Getting to know Kent State

Call it a holiday gift.

After playing one of the most challenging non-conference schedules in the nation — the fifth-most difficult according to KenPom.com — Kansas University’s basketball team should get a bit of a reprieve Tuesday night, when the Jayhawks play host to Kent State (8-3).

The Golden Flashes are ranked No. 133 in the country in the 2015 Pomeroy Ratings, far below the majority of KU’s other opponents to date.

KenPom.com rankings for KU’s non-conference opponents

(Through Dec. 28)

No. 1: Kentucky (13-0)

No. 15: Florida (7-4)

No. 21: Utah (9-2)

No. 22: Michigan State (9-4)

No. 28: Georgetown (8-3)

No. 50: Rhode Island (7-3)

No. 67: Temple (9-4)

No. 83: UC Santa Barbara (5-6)

No. 95: Tennessee (7-4)

No. 113: UNLV (9-3)

No. 133: Kent State (8-3)

No. 142: Lafayette (8-3)

No. 182: Rider (6-6)

The No. 13 Jayhawks (9-2) need a get-right game after losing by 25 points at Temple prior to the holiday break. Playing Kent State, out of the Mid-American Conference, could be exactly what Bill Self’s team needs, with the brutal Big 12 schedule beginning very soon.

KenPom.com rankings for the Big 12

(Through Dec. 28)

No. 10: Texas (11-2)

No. 12: Oklahoma (8-3)

No. 16: Kansas (9-2)

No. 17: Baylor (10-1)

No. 19: West Virginia (11-1)

No. 20: Iowa State (9-1)

No. 25: Oklahoma State (9-2)

No. 47: TCU (12-0)

No. 96 Kansas State (7-5)

No. 146: Texas Tech (9-3)

Kent State coach Rob Senderoff’s team ranks 38th in the nation in 3-point shooting (39%), but KenPom.com ranks the Golden Flashes 170th in adjusted offensive efficiency (Kansas is 17th).

Let’s meet the Kent State players KU will have to hold back to get back in the win column.

GOLDEN FLASHES STARTERS

No. 35 — Jimmy Hall, 6-7, soph. F

A transfer from Hofstra, the Golden Flashes’ leading scorer (13.7 points) and rebounder (7.3) became the program’s first player to produce at least 10 points in his first eight games at Kent State since Jay Peters in 1986-87.

In just 25 minutes against UTEP, Hall went for 20 points and 10 rebounds.

He does plenty of damage on the offensive glass, grabbing 3.1 of his 7.6 boards a game on that end.

While Hall gets to the free-throw line (46 attempts) as much as any player on the team, he only shoots 50% at the charity stripe.

The Blue Ribbon College Basketball yearbook named him Preseason MAC Newcomer of the Year.

No. 0 — Devareaux Manley, 6-4, sr. G

This is one of the Golden Flashes who can’t be left unattended behind the 3-point line.

Manley (11.7 points per game) shoots 45.6% from long range and has already drained 36 3-pointers.

In December, he’s leading Kent State with a 14.2 points per game average.

Five times this season, Manley has hit four or more 3-pointers, including an incredible 7-for-10 outing vs. North Carolina A&T.

No. 23 — Derek Jackson, 6-1, sr. G

Like Manley, he is a 3-point threat, having converted on 43.2% of his attempts this season — 19-for-44.

Jackson made a season-high four from downtown against UTEP.

But the senior guard can set up his teammates, too (3.3 assists). And he’s the team’s most successful ball hawk, averaging 2.0 steals a game.

The little guy even ranks second on the team in dunks this season, with four, trailing only big man Khaliq Spicer’s 12.

No. 21 — Khaliq Spicer, 6-9, jr. F/C

Speaking of the dunking big man, that’s about all he has to his offensive game. He has only made 19 shots this season.

Spicer at least averages 5.8 rebounds for Kent State. Twice this year, he has pulled down double-digit boards.

Twice last season, he blocked four shots in a game.

No. 13 — Gary Akbar, 6-5, jr. G/F

While he has bounced between a starting role and a bench role, he has barely registered on offense for Kent State, scoring only 2.6 points a game.

More of a ball-mover for the Golden Flashes, he set a career high with four assists vs. N.C. A&T.

Akbar has made just 10 of 30 shots since arriving from San Jacinto College.

GOLDEN FLASHES BENCH

No. 1 — Kris Brewer, 6-3, sr. G

Kent State’s third-leading scorer does his damage as a reserve. Brewer has made 16 of 41 3-pointers and averages 10.8 points, while leading the team with 3.3 assists.

A 71.7% shooter at the foul line, he made the game-winning free throw with 2.9 seconds remaining against North Dakota State.

Last season, he tied a MAC record for most 3-pointers in a game without a miss, going 7-for-7 at Miami (Ohio).