If the Kent State men’s basketball team is curious about what the NCAA Tournament will be like, it will get a taste Friday in Drexel.

The Flashes will play the Dragons (17-9, 9-7 Colonial Athletic Association) at 9 p.m. as a part of ESPNU’s BracketBusters.

The ninth-annual event consists of three days of men’s college basketball teams who have the potential to reach the NCAA Tournament. The collection of 114 teams is the largest BracketBusters pool in the event’s history.

While Drexel received the honor of hosting the televised event, the Flashes (17-8, 8-3 Mid-American Conference) are pretty used to being on the road.

Wednesday’s 86-80 overtime loss to Miami proved to be a speed bump in the four-game road series, ending a six-game winning streak and knocking the Flashes from first place in the MAC East.

“I think it was two evenly matched teams,” said Kent State coach Geno Ford. “For our situation (Wednesday), we did exactly what we wanted to do. (Miami) made enough plays to deserve to win. Unfortunately, we didn’t make some plays and missed some free throws. What are you going to do?”

The Flashes could redeem themselves with a win tonight.

The Dragons, who fell to UNC Wilmington 51-43 on Tuesday, will also be looking to recover from a loss.

Freshman forward Mark Henniger said the Flashes need to step up their defensive game if they want to be the ones who earn redemption Friday.

The players also need to maintain a sense of stamina that is obviously dwindling after all of this time on the road.

“When you start racking up miles and hotel stays and guys get tired, it’s hard to win road games, (especially) late in the season,” Ford said. “Our team’s gotten better, so hopefully we can just hang in there.”

Kent State has struggled on the road early in the season, but has turned around a previously losing road record.

But Ford said nobody really expected the first few away games to turn in Kent State’s favor anyway.

“To think we would take a team with 10 new guys and win at Florida and UAB on the road was unrealistic,” Ford said. “It’s not that we’re not talented enough to beat people like that, but you have to have games together. The two biggest things in offense are rhythm and timing, and you can’t get that right away with new people.”

At this point, the players have improved their chemistry and found lethal combinations to bring down their opponents.

Senior guard Rod Sherman, who posted 25 points against Miami, will work with reigning MAC East Player of the Week Justin Greene to provide a strong offensive front inside the paint.

Junior center Justin Manns and junior guard Michael Porrini will use their pairings of blocks and steals to protect the team on the defensive end.

Henniger said he wants to improve on his jump shot for the game, but as long as Kent State wins, he will be happy.

“Winning on the road is always a good feeling,” Henniger said. “I think we’re getting better on the road as we go. We’re coming together as a team, but also just playing better basketball.”

Contact Rachel Jones at [email protected].