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

I didn't watch or listen to the game Sunday. I did study the box and read the article from KSU athletics. Here are my takes so far, which basically are in line with most of what is being expressed by the rest of the fans.

#1 - You had to expect some growing pains considering the roster turnover.
The problem is "roster turnover" seems to be a common theme. If we think the backcourt is unsettled this season just wait to get a load of the frontcourt next season. While as fans we have to "wait and see" on guys like Adonis De La Rosa and Leo Edwards, recent history suggests too many misses in the paint. But I digress...

#2 - Closing out games/protecting leads is a major problem for this regime.
Yes, Kent State will close one out in the near future and there will be snide comments made about this point. And yes, it is becoming like beating a dead horse BUT...if you were a KSU opponent this season who did any scouting at all over the last few years would you feel beaten if you were down 5 with 3 minutes left? How about down 10 with 5 minutes left? Or down 17 at halftime? And forget down 2 with a minute left...might as well be tied.

Because I can tell you right now if Akron or OU or Buffalo had Kent in any of those positions I would turn the game off....well, maybe not any of them. But it is a bad trend. After a while it isn't just bad or dumb luck anymore. Its not teaching the guys how to win basketball games.

#3 - Lots of room for optimism
I am not the MAC expert I once was. But I have to figure you can make the argument that KSU has the best player in the conference on the roster. In addition to Hall I think Deon Edwin is a will to win guy who will make the growing process on the youngsters a bit easier. Plus I think a healthy Jaylin Walker has a pretty high ceiling. Four very winnable games coming up all at home. It will be interesting to take inventory after those four.

Finally. I am a firm believer in settling in a rotation ASAP. Give the guys a role they can count on. 11 minutes for Peterson and 6 for Pippen while Alonzo Walker gives you 3 points in 24?? I don't know.

Prayers to Columbus Ohio right now. We need to be better as a people!