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

The Golden Flashes welcome the Charleston Cougars to the MAC Center for a 5:30 Sunday tilt. Kent State is 4-2 and is fresh off a victory over the Fordham Rams in the American Virgin Islands. C of C enters the contest at 2-3 but is coming off an 80-72 victory over Coastal Carolina.

The leading scorer for the Cougars is 6'10/225 Ante Brzovic. The big forward from Croatia averages 13 points and 7 rebounds a night. Charleston also gets some offense from 6'7 junior Ben Burnham (10.8ppg), 6'2/190 Reyne Smith (9.8 ppg) and 6'3/180 junior Kobe Rodgers. Rodgers played for the Division II National Champion Nova Southeastern last season.

C of C appears to go nine players deep and play their games in the 70/75 point range. While they are not off to the hot start they enjoyed last year, I am sure they will be a stiff challenge for the Flashes. Not sure what to expect crowd wise as the Browns play at four and many students will be slowly making their way back o campus this afternoon.

But I do expect KSU to take a nice step forward!

Kent State 78
College of Charleston 69
Chris Payton takes care of the stuffing and no fowl play from Hornbeak today!

Yesterday's football game at the same time as Ohio State v Michigan. Today's game is during the same time as the Browns. I expect a sparse crowd. Too bad seeing as how this is a legit program coming into our gym.

(11-26-2023 10:45 AM)AlphaFlash Wrote:  Yesterday's football game at the same time as Ohio State v Michigan. Today's game is during the same time as the Browns. I expect a sparse crowd. Too bad seeing as how this is a legit program coming into our gym.

Agree, but I doubt moving the NIU game to a better time or day would have increased attendance all that much. And I believe, but am NOT certain, that the Charleston game was scheduled before the Browns schedule was finalized. The athletic department should take pains to try to schedule all games in a way that would maximize attendance.

(11-26-2023 11:07 AM)Muskrat Wrote:  

(11-26-2023 10:45 AM)AlphaFlash Wrote:  Yesterday's football game at the same time as Ohio State v Michigan. Today's game is during the same time as the Browns. I expect a sparse crowd. Too bad seeing as how this is a legit program coming into our gym.

Agree, but I doubt moving the NIU game to a better time or day would have increased attendance all that much. And I believe, but am NOT certain, that the Charleston game was scheduled before the Browns schedule was finalized. The athletic department should take pains to try to schedule all games in a way that would maximize attendance.

It's not so much the day as the time. Even a 2 p.m. start would probably be better. I don't know if it can be done, but if the Browns game could be projected on the scoreboard, I'd market that as part of the gameday promo, especially now that the Browns are at least watchable; 2 p.m. Flashes, 4 p.m. Browns -- come on down.

(11-26-2023 12:47 PM)cleveland Wrote:  

(11-26-2023 11:07 AM)Muskrat Wrote:  

(11-26-2023 10:45 AM)AlphaFlash Wrote:  Yesterday's football game at the same time as Ohio State v Michigan. Today's game is during the same time as the Browns. I expect a sparse crowd. Too bad seeing as how this is a legit program coming into our gym.

Agree, but I doubt moving the NIU game to a better time or day would have increased attendance all that much. And I believe, but am NOT certain, that the Charleston game was scheduled before the Browns schedule was finalized. The athletic department should take pains to try to schedule all games in a way that would maximize attendance.

It's not so much the day as the time. Even a 2 p.m. start would probably be better. I don't know if it can be done, but if the Browns game could be projected on the scoreboard, I'd market that as part of the gameday promo, especially now that the Browns are at least watchable; 2 p.m. Flashes, 4 p.m. Browns -- come on down.

Planning... Foresight... You ask too much.

(11-26-2023 11:07 AM)Muskrat Wrote:  

(11-26-2023 10:45 AM)AlphaFlash Wrote:  Yesterday's football game at the same time as Ohio State v Michigan. Today's game is during the same time as the Browns. I expect a sparse crowd. Too bad seeing as how this is a legit program coming into our gym.

Agree, but I doubt moving the NIU game to a better time or day would have increased attendance all that much. And I believe, but am NOT certain, that the Charleston game was scheduled before the Browns schedule was finalized. The athletic department should take pains to try to schedule all games in a way that would maximize attendance.

Almost all Broncos Sunday games are at 2pm mountain time (4pm EST). Kent State should know that. Charleston game should have been a 1pm start time. The bizarre decisions our Athletic Dept makes continually amazes and disappoints me. They generally don’t have a clue…

Down 7. Fourteen left. Not so sure about this. Luckily, there is plenty of pasta, gravy and garlic bread left.

Tough loss. Can’t give up 80+ at home. Or ever, really.

Oh well. Winners bounce back!

(11-26-2023 07:39 PM)fallsdog Wrote:  Tough loss. Can’t give up 80+ at home. Or ever, really.

Oh well. Winners bounce back!

Three point shooting not so great, given you're on your home court. Seems like a perennial problem for us.

Two more home losses than all of last season.

That 17-2 run to begin the second half was a killer.

I was at the game. We have some talent but the guys got out worked and out shot tonight. Charleston just wanted it more as witnessed by their offensive rebounds. They move the ball really well which creates good looks for 3’s. Looked like “Hoosiers” out there most of the night. To me, C of C plays the game the way it should be played. Our offensive system (like most years) is heavy on dribbling and driving. Not enough motion IMO.

Payton really struggled for the 1st time this season. He seemed frustrated as the game wore on.

Lots of ball to play and with the right adjustments and better defense, our boys should be right near the top of the MAC!

Yes, the [lack of] rebounding was a difference maker. The offense appeared to be very disjointed & lacking a "take-charge" player. I really expected more from Gio this season, but thus far, it appears to me that he has regressed. Hoping they can get their collective act together for conference play.

#GoFlashes

(11-26-2023 07:48 PM)Muskrat Wrote:  Two more home losses than all of last season.

We we were bringing in higher quality opponents this year. We complained when we had soft competition before. I guess this is what we get.
These guys played an awesome screen and roll offense along the arc. This is a very good team we lost to today. At least we're not bringing Patsy's in and winning by 25. I hope this pays off for us in the long run.

(11-26-2023 09:44 PM)AlphaFlash Wrote:  

(11-26-2023 07:48 PM)Muskrat Wrote:  Two more home losses than all of last season.

We we were bringing in higher quality opponents this year. We complained when we had soft competition before. I guess this is what we get.
These guys played an awesome screen and roll offense along the arc. This is a very good team we lost to today. At least we're not bringing Patsy's in and winning by 25. I hope this pays off for us in the long run.

All true.

(11-26-2023 11:07 AM)Muskrat Wrote:  

(11-26-2023 10:45 AM)AlphaFlash Wrote:  Yesterday's football game at the same time as Ohio State v Michigan. Today's game is during the same time as the Browns. I expect a sparse crowd. Too bad seeing as how this is a legit program coming into our gym.

Agree, but I doubt moving the NIU game to a better time or day would have increased attendance all that much. And I believe, but am NOT certain, that the Charleston game was scheduled before the Browns schedule was finalized. The athletic department should take pains to try to schedule all games in a way that would maximize attendance.

5427 was official announced attendance. Loge must have been packed
because our side had about 50 people. Student section had 8 students and about 75 NIU supporters. Our season ticket base used to be 700-800. Guaranteed it is way lower now. Counting absent season ticket holders it is a broad stretch to reach 1000. 5427 Not a chance , not even close.

(11-26-2023 08:58 PM)Albert Flasher Wrote:  Yes, the [lack of] rebounding was a difference maker. The offense appeared to be very disjointed & lacking a "take-charge" player. I really expected more from Gio this season, but thus far, it appears to me that he has regressed. Hoping they can get their collective act together for conference play.

#GoFlashes

Both Gio and Bass seem to be out of alignment. Sully the only backcourt player truly on his game. I understand the value of combo guards. But the value of a 'true' point guard can't be overstated.

This offense reminds me of the year Kent struggled well into the season before Sendy gave Jalen Avery the PG job for good. Problem now is ... there's no true young (or veteran) PG on this team.

Yes, one would expect Gio to be capable ... and perhaps he will smooth some of the rough spots (turnovers) as the season goe on. But in reality, he's a combo or shooting guard relying on experience and guile - (which may be why his shooting is so off this season).

Also, as mentioned above, giving up 80-plus at home, win or lose, (on a night Kent shoots 50% from the field) is not a good sign, either. Consistent backcourt scoring and defense - especially compared to last 4-5 seasons - leaves a lot to be desired at this point. Again, there is no remedy on the bench, either, as the first loss to JMU magnified.

Kind of reminds me of the Browns and their QB situation. They guy they relied on (Watson) is out and the perceived quality backups aren't as good/reliable as anticipated.

UPDATE: Just went back and checked. Kent was 10-9, 2-4 on a four-game MAC losing streak when Avery became the fulltime starter. Kent was 18-13, 10-8 going into the MAC Tournament (which they won, with Avery averaging 5.1 points a game). This was his sophomore season, 2016-2017.

(11-27-2023 03:48 PM)cleveland Wrote:  

(11-26-2023 08:58 PM)Albert Flasher Wrote:  Yes, the [lack of] rebounding was a difference maker. The offense appeared to be very disjointed & lacking a "take-charge" player. I really expected more from Gio this season, but thus far, it appears to me that he has regressed. Hoping they can get their collective act together for conference play.

#GoFlashes

Both Gio and Bass seem to be out of alignment. Sully the only backcourt player truly on his game. I understand the value of combo guards. But the value of a 'true' point guard can't be overstated.

This offense reminds me of the year Kent struggled well into the season before Sendy gave Jalen Avery the PG job for good. Problem now is ... there's no true young (or veteran) PG on this team.

Yes, one would expect Gio to be capable ... and perhaps he will smooth some of the rough spots (turnovers) as the season goe on. But in reality, he's a combo or shooting guard relying on experience and guile - (which may be why his shooting is so off this season).

Also, as mentioned above, giving up 80-plus at home, win or lose, (on a night Kent shoots 50% from the field) is not a good sign, either. Consistent backcourt scoring and defense - especially compared to last 4-5 seasons - leaves a lot to be desired at this point. Again, there is no remedy on the bench, either, as the first loss to JMU magnified.

Kind of reminds me of the Browns and their QB situation. They guy they relied on (Watson) is out and the perceived quality backups aren't as good/reliable as anticipated.

Sully the shortest player on the court was our leading rebounder, ugh