All right, we blew out Emu by 36 so now it's time for a huge home game against UT in the MACC Rematch. Should be a good one but the way were playing right now, we should win. GO Flashes!!!
Yes, we are playing like a different team than before the New Year. I think JC faired the storm well from the suspensions and the "comming of age" by some players. I still see Toledo comming to play in a big way. We just need a lot of people in the stands. The team needs a big home court advantage.
If KSU is to repeat as MAC East champs, I think they have to win 6 of the last 7 MAC games. That means beating the weaker teams they should beat (Western & Buffalo) and also winning 3 of the 4 tough games left (Toledo at home, Miami at home, at OU and the Dips (sorry, I meant Zips) at home.
That would makes the Flashes 13-3 in the MAC, probably tieing the Dips for best record in the East. Then you'd have to look at each teams inter-division record to determine the East Champ.
Akron has the tougher task, 3 of their 4 tough games are on the road (at Toledo, at Miami and at KSU...only home vs. OU). KSU has 3 of these same 4 teams on the parquet at the MACC.
A week ago I'd have said the Flashes finish 1 game (maybe 2) behind Akron, but now, who knows. they surprised me last year & maybe they will this year as well...
The Toledo game is a big one. If you like me believe the best teams in the league are Akron, Toledo, Ohio and Miami our record is 1-2 with 4 games left. It's important to go 3-1 in the rest of them. Three of them are at home so that should help.
Sagarin's Predictor has us a little over 2.5 points better on a neutral court, add 4 for the home court, it would say we are about a 6.5 favorite Tuesday night. I imagine the real spread will be a bit less.
Of course, this spread is for informational and entertainment purposes only and is not to be used for illegal activities.
We gotta win the home games that we have left. Also need to beat Western to make sure they dont edge us out of a bye for the tournement.
Go to the game if you can.
If you can't, the next best seat is in the chat room. Steve reports from the media row, and you can't have better seats than that. Plus, you know what's happening real time without the broadcast delay.
http://kentstate.rivals.com
As of now, it will be a video feed on KZone. Wish I could go, but I'll be in front of the PC at 7!
will be there is spirit, and watching live on the KZONE.
Same for me, too far to make the drive by 7. I may even invite a UT fan over so I can enjoy the thrashing even more.
Glad to finally hear it's on K-Zone! It wasn't listed yesterday, I don't believe.
Now we need to find a way to watch the Geo. Mason game. I have Time-Warner as my ISP and I'm not happy and have let them know. But I don't think they care! :domokun:
Will be there screaming at some of the worst officials on the planet as usual. Damn do MAC refs suck! lol
axeme Wrote:Same for me, too far to make the drive by 7. I may even invite a UT fan over so I can enjoy the thrashing even more.
Glad to finally hear it's on K-Zone! It wasn't listed yesterday, I don't believe.
Now we need to find a way to watch the Geo. Mason game. I have Time-Warner as my ISP and I'm not happy and have let them know. But I don't think they care! :domokun:
Axe, according to the MAC website, all the home games for Kent will be available online. All the other games that were available on the MAC website ended up on K-Zone. Hopefully the trend continues as K-Zone is getting better each week. I was able to watch the EMU game yesterday! It's fun to watch a good ass whoopin now and again.
As for Toledo, they know how to force turnovers. I am hoping the whole team is ready for the press of UT.
BlueFlash Wrote:axeme Wrote:Same for me, too far to make the drive by 7. I may even invite a UT fan over so I can enjoy the thrashing even more.
Glad to finally hear it's on K-Zone! It wasn't listed yesterday, I don't believe.
Now we need to find a way to watch the Geo. Mason game. I have Time-Warner as my ISP and I'm not happy and have let them know. But I don't think they care! :domokun:
Axe, according to the MAC website, all the home games for Kent will be available online. All the other games that were available on the MAC website ended up on K-Zone. Hopefully the trend continues as K-Zone is getting better each week. I was able to watch the EMU game yesterday! It's fun to watch a good ass whoopin now and again.
As for Toledo, they know how to force turnovers. I am hoping the whole team is ready for the press of UT.
Is there a MAC team better able to handle the press than the Flashes? And one better able to take advantage of an overextended defense?
I say no! :soapbox:
I disagree on the officiating. Kent plays a game difficult to officiate due to the pressure and pace. Officials could take this style away from us at any time and we would have a much less chance of winning. We are very physical and we need to be.
I take it that you did not experience MAC officiating about 10 years ago. BTW, MAC officiating has been much better than the ACC officiating that I have observed this year.
Veteran and two-time final 4 official Mike Kitts will be on the game.
A little birdie told me that ticket sales are going well for the game. Will tommorow's cold weather keep a nice walkup crowd from making an appearance ? Bundle the kids up and get to the MACC !!!
One thing I look for tomorrow is can we keep our high intensity defensive presence up against a team like Toledo for the entire game ? We need to score a fair amount of points off turnovers and get UT into some early foul trouble. Oh, BTW, we need to continue our new found free throw shooting style :shhh: .
I will be able to brave the frigid weather and make the drive up. Hopefully, I get a good game to make it all worth it.
I don't know how much Toledo presses as much they guard you so tight from halfcourt in. But I haven't seen a game of theirs this year to know if they pick up full court.
I was in North Central Ohio last Wednesday and pleasantly surprised to see the game on my local Time Warner station even though the games were only to be shown to the surrounding counties. It was on the station they use for STO. It might be worth a shot to check if you get STO through Time Warner for anyone stuck at home in Ohio.
Thanks, Ill check STO tonight if I can't make it.
axeme Wrote:Sagarin's Predictor has us a little over 2.5 points better on a neutral court, add 4 for the home court, it would say we are about a 6.5 favorite Tuesday night. I imagine the real spread will be a bit less.
Of course, this spread is for informational and entertainment purposes only and is not to be used for illegal activities.
Sagarin's predictor is dead on. The line is (-6.5) with an over/under at (132) (according to scoresandodds.com). Here's hoping the line is just about right
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Here is The Sports Network.com's take on the game:
Toledo (12-9) at Kent State (14-8)
The Sports Network
DATE & TIME: Tuesday, February 6th, 7:00 p.m. (et)
FACTS & STATS: Site: M.A.C. Center (6,327) -- Kent, Ohio. Television: Local. Home Record: Toledo 6-0, KSU 8-1. Away Record: Toledo 4-6, KSU 4-7. Neutral Record: Toledo 2-3, KSU 2-0. Conference Record: Toledo 8-1, KSU 7-2. Series Record: Toledo leads, 77-39.
GAME NOTES: A key battle in the Mid-American Conference will take place this evening, as the red-hot Kent State Golden Flashes get set to host the Toledo Rockets from the M.A.C. Center. After a slow start to the season, the Rockets have been hot of late, winning eight of their last nine games. The last time Toledo was on the court the team posted a dominating, 64-48 victory over Bowling Green this past Saturday. The win over BGSU pushed the Rockets league mark to 8-1, which is tops in the West Division of the MAC. After tonight's contest the Rockets will have the luxury of hosting their next three matchups. As for the Golden Flashes, they have won five consecutive games, including a convincing, 82-46 victory over Eastern Michigan this past Saturday. KSU is 14-8 overall on the season and has an even better mark at home, posting an 8-1 ledger at the M.A.C. Center. Kent State has won seven of the last nine meetings against Toledo, however the Rockets still have a commanding, 77-39 edge over Kent State.
The Rockets might have a winning ledger on the season, but the team has been inconsistent offensively and comes into this matchup averaging just 69.1 ppg, despite shooting a solid 45.1 percent from the field. Keonta Howell has been the top option for Toledo for the majority of the season, as the guard is averaging 16.1 ppg, while collecting 4.5 rpg. Justin Ingram and Florentino Valencia have also made solid contributions, as Ingram is netting 15.2 ppg, while Valencia is posting 13.3 ppg to go along with a team-best 5.5 rpg. In the team's recent victory over Bowling Green, the Rockets only scored 64 points, but it was enough to get Toledo another league win. Against BGSU, the Rockets shot just 32.8 percent from the field, but connected on 20-of-29 attempts from the foul line en route to the win. Valencia paced the team with 17 points and eight boards, while Jonathan Amos added 16 points. Ingram chipped in 12 points to go along with eight rebounds.
As for the Golden Flashes, they have been nothing short of spectacular at the defensive end of the floor this season and flexed their defensive muscle in their recent win over Eastern Michigan. Against EMU, the Flashes held the Eagles to a 28 percent shooting effort from the field, which included an atrocious 3-of-22 showing from behind the arc. It was another remarkable performance by KSU, which is currently surrendering just 61.8 ppg, while holding the opposition to a meager 42.0 percent shooting effort from the field. At the other end of the court, the Flashes have not been as dominant, but the team has performed well enough to capture victories. Omni Smith and Armon Gates have both played well this season, as Smith is averaging 14.1 ppg, while Gates is producing 10.1 ppg.
This should be a thrilling battle from start to finish. Toledo has the offensive power, but considering this game will be played at the M.A.C. Center, look for the Flashes to pull out the win.
Sports Network Predicted Outcome: Kent State 69, Toledo 64