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

I watched some of each of the games today. This league is AVERAGE at best, despite what we hear from coaches and players across it. I’ve followed the MAC for a long time. A long time. And I don’t think it’s ever been as weak as it is today.

Remember coaches: the MAC may be super competitive, but that does NOT mean it’s good.

JimJoyce, when any mid-major league is super-competitive it IS "average at best", almost by definition, in my opinion.

I hate to "beat a dead horse to death" and refer to a subject that was talked to death years ago, but the time to have made Kent State basketball something special came and went years ago. I don't know if the will was there, but certainly the financial resources weren't, and aren't. At this point in time I can't see anything KSU has to offer a potential basketball recruit that surpasses other MAC schools. I mean, it's been almost a decade since they were THE top MAC program, the facilities are closer to the bottom of the MAC than to the top, the coach is very competent but hardly "charismatic" like a Waters or a Christian. Really, although my comments probably don't show it, we are very fortunate that somehow the program has been able to stay competitive and not have had any losing seasons.

Muskrat your point about the ceiling of KSU Hoops is spot on. And I am with you, that horse is decaying at this point.
I will say this, though...you could argue that as a result of shortsightedness KSU basketball lost a generation of fans.

(02-09-2020 08:13 AM)Muskrat Wrote:  JimJoyce, when any mid-major league is super-competitive it IS "average at best", almost by definition, in my opinion.

I hate to "beat a dead horse to death" and refer to a subject that was talked to death years ago, but the time to have made Kent State basketball something special came and went years ago. I don't know if the will was there, but certainly the financial resources weren't, and aren't. At this point in time I can't see anything KSU has to offer a potential basketball recruit that surpasses other MAC schools. I mean, it's been almost a decade since they were THE top MAC program, the facilities are closer to the bottom of the MAC than to the top, the coach is very competent but hardly "charismatic" like a Waters or a Christian. Really, although my comments probably don't show it, we are very fortunate that somehow the program has been able to stay competitive and not have had any losing seasons.

It is what it is. I've said it for years, in order for there to be a top there needs to be a bottom. That's the MAC and a couple others. We'll never have another 2002 and I doubt the MAC ever will. The P-5 won't let that happen.
We do get to watch some D1 basketball and hopefully every few years we get lucky. (Like Jimmy Hall in the first weekend of March 2017)
We are lucky to have the MAC-T in our back yard every year and I always go to the championship, so that never changes. The crappy thing is we have other MAC schools that are willing to invest in their campus by investing in the arenas and coaches.
Don't get me wrong, the addition to the Aeronautics and Architecture Departments are a priority. However, if you want those future architects and pilots that live within 45 minutes to come to campus, you need to give them a reason. Too bad we have an AD that doesn't see that importance over lining his pockets.

(02-09-2020 10:59 AM)fallsdog Wrote:  Muskrat your point about the ceiling of KSU Hoops is spot on. And I am with you, that horse is decaying at this point.
I will say this, though...you could argue that as a result of shortsightedness KSU basketball lost a generation of fans.

I think both comments above are accurate.

1) The window has opened and closed on Kent being THE power in the league.

2) KSU is very fortunate ... would you rather have Miami's basketball resume over the last 20 years or Kent's.

3) To understand where Kent was and where Kent is ... remember that 2002 team had a Top 5 MAC starter at every position, and had the kind of bench depth many power-conference teams would covet, even now.

4) Charisma aside, Kent is also fortunate to have RS as head coach. I mean, think of how many different type of teams he has had, and won with all of them, albeit some more successful than others.

Still a lot of games left to play for everybody. Look at the glass as half full!!!

(02-09-2020 01:57 PM)cleveland Wrote:  

(02-09-2020 10:59 AM)fallsdog Wrote:  Muskrat your point about the ceiling of KSU Hoops is spot on. And I am with you, that horse is decaying at this point.
I will say this, though...you could argue that as a result of shortsightedness KSU basketball lost a generation of fans.

I think both comments above are accurate.

1) The window has opened and closed on Kent being THE power in the league.

2) KSU is very fortunate ... would you rather have Miami's basketball resume over the last 20 years or Kent's.

3) To understand where Kent was and where Kent is ... remember that 2002 team had a Top 5 MAC starter at every position, and had the kind of bench depth many power-conference teams would covet, even now.

4) Charisma aside, Kent is also fortunate to have RS as head coach. I mean, think of how many different type of teams he has had, and won with all of them, albeit some more successful than others.

Still a lot of games left to play for everybody. Look at the glass as half full!!!

Just FYI ... there were 15 overtime games in college basketball Saturday, the most for a single day in two years.

Think about it ... 15 winners could have been losers and 15 losers could have been winners!!!