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Sherman named MAC East Player of the Week

by Mike Hrusch on November 16, 2009

in Alumni, Football, Wrestling, men's basketball

Kent State junior guard Rod Sherman was named the MAC East Player of the Week for his performance over the weekend during the Hispanic College Fund Classic.  Sherman was named MVP of the tournament and helped lead the Flashes to a 2-1 record.  He averaged 14.7 points per game, 5.7 rebounds and 3.1 assists while shooting 50 percent from the floor.  That's not a bad return for Sherman, who missed of all last season while recovering from knee surgery, then dislocated his elbow a few weeks ago, and is also trying to get his conditioning and his legs underneath him after sitting out the full season.

Aiken senior forward Kenny Knight (6-7, 225 pounds) has signed a national letter of intent to play basketball at Kent State.  Aiken is in the Cincinnati Metro Athletic Conference.  The school planned a signing ceremony this morning.

Redshirt sophomore wrestler Dustin Kilgore has been named the Kent State Athlete of the Week for his performances at the Oklahoma Gold Tournament over the weekend.

Former Kent State quarterback Julian Edelman scored his first career touchdown last night, as his Patriots lost to the Colts, 35-34.  Edelman caught a nine yard touchdown pass from Tom Brady at the 7:19 mark of the second quarter.  It was Edelman's first game back since breaking his arm in a October 18 game against Tennessee.

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KSU loses wild one at the buzzer, 86-87

by Mike Hrusch on November 16, 2009

in men's basketball

KENT – Kent State lost a wild game at the buzzer on Sunday evening at the M.A.C. Center, falling to Green Bay in overtime 86-87.  Green Bay guard Bryquis Perine hit a three pointer as time expired to give the Phoenix the walf-off win.  The shot capped off a wild final 2.3 seconds.  Green Bay in bounded the ball on the baseline and threw a pass to the half court line where Tyree Evans went up and intercepted the pass.  Contact from behind followed, and the ball trickled out to a wide open Perine, who buried the three point shot.  Many people said the ball was out of bounds prior to Perine's heroics.

Justin Greene led Kent State with a career high 20 points. 

Read Jonas Fortune's story in the ABJ. 

GOOD BASKETBALL WEEKEND – The Hispanic College Fund Classic was a very well balanced field.  Samford, Kent State, UAB and Green Bay all had competitive, hard fought games.  “UAB’s got three returning players," Green Bay head coach Tod Kowalczyk said.  "You’d think they were going to have a down year, but they are good.  Samford is an unbelievable team.  They’re going to win a lot of basketball games.  Kent State is a very good team.  I’d like to think Green Bay is right there with all those teams.”  For a basketball enthusiast like myself, watching six games in three days was a great way to welcome the new season in college basketball.

KENT STATE, GREEN BAY CONNECTION - Tod Kowalczyk and former Kent State head coach Jim Christian are very good friends.  Kent State still has a lot of the core beliefs that they had under Christian.  Green Bay's Kowalczyk also shares in many of the same things that the Golden Flashes have done over the years.  "Our programs are really mirred after each other," he said.  "We have the same practice drills a lot, the same philosophies.  The leadership and the quality of basketball is the same.  I know their staff extremely well.  I know their past coach, their present coaching staff, and I think the world of them."   

WILD CELEBRATION FOR A WILD ENDING – After Perine's game winning shot, it set off a wild mob scene celebration unlike any I have seen by a visiting team at the M.A.C. Center since I have been following the Golden Flashes.  The entire Green Bay team mobbed Perine to the ground on the far side, across from the Phoenix bench.  They may have celebrated too hard, as Perine appeared to injure his ankle and had to be helped off the court.  "To the Kent State fans that thought we celebrated too much, I apologize," Kowalczyk said.  "I have never been a part of a game like that.  That's an emotional time and if people can't understand that then they've never been in a competitive situation." 

Additional Coverage:

Last Second Heave Spoils Kent State Come Back in 87-86 loss to Green Bay – KentStateSports.com

Perine's Miracle Shot Lifts Phoenix Past Kent State in Overtime – GreenBayPhoenix.com

Flashes fall to Wisconsin-Green Bay in overtime – Record Courier

Desperation Anxiety – Daily Kent Stater

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Sherman, McKee, lead Kent State over UAB

by Mike Hrusch on November 15, 2009

in Alumni, Wrestling, men's basketball

KENT – Rod Sherman and Mike McKee picked up the slack for Kent State, with Chris Singletary in foul trouble for much of the game during Kent State's 72-65 win over UAB on Saturday night at day two of the Hispanic College Fund Classic.  Sherman had 17 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists while McKee scored 19 points.  McKee hit four three point field goals and seven free throws in the final 45 seconds to clinch the victory.

Read Stephanie Storm's article in the ABJ about the win.   

WELCOME BACK, PART II – Friday night was Rod Sherman's first game back since the 2007-08 season and Saturday night Sherman made a huge impact in the victory over UAB.  Sherman was very aggressive in his attack of the rim while also mixing in some perimeter hoops.  Sherman gives KSU that aggressive slasher type that they need from the perimeter.  Sherman had a career high 17 points, and equaled a career high with four rebounds.  “At the beginning of the game, a lot of my teammates were telling me to do what I do and get to the basket," Sherman said.  "That’s one of my advantages, so whenever I saw the opening, I attacked the basket.”

WINNING WITHOUT SINGLETARY -It was an encouraging sign for KSU to be able to win a game against an athletic, long UAB squad with Chris Singletary beind held to 14 minutes, two points on two shot attempts.  “We have a totally different team from last year because on any given night, it could be somebody’s night," Sherman said.  "We’ve done a better job of becoming a family.  We’re just trying to get our team chemistry right and put it all together.”  Singletaryhas got to become more careful when he is in foul trouble and out on the floor.  He can't just reach in and give the official even the option to make a call on him.  Last night was the first time I heard head coach Geno Ford come out and speak on that issue.  “It’s tough for us when Chris is in foul trouble, and he’s got to be more judicious with where he fouls at," Ford said.  "We can’t go through the season and play road games where he’s playing 10 minutes.  We need him on the floor.”

Additional Coverage:

McKee, Sherman pace Flashes in win over UAB – Kent Sports Report

Kent State Defeats UAB 72-65; Golden Flashes Improve to 2-0 – KentStateSports.com

Sherman shoots Kent State past UAB, 72-65 – Record Courier

Hot-shooting Kent State holds off Alabama-Birmingham, 72-65 – Cleveland Plain Dealer

UAB Falls to Kent State – UABSports.com

WRESTLING

Sophomore Dustin Kilgore (184) was named Most Outstanding Wrestler at the Oklahoma Gold Tournament on Saturday.  Kilgore upset No. 1 ranked Mike Pucillo of Ohio State in the finals.  As a team, the Golden Flashes took fifth place.

Note: Cribbs steps in to support late coach's son – Akron Beacon Journal

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Kent State survives opener, beats Samford 69-66

by Mike Hrusch on November 14, 2009

in Cross Country, men's basketball, women's basketball

The Kent State men's basketball team used a 20-1 run to start the second half and had to hang on to beat Samford on Friday night 69-66 on the first night of the Hispanic College Fund Classic.  Chris Singletary, one of six seniors on the team, played like one.  Singletary played with a sense of urgency that you might expect from a senior, scoring 19 points to go along with 7 rebounds and 4 assists. 

Read Stephanie Storm's article on the game.

HE'S BACK - It was nice to see Rod Sherman back out on the floor for the Golden Flashes.  Sherman redshirted last season while recovering from knee surgery.  Sherman was a busy man in his first game back, chasing around Samford point guard Trey Montgomery while also logging 26 minutes in his new role as point guard this season.  "It was a wonderful feeling," Sherman said.  "It's been a while since I've been out on that M.A.C. Center floor, and I've been thinking about what it would like to get back out there."  Sherman finished 4-10 from the field with 9 points.

SENIOR LEADER - It's only one game, but Chris Singletary really looks like he is embracing the role as "the guy."  Being the guy also means being the senior leader.  Singletary was the one credited for rallying his team at halftime, and it was Singletary's rugged play on the interior that helped the Flashes get a win.  The burly senior from Chicago had 19 points, and knocked down 9-10 free throws.  Singletary's leadership was a main topic in the post game press conference.“The great teams are coached within; they’re not coached by the coach," head coach Geno Ford said.  "They’re going to hold each other much more accountable than we as coaches are able to.”  Sherman also weighed in on his backcourt mate.  “I think it’s because of the passion he has for the game and him being all the way into it.  You can just see the fire in his eyes.  The new guys look at that.  It fires me up, and I’ve been here awhile.”

UAB – Kent State will now put on their track shoes on and try to defeat the fast-paced, athletic UAB Blazers.  UAB defeated Green Bay in Friday's first game, 68-56.  They feature Elijah Millsap, younger brother of NBA forward Paul Millsap.  UAB's game is predicated on their pressure defense and their athleticism.  “They are a very, very good team,” said Ford.  “They are big, they are athletic, they can score inside, they can make jump shots.  We are going to have to shoot the ball better and play better.  But I’m sure Samford, UAB and Green Bay will all play better in game two.  That’s what happens.”

Additional Coverage:

Kent State opens season with 69-66 win over Samford – KentStateSports.com

Bulldogs' late rally falls short at Kent State, 69-66 – SamfordSports.com

Vocal Singletary leads Flashes men's basketball team to win in opener – Record Courier 

WOMEN'S BASKETBALL

Kent State opened with a come from behind victory at Robert Morris, winning 62-57.  Rachel Bennett and Ellie Shields had 14 points a piece.  Story.

Note:  Read about the Kent State men's cross country team in today's Akron Beacon Journal

Extra work pays off in a hurry for KSU cross country

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Hispanic College Fund Classic – Preview

by Mike Hrusch on November 13, 2009

in Football, men's basketball

Teams: Kent State, Samford, UAB, Green Bay,

Schedule

Friday, November 13

UAB vs. Green Bay          5:00 p.m.

Kent State vs. Samford  7:30 p.m.

Saturday, November 14

Samford vs. Green Bay   5:00 p.m.

Kent State vs. UAB          7:30 p.m.

Sunday, November 15

UAB vs. Samford             2:00 p.m.

Kent State vs. Green Bay   4:30 p.m.

Team Capsules

Samford

Roster

Schedule

Head Coach: Jimmy Tillette, 13th season, 195-161

2008-2009: 16-16, 9-11 Southern Conference

Outlook: run a Princeton style offense, very deliberate on offense – wants to play a slow pace, return five of top six players from last year, return PG Trey Montgomery and forward Bryan Friday, defensively they play a lot of match up zone, want to play their game in the 50's, senior forward Jim Griffin passed away in September to an apparent heart attack

UAB

Roster

Schedule

Head Coach: Mike Davis, 4th season at UAB - 60-39

2008-2009: 22-12, 11-5 Conference USA, NIT – 1st Round

Outlook: will press and trap for the whole game, complete opposite of Samford, coached by Mike Davis – the last time KSU fans saw Davis was in the 2002 Elite 8 when he was the coach at Indiana, three lettermen returning while losing seven lettermen, lose approximately 90% of scoring and rebounding from a year ago, lose three double digit, 1,000 point career scorers from a year in Robert Vaden, Paul Delaney III and Lawrence Kinnard, have established a nice tradion by going to the 2004 Sweet 16, six postseasons in the last seven years, including three NCAA appearances in the last six years

Green Bay

Roster

Schedule

Head Coach: Tod Kowalczyk, 8th season, 114-99

2008-2009: 22-11, 13-5, CBI – 1st Round

Outlook: return guards Troy Cotton and Rahmon Fletcher who were both named to the preseason All-Horizon League second team, picked fifth in Horizon League preseason poll, Kowalczyk is a good friend of former KSU coach Jim Christian, has built the Phoenix into one of the top programs in the HL

Kent State men's basketball team opens season tonight – Record Courier

Random note…Go Akron Zips, beat the Temple Owls tonight in football on ESPNU at 8:30 p.m.

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Kent State men's basketball preview

by Mike Hrusch on November 12, 2009

in men's basketball

KENT STATE

Roster

Schedule

Seniors to lead way for KSU men – Akron Beacon Journal

Golden Flashes seasoned and ready to play – Cleveland Plain Dealer

Flashes look for fresh start in 2009 – Daily Kent Stater

Head Coach: Geno Ford (70-47 career, 19-15 at Kent State)

2008-2009: 19-15, 10-6, L 74-80 @ Oakland in CollegeInsider.com Tournament

- Kent State is returning two starters and eight letterwinners from last season.

- KSU has six seniors on the roster, which is the most since the 1991-1992 season.

- Last season Kent State led the MAC in scoring at 68.9 points per game.  It was the first time KSU had led the MAC in scoring since joining the league.

Returning Starters

Chris Singletary- 6-4, 220, Sr.: team's leading returning scorer at 12.1 points per game, ranks 10th all time at KSU with 138 career steals, has increased scoring average in every season he has played, physical presence who is a matchup nightmare for defenses with his passing and perimeter skills to go along with his post ups and strength, pre-season All-MAC East first team

Anthony Simpson – 6-8, 215, Sr.: most dynamic front court player and best athlete in the front court, led the team and ranked 9th in the MAC at 6.3 rebounds per game, possesses a solid perimeter shot, with his second year in the system will hopefully become more comfortable and consistent night in and night out, had breakout game at Akron last season with 16 points and 16 rebounds

Other Returnees

Tyree Evans – 6-3, 210, Sr.: one of the most prolific perimeter shooters in the MAC, has unlimited range on shot, second season at Kent State, averaged 11.7 points per game and shot 39.9 percent from three point range, supposedly improved overall game – mid-range game, ball handling, etc. during the off-season, took some difficult shots last season that didn't always make sense but I suppose you have to live with some of those because when he get's hot he can carry a team

Mike McKee – 6-5, 190, Sr.: along with Evans is the best three point shooter on the team, fifth year in the program, been around a lot and seen a lot being apart of two MAC Championship teams, etc, developing a reputation as a gritty, glue guy who makes a lot of winning plays to help a team, played in every game for KSU the past two seasons

Brandon Parks – 6-10, 255, Sr.: dropped another 20 pounds as he continues to reshape his body and get in better shape, Parks got an opportunity to play last season and made 19 starts with 5.9 points and 4.7 boards a game, can control a game for small portions when he get's on a roll while controlling the boards, the paint and then posting up on offense, developed a nice right handed hook shot last season that became his go to move, really took to coaching and improved a lot throughout the year

Frank Henry-Ala – 6-5, 210, Jr.: known as a defensive oriented player, can hopefully knock down open shots on the perimeter when given an open look, is capable of playing both forward positions but the coaches would prefer to just play him at the 4, posted highest GPA on the team in Spring 2009, should benefit from being in his second year in the program

Justin Greene – 6-8, 230, Sr.: Coach Ford says he is the most improved player on the team, has great hands and athletic ability for his size, was a key contributor during KSU's eight game winning streak last season, played in 31 games last season, averaged 2.2 points per game and 1.8 rebounds per game last season

Alex Grimsley – 6-7, 220, So.: will hopefully benefit from second year in the program, will provide depth on the front line, has a chance to develop into a guy with a reputation as a tireless worker, high motor, hustling big man with some perimeter skills, appears to have gotten a little bigger and stronger

Redshirts

Rod Sherman – 6-2, 185, Jr.: perhaps the biggest key to a successful season for Kent State, makes the transition from wing to point guard, known as a tough perimeter defender, has transformed his game from the last time he suited up for the Flashes, ran the scout team last year in practice and was the best player on the floor on several occasions, sat out last season as he recovered from a knee injury, is hoping to recover from a dislocated elbow suffered a couple weeks ago, gives KSU a different look at PG with his size and strength, was helped a lot by playing four games in Italy and getting his feet wet at point guard

Cameron Joyce – 5-8, 160, Fr.: capable of stepping in at point guard if called upon, good basketball knowledge, good guy to have around with a lot of basketball savvy, intelligence, brother played at Akron, non-scholarship player

Newcomers

Greg Avila – 6-6, 235, Jr.: athletic, physical, wide bodied post player, has a 7 foot wing span, will be expected to step in and play as a backup forward, JC transfer from Harcum College in Bryn Mawr, PA

Randal Holt – 6-1, 180, Fr.: top impact newcomer on Kent State's roster, from Cleveland Glenville High School, only true scholarship point guard on the roster, quick, athletic, can shoot the basketball and slash to the hoop, ranked as 32nd best point guard in the country by Rivals.com, wouldn't be surprised to see him on the floor more and more as the year goes on and he becomes more comfortable, explosive in the open floor, very quick with the basketball

Justin Manns – 6-11, 215, Jr.: a big man project, has only played three seasons of organized basketball, his physical gifts are undeniable, best attribute is shot blocking ability at this point, expected to redshirt

Ian Pinckney – 6-3, 195, So.: perhaps the best athlete on the team, great leaping ability, has the potential to be a good perimeter defender due to athleticism and strength, sophomore with three more years of eligibility after redshirting at Motlow CC last season, Chicago native

Brian Frank – 6-5, 225, So.: walk on player, will provide depth on the wing, son of Kent State provost

Jordan Wilds – 6-4, 180, Fr.: just added to the team as a walk on, from Hickory High School in Pennsylvania, saw action in exhibition game at Wooster, not expected to dress for games this season

Projected Starting Lineup

G – Rod Sherman

G – Tyree Evans

G – Chris Singletary

F – Anthony Simpson

F – Justin Greene

Bench guys who should play every night…

G – Randal Holt

G – Mike McKee

F – Greg Avila

C – Brandon Parks 

General Thoughts…

I feel like Chris Singletary needs to be "the guy" this season.  Hopefully an ankle injury doesn't linger this season for him.  Chris has the ability to be the best player on the floor.  The key is he needs to be on the floor.  He battled foul trouble all season long last year.  He has his entire senior season in front of him to write his final chapter, and go down in Kent State history with some other great players.  In the off-season Singletary declared he wanted to be an All-MAC Defensive player.  He has the ability to do that.  Singletary needs to be the ultimate leader this season with his production on the floor and in all other facets.  Players have always respected Chris a lot for his talent and his passion for the game.  The perfect scenario for Kent State has the Golden Flashes in contention and hopefully winning the MAC Championship, with Singletary front and center as a MAC Player of the Year candidate with a season stat line that looks like 14 points per game, 5 rebounds per game, 4 assists per game, improved free throw shooting and three point shooting and a leader on the defensive end of the floor.  Singletary has been much maligned for some off the floor incidents and on the floor incidents.  The University of Akron fans won't be sending him a Christmas card this holiday season.  Singletary doesn't owe the fans, the officials, the opponents anything.  All he owes is his team, coaches and school to have the best senior year he can have and walk off the floor at the M.A.C. Center this season knowing he can be proud of himself and his team.         

Kent State needs to get back to being known for defense, toughness and rebounding this season.  These were all things lacking last season and uncommon for a Kent State team not to be able to do.  The program has always prided itself on playing "nitty-gritty" basketball as Jordan Mincy would say.  While I know this is a different type of team, and the team led the MAC in scoring last season, Geno Ford will be the first person to tell you that his team will go far if defense, rebounding and toughness improve.   

The MAC East is tough as always.  While Akron is the favorite, and they should be, once again every team is capable of winning it.  It will come down to key stops, key shots, being able to steal some wins on the road, etc.

NEWS, NOTES, LINKS

Opening weekend game notes

Media Guide

Preview – MAC-Sports.com

Kent State's Ford hoping to salvage mailbox this season – FoxSports.com

Italy Trip Archive – KentStateSports.com

Evans Tagged As One Of The Nation's Top Shooters – KentStateSports.com 

Top 5 questions for 2009-10 KSU men's hoops team – Record Courier

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Men's Basketball predictions recap

by Mike Hrusch on November 12, 2009

in Wrestling, men's basketball, women's basketball

The Kent State men's basketball team will begin the 2009-2010 season tomorrow night at the M.A.C. Center when they take part in the Hispanic College Fund Classic and host Samford on Friday, UAB on Saturday and Green Bay on Sunday.  Let's quickly recap where all the preseason publications have the Golden Flashes finishing.

Athlon: Kent State – 2nd in East, NIT, Chris Singletary – 1st team All-MAC

Lindy's: Kent State – 5th in East, Chris Singletary - 2nd team All-MAC 

Rivals: Kent State – 3rd in East, Chris Singetary – 2nd team All-MAC, Tyree Evans – Most Overrated Player

Sporting News: Kent State – 4th in East,

USA Today: Kent State – 3rd in East, Chris Singletary – 1st team All-MAC

MAC Media: Kent State - 2nd in East, Chris Singletary – 1st team All-MAC East

All six polls picked Akron to win the East Division.  Athlon and USA Today picked Ball State to win the West.  The MAC Media and Rivals picked Central Michigan to win the West and Sporting News picked Northern Illinois to win the division.  What does all this mean once the games start?  Nothing really.  But it gives everyone a snapshot of the preseason expectations for the Flashes.

Remember DeAndre Nealy?  Back in April we interviewed the 6-6, 235 pound forward from Mott Community College in Flint, Michigan.  Now Nealy appears to be back in the fold as a Kent State recruit and will look to submit his paperwork to the Golden Flashes' offices sometime soon, according to a source close to the program.  Nealy would be the final piece of the recruiting puzzle for 2010.  Nealy would bring a rugged, defensive presence as he averaged about eight blocks per game last season for Mott. 

WOMEN'S BASKETBALL

The Kent State women's basketball season will get going on Friday night at Robert Morris.  It's no secret the team will try and replace Anna Kowalska's production from a year ago.  Jonas Fortune from the ABJ has got the story.  Watch a video interview with head coach Bob Lindsay.  Read freshman center Leslie Schaefer's basketball blog of her early experiences at Kent State.

WRESTLING

The Kent State wrestling team is ranked 18th in the first National Wrestling Coaches Association/USA Today Division I Team Coaches Poll.  Several wrestlers from KSU are also ranked in the individual rankings.  Kent State returns to action on Saturday at the Oklahoma Gold Tournament in Brockport, New York.

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KSU Notes – November 11

by Mike Hrusch on November 11, 2009

in Basketball, Football

Unfortunately for Kent State football, the Ohio Bobcats pulled out a 27-24 win at Buffalo last night on ESPN2.  We were watching every play, rooting for a Buffalo victory, but it didn't happen as Ohio escaped with a wild victory.  The updated MAC East Standings are…

                                                    CONFERENCE          OVERALL

Temple                                          5-0                                7-2

Ohio                                               5-1                                7-3

KENT STATE                                 4-2                               5-5

I am not sure what to make of this one.  Garrett Wolfe, from the Chicago Bears, and formerly of Northern Illinois, suffered a lacerated kidney in Sunday's game against Arizona.  Wolfe was urinating blood at halftime.  The injury is exactly the same as Kent State's Eugene Jarvis.  Jarvis has targeted Wolfe has a model and an example of someone who made it in the NFL despite his small stature.  Wolfe is listed at 5-7, 185 pounds.  Back in August, Jarvis told USA Today, "Now you don't see too many 6-3, 260-pound running backs.  You see guys like (the Chicago Bears') Garrett Wolfe, (the San Diego Chargers') Darren Sproles. … They are opening doors for players like myself.  They are showing it's possible."

Wednesday begins the early signing period so let's recap the players that will be coming to Kent State to ball on the M.A.C. Center parquet in the near future.

MEN'S BASKETBALL

Mark Henninger, 6-8, Massillon Jackson

Kenny Knight, 6-7, Cincinnati Aiken

Eric Gaines, 6-4, Chicago Hillcrest

Carlton Guyton, 6-4, Mineral Area College

Kent State is expected to give a scholarship to Robert Johnson once he is eligible to play.  The last scholarship should be held until the spring signing period.

WOMEN'S BASKETBALL

Iris Butcher, 5-8, Federal Hocking

Kate Francisco, 6-1, Marysville

T'Sheara Lucas, 5-9, Reynoldsburg

Taylor Stanton, 6-1, Cincinnati Walnut Hills

Mike McKee appeared on ESPN.com's Page 2 for their Uni Watch NCAA Hoops Preview.  In addition to Kent State, Ohio and Miami also appear to have a new look this season with the uniforms.

KentStateSports.com is saluting former men's basketball, golf and soccer coach Frank Truitt on Veterans Day.

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Flashes interested in another Cincinnati player

by Mike Hrusch on November 10, 2009

in Basketball, Football

The Cincinnati Enquirer reports that Kent State men's basketball is interested in Cincinnati Aiken's 6-2 sophomore guard William Moore.  Moore is also receiving interest from Akron, Xavier and West Virginia.  Ohio has offered Moore.  Cincinnati prep star Kenny Knight, a 6-7 senior forward,  made an oral commitment to the Flashes earlier this year.

Speaking of hoops recruiting, Wednesday begins the early signing period.  Elton Alexander includes this KSU note in his latest MAC Insider.

Kent State will have six scholarships available for 2010-11, with six seniors playing their final season for the Golden Flashes: Mike McKee, Chris Singletary, Brandon Parks, Anthony Simpson, Tyree Evans and Frank Henry-Ala.  According to Internet recruiting service rivals.com, at least four players are expected to sign early with the Golden Flashes. Coach Geno Ford should expect 6-8 Mark Henninger from Massillon Jackson, 6-4 Eric Games from Chicago Hillcrest, 6-6 Kenny Knight from Cincinnati Winton Woods and 6-4 junior-college wing Carlton Guyton from Mineral Area College (Mo.).  One of Kent's six scholarships is projected to go to 6-6 Robert Johnson out of Bedford High, who is already on campus but currently not academically eligible to play. The last scholarship will likely be held until the spring signing period.  Kent State opens its season Friday against Samford as host of the three-game Hispanic College Fund Tournament. The event also includes Alabama-Birmingham, Wisconsin-Green Bay and Rochester and runs through Monday at KSU's MAC Center.

And this football note about Kent State's division title and bowl chances…

For a division title, Kent State needs Temple to lose twice in its final three games, and Ohio to lose at least once in its final three.  If the Golden Flashes defeat Temple and Buffalo and move to 7-5, they would have one advantage: Bowls seeking an at-large team to fill a spot are required to take a team with seven wins ahead of a 6-6 team. For example, a 7-5 MAC team can't be trumped by a 6-6 Big Ten team for an at-large bowl slot.

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Bye week coming at good time for Flashes

by Mike Hrusch on November 10, 2009

in Basketball, Football, Wrestling

The Kent State football team will not have a game this weekend, and perhaps that is a good thing.  After a tough, emotional loss to Akron on Saturday, the Golden Flashes can get healthy and refocus on the final two games of the 2009 season.  Kent State has a lot to play for.  They can still win the MAC East with some help and get to a bowl game.  Kent State football has not won at least seven games since 1987 when Glen Mason led the Flashes to a 7-4 record.  Kent State has not won six games in the conference since 1976.

Stephanie Storm from the ABJ writes about how the team will try and use the bye week to recuperate from the loss on Saturday.

As we said, the Flashes can win the division but will need some help.  Kent State fans can start rooting for that help this week.  Tonight Ohio will travel to Buffalo for a 7:00 p.m. game on ESPN2.  A Buffalo win would be a good thing since Ohio is 4-1 in the MAC and a half game ahead of KSU.  Kent State fans will then be rooting for the Akron Zips to knock off Temple on Friday night at 8:30 p.m. on ESPNU.

Check out what else is going on in the MAC in Tom Gaffney's MAC Notebook.

KSU Notes – November 10

The Kent State men's basketball team has welcomed freshman walk-on Jordan Wilds to the team.  Wilds is from Hickory High School in Hermitage, Pennsylvania.  Wilds isn't listed on the official roster, but appears to be about 6-4 and is supposedly a skilled perimeter shooter.  I've been told Wilds will not dress in any games this season.  Wilds did see action in Saturday's exhibition game at Wooster.  

The Kent State women's basketball team will open their season on Friday night at Robert Morris.  The Golden Flashes will play their first four games on the road before hosting Rhode Island on November 29.  The Daily Kent Stater is grading the 2009-2010 team.  Check out this preview of the team and listen to head coach Bob Lindsay from the MAC Preview Teleconference from October 28.

Kent State wrestler Brendan Barlow has been named the Kent State Athlete of the Week.

Members of the Kent State football team recently visited two classes at the Family Child Learning  Center's Integrated Preschool for Children with Autism in Tallmadge.

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