CEDAR CITY, Utah - The Southern Utah University Men's Basketball team has been selected to host a first round game in The Basketball Classic. Thunderbird fans will have the opportunity to see a tremendous senior class play at least one more game, as the T-Birds will welcome the Kent State Golden Flashes to The America First Event Center this week. The matchup is set for Wednesday, March 16 at 7 PM MT, and will be available for viewing on ESPN+.

Southern Utah (20-11, 14-6) is making their third all time postseason appearance and will be seeking their 21st victory of the season, which would rank as the second most for any single season in SUU basketball history. The Thunderbirds have compiled an 11-3 record on their home court this year.

Kent State (23-10, 16-4) proves to be a formidable opponent, finishing second in the Mid-American Conference (MAC) for the regular season and falling in the conference championship game to Akron this past weekend. 

Wednesday's matchup will be the first ever between Southern Utah and Kent State, and will be the second time that Southern Utah Men's Basketball has hosted a postseason game in program history.

The first round game between the two squads has been designated as The Willis Reed Game. The Willis Reed Game is one of five first round games in The Basketball Classic in which the winner will receive a trophy on top of advancing to the second round.

Willis Reed is a legendary basketball player who spent his entire professional career with the New York Knicks. Reed was a 2x NBA champion and Finals MVP, earning seven NBA All-Star game selections throughout his storied career. Wednesday's contest will honor Reed, and the winning team will earn the right to raise a trophy in his name.

Ticketing information for the contest will be announced shortly.

For all the latest on Southern Utah men's basketball, follow @SUUBasketball on Twitter and Instagram, and like the Southern Utah Basketball Facebook page.