The Kent State men’s basketball team played its first game on January 10, 1928, against the Akron Firestone Non-Skids. The game was played in Akron, Ohio, and resulted in a 30-20 loss for Kent State. The team was coached by Glen L. Wilcox and consisted of ten players, including team captain Chester “Chet” Van Deusen.

Despite the loss in their inaugural game, the Kent State men’s basketball program continued to grow in the following years.