Flashes Limp Into BG for MBB Clash

Kent State is in an unusual position this year.  They are not doing well in men's basketball. They are as much a blue blood as the MAC has...26 straight non-losing season...1 losing record in MAC play over that time. 7 Tournament appearances and of course, that Elite Eight game.

The defending champs lost Sincere Carry (1st team all-MAC), Malique Jacobs (second team All-MAC) and Miryne Thomas (3rd leading scorer).  They were still picked #2 in the MAC poll and #3 by Blue Ribbon.

So far, it hasn't worked out that way.  They are 2-4 in MAC play.  I went back and looked....in 2017 they were 2-4....and they were a 6-seed in the MAC Tourney, won it and went to the NCAAs.

They won at home over Ball State and @NIU, and lost @EMU, and @CMU and at home to UT and UA.  The teams they have beaten are 1-10.

They are playing without Cli'Ron Hornbeak, who was injured on December 21. 

The key takeaway here is that Kent is terrible on defense. Last year they led the MAC in defensive efficiency and were top 40 in the country. This year, they are 11th in the MAC.  They are decent on offense and play the league's slowest pace. They are respectable on offense. BG is 4th in offense and 5th in defense.

Kent shoots the ball really well.  They take 40% of their shots from 3FG and they make 40%, which is top in the MAC.  That's scorching the nets.  BG is #8 in 3FG defense, mostly due to Owen Lobsinger.  They are turnover prone (#9) and good but not great on the offensive boards.  Same with FTs, they make 73%.

As mentioned, Kent is terrible on defense.  That is 100% on the shot.  They are 2nd on TO%, 5% on defensive rebounding and 3rd keeping teams off the line.  But, they are 9th defending the 2FG and 10th defending the 3FG.  Also---and this is total luck--MAC teams are making 81% of their FTs against Kent.  BG is not a great shooting team.  They win despite getting outshot more than is typical.  Still, would be a nice time to get some baskets.

KSU is led by VonCameron Davis, who is scoring 15.3 PPG on 53% and 50% shooting. Also, 4.7 RPG. Jalen Sullinger, last year's 6th man of the year, is scoring 14.8 PPG  on 58% and 38% shooting. Chris Payton, Jr., is scoring 12.8 PPG on 52% 2FG shooting.  Is terrible at the line.  Reggie Bass, the FR of the year last year at CMU, is scoring 10.6 PPG on 56% and 47% shooting. Giovanni Santiago--the lead character in the classic book "The Old Man and the Three" leads them with 25 assists.

So, here we go.  Can BG keep the beat rolling on?  It will be interesting to see.  I'll believe Kent isn't a contender when I see it.