It was an ugly win. We need to steal any road wins possible, so I'll take it. But it was ugly.
A few thoughts:
1. We had great seats in row "A" floor level directly across from the Flashes bench and next to their locker room. From that view, nashville, there were several times I thought Kent would lose. If Todd Peterson had not fouled out, we may have lost. We could not stop him. We were next to Northern's bucket the first half, and Peterson buried 4 three pointers right in front of us. He was wide open on all of them. I was ready to chip in after the last shot right before the half. NIU had one shot left, the crowd
(what there was of it) was yelling "It's T.P.'s shot", they got him the ball wide open in the same spot and he hit hit it again! J.C.was furious walking into the locker room...jaw clenched, fists clenched, kind of stomping as he walked. I don't think the pep talk was pretty.
2. We got down by 14 early. Stayed outside the entire time. Some were not bad shots, just could not buy a bucket at some points. I think we went almost five minutes without a bucket. Every possession seemed to be three passes and lose it or a quick outside shot that did not fall. Jakeaway got us out of a slump with a three, then Bedford lit up a few. They were the only two who got anything going from the outside.
3. I understand why you all are so excited about Scott Cutley. We were next the the Flashes bucket the second half, so got to see all of his inside work . He is very quick and has great timing.
4. I will give Cliff Brown the benefit of the doubt with the flu. Enough said. Except for hitting two foul shots at a critical point in the last ten minutes, he did not have his game. Had to play him when Bedford got his fourth whistle.
5. The NIU zone really bothered the Flashes at several points, but especially in the last three minutes. Plus, they had several possessions where they played "Kent State Basketball". One in particular was someone ( I forget who) actually mugging Big John after a rebound, forced the big guy to the floor and got a possession with 14 seconds left and the Huskies down by two. We had no momentum and they had it all. Thank God for the Flashes' last defensive stand.
A thought about the MACC here. I have not been to many MAC arenas but cannot imagine any nicer than NIU's Convocation Center. Its got to seat about 10K. I know this is due to the Huskies' fans giving up, but the place was DEAD and the vast sweeps of empty seats exaggereated the lack of enthusiasm. Did not look at the box score, but we estimated 1,000 fans. I'm not kidding when I say there was virtually no student section, unless you count the band and dance squads. I mean there might have been 50 in the student section. The point? It made me appreciate having a smaller arena we could fill up and create a home court advantage. It may need some renovation, but I say keep it.
Sorry I did not stop by to say "hello", Robert. It was a hectic day and I left work later than expected. Walked out without your note. My spouse threatened to leave if I walked around behind the broadcaster's table looking for a guy named Robert I connected with in a internet chat room. As I was already pushing it on the weeknight road trip, decided not to take up the challenge. Maybe you spotted us. We had the Kent State signs directly across from the Flashes' bench. Your team is not as bad as you believe. Hand in there.
I'm not down on this team. It was just not their night and NIU played well. We won one we could have easily lost, hung in there and played with poise on the road. This team has a track record of bouncing back and I believe they will. Go FLASHES!
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