Cleveland State and Miami get votes in the preseason basketball poll. Kent State zilch. The 20-win streak and returning so many letter winners from last year's MAC championship team mean nothing.
http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/rankings?pollId=1
I saw that poll earlier this morning, Kent 76. What means nothing is a preseason poll. Charlie Coles and Gary Waters must have each had a friendly voter, that's all.
Kent76,
I have to say I wouldn't have voted for Kent State either. Not yet.
Right now, I'd probably even pick them third in the MAC East.
I want to see some significant improvement from their interior defense and some more toughness inside before I'm ready to think of this as a championship team. Geno is a very good coach, and I think he will inspire and teach his bigs to defend the paint, but from what I've seen so far in practice this team may give up a lot of points early on as they get used to life without Q and Mike Scott.
There is talent, and they are working hard, but there are some bigs who just don't know how to play defense at this level yet. And with their heads spinning, they just don't look very tough at the moment. And then the guards are loaded with talent, but they need to play better defense at ever to close out the lane. They are used to having that safety net waiting behind of them, so they aren't used to having to play the type of defense they'll need this season.
You may not see the kind of shutdown defense you are used to at Kent State until the second half of the season. I already expect year's team may be a very good defensive team. But this year, they may have some tough times early unless they start to click soon on defense. '
I wouldn't be surprised to see KSU win the MAC tournament with its talent in the backcourt, but in a long regular season, I think the Flashes will experience some growing pains as they learn to defend the way Geno is asking them to.
David, I didn't mean to imply that I thought they deserved Top 25 votes. I just meant that one would think that by now they would get a vote or two based upon their continued success over 10 years. On second thought, though, the bad first-round NCAA loss in March didn't help matters.
Kent 76,
I understand. I wasn't criticizing. I'm just trying to temper enthusiasm a bit :)
I don't want anyone to be too disappointed because there is a good chance this team will take a little while to get going. I think they can be very good, but they may be a bit frustrating for a few months first.
Anyone else see opening up slow as a sort of issue?
11/17 NCCU
11/19 @ SLU
11/23 UNCW
11/28 ILL (at South Padre)
11/29 Texas A&M or Tulsa (at South Padre)
12/01 @ KU
12/04 St. Mary's
That right there is a tough stretch. After losing at Detroit to start the season last year, I won't take any game for granted. I really want to be as optimistic as anyone else, but if David's concerns are true (and, I have no reason to not believe them), this start to the season could be 1-6. I would absolutely love to go 4-3 in that stretch. We really will see what this team is made of early on. Hopefully, they pull it together pretty quick!
I understand, David. It certainly can take a long time to gel even with lots of returning starters if you have players new to the program and/or a new head coach. Kent State has both. The 2001/02 team had Gates and Gerwig new to the program, and a new head coach, and it took quite a while for them to reach their potential even with so many veterans. I won't start to contemplate what this team can achieve at least until mid-January.
Kent76,
I think that 2001-02 team is a good example. I don't know that they will be clicking by the time the MAC season starts (that team was 19-1 in the league after a slow non-league start) ... but by tournament time, they could be really good ... assuming they figure things out defensively, grow their identity and find a few players willing to really fight inside.
Also, KSU needs Chris Singletary's legal situation to work out. No Singletary and I would bet on fewer than 20 wins for the first time in a decade.
What's up with Chris and his legal situation. It almost seemed as if they were just brushing it under the carpet as we haven't heard anything about it in a while.
I agree with Carducci and Kent 76. The fact is we will just have to wait and see, I guess. From what you all say, though, it looks like the potential is there, at least.
dannyb73 Wrote:What's up with Chris and his legal situation. It almost seemed as if they were just brushing it under the carpet as we haven't heard anything about it in a while.
Nothing is happening right now. Have to wait for him to either go to court and fight it, or he can settle and make deal to put the whole thing behind him and allow him focus on the season.
If it were me, I would fight it. But it may not be worth it to Chris.
Kent State is replacing Q and Scott which are big shoes at the 4 and 5 spots. If Singletary is suspended, then that makes three starters to replace. Sherman also out so that makes for a lot of missing parts to replace. New Coach is always a transition. Kent State had such a horrible showing in the NCAA tournament which is the last impression of the team. Miami has Bramos back along with Dierkers and Hayes. That is a tough trio to stop. BGSU has the experience team this year so they aren't a push over. Akron and Ohio are rebuilding a bit, but should be decent at home. Buffalo is Buffalo.
Quote:What's up with Chris and his legal situation. It almost seemed as if they were just brushing it under the carpet as we haven't heard anything about it in a while.
Spoke to a few people at KSU in positions to know about Chris' situation recently. Kind of a double edged sword here- they don't seem to be too worried about this situation, supported Dave's comments about the noise violation situation being blown way out of perspective. It's a very good thing for Chris that he had some parents witness the events and stand up for him. On the other hand, no one seems sure exactly what's involved here, and as its a pending case no one is commenting. As Chris' court date is supposed to be this Thursday, we'll know how this works out soon.
One observation about Chris that sticks with me was from a person who is far from a bleeding heart and pretty much a KSU enforcer . In so many words, Chris is not only a good kid, but a fantastic kid when one considers all that he has to overcome. He's not evil or malicious...he doesn't know how to handle his emotions when overwhelmed and does stupid stuff. It would be a shame for him to come this far only to lose his golden opportunity .
OUBOBCATJOHN Wrote:Miami has Bramos back along with Dierkers and Hayes. That is a tough trio to stop.
What is up with all this love for Miami? I really dont understand where people are getting this idea that Dierkers, Hayes, and Pollitz are exceptional players.
Dierkers averaged over 30 minutes a game last year, but averaged a paltry 6.1 ppg. Hayes also averaged over 30 minutes a game, and though he did average 12 ppg, he had less than 2 apg. Finally, Pollitz averaged 26 minutes per game with 5.5 ppg, 3.3 rpg, and 1.5 apg. These guys would be second-stringers in Kent's offense. Why are they getting put on a pedistal?
Not to mention they have absolutely NO depth at any position. After the starting 4 of Bramos, Dierkers, Hayes, Pollitz, no other player had more than a 10 min. per game average.
I know Charlie always gets his guys to perform, but I really don't see this team becoming any kind of dominant force in the conference.
Why does it seem like Miami always has 6 year players on their roster?
Because Miami plays in slow motion and they take 6 years to play four years worth of basketball.