Kent State’s men’s basketball team took home multiple Mid-American Conference honors ahead of the MAC tournament.

For the first time in his 11 years as the Flashes head coach, Rob Senderoff won the MAC Coach of the Year. This year Senderoff won his 200th career game, and he is the winningest coach in the program’s history.

“First off, it really should be staff of the year,” Senderoff said in a statement. “The assistants, graduate assistants and support staff deserve credit for this award.”

“Second, it’s a team award. Our team deserves a lot of credit for battling throughout the course of the year and finishing off the regular season in incredible fashion. Lastly, I want to thank my wife, Lauren, who handles so much of the things I can’t handle because I’m working with our team. She deserves credit for this along with my two kids.”

He also won his 100th career MAC game, moving him into seventh place in the MAC rankings for all-time wins. This season was Senderoff’s seventh 20-win season, a program record. 

Redshirt junior guard Sincere Carry was awarded MAC Player of the Year award. Carry is the fourth Kent State player in program history to win the award.

“I am blessed in a lot of areas, not just basketball,” Carry said in a statement. “I’m blessed to have my family around to support me. Last year, I was just coming to Kent to be a regular student. But the relationship that me and Coach Sendy built made me want to play basketball and be part of the family that he has. I would not be able to receive this award without giving credit to my teammates. They put a smile on my face every day, make it fun and make me a better player. I think this award defines my character more off the court than on the court because I had to fight for this.”

Carry was fifth in the MAC in scoring, averaging 18.7 points per game, and second in the league in assists per game, averaging 4.8. Carry shot 44 percent on season and 36 percent from three point range. 

“I’m really happy for Sincere and proud of what he has done,” Senderoff said in a statement. “His journey to Kent, his level of consistency in practice and every game is tremendous. This is well deserved. There were a lot of really good players in the league that had good years. For him to get this recognition is a heck of an honor and accomplishment.”

Carry was also named to the All-MAC First Team and the MAC All-Defensive Team. Carry was seventh in the league in steals per game, averaging 1.5.

Redshirt senior forward Justyn Hamilton was awarded the MAC Sixth Man of the Year. Hamilton averaged 8.2 points per game, and was eighth in the MAC in rebounding, averaging 6.4 rebounds per game. 

“It means everything to me,” Hamilton said in a statement. “In the beginning of the season, I lost my father. Every time I step on the court, I go hard for him. This proves that when you go hard, the hard work pays off. I just want to shout out to my father.”

He was sixth in the league in field goal shooting percentage, averaging a 52.8 shooting percentage and was first in the MAC in blocks, averaging 1.3 blocks per game.  

“Last year he started every game for us,” Senderoff said in a statement. “His willingness to accept and thrive in his role coming off the bench this season talks about the selflessness of not just him but our entire team. With some of the personal trials and tribulations he has been through this year, it is a great achievement for him to be recognized.”

Redshirt junior guard Malique Jacobs joined fellow guard Sincere Carry on the MAC All-Defensive Team. Jacobs was sixth in the conference in steals per game, averaging 1.5. Jacobs was 11th in the MAC in blocks per game, averaging 0.8. 

“To have two guys on the all-defensive team is a testament to what we have done in the regular season on the defensive end,” Senderoff said in a statement. “Malique [Jacobs] is the engine to our defense and Sincere [Carry] has done a great job all year as a defender. For us to get two players on there is quite an accomplishment, and it is something I’m really proud of for both them and our entire group.”

Jacobs received honorable mentions after scoring 12 points per game. Jacobs was fifth in the league in rebounds, averaging 7.6 rebounds per game, and 11th in assists per game, averaging 3.1.

Kent State holds the No. 2 seed in the tournament and will take on Miami University on Thursday. Tipoff will be at approximately 4:00 p.m., taking place 30 minutes after the second MAC tournament game. (Information on tournament found here).

Jacob Hansen is a reporter. Contact him at [email protected].