By: Mark Wasik
Thursday, February 20
7 p.m. – Kennesaw State (15-11, 7-6 CUSA) at UTEP (17-8, 7-5 CUSA)
Location: Kennesaw, Ga. | KSU Convocation Center (3,805)
TV: ESPN+ (Nolan Alexander/Brandon Johnson/Jade Barkett)
Live Stats: Statbroadcast.com
Game Notes: KSU Notes | UTEP Notes
Follow KSU Men's Basketball - X | Instagram
KENNESAW, Ga. – Kennesaw State men's basketball is home for its final two games in the Convocation Center starting with Thursday night's battle with UTEP in the KSU Convocation Center. The game will tip off at 7 pm and will be streamed live on ESPN+.
A FEW NOTES
♦ The Owls are looking to avenge their earlier loss to the Miners, where KSU held a large second half lead in El Paso in January before seeing UTEP rally for the win. KSU still had a chance to win that game at the end but Cottle's last second-shot was off the mark, one of three losses for the Owls in Conference USA play where they had the ball for the final shot with a chance for a win or to force overtime but came up short.
♦ With just five games left in the conference schedule for the Owls, their path for a top half finish is becoming clearer, and a win on Thursday over UTEP to claim a season split would be huge to keep the Owls in the running for a top-five seed.
♦ A huge difference for Kennesaw State this year is its work on the defensive side. A year ago, the Owls ranked 186th in field goal percentage defense and 263rd in three-point percentage defense. KSU has made a complete turnaround in 2024-25, ranking 48th in the nation in field goal defense at 41.1%, which is also fourth in Conference USA.
♦ KSU has been pounding the boards this season, as the Owls currently rank fourth in the nation in rebounding at 41.9 per game, which paces Conference USA. They are also 16th in rebound margin at +7.5, also the top mark in the league.
♦ KSU's freshman class is currently the fourth-highest scoring freshman class in the nation at 38.7 ppg, trailing only Duke (49.5 ppg) and Rutgers (44.6 ppg), and South Dakota State (40.3).
