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While making the elite 8 will probably be the high water mark of Kent St. basketball, I am beginning to agree with Golden Flash68 that this might be a better team. They are better at center no question. But I am beginning to believe that Fisher is better than Huffman and that Singletary might be better than the Thomas/Shaw combo. That might be a stretch but something is making this team awfully good. They had that one stretch where they looked like they were running out of gas but they really have turned it around over the last 5 games. Anybody else have some thoughts?

I'm not ready to put the 2008 team ahead of the squad from 2002, in large part because of the tourney run. That's a huge separator for me. Though, when breaking the teams down by personnel, I give the edge to the 2002 version.

Huffman/Mitchell vs. Fisher/Mincy/Sherman
Edge to 2002. Huffman and Mitchell, as a duo, brought so much to the table (perimeter shooting, dribble penetration, passing, defense) and complemented each other perfectly.

Singletary vs. Thomas/Shaw
Right now I have this as a push, partly because Singletary still gets into foul trouble, which means his effectiveness is reduced. Also, while Chris has the edge offensively, Shaw was a better defender and rebounder.

Gates vs. Scott
Edge goes to Gates.

Gerwig vs. Q
Q wins this one.

Bench
I'd give the edge to the 2002 team, which I think was more productive and had more specialists. Haut could and did hit the three; Edwards provided defense in the middle; Thomas could score and defend; Bedford did a lot of the little things; Wilkins, who didn't see that much playing time, but did provide a little perimeter scoring.

Where I really see similarities between the two teams is with their regular seasons:

• Each started the season with a bad loss. The 2002 team lost to Hofstra (I don't count the Mercyhurst win as the first game because they're D2) and the 2008 squad lost to Detroit.

• Both teams played Xavier and Illinois State in back-to-back games, and both teams lost to the Musketeers but beat the Redbirds. Interestly, in 2002, Xavier finished 22-5 overall and 14-2 in its conference. This year's team currently is 23-4 overall and 11-1 in conference.

• Both teams lost to a storied program (2002 - Kentucky, 2008 - UNC).

• Both teams nearly ran the table in the MAC (2002 - 16-1, 2008 - 11-2 so far).

• Both teams lost a road MAC game in the final seconds that they should've won (2002 - Buffalo, 2008 - Toledo).

• Possible Defensive POY for both teams (2002 - Shaw, 2008 - Q).

• As of today, both teams have three players who score in double digits (2002 - Huffman, Mitchell, Gates; 2008 - Fisher, Scott, Q). Though Singletary is a whisker under 10 ppg, there's a good chance the 2008 team will finish with four double-digit scorers.

• Both have dominating defenses (2002 - held opponents to 63.5 points per game, 2008 - is holding opponents to 62.5 points per game).

• Both teams possibly undefeated at home.

• Jim Christian was a coach on both teams, albeit in different positions.

• And hopefully we can add later that both teams won the MAC regular season, were the No. 1 seed, won the MAC Tournament, and made it to the Elite 8.

barndog Wrote:• And hopefully we can add later that both teams won the MAC regular season, were the No. 1 seed, won the MAC Tournament, and made it to the Elite 8.

Hey, why stop at the Elite 8... :ugaexams:

I really like this years team too but IMO it's way to early to compare theese guys vs. 2002 (in a serious manner). Gotta remember that the MAC was a better league that year than this year. That '02 BUGS team probably wins the MAC in most years.

* '02 KSU was a better rebounding team from top to bottom than '08. Gates, Shaw, Gerwig, ET and the guards collectively were a fierce group.

* AF is probably as good an offensive player and as good a rebounder as Trevor and Andrew were but he is nowhere near as good a defensive player as either was. I remember the year before, at the end of year 2001 banquet, T-Huff was pissed that he didn't win the MAC Defensive player of the year instead of Shaw. AF is not in that discussion. Anyone remember Andrew chasing down an opposing player who thought he had a breakaway lay-in only to see 'Drew come from behind and swat thew ball near the glass? Only "Q" on this years team has that type ability...

Just my 2 cents worth...I hope at the end of the year we are seriously debating these issues!

Whoa, Nelly! Let's wait a few weeks. If you want to compare this team to 2002 at the same point in the seasons, fine. A case could be made for 2008 vs. 2002 on February 23rd. But, that 2002 team continued to improve, greatly. Let's see what this team does.

Um last I checked we still have 3 REGULAR season games left. I know this is all in good fun, but let's make sure we even are in the tourney before the comparison begins. And really it is not fair to the 2008 team to hold them to the past. They are their own destiny.

Very interesting posts from all on this thread. Its fun to talk about this kind of stuff. I think we all knew this team had potential to be special. Right now they are still a very good team. If they finish out with a MAC Championship and NCAA Tourney win, they will go down as a GREAT team and at least the second best in the 10 year run. Lets see how we finish, I'm really excited and regardless this team has been great fun to follow!!!!!!

GO FLASHES!!!!!