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

Here are the tournament seedings, matchups and Saturday's scores.

FIRST SEED: Central Michigan (16-2 in MAC, 23-6 overall), which came from behind in the fourth quarter at home to beat Eastern Michigan 76-69.the Chippewas will play the winner of the Toledo-Akron game in Wednesday's quarterfinals.

SECOND SEED: Ball State (13-5, 21-9), which beat Western Michigan on the road in overtime. The Cardinals will play Eastern Michigan or Northern Illinois Wednesday.

THIRD SEED: Kent State (11-7, 18-11). Even though the Flashes lost to Buffalo 72-58, they had already clinched the third seed. They tied for third with Ohio but got the better seed because they had a better Eastern Division record. The Flashes could play Buffalo again Wednesday if the Bulls beat Miami in the first round.

FOURTH SEED: Ohio (11-7, 18-11), which routed Miami 92-78 in Athens, breaking a four-game losing streak. Ohio will play the winner of the Western Michigan-Bowling Green game.

FIFTH SEED: Western Michigan (10-8, 17-12). Its loss to Ball State means the Broncos will play first round game at home Monday against Bowling Green. The teams split in the regular season. Winner of that game plays Ohio Wednesday.

SIXTH SEED: Buffalo (9-9, 18-11). The Bulls are hottest team in league going into the tournament, having won five in a row. The only other winning streak in the conference is just two games, belonging to Northern Illinois. Buffalo will play Miami Monday. The Bulls swept the regular season series with the Redhawks. Buffalo-Miami winner plays Kent State in quarterfinals.

SEVENTH SEED: Eastern Michigan (9-9, 14-15). Its loss to Central sent them into a tie with Buffalo, who had the tie-breaker because it beat the Eagles in their only meeting. EMU will host Northern Illinois Monday. The teams split in the regular season. Winner plays Ball State.

EIGHTH SEED: Akron (8-10, 15-14). The Zips beat Bowling Green 70-61 in Akron to get the last spot for a home game in the first round. Akron will play Toledo, which won the only meeting between the two teams in the regular season. Winner plays Central Michigan.

NINTH SEED: Toledo (7-11, 12-17). The Rockets lost 86-79 at home to Northern Illinois, costing them their chance for a home game. Toledo did win its only game with Akron, their Monday opponent. Winner plays Central.

TENTH SEED: Northern Illinois (7-11, 11-18). The Huskies lost the tie-breaker with Toledo because the teams split and Toledo had beaten first-place Central Michigan. NIU will play at Eastern Michigan. The teams split this season. Winner plays Ball State.

11TH SEED: Miami (4-14, 11-19). Miami’s loss to Ohio means the Redhawks end the regular season on an eight-game losing streak. Miami will play Monday at Buffalo, a team it lost to twice. Winner plays Kent State.

12TH SEED: Bowling Green (3-15, 10-20). Falcons did win one more than they did last season and had a lot of close losses. They play Monday at Western Michigan, one of the three teams it beat this season. Western and BG split their two games. Winner plays Central.

Final MAC standings

MAC women’s Tournament Central, with schedule and ticket information.

First round of MAC Women's Tournament is tonight. Games are:

• Bowling Green at Western Michigan.
• Miami at Buffalo.
• Northern Illinois at Eastern Michigan.
• Toledo at Akron.

All games are on ESPN+. Links to the broadcasts and capsule summaries of each game is on the blog at http://wbbFlashes.

Kent State will play the winner of the Buffalo-Miami game. Flashes beat Miami twice, lost to Buffalo twice.

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Also on the blog are my votes (I actually get some official ones) on postseason MAC awards. I don't see a KSU player on the all-MAC first team, but Katie Shumate and Nila Blackford could easily both make the all-freshman team. Asiah Dingle would be my first choice for 6th Player of the Year, but I'm not sure she's eligible.

It's all at http://wbbFlashes.com.

I agree with all your choices except Blackford (I’m sure your not surprised). Shooting 16% from 3, 63% from the free throw line and 42% from 2(most of which are layups) just isn’t that good. Admittedly I haven’t studied the competition and they do have to pick 5 so maybe she will squeak in. I for one thought the teams offense flowed better without her when she was hurt. The potential is there but it needs to develop next year. They will really need her to step up if Buffalo is the opponent Wednesday or it will be a short tournament.

By the way on your comments about Starkey you mentioned he had to overcome 3 injuries. Poole was obvious. Are you counting Blackford and Carter as the other 2? You obviously aren’t a Columbus Blue Jacket fan. They have had anywhere from 8-12 players (out of 20) on the injury list most of the season. Now that’s something to overcome (still in a playoff position in spite of that, although just barely right now with 12 games to go)! They have been basically the Columbus Monsters (aka Cleveland Monsters) this year.

(03-09-2020 06:32 AM)burden Wrote:  I agree with all your choices except Blackford (I’m sure your not surprised). Shooting 16% from 3, 63% from the free throw line and 42% from 2(most of which are layups) just isn’t that good. Admittedly I haven’t studied the competition and they do have to pick 5 so maybe she will squeak in. I for one thought the teams offense flowed better without her when she was hurt. The potential is there but it needs to develop next year. They will really need her to step up if Buffalo is the opponent Wednesday or it will be a short tournament.

By the way on your comments about Starkey you mentioned he had to overcome 3 injuries. Poole was obvious. Are you counting Blackford and Carter as the other 2? You obviously aren’t a Columbus Blue Jacket fan. They have had anywhere from 8-12 players (out of 20) on the injury list most of the season. Now that’s something to overcome (still in a playoff position in spite of that, although just barely right now with 12 games to go)! They have been basically the Columbus Monsters (aka Cleveland Monsters) this year.

Carter only missed a couple of games, but she's been playing sick most of the season. Dingle's suspension fits here, too.

They haven't been killer injuries, but last season one starter missed one game because of an injury. This year has been more challenging.

Blackford is the fifth highest scoring freshman and the highest ranked rebounder. She's the No. 2 freshman in shot blocking (Shumate is first.) The only competition I see for her for the fifth spot on the all-freshman team is guard Sydney Freeman of Ball State, who averages 10 points, shoots 38% from the field and 31% from 3, averages three assists and three rebounds.

I couldn't find anyone else who averaged more than six points and six rebounds.

(03-09-2020 12:32 PM)cschierh Wrote:  

(03-09-2020 06:32 AM)burden Wrote:  I agree with all your choices except Blackford (I’m sure your not surprised). Shooting 16% from 3, 63% from the free throw line and 42% from 2(most of which are layups) just isn’t that good. Admittedly I haven’t studied the competition and they do have to pick 5 so maybe she will squeak in. I for one thought the teams offense flowed better without her when she was hurt. The potential is there but it needs to develop next year. They will really need her to step up if Buffalo is the opponent Wednesday or it will be a short tournament.

By the way on your comments about Starkey you mentioned he had to overcome 3 injuries. Poole was obvious. Are you counting Blackford and Carter as the other 2? You obviously aren’t a Columbus Blue Jacket fan. They have had anywhere from 8-12 players (out of 20) on the injury list most of the season. Now that’s something to overcome (still in a playoff position in spite of that, although just barely right now with 12 games to go)! They have been basically the Columbus Monsters (aka Cleveland Monsters) this year.

Carter only missed a couple of games, but she's been playing sick most of the season. Dingle's suspension fits here, too.

They haven't been killer injuries, but last season one starter missed one game because of an injury. This year has been more challenging.

Blackford is the fifth highest scoring freshman and the highest ranked rebounder. She's the No. 2 freshman in shot blocking (Shumate is first.) The only competition I see for her for the fifth spot on the all-freshman team is guard Sydney Freeman of Ball State, who averages 10 points, shoots 38% from the field and 31% from 3, averages three assists and three rebounds.

I couldn't find anyone else who averaged more than six points and six rebounds.

Ok. Then she makes it but her shooting still has to improve a ton or she is a Barber Smith who takes a lot of shots.

Except for the last four games, she's a far better offensive player than Merissa. But I get your point.

(03-09-2020 02:24 PM)cschierh Wrote:  Except for the last four games, she's a far better offensive player than Merissa. But I get your point.

Of course she is better than Merissa but the ball needs to start going in for her to prove it. She is so wide open so often but the end result is no better than a turnover. We need her to be able to beat Buffalo.

Now I know how the Knicks felt in the early 90s when they constantly ran into the Chicago Bulls in the NBA Playoffs.

Kent just can’t get away from Buffalo in the women’s tournament. Drawing a team you went 0-2 and lost by an average of 13 points is not ideal.

(03-09-2020 03:57 PM)JimJoyce Wrote:  Now I know how the Knicks felt in the early 90s when they constantly ran into the Chicago Bulls in the NBA Playoffs.

Kent just can’t get away from Buffalo in the women’s tournament. Drawing a team you went 0-2 and lost by an average of 13 points is not ideal.

Not to mention they have knocked us out of the tournament the last two years. Miami upset Buffalo on the men’s side but unfortunately Buffalo held serve on the women’s side.

Yes. Buffalo is a tough matchup for the Flashes, mostly because they're an extremely physical team and very good offensive rebounders. And they have guard Dyaisha Fair, the fourth-leading scorer in the conference and the favorite for MAC freshman of the year.

Buffalo has won six in a row, including Saturday's win over KSU, and is playing like a top 4 seed. The reason they finished sixth was a six-game losing streak before the current win streak started. The Bulls have clearly righted the ship.

Buffalo led 57-28 at halftime against Miami on Monday and won 87-72. Miami played much better in the second half, going on a 15-0 run at one point. Buffalo's three top players were on the court at least 32 minutes. The Bulls will be playing their third game in five days Wednesday.

Game time Wednesday will be about 8 p.m. (Games start a half hour after the previous one finishes, so times are inexact.)

Other first-round results:

No. 9 Toledo 63, No. 8 Akron 59. Rockets will play No. 1 Central Michigan Wednesday.

No. 7 Eastern Michigan 76, No. 10 Northern Illinois 69. Eastern will play Ball State.

No. 5 Western Michigan 84, No. 12 Bowling Green 67. Western will play No. 4 Ohio Wednesday.

The blog has more detail, broadcast info (everything is on ESPN+) and links to ticket information at http://wbbFlashes.com.

Interesting comparison between freshman Korinek and freshman Blackford in Conference play. Korinek numbers first.

Minutes 27.2 vs. 29.1
Blocks 7 vs. 6
Turnovers 43 vs. 36
Assists 18 vs. 19
Rebounds 4.4 vs. 8,1 (advantage Nila)
Points 8.6 vs.11.5 (advantage Nila)
FT % .710 vs. .571 (advantage Jordan)
3pt. 0/1 vs. 2/12
FG%. 0.488. Vs. 0.376 (advantage Jordan)

With the low FT and FG % Nila still managed to score 2.9 more a game. That % almost has to improve (at least the FG%).


In her sophomore year Jordan made significant improvements in scoring (15.4), FG% (0.527), FT% (0.816) and in rebounds (6.3). Let’s hope for the same from Nila.

(03-10-2020 10:47 AM)burden Wrote:  Interesting comparison between freshman Korinek and freshman Blackford in Conference play. Korinek numbers first.

Minutes 27.2 vs. 29.1
Blocks 7 vs. 6
Turnovers 43 vs. 36
Assists 18 vs. 19
Rebounds 4.4 vs. 8,1 (advantage Nila)
Points 8.6 vs.11.5 (advantage Nila)
FT % .710 vs. .571 (advantage Jordan)
3pt. 0/1 vs. 2/12
FG%. 0.488. Vs. 0.376 (advantage Jordan)

With the low FT and FG % Nila still managed to score 2.9 more a game. That % almost has to improve (at least the FG%).

You have a 6'4 physical transfer from the Big Ten on the roster next year with NIT championship plus NCAA 2nd round experience..

(03-10-2020 10:53 AM)Fan12 Wrote:  

(03-10-2020 10:47 AM)burden Wrote:  Interesting comparison between freshman Korinek and freshman Blackford in Conference play. Korinek numbers first.

Minutes 27.2 vs. 29.1
Blocks 7 vs. 6
Turnovers 43 vs. 36
Assists 18 vs. 19
Rebounds 4.4 vs. 8,1 (advantage Nila)
Points 8.6 vs.11.5 (advantage Nila)
FT % .710 vs. .571 (advantage Jordan)
3pt. 0/1 vs. 2/12
FG%. 0.488. Vs. 0.376 (advantage Jordan)

With the low FT and FG % Nila still managed to score 2.9 more a game. That % almost has to improve (at least the FG%).

You have a 6'4 physical transfer from the Big Ten on the roster next year with NIT championship plus NCAA 2nd round experience..

Who played 11 minutes per game against back up Big 10 players and averaged 1.4pts per game and 1.5 rebounds. Decent FG% of 0.545 and a 0.415 FT% (on only 17 attempts so???). She’ll help us on certain match ups for sure but I’m not ready to anoint her all MAC. Will she be a Julie Studer or a Tiffany LeFleur. Time will tell. I like the height though we certainly need some.

(03-10-2020 11:06 AM)burden Wrote:  

(03-10-2020 10:53 AM)Fan12 Wrote:  

(03-10-2020 10:47 AM)burden Wrote:  Interesting comparison between freshman Korinek and freshman Blackford in Conference play. Korinek numbers first.

Minutes 27.2 vs. 29.1
Blocks 7 vs. 6
Turnovers 43 vs. 36
Assists 18 vs. 19
Rebounds 4.4 vs. 8,1 (advantage Nila)
Points 8.6 vs.11.5 (advantage Nila)
FT % .710 vs. .571 (advantage Jordan)
3pt. 0/1 vs. 2/12
FG%. 0.488. Vs. 0.376 (advantage Jordan)

With the low FT and FG % Nila still managed to score 2.9 more a game. That % almost has to improve (at least the FG%).

You have a 6'4 physical transfer from the Big Ten on the roster next year with NIT championship plus NCAA 2nd round experience..

Who played 11 minutes per game against back up Big 10 players and averaged 1.4pts per game and 1.5 rebounds. Decent FG% of 0.545 and a 0.415 FT% (on only 17 attempts so???). She’ll help us on certain match ups for sure but I’m not ready to anoint her all MAC. Will she be a Julie Studer or a Tiffany LeFleur. Time will tell. I like the height though we certainly need some.

Don't fool yourself with the MAC and Big Ten caliber of play.. Big Ten is much , much better with bigger bodies and athletics.. Ive watched this kid play against the top post players in the country and she handled them all .. Ive also watched all Kent's game's this year... especially post play ... not even close of a comparison ..

this kid is going to tear this league up...

(03-10-2020 11:40 AM)Fan12 Wrote:  

(03-10-2020 11:06 AM)burden Wrote:  

(03-10-2020 10:53 AM)Fan12 Wrote:  

(03-10-2020 10:47 AM)burden Wrote:  Interesting comparison between freshman Korinek and freshman Blackford in Conference play. Korinek numbers first.

Minutes 27.2 vs. 29.1
Blocks 7 vs. 6
Turnovers 43 vs. 36
Assists 18 vs. 19
Rebounds 4.4 vs. 8,1 (advantage Nila)
Points 8.6 vs.11.5 (advantage Nila)
FT % .710 vs. .571 (advantage Jordan)
3pt. 0/1 vs. 2/12
FG%. 0.488. Vs. 0.376 (advantage Jordan)

With the low FT and FG % Nila still managed to score 2.9 more a game. That % almost has to improve (at least the FG%).

You have a 6'4 physical transfer from the Big Ten on the roster next year with NIT championship plus NCAA 2nd round experience..

Who played 11 minutes per game against back up Big 10 players and averaged 1.4pts per game and 1.5 rebounds. Decent FG% of 0.545 and a 0.415 FT% (on only 17 attempts so???). She’ll help us on certain match ups for sure but I’m not ready to anoint her all MAC. Will she be a Julie Studer or a Tiffany LeFleur. Time will tell. I like the height though we certainly need some.

Don't fool yourself with the MAC and Big Ten caliber of play.. Big Ten is much , much better with bigger bodies and athletics.. Ive watched this kid play against the top post players in the country and she handled them all .. Ive also watched all Kent's game's this year... especially post play ... not even close of a comparison ..

this kid is going to tear this league up...

Backups ?? ( this kid was 6th man off the bench ) played against all starters .. research before posting ...

Kent State’s Nila Blackford and Katie Shumate made Mid-American Conference all-freshman team, and sophomore Lindsey Thall was named to all-defensive team announced today by the MAC.

Shumate and Megan Carter were honorable mention all-MAC.

Micaela Kelly of Central Michigan was league player of the year, Central's Heather Oesterle coach of the year and Buffalo's Dyaisha Fair freshman of the year.

Details at are on the blog at http://wbbFlashes.com.

(03-10-2020 11:47 AM)Fan12 Wrote:  

(03-10-2020 11:40 AM)Fan12 Wrote:  

(03-10-2020 11:06 AM)burden Wrote:  

(03-10-2020 10:53 AM)Fan12 Wrote:  

(03-10-2020 10:47 AM)burden Wrote:  Interesting comparison between freshman Korinek and freshman Blackford in Conference play. Korinek numbers first.

Minutes 27.2 vs. 29.1
Blocks 7 vs. 6
Turnovers 43 vs. 36
Assists 18 vs. 19
Rebounds 4.4 vs. 8,1 (advantage Nila)
Points 8.6 vs.11.5 (advantage Nila)
FT % .710 vs. .571 (advantage Jordan)
3pt. 0/1 vs. 2/12
FG%. 0.488. Vs. 0.376 (advantage Jordan)

With the low FT and FG % Nila still managed to score 2.9 more a game. That % almost has to improve (at least the FG%).

You have a 6'4 physical transfer from the Big Ten on the roster next year with NIT championship plus NCAA 2nd round experience..

Who played 11 minutes per game against back up Big 10 players and averaged 1.4pts per game and 1.5 rebounds. Decent FG% of 0.545 and a 0.415 FT% (on only 17 attempts so???). She’ll help us on certain match ups for sure but I’m not ready to anoint her all MAC. Will she be a Julie Studer or a Tiffany LeFleur. Time will tell. I like the height though we certainly need some.

Don't fool yourself with the MAC and Big Ten caliber of play.. Big Ten is much , much better with bigger bodies and athletics.. Ive watched this kid play against the top post players in the country and she handled them all .. Ive also watched all Kent's game's this year... especially post play ... not even close of a comparison ..

this kid is going to tear this league up...

Backups ?? ( this kid was 6th man off the bench ) played against all starters .. research before posting ...

She played 11 minutes a game. How much could she have played against starters? All I’m saying is until I see a transfer or freshman play all you have are statistics. Believe me I hope your right. Our post play has been below average no doubt.

Burden you should know better than to argue with a parent on a message board.

(03-10-2020 01:31 PM)burden Wrote:  

(03-10-2020 11:47 AM)Fan12 Wrote:  

(03-10-2020 11:40 AM)Fan12 Wrote:  

(03-10-2020 11:06 AM)burden Wrote:  

(03-10-2020 10:53 AM)Fan12 Wrote:  You have a 6'4 physical transfer from the Big Ten on the roster next year with NIT championship plus NCAA 2nd round experience..

Who played 11 minutes per game against back up Big 10 players and averaged 1.4pts per game and 1.5 rebounds. Decent FG% of 0.545 and a 0.415 FT% (on only 17 attempts so???). She’ll help us on certain match ups for sure but I’m not ready to anoint her all MAC. Will she be a Julie Studer or a Tiffany LeFleur. Time will tell. I like the height though we certainly need some.

Don't fool yourself with the MAC and Big Ten caliber of play.. Big Ten is much , much better with bigger bodies and athletics.. Ive watched this kid play against the top post players in the country and she handled them all .. Ive also watched all Kent's game's this year... especially post play ... not even close of a comparison ..

this kid is going to tear this league up...

Backups ?? ( this kid was 6th man off the bench ) played against all starters .. research before posting ...

She played 11 minutes a game. How much could she have played against starters? All I’m saying is until I see a transfer or freshman play all you have are statistics. Believe me I hope your right. Our post play has been below average no doubt.

As a freshmen she came in at at the 4 1/2 minute mark in the 1st Qt all season .. and played every Qt of the game .. some games avg 18-20 minutes.. ( 6th man )

As a soph she also was the 6th man ... until injuring her ankle .. competition is strong at a any power 5 team ..Kid played in every game where the game was on the line .. she battled and won 20 plus minutes towards the end of season when IU made their run into the NCAA Tourney .. ( 20 plus minutes Texas ) 1st round .. ( 17-18 miuntes ) 2nd round Oregon.. 25 plus minutes Big Ten Tourney .. Coming from the Big Ten to the MAC and playing big important minutes against the elite .. is a huge confidence builder ...

She will produce and is a producer .. she has the look of a Big Ten player and plays like one...

(03-10-2020 01:40 PM)JimJoyce Wrote:  Burden you should know better than to argue with a parent on a message board.

Oh well