The unofficial online home for fans of the Kent State University Golden Flashes. Part of Collegiate Sports Nation (CSN).

The Bobcats are coming off a tough loss at James A. Rhodes Arena and do not want to find themselves 1-3 in the MAC, especially with a home loss. This is one of three Wednesday games that could set the early tone in the East.

Akron travels to Buffalo. A win for UA would guarantee the Zips at least a share of first place after the first East swing. The Bulls are reeling (I think its that trolls fault personally) but could do the rest of the division a favor with a home win. I think they will and Zeke will be on the bench for long stretches with foul trouble. Buffalo 68-60.

Miami is at BG. The Redhawks showed some grit knocking off Buffalo after losing yet another player before the game. I think BG needs this game more than Miami seeing as its at the Stroh Center. BG 74-68.

As for the good guys, their hand will be full at the Convocation Center. From what I saw on TV Saturday my opinion of OU hasn't really changed. Although I give Baltic and Keely credit for going after Marshall, they were overmatched in the paint. But they are active and tough. So keeping Greene out of foul trouble is key number one. I think if he is on and gets some help on the boards the Flashes will be in great shape.

I do like the Bobcat back-court, especially DJ Cooper. He isn't afraid to shoot and he isn't afraid to drive to the hoop. He has a couple of nice wing guys that seem to open things up for him well. The nice thing is that I don't think Porrini will give him an inch. dannyb, you have me convinced! Kent State 67-62. 14 a piece from Greene and Holt.

Kent State 3-1
Akron 3-1
Buffalo 2-2
BG 2-2
Miami 1-3

I wish Gaines was available for this one. Porrinni might have some trouble guarding Cooperall night. A breather or two would have help. He also needs to stay out of foul trouble.

(01-16-2012 11:51 AM)fallsdog Wrote:  The Bobcats are coming off a tough loss at James A. Rhodes Arena and do not want to find themselves 1-3 in the MAC, especially with a home loss. This is one of three Wednesday games that could set the early tone in the East.

Definitely a tone-setter. Could either see some separation or more of traffic jam.

(01-16-2012 03:09 PM)burden Wrote:  I wish Gaines was available for this one. Porrinni might have some trouble guarding Cooperall night. A breather or two would have help. He also needs to stay out of foul trouble.

I think we will see some Kris Brewer on DJ. The good thing is DJ has been pulling up for a lot of jumpers.......and been cold lately.

The amount of shots DJ takes tends to depend on how well his teammates are playing. If other guys are scoring, he'll get the ball to them. If they're not, he tries to do it himself... and he's not so good at that.

(01-16-2012 11:13 PM)OZoner Wrote:  The amount of shots DJ takes tends to depend on how well his teammates are playing. If other guys are scoring, he'll get the ball to them. If they're not, he tries to do it himself... and he's not so good at that.

Here's to DJ chucking 'em up.

I might just start copy/pasting my predictions. If we play a complete game, we win handily: 73-60r. If we let off the gas, get ahead of ourselves, let the opposition back in, we will thrash in the water and win by a shot. Green scoring the winning shot, 62-60. That might be generous to Ohio with the way our defense can step up, but that is why it is a home game for OU.

I like your thinking Alpha! "You've got to take your defense on the road with you."

I would be very impressed if Kent scored 70. Only two teams have managed to do that on OU in regulation this season. Aside from a post-Christmas lull that culminated in the Bowling Green loss, Ohio's been a good defensive team.

By the way, Justin Greene was MAC East Player of the Week. Pretty easy call when he avg. 23 ppg. last week.

I think I speak for most Kent fans when I say we have nothing but respect for Bobcat basketball. Thats for you JSF!

These teams are remarkably similar statistically.

And yet they are opposites if you look at the tempo-free aerial...

Really looking forward to this one. I'd love to see both teams have peak performances. Let's give STO a show!

IMHO, OU will have to be hot from the arc to win. Defense is the way to win on the road and I think our players are in tune with that. I have been a little disappointed in our ability to defend the 3 at the end of the shot clock so this is where we can get hurt. I understand that the perimeter shots have not been outstanding for OU lately, but I will not question their ability to get that on track. Let's hope that it is not tonight.

I will be the guy. I will say it. I don't really like OU. As a whole, I think they (fanbase and players) are arrogant. I would love to show up and drill them. I am not sure that's possible, but I would love that. This game is simple. It comes down to making shots. Both teams are going to turn it over, have some fouls that are untimely and unnecessary, but if we take high percentage shots and make them, we will win. If they adhere to that formula, they will win. I think KSU comes out with the superior poise we have seen before, plays well, makes shots, defends, (not sure about rebounding), and wins the game.

Ohio fans are arrogant but I wish Kent's fan base was as big and just as arrogant. I understand why schools like Kent with a large amount of commuters might struggle to have as many students at games but I never understood why the adult alumni weren't as numerous and as loud. Maybe you have to develop that as a student I don't know.

I will contend that both teams will make the shots if the defense is soft. Shots falling against good defense can happen but it is usually not for an entire game and will have a large dose of luck involved. We have all seen that, but good defense for 2 halves will usually win out. We live and die with our defense. I think that we hold them somewhere in the mid 50's. We should score in the mid 60's and maybe higher.

(01-18-2012 01:47 PM)dannyb73 Wrote:  I will be the guy. I will say it. I don't really like OU.

But you hide it so well!

(01-18-2012 03:57 PM)burden Wrote:  Ohio fans are arrogant but I wish Kent's fan base was as big and just as arrogant. I understand why schools like Kent with a large amount of commuters might struggle to have as many students at games but I never understood why the adult alumni weren't as numerous and as loud. Maybe you have to develop that as a student I don't know.

I would take more fans but not arrogance I find that annoying and distasteful.

As for Ohio they are out in the middle of nowhere. Outside of going to a game or drinking what are you going to do (and that came from an Ohio gall) and after going there a few times I would have to agree? How many Kent students just go home for the weekend? When there is so much around and so many people can easily get home every weekend it is difficult to attract people unless you are already established which we are not. I have known many out of state people that become among our best fans since they have no choice but to go to sporting events and be excited since they can't just go home.

In addition to that I think Ohio has done a good job though outside of remoteness I am not sure what they do exactly.

(01-18-2012 05:13 PM)Sultan of Euphonistan Wrote:  As for Ohio they are out in the middle of nowhere. Outside of going to a game or drinking what are you going to do (and that came from an Ohio gall) and after going there a few times I would have to agree?

This is not at all basketball related, and I'm not picking on you, but this has really started to bug me. Nothing to do? It's 20-freaking-12. There are more entertainment options than there have ever been in the history of our species. Saying "nothing to do" is a lazy suburbanite's way of trying to justify their drinking. Drinking happens no matter how much there is "to do." If you can't find something to amuse yourself, that's your fault. You can't tell me Muncie or Oxford is hopping with more activity than Athens, yet Miami can't draw flies despite a program than been more successful than their rival's for 40 years.

And "middle of nowhere" is just code for "rural." Columbus is less than 90 minutes away and the Nelsonville bypass will make it even quicker. If people need a city, it's easily accessible.

Quote:In addition to that I think Ohio has done a good job though outside of remoteness I am not sure what they do exactly.

Right. Basketball talk. It's simple indoctrination. If you're a future or prospective student and you take in an OU game and you like the O Zone, you're going to want to get involved. They have people recruiting incoming freshmen at orientation and have a table at the annual student involvement fair. After a time, it becomes self-sustaining. It's become a defining part of OU culture.

Probably less than half of Ohio's attendance come from the locals. Students and staff make up the majority. People driving from Columbus makes up a decent chunk. OU is good about lining up special weekends with basketball. Part of the reason Saturday might sell out is because it's Dad's Weekend.