Flashes take on Heath's South Florida program

The Kent State men's basketball team will say hello to an old friend tonight when they take on the South Florida Bulls at the Sun Dome in Tampa.  USF is coached by former KSU coach Stan Heath.  Heath was only around for one year, but he led the Flashes to a 30-6 record, a MAC regular season championship (17-1), a MAC tournament championship and an appearance in the Elite 8.  Heath's program has recently been the subject of some possible NCAA violations.  The game will begin tonight at 7:00 p.m.  Fans can listen to the game on WNIR/100.1 FM and at KentStateSports.com.

KENT STATE @ SOUTH FLORIDA

Sun Dome (10,411) | Tampa, Fla.| 7:00 p.m.

USF recent history:

2008-09: 9-22, 4-14

2007-08: 12-19, 3-15

2006-07: 12-18, 3-13

2005-06: 7-22, 1-15

USF preview:  The Bulls come in with a 4-1 record, with wins over SMU (67-61), Virginia (66-49), Davidson (65-58) and UNC-Wilmington (74-66).  The Bulls lost to South Carolina (66-69).  6-4 guard Dominique Jones leads the team with 19.4 points per game and is second with 7.2 rebounds per game.  6-10 forward Gus Gilchrist, a Maryland transfer, averages 19 points per game and a team high 7.6 rebounds per game.

South Florida game notes  statistics

Kent State game notes  statistics

Notes...

- This is Kent State's second game in the state of Florida in program history.  The first was in 1969 when the Flashes beat Florida State.

- USF is the first Big East opponent for the Golden Flashes since Pittsburgh in the 2006 NCAA tournament. 

- USF will return the game and play at the M.A.C. Center next season.

- Former Akron Zip Andy Hipsher is Heath's Director of Basketball Operations.

WOMEN'S BASKETBALL

While the men will play in the state of Florida tonight, the women's basketball team (3-1) already won their game last night in the sunshine state.  Jena Stutzman and Jamilah Humes led four players in double figures with 17 points each as the Flashes beat Florida Atlantic 84-66, for the wire to wire victory.  The Flashes shot the ball extremely well for 56 percent.  KSU converted 21 FAU turnovers into 29 points.  Box Score.

FOOTBALL

Running back Jacquise Terry is one of four Division I backs to be named to the ESPN The Magazine All-America Team on Tuesday.  Terry has a 3.81 grade point average, while studying aeronautics.

Kent State won't be the only team to have to play on Friday without a key offensive performer.  Naaman Roosevelt, Buffalo's outstanding receiver, will not play due to a meniscus injury that will require surgery and sideline him for three to four weeks.  Roosevelt leaves owning UB's career record in receptions (268), receiving yards (3,551) and receiving touchdowns (28). A first team All-Mid-American Conference selection in 2008 and a second-team choice in 2007, Roosevelt finished with 14 100-yard receiving games.  Roosevelt did not play in last week's win over Miami.

SOFTBALL

Kent State softball head coach Karen Linder has signed five student-athletes for the 2011 season.  All five players are from Ohio and have over a 3.5 GPA in high school.  Read about the new recruits here.