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

When the worst 3 pt. shooting team in the conference (EMU) shoots 12/19 outside, and their strength is their size, length and depth INSIDE, you are in trouble. I think they are a bad matchup for us and don't want to see them again, and at the same time, I don't think they are really much of a threat in the MAC race. (Whether we are remains to be seen.) And, Jim, I think you are right about BG. They are a strong team on a roll and look to be the best team in the conference not named Buffalo.

Actually, it's doubtful anyone is really a threat to Buffalo this year. They are about as talented and well balanced a MAC team as I've seen in quite a long time.

Excellent come-back game for the Flashes after the aberration last Saturday.

Coach Sendy continues to tweak the rotations. Notably, I thought having PW & AF on the floor at the same time produced positive results. My first thought is why didn't they employ this rotation more against the bigger EMU squad?

JA continues to impress with his point guard acumen. Another four assist, zero t/o game.

MP looked more comfortable, but wish he would exploit his three point shooting more.

BJD was limited to seven minutes with no significant contribution. He just doesn't look comfortable out on the court. And I really hope he is putting the necessary time in to address his foul shooting.

Would like to see our freshmen get more playing time, but understand the importance of conference play impacts this.

The team's biggest threat/weakness for this year is playing against a team that plays a good zone defense with a big front court.

I think I partially agree with most of the posts, here's my thoughts... I should start with noting, I'm a big fan of Sendy.

1. We played a relatively weak NC schedule, but criticizing it seems pointless. With AD and DP not on the court, and our top JUCO recruit decommitting in the spring, the deck was stacked against us this year. Many of the NC games were close. I'm not convinced a tougher schedule would've made a significant difference other than adding more L's. How much worse would we feel if we went 8-7 with a tougher schedule but still started MAC play the same way?

2. There's no reason we can't still be proud of the Oregon St and Vandy wins just because we got stomped by a couple MAC teams.

3. Calling for Sendy's job after an 11-2 NC slate then two out of the first three MAC games isn't fair. Again, the deck was really stacked against him this year and before the season started most of us would've been thrilled to be sitting at 13-4 2-2 in conference.

4. The 4 teams we've lost to are ranked 22, 57, 132, and 155 on KenPom and they're all trending up. That's nothing to be embarrassed about.

5. Being critical of the coaching after the EMU and BG losses is completely fair. In his post game comments after the BG game Sendy basically blamed himself so I bet he'd agree.

6. Chalking the EMU loss up to a bad matchup is a cop out. They're size really wasn't the difference in the game. We have plenty of athleticism and shooters around the perimeter so that should've been a matchup problem for them as well. However we didn't move the ball quickly around the perimeter. Every time any player caught it on the perimeter they stopped to look in first. It seemed clear our plan was to try to throw it inside whenever possible. With their length, that's very tough if the zone isn't out of position. IMO we needed to move it faster and try to 1) get ahead of the zone's rotation so it could be broken down and 2) keep their players running on defense the whole possession to tire them out. One of the big downsides of a zone is the offense can put out relatively low effort while still making the defense work.

7. Personally, I'm really excited to face EMU again. I want to see how the coaches adjust and we'll find out a lot about our players mental make up to see how they respond to that epic beating they took.

8. One key trend in Sendy's teams is he likes to build his offense around a talented back to the basket player that they can throw it into and play inside out. They're trying to fit Whittington into that role this year and he's done a good job. However, his foul issues means he can't be counted on to stay on the court. Last year's team had the same issue building around AD.

9. When the key post offensive player has been Greene or Hall (4 seasons) Sendy's teams average 21.25 wins. When it hasn't been one of those two (3 seasons) they've averaged 18 wins. An elite offensive big that can stay on the court is really important to his style.

10. Sendy is the only coach to beat Buffalo in the MAC tournament since 2014. If it wasn't for that Kent team they realistically could be looking for their 5th straight MAC championship this year.

All very good points. All I have been saying is that their 13-4 record is not as good as it looks. I agree through that I would rather be 13-4 with a weak schedule than 9-8 with a tough schedule. Sendy obviously knew sooner than we did about Pippen and De la Rosa and probably scheduled accordingly. Like Muskrat I too have been disappointed in their MAC record over the last 5 or so years. I think we have to admit we are no longer one of the best teams in the MAC. I for one don’t know for sure whether it’s Sendy, the AD or the lack of money but they are just not as good. I have an opinion the last two our more important but it’s just based on my bias. After all if it is Sendy after a few years it reverts to the AD (or the lack of money making it impossible for him to buy him out) for not getting rid of him (was Hue Jackson to blame when the Harlems brought him back after a 1-31 record, I would say not).

(01-16-2019 07:11 AM)Muskrat Wrote:  A 13-4 record is terrific. A 2-2 MAC record isn't great, but nothing to panic over. I think, though, what has many concerned, including me, is the fact that the two losses were blow-outs. The fact is that the coach's regular season MAC record over the years isn't all that much above .500. I came to expect a little better than that. Maybe that is not a realistic expectation? I don't know.

I'm with you here - and it seems like for a majority of MAC ADs that's good enough - look how long WMU has kept Hawkins - maybe stability is better than going through rapid turnover of very successful coaches. It's what schools can afford - as fans we can at least hope for a good enough season to get to Cleveland without a play in game. Once in Cleveland anything can happen. One thing for sure - MAC coaches who jumped for the brass ring really haven't had great success and Jim C and Groce both ended up back in the MAC. If Buffalo continues to win - will they be able to keep their coach after this year?