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[quote='Muskrat' pid='17260761' dateline='1612618246']
I'm really tired of all the losses to Akron since that period when Kent State was the "flagship" MAC program. I'm not going to look it up, but I'm sure it's below .500 against them over the last 10 seasons.
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9-15 under Sendy

(02-06-2021 10:07 AM)luckyflash Wrote:  [quote='Muskrat' pid='17260761' dateline='1612618246']
I'm really tired of all the losses to Akron since that period when Kent State was the "flagship" MAC program. I'm not going to look it up, but I'm sure it's below .500 against them over the last 10 seasons.
[/quot

9-15 under Sendy

I mean, we are talking about a rivalry that sits basically at .500 historically. It stings, sure, yet until this season sweep, most of those losses came early on. And as mentioned earlier, would venture to say over the last 10 years (24 games) Kent's record is likely comparable to how many times it has actually been favored. (And Kent was not favored in either game this season).

Just an aside -- prior to the 2 losses this season, Sendy was 5-4 vs. Akron since 2017. --- It's a rivalry game.

Without a high volume 3 pt scorer, correcting this team will be a challenge. We, as fans, tend to think that the correction must come from offense. My disgust is this teams lack of defensive desire. This is not typical for a Sendy coached team. I think that he slipped this year because he was getting offense productivity that resulted in wins. Last night, I saw what was probably the worst defensive effort in years. Akron played a mediocre second half but still played at will. We have played some good defensive possessions, but not for a game. If we win from here on out, IMO, it will be because of great defensive effort. After watching DP and Beck, stand flat footed as drivers get to the bucket, and then tie that to our poor perimeter defense, I am doubtful.

As for Gio, I love the guy. He controls the pace and delivers the pass as it should be done. He makes pure point guard an art form. He just needs players around him. We have to recognize that he has a slow release on the shot and most likely will not be a prolific scorer. However, all good teams need a Gio.

What disappoints me is here we are again in early February trying to figure out how to be better and play 3 good games in March. That just does not work very often. I agree we lose to Akron mostly when we are the underdog. The trick is to be good during the regular season and be favored once in awhile.

(02-06-2021 01:09 PM)GFlash68 Wrote:  Without a high volume 3 pt scorer, correcting this team will be a challenge. We, as fans, tend to think that the correction must come from offense. My disgust is this teams lack of defensive desire. This is not typical for a Sendy coached team. I think that he slipped this year because he was getting offense productivity that resulted in wins. Last night, I saw what was probably the worst defensive effort in years. Akron played a mediocre second half but still played at will. We have played some good defensive possessions, but not for a game. If we win from here on out, IMO, it will be because of great defensive effort. After watching DP and Beck, stand flat footed as drivers get to the bucket, and then tie that to our poor perimeter defense, I am doubtful.

As for Gio, I love the guy. He controls the pace and delivers the pass as it should be done. He makes pure point guard an art form. He just needs players around him. We have to recognize that he has a slow release on the shot and most likely will not be a prolific scorer. However, all good teams need a Gio.

I agree about the defense, and this being unusual for Sendy. But let's not forget the bulk of this team is new, despite being jr/sr, and frankly overachieved (based on nearly all predictions) until the injuries ... to the point as stated above the 'D' became secondary to the 'O.' Prior to injuries, can't remember a Kent offense this explosive.

Also, this is not a traditional Kent offense, playing 5-out. Only time Kent pounds the ball inside is with O'Neal. Other than that, it's either cuts to the hoop or backdowns by DP or Beck. Nuga's ability to drive AND hit 3s is a big loss. Ditto Hamilton playing above the rim.

Gio is good just like Jalen Avery was good ... because there were other more dangerous players on the court with him. Gio's barely 10ppg now. Tough seeing even that hold up if Gio becomes a focus for opponents defense.

Now, quite likely, Sendy has to tweak the offense somehow. DP is just not a post player so that's out. O'Neal looks to be a solid 12-15 minute guy, but that's it. Soooo, Defense has to step up, but flipping the switch on that can be tough. We'll see.

The next option is a bench player rising to the occasion. So far not much hope for Bainbridge, Hernandez or VCD in that department. Bainbridge is completely lost ... Hernandez looks to be good when he's a junior, but he's a freshman right now. VCD is not a shooter/perimeter player, and while he's likley moved ahead of Bainbridge on the baseline, that's not really where Kent's issues are.

Perhaps Jordan??? ... but he has yet to show the hot streaks (3 pters) he had in the junior college ranks. Even if he has a breakout game ... will he have another?

So now it's back to defense. Nine games left to fix it.

(02-06-2021 02:19 PM)burden Wrote:  What disappoints me is here we are again in early February trying to figure out how to be better and play 3 good games in March. That just does not work very often. I agree we lose to Akron mostly when we are the underdog. The trick is to be good during the regular season and be favored once in awhile.

i tend to agree

(02-06-2021 05:49 PM)fallsdog Wrote:  

(02-06-2021 02:19 PM)burden Wrote:  What disappoints me is here we are again in early February trying to figure out how to be better and play 3 good games in March. That just does not work very often. I agree we lose to Akron mostly when we are the underdog. The trick is to be good during the regular season and be favored once in awhile.

i tend to agree

Actually ... had Kent been at full strength the Flashes probably would have been favored, and by more than a point or two.

wow, great comments everyone.
i'm sure sendy & the staff are thinking the same thougts we are.

on the plus side, we have a relatively easy schedule from here on out (with exception of next game at BG & last game at UB.) you figure we'll make-up one or both of the cancelled league games (at BSU, at MIA) between feb 20th & 27th.

the next game is a crucial one. despite being only 6-6, BG is a worthy opponent for sure. would be a big win in many ways: the most important being getting our confidence back.

go flashes!!

PS no one mentioned the awful commentary by espnu crew in friday's game. god, that was bad. had the volume way low last 7/8ths of the game. they were talking about everything but he game at hand. extremely painful.

(02-06-2021 09:45 PM)GoKsuFlashes! Wrote:  go flashes!!

I tend to agree

(02-06-2021 08:55 AM)cleveland Wrote:  

(02-06-2021 08:30 AM)Muskrat Wrote:  I'm really tired of all the losses to Akron since that period when Kent State was the "flagship" MAC program. I'm not going to look it up, but I'm sure it's below .500 against them over the last 10 seasons.

I looked it up. Actually, worst than I thought. With 2-wins this season Akron is 15-8 over the last 10 years including MAC Tournament. ... Last time Kent won both games was 2010 ... However, Kent was not favored in either game this season, and frankly can't recall very many when they were favored.

Only other clunker (before last night) I remember was loss at Akron in Groce's first year which was a game I'm sure Kent WAS favored in.

Actually Senderoff said even before the game that the adjustment to the loss of Nuga has to come from protecting the ball better and from better defense.

Their record against Akron the last ten years is also worse than I expected. The fact that Akron was favored in most of their wins doesn't help. It is depressing to see the main rival pass you by. Really depressing.

I understand why Kent State was not able to parlay its past success into becoming a national power. David Carducci explained that well several years ago. But what Akron has that Kent State lacks I don't get at all. The only possible explanation seems to me to be that Dambrot then Groce are just better at their jobs than Senderoff.

(02-07-2021 06:41 AM)Muskrat Wrote:  I understand why Kent State was not able to parlay its past success into becoming a national power. David Carducci explained that well several years ago. But what Akron has that Kent State lacks I don't get at all. The only possible explanation seems to me to be that Dambrot then Groce are just better at their jobs than Senderoff.

As mentioned before ... Last 4 years (before this year) Senderoff had a winning record vs. Akron. From 2000-2010 I'm sure Kent had the upper hand - slightly - over Akron. From 2011 to now Akron has had the upper hand, slightly.

Overall, the RIVALRY I believe there is less than a 5-game difference in the history of the matchup. That's why it's been called the best mid-major rivalry in the nation. Akron is no better than Kent ... and Kent is no better than Akron.

Just found this on the KSU website which pretty much explains it all. As you can see, before the most recent losses, Kent had won more than Akron since 2001 ... slightly, ... which BTW covers the entire Dambrot era.

Which points to another factor; we're talking about 5 different KSU coaches vs. 3 for Akron.

https://kentstatesports.com/sports/mens-...f-akron/25

Finally --- typical Kent. I was curious why the note above started in 2001, instead of 2000. So I checked. The teams split that year, HOWEVER, Kent's win (over an 18-win Akron team w/Bosley, Ball, Andrick, Phillips) was by a stunning 83-54. You'd think Kent would have wanted that game on the list.

(02-07-2021 06:08 AM)Muskrat Wrote:  

(02-06-2021 08:55 AM)cleveland Wrote:  

(02-06-2021 08:30 AM)Muskrat Wrote:  I'm really tired of all the losses to Akron since that period when Kent State was the "flagship" MAC program. I'm not going to look it up, but I'm sure it's below .500 against them over the last 10 seasons.

I looked it up. Actually, worst than I thought. With 2-wins this season Akron is 15-8 over the last 10 years including MAC Tournament. ... Last time Kent won both games was 2010 ... However, Kent was not favored in either game this season, and frankly can't recall very many when they were favored.

Only other clunker (before last night) I remember was loss at Akron in Groce's first year which was a game I'm sure Kent WAS favored in.

Is that the game Walker couldn't hit the lake with a paddle -- scored less than 10 points???

Agree... Really great comments by all

Just want to reinforce several items. Dan Dakich former BG coach is
An awful announcer. He ripped Kent all night with stories of fans at MAC
Center throwing coins at his BG teams ?? Also story about fan in a sweater
following him into hallway and picking a fight
He wants to be Dick Vitale but Dickie always respectful and positive
About all teams

Series with NORKA is even but let’s remember many many years NORKA
Was a Div II school. Kent bad those years and often lost to them
, one year NORKA won NCAA DII title.
Some years we didn’t play and often only once per year
I would like to research MAC years only.
I will work on that.
None of us can be satisfied with record vs Dambrot and Groce
Not acceptable.
Hopefully we get them again IF their is a MAC tourney.
Interview I heard this week with Gilbert CLE
Sports commission did not sound like it would be in CLE

(02-07-2021 03:23 PM)Older and Older Wrote:  Agree... Really great comments by all

Just want to reinforce several items. Dan Dakich former BG coach is
An awful announcer. He ripped Kent all night with stories of fans at MAC
Center throwing coins at his BG teams ?? Also story about fan in a sweater
following him into hallway and picking a fight
He wants to be Dick Vitale but Dickie always respectful and positive
About all teams

Series with NORKA is even but let’s remember many many years NORKA
Was a Div II school. Kent bad those years and often lost to them
, one year NORKA won NCAA DII title.
Some years we didn’t play and often only once per year
I would like to research MAC years only.
I will work on that.
None of us can be satisfied with record vs Dambrot and Groce
Not acceptable.
Hopefully we get them again IF their is a MAC tourney.
Interview I heard this week with Gilbert CLE
Sports commission did not sound like it would be in CLE

Let's be very clear on one thing: IT'S NOT A RIVALRY IF ONE TEAM WINS ALL/MOST OF THE TIME.

A real rivalry has the sense than either team can win at any time. There are swings (2000/2010, 2011-2021) where one team has an edge over the other, but in general, it's pretty even. And that is what this rivalry has been, especially over the last 20-some years.

Frankly, I think a neutral observer would look at the two programs since 2000 and say Kent has been the far better of the two, and that's even taking the 2002 season out of the equation. More quality non-conference regular-season wins, more post-season (NIT-and whatever) wins and more. Now add in 2002. Overall, if that means being generally .500 hed-to-hed w/Akron, I, for one, won't be crying over that.

Would think Dambrot/Groce would make that swap as well.

BTW ... Ditto on Dakich. Same (and more) could be said for BG fans at old Anderson Arena.

Dakich is a clown. Always has been. Akron and Kent State are rivals ONLY because of proximity. I don't expect Kent State to beat them every time, or even close to every time. But they should beat them a little more often, like maybe 60% of the time. And, by the way, Akron never won a national title in any division. They lost the championship game in 1964 and 1972, both games I remember well. Technically it wasn't D II, as D II started in 1973. Prior to that there was University Division and College Division. Akron was in the latter. College Division was, essentially schools now D II and DIII. Before 1957 there were no official divisions in basketball and none in football until 1962. Akron was basically what is now DIII until they started to climb up the basketball ladder in 1973 - first DII then D I a few years later. The MAC was considered to be a small school conference until joining the University division in 1962.