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

While nobody knew what this Kent BB team would look like until January, until the last two games it was a high-scoring team that was tough to match up with.

It might be tough to put that kind of starting 5 together again, but it is a nice template to work from. Instead of 3/4 guards like most MAC teams Kent actually started with three forwards (DP, Ham, Beck) and two guards (Gio Nuga, Gio Jacobs).

There was almost always a baseline mismatch with either DP, Ham or Beck. We're talking 6-9, 6-10, 6-7. To start with, if Nuga returns he and Gio should be even better together with Carry a VERY strong third guard/sixth man.

Pippen has probably worn out his welcome, but his replacement does not have to average 20 ppg (although 9 rpg would be nice!). A consistent 13-15ppg scorer with improvement/minutes from O'Neil should suffice, as long as Beck/Ham return. Hernandez is another veteran in the mix.

Let's be conservative
Nuga 15 ppg
Gio 10-13 ppg
Jacobs 10 ppg
Carrey 10-15 ppg
Hamilton 10-13 ppg
Beck 10-13 ppg
Hernandex 5-8 ppg

Add in 10-12 ppg from an inside transfer/juco and this team is not from from where it was at its peak ... maybe even better with added experience.

Now, expecting seven players to average 10 ppg or more is realistically a very big stretch. But individually, one could see all the players above hitting those averages.

And who knows if there will be a freshman in the mix that asserts himself. Counting the three freshmen already signed, there's still room for AT LEAST two more signings. And if I understand the Covid rules, should Nuga/Beck/Hamilton return, it's possible to sign three more than that.

I think most everyone hates the transfer rules and what it does to the makeup of teams ... but the ability to turn something sour into something sweet (as 2021 appeared to be before injury and lockerroom issues) is still quite possible not just for Kent State, but other teams in the conference and around the country.