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

The Golden Flashes host the Ball State Cardinals on Friday evening at the Memorial Athletic and Convocation Center. Tip off is set for 6:30PM. In addition to KSU offering $8 General Admission tickets, the game will be broadcast on the CBS Sports Network.

This is a big ballgame. Ball State is 13-5, 4-1 in the MAC and like the Golden Flashes, the Cardinals play some defense. BSU's opponents are averaging about 67 points per game.

Offensively, four of the Cardinals five starters average double digit points with the top scorer being 6'5 Junior Jarron Coleman. Coleman is an Indiana product who has been at Ball State from the start. He also leads the team in assists and steals. Coleman's backcourt partner, sophomore Jaylin Sellers is scoring 13 points a game and leads the team in 3 point percentage. That's a pretty nice duo right there. I will be interested to see how Coach Senderoff sets the defense on these two young guards.

Under the hoop, another Indiana guy, 6'9 sophomore Payton Sparks leads BSU in rebounds and is scoring 13 points per game on 60% shooting. I'm not sure he is the same type of talent as OU's Wilson, but based on the stats, I figure the offense runs through this guy. Denying him the basketball and making it tough for him to pass will be a key.

When Ball State wants to play small ball they start four guards with Indianapolis product Jalen Windham joining the starting five. When they want to start a little more length they turn to redshirt sophomore Mickey Pearson. The chess match will be fun to watch on Friday Night. I had a conference call with the analytics department early this morning and they mentioned that if Sincere Carry gets hot early, that could be a recipe for success. They also mentioned something about Hornbeak and Thomas staying out of foul trouble....but that was way too analytic for a peabrain like me.

Something tells me that if you're gonna knock off Ball State, you better do it this season. They have a young roster. My advice to the Cardinals....forget the transfer portal...stay together. Just how good are they right now???? We shall see...

Kent State 71
Ball State 65
The Golden Flashes strengthen their hold atop the MAC behind yet another strong defensive effort.

Social media post from the Athletic Dept for $8 GA tickets.

Kent 149
Ball St 11

The 'line" I just saw is KSU -9. It just changed to -9.5!

Can we get a good crowd for once?

(01-19-2023 07:03 PM)GFlash68 Wrote:  Can we get a good crowd for once?

If not Friday, when? Just the Akron game?

(01-19-2023 07:18 PM)Muskrat Wrote:  

(01-19-2023 07:03 PM)GFlash68 Wrote:  Can we get a good crowd for once?

If not Friday, when? Just the Akron game?

Friday night you will lose all fans/parents with HS games.

My guess is about 3500 tonight. Students are back and there has been quite a bit of publicity about the game and how well the Flashes are doing

(01-20-2023 09:40 AM)dannyb73 Wrote:  

(01-19-2023 07:18 PM)Muskrat Wrote:  

(01-19-2023 07:03 PM)GFlash68 Wrote:  Can we get a good crowd for once?

If not Friday, when? Just the Akron game?

Friday night you will lose all fans/parents with HS games.

True, but I've noticed over recent years that attendance at HS games is also way down.

(01-20-2023 12:23 PM)Muskrat Wrote:  

(01-20-2023 09:40 AM)dannyb73 Wrote:  

(01-19-2023 07:18 PM)Muskrat Wrote:  

(01-19-2023 07:03 PM)GFlash68 Wrote:  Can we get a good crowd for once?

If not Friday, when? Just the Akron game?

Friday night you will lose all fans/parents with HS games.

True, but I've noticed over recent years that attendance at HS games is also way down.

I can't educationally comment on HS games in NE Ohio (maybe weather keeps 'em away?) but tonight at my sons game, it will be packed.

A game that should be 24-10 is 13-10. Come on boys. Finish!

(01-20-2023 06:56 PM)fallsdog Wrote:  A game that should be 24-10 is 13-10. Come on boys. Finish!

They heard you, 25-10…

25-10 now. That works.

(01-20-2023 07:02 PM)Polish Hammer Wrote:  

(01-20-2023 06:56 PM)fallsdog Wrote:  A game that should be 24-10 is 13-10. Come on boys. Finish!

They heard you, 25-10…

Ha! I guess so.

Man does this team work on the defensive end. Thing of beauty.

(01-20-2023 10:12 AM)Old Man Flash Wrote:  My guess is about 3500 tonight. Students are back and there has been quite a bit of publicity about the game and how well the Flashes are doing

Looks like closer to 5000 at tip-off. GA sections are probably 75% full!

The battle for first was not a battle at all Kent State is crushing Ball State.

It is a real shame Kent State could not find away to pull out 1 of the 3 big games. They had a real shot in all 3 especially Houston and Charleston.

I think Kent State will need to go 18-0 in the MAC and then make the finals of the MAC tournament if they are to have any chance to get at large bid. That 0 in quad 1 will make it nearly impossible plus they have very limited quad 2 shots at wins.

So basically they will need to win the MAC tournament as unfair as that is because they had only 3 shots all on the road at big wins and couldn't get any which is no shame considering all 3 were road games and 2 were against top 10 teams.

Getting a nice convincing win over a good team. Would’ve expected a better game out of Thomas against his old squad, fouling out with only one bucket.

Nice win!
It’s fun to watch with youngsters and be able to point out little things. The defensive effort speaks volumes about the leadership.

BEAT NIU!!

Idk where this Chris Payton has been all year but wow. If he continues to play like this we're going to be extremely difficult to play. He was above the rim all night on both ends. If this was the first game you'd seen all year you'd think he's an All Mac and DPOY candidate.

Could've done without the Jacobs tech in a timeout. Didn't see what happened. Other than that, all around great game.

Payton was active tonight. He is just big and strong enough. Man the Flashes are much tougher to beat with him bringing that energy.

Hornbeak looked good too. He’s a big man. Could Payton be one too?