting 66% and their perimeter shooting has been lackluster as well.
Notable Opponents
- Won against Cleveland State (Multiple MAC teams have faced them
- Lost to Pittsburgh
- Lost to #19 SMU
- Won against North Carolina A&T
Can We Win?
This away game with Kent is arguably the second toughest game left on UB's slate this season. Returning Jimmy Hall is something that gives me doubt in the fact that we can pull out a win. Kent is easily one of the favorites to win the conference as well. I'm not getting my hopes up with this one.