Next Up...MBB...the Golden Flashes

Next up are the Kent State Golden Flashes.

They are one of the legit powers in the MAC.  Since 1998, they have been to the Big Dance 6 times, once to the Elite Eight. They have 25 straight non-losing seasons and 19 20-win seasons over the past 24 years.

It is easy to forget that they were 9-9 and 4-4 last year and not looking like anyone's title favorite, but they won the last 12 regular season games to finish 2nd.  They made the final against Akron, but then had a little issue with some snapface videos ripping on the Zips and had four players suspended, one "indefinitely" and three for the first half of the title game.  The Flashes lost.

This year they are 18-5 and 8-2.  They gave very difficult games to Houston, Gonzaga and Charleston (all losses), and have only lost in the MAC twice, @UA and @NIU. The Akron loss was the last time out, on Friday.

Kent has won their last 16 D-1 home games. Kent has beaten BG in 7 of the last 10 games and the last 6.

Kent is a good but not great offensive team, ranked #5 in the MAC in offense.  They are defensive stalwarts, though, #2 in the MAC. (Akron leads and it isn't close).  BG is 4th in offense and 10th in defense.

Looking at the Kent offense, it's actually surprising that they are as good overall as they are.  They are #9 in shooting.  They take excellent care of the ball, and OK but not great on the offensive boards and get fouled an average amount.  They make just under 70% from the line.

They take 40% of the FGAs from 3, which is #4 in the MAC.  They make 32% of their 3FGs, which is #9 in the MAC and 52% from 2FG, which is 7th.  They match up pretty close to BG...what they are doing is pretty close to what we are allowing.

They are very good on defense.  They are #2 in the MAC against the shot and #1 in forcing turnovers. They do a decent job on the defensive boards (#6) and don't give up too many FTs (5th). Teams try a league-high 44% 3FGs against them, but they are #4 defending 3FGs and 2FGs.

They are led by reigning MAC POY Sincere Carry.  He is scoring 17.1 PPG, shooting 56% on 2FGs and 25% on 3FGs.  The 3FG shooting is less than the 36% he had last year.  He does not come off the floor...he is 3rd in the MAC with 92% of minutes played. He is also #4 in assists and in A/T ratio.

Malique Jacobs is their top defensive player and also scores 11.5 PPG.  He was all-MAC defensive last year and is #8 in blocked shot% and #4 in steal%. He is not efficient, at 37% and 13% shooting.  He also leads the team with 6 RPG.  He also rarely comes off the floor, playing 84% of their minutes. He's #6 in assists as well.

Jalen Sullinger is a candidate for 6th MAC of the year, with 10.5 PPG, all off the bench. He is a good shooter, at 48% on 2FG and a MAC-leading 52% from 3FG.

Miryne Thomas is scoring 10 PPG and adding 5.7 RPG.  He is a grad transfer from BSU, and shoots 58% and 31%.

They have Giovanni Santiago (main character in the class novel "The Old Man and the Three.") He's averaging 8 a game and left their last game early (no word on his availability) but he did score 18 against BG last year at the Stroh.

Chris Payton, a Pitt Transfer, leads the MAC in blocked shots.

So, this is a tough one.  Kent is a 14-point favorite, and you can see why.