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

ESPN Insider posted a NCAA projection report on the Flashes this week. Unfortunetly, I can't link or copy it (damn, they caucht on!) so will post the highlights here:

Reasons Why Kent Should Get a Bid:
8-1 MAC record
7-2 road/neutral record

Reasons Why Kent Should Not Get a Bid:
No wins against a projected NCAA field team ( editorial: WMU?)
Non Conference SOS of 259

This week, Flash Fans Should Cheer For:
Boston College (editorial: Rooting against the Irish is gonna cause me problems at home! Can you guys cover me on this one?)

Creighton (editorial: tough game at home against arch rival Salukis!)

This week, Flash Fans Should Root Against:
Richmond (editorial: should not be a problem playing Dayton in Dayton)

San Diego (playing at Utah)

As of February 3:
Chance of NCAA bid: 55%
Chance of NCAA at large bid: 35%
Chance of NIT bid: 40%
Chance of missing post season: 5%

Bottom line: Only bad things can happen for the Flashes in the next five games, facing teams with a collective RPI of 233.4. (This included the NIU game.) Kent gets no RPI boosts for wins but gets an enormous stumble if we lose.

We really need 3 things to happen:
1. We need to finish 17-1 and get to the MAC final.
2. We need Creighton to win the MVC and get their auto-bid and maybe even a top 25 ranking.
3. We need to beat Creighton (which makes a possible top 25 ranking for them doubtful.)

I think that is our only hope for an at-large. That's a tough row to hoe and #2 is out of our control.
It is tough in the MAC to get in the dance. There is only one ticket to be punched, it appears.

It's occurred to me that this is the time of year I get spoiled. I forget about the pre season predictions of "maybe" winning 17 games and hoping to contend for the East while waiting for next year when "our talent develops." I get swept up in all of the dance projections.

So, note to self: This a very good team. Not great, but very, very good. We are well coached with disciplined, team players. They are exceeding all of my expectations. And, thank God I'm not an Akron fan.