NewsFlashes - Kent State Sports News

FAMILIAR FOE – Kent State and Illinois had the chance to meet up during the 2008-09 season at the South Padre Island Invitational in Texas with Illinois escaping with a 69-63 overtime win. The game featured 10 ties and seven leading changes. The Flashes held a six point lead with 6:40 left on the clock. Illinois head coach Bruce Weber thinks that meeting last year will help his team as they prepare for Monday's second round NIT game.

"I think for our kids' sake, I think it's good we played them," he said. "We had to fight to win the game. It was a battle down to the end. I think a little bit of a fear factor for our guys, they remember that. They really took it to us. It was a very intense game. I think it will definitely help us that we've played them."

KSU bench boss Geno Ford also remembers the game but knows his team will really have to play a good game to stay with the Big Ten's Illini.

"Illinois is probably a little better this year," he said. "We have to be up to play, and it might not be good enough. They've got a great team. They're probably better in a lot of areas than we are, and we can be ready to play and that still might not be good enough. We need to be ready to play and execute at a high level to have a chance, and our kids understand that."

Kent State returns 36 points from last year's game (Singletary 15, Simpson 10) while Illinois returns 51 points (Mike Tisdale 20, Mike Davis 17, Demetri McCamey 9).

FORD ON ILLINOIS - "These guys are an execution team. They run a lot of motion offense. They’re a great screening and movement team and a great shooting team. So they just play a different style that lends itself…they’re very cerebral."

PLAY HARD, PLAY WELL – Kent State is excited to play on Monday night, there is no doubt about it. Three Golden Flashes are from Illinois and will be anxious to play in front of some friends and family. The game will be nationally televised on ESPNU. But Ford and his staff knows it will take more than excitement and energy to beat Illinois.

"I know that we’ll play hard, but it’s a two part problem when you play teams as good as Illinois," Ford said. "I’m watching them in the Big Ten tournament and thinking how well they’re playing and how much better they are now then they were earlier in the year, figuring they were an NCAA tournament team and then they end up being a one seed in the NIT. When you go into games like this it’s great that you want to play, that’s fine and dandy but now you better play really well. It’s not like just because we show up and feel like playing that all of a sudden Demetri McCamey, who almost had a triple double the other night, I don’t think he’s going to be too scared. So we’ve got to go over there and not only want to play, but we’ve got to execute."

MORE ON McCAMEY – Ford had more to say on Illinois' 6-3 junior guard from Bellwood, Illinois. "McCamey, he’s the calming force of their team. He does for them what Singletary does for us. He seems to be the one guy that…a lot of their guys put up numbers but in the possessions where something really needs to happen, McCamey wants the ball and McCamey usually delivers."

BEATING THE BIG BOYS – Kent State has not won a game against a program from the Big Ten since the 2001 NCAA tournament when they defeated Indiana. The Golden Flashes are 0-3 against the Big Ten since that time, losing to Indiana in the 2002 tournament, Ohio State in 2006 and Illinois last season. Kent State is 6-38 all time against the Big Ten.

“We haven’t beaten a Big Ten school in a decade," Ford said. "We hadn’t won a post-season game in eight years, so we kind of got that monkey off our back and now we’re trying to sell them on we haven’t been able to beat a Big Ten team in a decade. That’s a long time. So I think our kids are focused on the tournament probably much more so then they were a week ago when we’re having practices and there’s not even a bracket out, you don’t know who you’re playing or when and now you’ve won a game and you got Illinois and you know if you’re fortunate enough to somehow upset them then you’re heading to Dayton or Cincinnati."

EMBRACING THE NIT – If Kent State's win over Tulsa on Wednesday night was any indication, Ford and his staff have really done a great job of getting his players to embrace the opportunity to play in the NIT and extend their season.

"The thing that gets lost in the midst of the NIT is that you have to be realistic about where you are and what you're about," Ford said. "We have a good program, but we're not in position to take the NIT lightly. There are good teams in this field and if you don't show up ready to play, you will be embarrassed."

It's not everyday a program gets to go play in a post-season tournament at Illinois and get it televised nationally.

"We haven't had an at-large bid out of our league in 12 years," Ford said. "We think the NIT is a great opportunity for us to play some great teams. It's part of an experience for our kids. Big games, they mean a lot, and to play somebody with the history of Illinois – they were playing for a national title just a few of years ago – it's going to be a lot of fun and a great challenge."

SINGLETARY WITH MORE ASSISTS – Chris Singletary has had a great season and has really been a great story for Kent State University and its Athletic Department. Ford had even more kind words on Singletary during his teleconference on Friday afternoon.

"Two weeks ago, we had a home game and our arena in the front, it’s got stairs that lead up to it and for whatever reason someone did not use the ramp and Chris was carrying the wheelchair with the guy in it up the steps two hours before the game. That’s the type of kid Chris is. Chris has done things like that his entire four years here. Those are the types of things that always get back because we get letters to Laing or me, about Chris Singletary came over and spent time with these kids or Singletary did this or Chris Singletary did that and so we know that side of Chris and at the heart of it all Chris is really an unbelievably high character, great kid. Has he made a couple bad choices? Absolutely, but above and beyond all that, for every one thing he did that would be labeled as foolish, there would be twenty examples I could give you of things that he did that we’ve never had guys in our program do that were positive.

In the end he’s going to end up leaving here in the four years with a degree on time and being a first team all league player and he won a championship his senior year so you can’t really do any better than that on your way out the door."

The Chicago Tribune profiles Singletary today.

GAINES WINS ILLINOIS STATE CHAMPIONSHIP – Speaking of a Illinois native wing player that is about to suit up for the Blue and Gold, KSU recruit Eric Gaines led his Hillcrest team to an Illinois 3A State Championship on Saturday afternoon.

Meanwhile Massillon Jackson and Mark Henniger are moving on and in the surprise of the night, Satch Sullinger's Columbus Northland team were upset in the Regional Final by Gahanna Lincoln.

NOTES – Jeffrey Jordan, son of NBA legend Michael Jordan, is a junior guard for Illinois. Jordan has appeared in 31 out of 34 games this season and is averaging 14 minutes per game. Jeffrey did not play in Monday's NIT win over Stony Brook while serving a suspension for an undisclosed violation of team rules. Jordan is expected to return for Monday's game with KSU…It will be a double header at Assembly Hall in Illinois on Monday evening. The Illinois women's team will host Marquette in a WNIT game at 5:00 p.m. Eastern…It's spring break at the University of Illinois and they are expecting between 7,000 and 10,000 fans for Monday's game…Dave Carducci checks in today with some news and notes, including Kent State's Brandon Parks with some NFL try outs scheduled after the basketball season ends…Carducci also says expect Kent State to be in the gold uniforms on Monday. Should they win, their game on Wednesday against Cincinnati/Dayton would be on ESPN2.

Flashes fall in WNIT

Mike Hrusch — Sat, 20 Mar 2010 15:40:03 +0000

The Kent State women's basketball team missed 22 consecutive shots during a 16-minute stretch in the first half and lost 69-34 to host University of Michigan in the first round of the Women's National Invitation Tournament Friday night.

Kent State (20-11) was paced by sophomore Jena Stutzman, who had 12 points, all on 3-pointers. Junior Jamilah Humes added nine points for KSU. The Flashes made two of their first three field-goal attempts and then went cold. Michigan took advantage, rolling to a 26-6 lead that proved insurmountable. A 3-pointer by Stutzman ended the goal drought and an 0-for-11 skid on 3-pointers.

Kent State's 34 points were the fewest since a 34-point effort against Temple during the 2007-08 season. It was Kent State's first game against a Big Ten opponent since the 2006-07 season. Michigan (18-13) advances to play Toledo in the second round on Sunday. Veronica Hicks scored 18 points to lead the Wolverines, and Carmen Reynolds had 12 points.

Box Score

ALL-AMERICAN STATUS - Danny Mitcheff and Dustin Kilgore each clinched top eight finishes at the NCAA Wrestling Championships to receive all-american status on Friday. Congratulations Flashes!

BRACKET UPDATE – How's your bracket looking after round one? I got 24 out of my 32 picks moving on, 12 of my Sweet 16 teams still alive and seven out of eight Elite 8 teams still alive. Good luck today to the Ohio Bobcats and the Bowling Green women in NCAA play. The Bobcats are trying to become the first MAC men's school to reach at least the Sweet 16 since the Golden Flashes in 2002. The last time the BG women made the tournament in 2007, they made it out of the first weekend to the Sweet 16.

Kent State gears up for WNIT at Michigan

Mike Hrusch — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 05:20:02 +0000

The Kent State women's basketball team (20-10) will play at Michigan tonight in the first round of the WNIT. The postseason trip is Kent State's first since a 2004 trip to the WNIT. Michigan comes in at 17-13 and 8-10 in the Big Ten, good for a tie for sixth overall. Should Kent State win, they will take on the winner of the Toledo @ Pittsburgh game. Game time is at 7:00 p.m.

Kent State game notes

Michigan game notes

MEN PREPARE FOR ILLINOIS – The men's basketball team is preparing for their second round NIT game at Illinois on Monday night at 8:00 p.m. on ESPNU. Here is a little perspective from the Illinois media.

Rest for the weary Illini – Decatur Herald and Review

Illini eyeing Big Apple as NIT consolation prize – Chicago Tribune

Illini on upset alert in NIT's second round – Peoria Journal Star

BOBCATS KEEP IT GOING – The Ohio Bobcats continued their magical ride, upsetting the Georgetown Hoyas last night in Providence 97-83. The dynamic backcourt of D.J. Cooper and Armon Bassett were at it again with Cooper scoring 23 points and Bassett with 32. Ohio will meet Tennessee on Saturday afternoon at approximately 3:35 p.m. The win was the MAC's first NCAA tournament win since 2003.

RECRUIT UPDATE – Kent State men's basketball recruit Mark Henninger led his team to a 58-56 win over Akron East last night in a Division I Regional Semifinal at the JAR in Akron. Jim Isabella was on hand to cover the game.

The hero of the game turned out to be Mark Henninger, the only Jackson player that played a consistent offensive game.

Henninger, a senior, made two free throws with 10.2 seconds left that turned out to be the difference. A Kent State recruit, Henninger scored 29 points, 20 in the first half when he made 9-of-11 field goals, and finished with 11-of-15 and 7-of-9 free throws.

The winning points came after Steve Thomas of East had tied the score at 56 with 19 seconds left. An alert Henninger sprinted down the floor off the make and was fouled going to the basket.

"This guy [Henninger] runs the floor well and he saw C.J. [Julian] seal off that guy so he could go the basket," Fuline said.

Henninger admitted he was concerned with the Polar Bears trailing 50-45 with 4:43 remaining in the fourth quarter.

"You always get worried, but you have to battle and realize this is our last chance, especially the seniors. With all the experience we have, you have to battle and finish the game," Henninger said.

Massillon Jackson now takes on Toledo St. John's Jesuit in Akron on Saturday night. Should the Polar Bears win, it could set up a very interesting state semifinal with Columbus Northland, coached by Satch Sullinger, the father of former Kent Stater Julian Sullinger. Of course his son Jared, is one of the nation's top big men and is on his way to Ohio State.

It will be interesting to see if Henninger can step in next year and contribute right away, or if a redshirt season is in his future.

Not to be out done, Eric Gaines is also leading his team in the state playoffs at Hillcrest High School in Chicago. Here is a story on Gaines from the Chicago Tribune and another story on ESPNChicago.com.

JARVIS STORY ON ESPN.COM – Kent State running back Eugene Jarvis recently had a story about him appear on ESPN.com, written by Graham Watson. Check it out.

MITCHEFF AND KILGORE ADVANCE AT NCAA WRESTLING CHAMPIONSHIPS – Danny Mitcheff and Dustin Kilgore each went 2-0 and advanced to the quarterfinals at the sold out Qwest Center during day one of the NCAA Championships. Day two of competition will begin today at 10:30 a.m.

Kent State beats Tulsa in NIT; Will face Illinois on ESPNU

Mike Hrusch — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 04:03:34 +0000

KENT – Kent State found a way to win on its home floor and in the process won its first post season game since the 2002 NCAA Tournament run to the 'Elite Eight'.

Rod Sherman hit a left handed runner in the lane with 19 seconds left and the Flashes got one last defensive stop to force a tough Ben Uzoh jumper that rimmed out to give Kent State the win.

With the win the Flashes advance in the National Invitation Tournament and will play at Illinois on Monday at 8:00 p.m. for a nationally televised audience on ESPNU.

Chris Singletary led six KSU players in double figures with 16 points. The senior from Chicago also chipped in with seven assists and six rebounds. Anthony Simpson had 13 points and eight rebounds, Randal Holt had 11 points and Justin Greene had 10.

But it was Tyree Evans' points that gave the Flashes the lift they needed in the second half. Evans went on an 8-0 run of his own in a one minute and 18 second span to give the Kent State a 62-58 lead. The first of his two three pointers bounced all around the rim before falling through, and it seemed to loosen up KSU.

“Tyree was great,” KSU coach Geno Ford said. “He got us going. We were in trouble when he got hot. The first three he made when it touched every part of the rim before it went in, he kind of smiled and relaxed, and I think it got everyone on our team going. Then he rattled off two more in a row. The kids did a good job looking for him.”

After the Evans mini run, Tulsa tied the game to set up seven lead changes over the five and a half minutes of the second half before Sherman's heroics.

The first half saw Kent State shoot 33-percent including 1/10 on three pointers to allow Tulsa to take a 35-28 halftime lead.

The Golden Hurricane, from Conference USA, were led by NBA prospect big man Jerome Jordan. Jordan looked good on Wednesday, leading Tulsa with 23 points and 12 rebounds. Justin Hurtt had 22 points while Uzoh chipped in with 14.

Ford was feeling fortunate and pleased by beating a talented, athletic Tulsa team. He also had nothing but praise for his players.

“I love these kids,” he said. “They are so tough, and they bounce back from adversity. They handle adversity better than success. Even though we won the league and won 24 games, we went out and had our worst game of the year in the conference tournament at both ends of the floor. We found a way to beat a team I have a lot of respect for.”

“That was a very good college basketball game,” Tulsa fifth year coach Doug Wojcik said. “Give Kent State a lot of credit for having strong will at the end of the game to win the game. “Our defense just wasn’t good enough to win the game. We didn’t get enough stops.”

Box Score

KSU WINS IN THE POST SEASON – Kent State was able to pick up their first post season victory since the 2002 run to the 'Elite Eight' on Wednesday night. “It’s been a long time,” said Ford. “It’s been eight years, and in that time we’ve now been to seven postseasons, won 20 games seven times, won our league three or four times. And this is our first postseason victory since the Elite Eight year. These games are hard to win.”

FLASHES ARE LOCKED IN – Kent State came out and played hard and inspired, just like you thought a Kent State team would after its disappointing MAC quarterfinal loss to Ohio. "I had people all week talking about if the guys would be focused or ready,” Ford said. “Was I concerned about that? Yes. That’s not good enough against these kind of teams. You not only have to be focused, but you have to play really well. That second half might be the best we’ve had all year, and we won by one at the buzzer.” Singletary was excited to suit up at least one more time at the M.A.C. Center. “I think having another chance to put on a Kent State jersey really helped," he said. "We always want to defend our home court. To be able to put on this shirt again and come out and play in front of our fans really helped us out.”

HEADING HOME – With Kent State playing at Illinois on Monday night, Singletary will have a chance to go back to his home state and play in front of a lot of friends and family. Anthony Simpson is from Rockford, Illinois. Ian Pinckney also calls Illinois his home state along with assistant coach Armon Gates. Kent State played Illinois last season at the South Padre Island Invitational and lost a tough game 69-63 in overtime on November 28, 2008. The Flashes are 0-4 all time against Illinois.

HIGH PRAISE FOR THE GOLDEN HURRICANE – Tulsa is an impressive looking team with a trio of Uzoh, Justin Hurtt and Jordan that can rival anyone in the country. The trio combined for 59 points on Wednesday night. Ford had high praise for Tulsa, a program that has won 20 or more games for four consecutive seasons. "They're just as good as a Pittsburgh or a Xavier or a South Florida, you know teams that we couldn't beat earlier in the year…and we played a great game. That was fun. Our kids had a lot of fun."

NOTES

Third NIT win in school history. KSU improves to 3-7 in the NIT.
Ninth straight home win.
With 16 points, Singletary moved into 13th place on all time KSU scoring list, passing Antonio Gates with 1,227 career points.
Second time KSU had six players in double figures (1/20/10 vs. Buffalo)
Tulsa entered the game with a 17-0 record when leading at halftime.
16th time this season and 10th in the last 16 games that KSU shot 50-percent or better in the second half.
All five of Randal Holt's double figure scoring games have come at home with KSU going 5-0 in those games.
Four turnovers equal a season low.

Additional Coverage:

Kent State Advances In The NIT With 75-74 Win Over Tulsa – KentStateSports.com

Victory by Flashes keeps season alive – Akron Beacon Journal

KSU wins NIT nail-biter – Record Courier

Geno Ford is difference maker for Flashes – Record Courier

Kent State rallies down the stretch to dump Tulsa in NIT opener – Cleveland Plain Dealer

Sherman bucket keeps Flashes marching in NIT – MAC Report Online

Tulsa Falls at Kent State 75-74 in NIT Opener – TulsaHurricane.com

Tulsa falls to Kent State in NIT, 75-74 – Tulsa World

TU Notebook: Bidding farewell – Tulsa World

Video tour of the MAC Center at Kent State – KRMG Sports

Tulsa @ Kent State – NIT preview

Mike Hrusch — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 14:31:57 +0000

The Kent State men's basketball program will be making its 11th post-season appearance in the last 12 years when they host the Tulsa Golden Hurricane tonight at the M.A.C. Center at 7:00 p.m. in the first round of the NIT.

Kent State has won 13 of their last 15 games but is coming off an 81-64 loss to eventual MAC tournament champion Ohio last Thursday in a MAC quarterfinal game. Kent State is making its eighth appearance in the NIT and first since 2005. The Golden Flashes' RPI of 46 is the third highest amongst the 32-team NIT field trailing only Rhode Island (40) and UAB (45).

Tulsa, led by fifth year coach Doug Wojcik, is coming off a 75-61 loss to UTEP in the semifinals of the Conference USA tournament on Friday. The Golden Hurricane are led by 6-3 guard Ben Uzoh (15.3 ppg) and 7-0 center Jerome Jordan (15.2 ppg). This is the 10th time in school history that Tulsa will play in the NIT. The Golden Hurricane program are no strangers to post-season success other than the NCAA winning the 2008 CBI, 2001 NIT and 1981 NIT.

Should Kent State win they will take on the winner of the Illinois @ Stony Brook match up that will be played tonight at 9:00 p.m. on ESPNU. NIT Bracket.

Kent State game notes

Ford wants Flashes to roll with NIT pick – Akron Beacon Journal

Mental preparation will be key for Golden Flashes – Record Courier

Former Auburn star Simpson to play for Kent State in NIT – Rockford Register Star

Tulsa game notes

Seniors head into stretch – Tulsa World

Postseason bid excites Tulsa – Tulsa World

Tulsa begins preparations for NIT game at Kent State – Tulsa World

Know the Foe: Kent State Golden Flashes – Tulsa World

Tulsa coach talks about Kent State – NewsFlashes

KSU pitcher Gill hit in head with ball

Mike Hrusch — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 14:08:45 +0000

Kent State junior relief pitcher Justin Gill was hit in the head with a line drive late Tuesday during a 3-1 loss to visiting Dusquesne and was taken by ambulance to nearby Robinson Memorial Hospital in Ravenna.

Kent State officials said Gill, a native of Canton and a standout at Canton South High School, walked off the field under his own power but was then taken to the hospital to be examined for precautionary reasons.

Last season, the 6-foot-3, 205-pound Gill went 4-2 with three saves and a 5.40 ERA in 24 appearances out of the bullpen for the Golden Flashes.

Tulsa coach talks about Kent State

Mike Hrusch — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 15:12:10 +0000

NEWS AND NOTES – Dave Carducci of the Record Courier checks in today with some news and notes regarding expanding the NCAA tournament and more talk about Geno Ford's contract.

BREAKDOWN – The Kent State men ended up playing 12 teams that qualified for postseason tournaments this season. Ohio, Xavier, Pittsburgh, Wofford and Robert Morris are in the NCAA tournament with KSU going 4-3 against those teams this season. Northeastern, South Florida and UAB are in the NIT with the Flashes going 2-1 against those teams. Akron, Green Bay and Morehead State are in the CBI with KSU going 3-1 against them. Western Carolina is in the CollegeInsider.com tournament with the Flashes beating them. KSU went 9-6 this season against teams that qualified for the postseason.

HOME OPENER – The Kent State baseball team will host Duquesne in their 2010 home opener today with the first pitch at 3:00 p.m. The Flashes sit at 5-9.

FIVE TO OMAHA – Kent State will send Danny Mitcheff, Dustin Kilgore, Brendan Barlow, Keith Witt and Ross Tice to Omaha, Nebraska for the 2010 NCAA Wrestling Championship on Thursday. Stay tuned to KentStateSports.com as Ty Linder will have the call of all Kent State matches.

BRICE IS THE BOSS – On Sunday the Kent State gymnastics program defeated Bowling Green to clinch a share of the MAC title. Head coach Brice Biggin took over the program in 1992 and since guided the program to new heights.

Kent State women to play Michigan in WNIT

Mike Hrusch — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 11:55:49 +0000

The Kent State women's basketball team will play at Michigan (17-13) on Friday in the WNIT. The winner of Kent State/Michigan will face the winner of the Toledo/Pittsburgh game in the second round.

This season’s berth marks the first postseason appearance for the Golden Flashes since the 2004 season, when KSU took part in the WNIT. It also marks the seventh time Kent State has advanced to postseason play (NCAA 1982, 1996, 1998, 2000, 2002; WNIT 2004).

Eight teams Kent State faced this season have advanced to either the NCAA tournament, the WNIT or the inaugural Women's Basketball Invitational (WBI). KSU went 1-3 against Temple, Bowling Green and Cleveland State (NCAA), 2-2 versus Toledo, Robert Morris and Eastern Michigan (WNIT) and 1-2 against Akron and Wichita State (WBI).

The Mid-American Conference advanced a record five teams to postseason play: Bowling Green (NCAA), Toledo (WNIT), Kent State (WNIT) Eastern Michigan (WNIT) and Akron (WBI).

WNIT Bracket

Kent State to host Tulsa in NIT

Mike Hrusch — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 01:28:30 +0000

The Kent State men's basketball team will host the Tulsa Golden Hurricane in the first round of the NIT on Wednesday, March 17 at 7:00 p.m. at the M.A.C. Center in Kent. The Golden Flashes earned a number four seed while Tulsa is the five seed.

Tulsa is 23-11 and went 10-6 during the regular season to finish fifth Conference USA, losing to UTEP in the conference tournament semifinals. Tulsa features NBA prospect post player Jerome Jordan who averaged 15.2 points per game, 8.9 rebounds per game and 2.4 blocks a night.

Should Kent State win they would play the winner of the Illinois at Stony Brook game. Illinois is the number one seed in the region but will go on the road to play due to a scheduling conflict at Illinois.

The other match ups in the region include number two seed Cincinnati hosting number seven seed Weber State while number three seed Dayton will host number six seed Illinois State.

Kent State is making its first appearance in the NIT since 2005 and eighth overall. The Golden Flashes earned an automatic bid to the annual post season tournament after winning the Mid-American Conference Regular Season Championship. Kent State has now qualified for the post-season in 11 of the last 12 years.

In all, Kent State played eight teams that either qualified for the NCAA tournament or the NIT. Ohio, Xavier, Pittsburgh, Wofford and Robert Morris made the NCAA while Northeastern, South Florida and UAB made the NIT.

NIT Bracket