Most of the national media, and fans everywhere are anticipating the big showdown Saturday night. Some fans and internet talkers have called it the biggest MAC basketball game ever.
I would sit there and tell you that Miami and Akron are the two best MAC teams at the same time since 2001-2002 when Kent State defeated a 24-5, Dan Dakich led Bowling Green team.
All of the national love and talk is beyond warranted. Miami is one of the best MAC stories of all time, and a top story in college basketball this season. What Akron has done the last two seasons, and beyond, is ridiculous. 40-2 in their last 42 league games is elite. If it wasn’t for Miami, they would be the top story.
And then there is the Kent State Golden Flashes. At 23-8 and 14-4, they’ve had one of the best regular seasons in school history. KSU has been in the MAC over 70 years and its just the fifth time they’ve had 14 or more league wins. They beat a good Toledo team twice, Bowling Green twice and Ohio, UMASS, and Buffalo in their only meeting. I don’t know if their run of success over 27 years, the run that Senderoff has had, and the tradition of the program is appreciated enough.
Yes, the losses were loud. An overtime loss to Miami in front of a sold out crowd where Kent State had a late two point lead in regulation hurt. Two non-competitive losses to their rival hurt. And a head scratching road loss to Central Michigan was frustrating. But, the ability to win close games was evident this season. KenPom calls them “lucky”. I’m not sure what exactly goes into that. Yes, they won a lot of close games. Some might say those games shouldn’t be that close. But winning in college basketball is hard, and everyone is trying to win.
The MAC tournament descends upon downtown Cleveland this week and Kent State looks to break up the party, and the arraigned national media marriage of Miami and Akron.
Kent State, the #3 seed opens with #6 seed Ohio Thursday night around 6:30pm at Rocket Arena.
PREVIEWING OHIO
Ohio comes in having lost three in a row, including a gut wrenching loss to rival Miami Friday, in what was an all-time MAC atmosphere. Losses to UMASS and Toledo came before the Miami loss. Perhaps Ohio is happy not to see Toledo in the tournament, as the Rockets have owned the Bobcats in the recent series.
Point guard Jackson Paveletzke is some kind of play maker. The Wisconsin native and Wofford/Iowa State transfer is excellent in the mid-range, can play in a guard post up game, shoot the three and good in transition. Kent State did the job on him last time holding him to six points on 2-6 shooting. Toledo transfer Javon Simmons got a bag of cash to inter-league transfer and is a load in the post, looking to go over his right shoulder to his left hand. Aiden Hadaway is an X-factor. Emotional and at times volatile, the 6-7 stretch four from Georgia can be that third scoring option for Head Coach Jeff Boals. Speaking of Boals, he has had his team make runs in Cleveland before and more times than not, the Bobcats are playing good basketball this time of the year. Ohio went 0-7 this year against the top five seeds in league play.
The first matchup saw Rob Whaley not play. Kent State out rebounded Ohio by 20, which was good because the Flashes committed 20 turnovers, including a lot of live ball steals by the Bobcats. Kent State needs to play clean basketball and limit the turnovers, win on the glass, win in the paint, and corral Paveletzke. If they do thsoe things, they should be in a good position to win.
If they do win, they most likely set up a third matchup with the Zips. It goes without saying, they’ll have to play among their best games of the year to win. I would like to think the Zips aren’t all that much better then the Flashes as they looked in a recent home loss by KSU. If Kent State can play free and easy, and well, they’ll have a chance. Senderoff teams that are considered underdogs, typically perform well historically speaking.
And the reward for beating them, is more than likely going to have to be to beat Miami the next night. Daunting? Yes. But it’s March, and crazy things happen in March at the MAC tournament, Hopefully Kent State can crash the party.
X-Factor
We wrote it before the season in our preview, but when he’s on the court, focused and engaged, Whaley Jr, can be the X-factor. When he’s on his game, he is an unstoppable force. The decision making and passing out of the post, the ability to back down and finish on top of the basket and his ability to impact the game is unlike anyone else in the league. If he can play through fatigue, play harder for longer, and avoid foul trouble, he’s among the more unique matchup issues in the league.
HONORS
The MAC announced their all-conference teams Wednesday. It was no surprise that Gillespie was named 1st Team and all-defensive team. He leads the nation in double doubles and has had a historic season. Safford was named Honorable Mention and freshman Quinn Woidke made the all-Freshman team.
Peter Suder from Miami won MAC Player of the Year, to the surprise of some. Tavari Johnson from Akron is outstanding and what Gillespie has done would warrant player of the year honors in most normal years that didn’t have a 31-0 team.
Kent State plays the late game Thursday around 6:30pm. The pre-game alumni event is at Jolene’s Honky Tonk, instead of Flannery’s Pub like it was for so many years.
IF YOU DON’T
The game will be on ESPN+ Thursday and broadcast on AM 1350 The Gambler with Dane Richardson with pregame around 6:00 or 6:15pm.
GOLDEN FLASH REPORT
The GoldenFlashReport.com domain will be ending soon. Rest assured, I will find a way to bring content in some way, form or fashion. Life is busy, and I haven’t always had the time to break down things for fans. Don’t worry, I’m always thinking Kent State and reppin’ them in some way just like all of you!
Here’s hoping we’re all sharing our memories of a MAC Championship this weekend.
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