NORMAL, Ill.  – Kent State Men’s Basketball (24-9, 14-4 MAC) having punched their ticket postseason play for the second straight year begins the National Invitation Tournament on Wednesday night. The Golden Flashes will tip-off against the Redbirds of Illinois State University at 8:00 p.m. eastern time. Kent State has reached the NIT quarterfinals in each of their two previous appearances in the event.