Lawrence, KS (SportsNetwork.com) - A pair of teams off to similar starts get together on Tuesday night, as the Kent State Golden Flashes come calling on the 13th-ranked Kansas Jayhawks. No one is going to mistake Kent State for an elite team, but the squad from the unheralded Mid-American Conference may be catching Kansas at the right time. The Jayhawks recently suffered their second loss of the season to an underwhelming Temple squad in Philadelphia last week, and in embarrassing fashion no less (77-52). The Golden Flashes also lost their last outing, falling in a 78-75 decision at home to UTEP three days before Christmas. The loss ended the teams four-game win streak, and despite being 8-3 on the season, KSUs detractors are quick to point out the fact that the Flashes havent beaten a quality team. Kent State tips off MAC action at home against Bowling Green on Jan. 7. Kansas had won eight straight prior to its recent setback. At 9-2, the other loss coming against top-ranked Kentucky (72-40) in Indianapolis back on Nov. 18, the Jayhawks are hoping to get back on track and build up another head of steam as Big 12 Conference play is set to begin at Baylor on Jan. 7. This bout marks only the second meeting between these two schools in mens basketball, with Kansas winning the first in an 87-60 final in Lawrence on Dec. 1, 2008. Jimmy Hall logged a double-double with 20 points and 10 rebounds, but that effort went for naught as Kent State dropped a three-point decision to UTEP last week. Derek Jackson scored 16 points and Devareaux Manley 13 more for the Golden Flashes, who shot just 39.7 percent from the field, going 9-of-28 from 3-point range in the process, while converting only 12-of-21 free throws. Conversely, the Miners made good on 52.3 percent of their total shots, and attempted a whopping 40 free throws, converting 27 of them. KSU committed fewer than half the turnovers UTEP did (7-15). Hall is netting 13.7 ppg to lead four players in double figures for Kent State this season, as the team generates just 65.5 ppg in hitting 42.1 percent of its total shots, which includes a 39 percent showing from beyond the arc. Manley (11.7 ppg), Kris Brewer (10.8 ppg) and Jackson (10.1 ppg) round out the offensive-minded quartet, and the Golden Flashes own narrow margins in both rebounding (+2.9) and turnovers (+2.0), while permitting just 58.8 ppg behind typical shooting outputs of .394 overall and .311 from 3-point land. Poor shooting and suspect defense were the culprits in Kansas humiliating loss to Temple, as the Jayhawks found the bottom of the net on only 32.1 percent of their field goal attempts, while the Owls were successful 58.3 percent of the time. KU was guilty of 17 turnovers, and was dominated in points off turnovers (21-4) as well as points in the paint (34-18). Frank Mason III appeared to be the only guy who showed up for coach Bill Selfs squad, as he drained four 3-pointers en route to a game-high 20 points. Kansas is scoring 70.2 ppg this season, shooting almost as well from beyond the arc (.392) as it is the field overall (.417). The teams defensive stand allows for opponents to net 65 ppg, and the Jayhawks are +6.3 in rebounding margin, but theyve been guilty of 143 giveaways (13 per tilt). Perry Ellis leads the squad in both scoring and rebounding, although his 12.5 points and 6.3 caroms per contest arent going to scare many opponents. Mason is next with 11.7 ppg, and he serves as KUs primary playmaker with 3.9 apg. Charles Barkley Jersey . After missing 20 games as a rookie a year ago, Valanciunas - like the Raptors as a whole - has been fortunate to be in good health this season. As he spoke about it, the Raptors sophomore centre scanned the room for wood to knock on. "It is disappointing because we lost today so thats the worst part of the day," said Valanciunas, who left Tuesdays game with a lower-back sprain in the third quarter, missing the rest of Torontos 118-113 overtime defeat at the hands of the Hawks. Steve Nash Jersey . Although head coach Randy Carlyle jokingly wondered how much actual training Bolland got done while in London. "I dont know how much training goes on when you go back to the junior team that you played for so I wouldnt read too much into that," laughed Carlyle after the Maple Leafs were put through an up-tempo practice that concluded with a 10-minute bag skate on Thursday. https://www.thesunslockerroom.com/Marquese-Chriss-City-Edition-Jersey/ . The Maple Leafs may not have had a pick until the third round, but they have made the biggest move of the second day of the Draft, dealing defenceman Carl Gunnarsson and a fourth-round pick in the draft to the St. Aron Baynes Suns Jersey . But history aside, theyre still happy to participate in the Par 3 contest, traditionally held on the day prior to the first round of the Masters. Tyler Johnson Jersey . Hes just beginning to get similar results. The right-hander struggled after winning the honour in 2008 and 2009, but a retooling of his game has begun to pay off and has the San Francisco Giants thinking about the Lincecum of old.LAKE FOREST, Ill. -- Chicago Bears safety Chris Conte had shoulder surgery in late March and will likely be out at least until the start of training camp, the team said Thursday. The expected recovery period is four to five months. Conte started all 16 games for the first time in his career last season, but struggled along with just about everyone else on defence. His worst moment was when he failed to lock onto Green Bays Randall Cobb in the closing minute of the final game. That led to a wide-open 47-yard touchdown pass from Aaron Rodgers on fourth down that gave the Packers a 33-28 victory and kept Chicago out of the playoffs. The Bears have been overhauling their defence, releasing defensive end Julius Peppers and signing Jared Allen to replace him.dddddddddddd Theyve also made several moves at safety, re-signing Craig Steltz and bringing in Ryan Mundy from the New York Giants, M.D. Jennings from Green Bay, and Danny McCray from Dallas. "I know Im going to have to compete for my position on this team," Conte told the teams website. "I am prepared to do that and felt having this surgery was the best way to be 100 per cent healthy and be the best player I can possibly be." The Bears also re-signed offensive tackle Eben Britton to a one-year contract on Thursday. ' ' '