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

(02-24-2024 08:19 AM)Polish Hammer Wrote:  

(02-24-2024 08:01 AM)Muskrat Wrote:  College sports as we once knew it, especially football and basketball, is gone forever. If the NCAA makes their one-year moratorium permanent or is forced to by the courts and/or legislatures, what we will have is "free agency" every year for every player. Every season will be essentially ad hoc. It won't be as bad for the fans of the top teams, as those teams will either benefit, or at worst get new players as good as the players that leave, but below that level it will be awful.

Which makes this worse than pro sports where players hit free agency every so many years. Now there’s no requirement to sit out a season regardless of how many times they’ve transferred. I’ve seen kids going on school #4 which is insane. We get hit up to donate to the programs, then the NIL collectives came around and need $ for the kids for recruiting and retention, now I’m seeing collectives raising to help players when they’re done playing, so they can go train and chase their dream. Next it will be to fund former players to chase their degree they never got because they didn’t stay on track due to lessened courseloads and losing credit hours by transferring. And it will still be bad for the top schools, they have to re-recruit everyone constantly the same as everyone else. This nonsense has led to some veteran coaches to hang ‘em up earlier than they probably expected. And I don’t expect anything to get any better, you can’t put the toothpaste back in the tube.

Well said, Polish Hammer.

The big loss is in quality of the product. Players playing together for years produces a more enjoyable product to watch. No chance Kent goes to the elite 8 with the same talent if it was all assembled that off season. No chance LeBron leads a HS team with only 2 mid major caliber players to a national championship if they hadn't played together for a decade. It's like when you play pickup games at the Rec. If 5 guys walk in together and say they got next, there's a good chance that team will win over 5 guys that don't know each other.

(02-24-2024 12:36 PM)anti-zip Wrote:  The big loss is in quality of the product. Players playing together for years produces a more enjoyable product to watch. No chance Kent goes to the elite 8 with the same talent if it was all assembled that off season. No chance LeBron leads a HS team with only 2 mid major caliber players to a national championship if they hadn't played together for a decade. It's like when you play pickup games at the Rec. If 5 guys walk in together and say they got next, there's a good chance that team will win over 5 guys that don't know each other.

I read an article on Nick Sabin today - he was quoted as saying there's no such thing anymore as a "student- athlete" and the NIL focuses on present earning with no regard for what a player can do when their career ends.

(02-24-2024 12:36 PM)anti-zip Wrote:  The big loss is in quality of the product. Players playing together for years produces a more enjoyable product to watch. No chance Kent goes to the elite 8 with the same talent if it was all assembled that off season. No chance LeBron leads a HS team with only 2 mid major caliber players to a national championship if they hadn't played together for a decade. It's like when you play pickup games at the Rec. If 5 guys walk in together and say they got next, there's a good chance that team will win over 5 guys that don't know each other.

That's true. We've seen the last of Kent State teams like the Elite 8 one. All the major changes the last several years serve to weaken the product for the fans who really appreciate and understand the game. Back in 2002 one coach, and don't remember which one, actually whined that Kent State had an advantage over teams that maybe had more raw talent because of how many players have played together for a while.

Agree with the assessment that the MAC basketball programs will need to up their game (translation -> investment budgets) now that UMass will be joining.

https://www.gazettenet.com/MAC-basketbal...e-54314504

I have the feeling that this will trigger more expansion with the MAC.

#GoFlashes

(03-08-2024 12:06 PM)Albert Flasher Wrote:  Agree with the assessment that the MAC basketball programs will need to up their game (translation -> investment budgets) now that UMass will be joining.

https://www.gazettenet.com/MAC-basketbal...e-54314504

I have the feeling that this will trigger more expansion with the MAC.

#GoFlashes

Agree they will have to, but how many actually will?

(02-24-2024 12:36 PM)anti-zip Wrote:  The big loss is in quality of the product. Players playing together for years produces a more enjoyable product to watch. No chance Kent goes to the elite 8 with the same talent if it was all assembled that off season. No chance LeBron leads a HS team with only 2 mid major caliber players to a national championship if they hadn't played together for a decade. It's like when you play pickup games at the Rec. If 5 guys walk in together and say they got next, there's a good chance that team will win over 5 guys that don't know each other.

That Elite 8 team was the epitome of lightning in a bottle. There were so many strokes of luck that happened that offseason. If Perry didn't leave school, there wouldn't be a C position for a random bench warmer from MSU to transfer to. And how about we just so happen to hire a coach and he just so happens to convince his backup center to transfer to a place like Kent. How about lining up two guys Mitchell/Huffman that could both go coast-to-coast in 1.5 seconds. And man, Trever was not great his freshmen year.
If we lost to Indiana in 2001, Waters would have stayed, and none of those things would be put into place. I remember how out-of-place Indian looked in 2001 too. They just lost Bobby Knight and pretty much wanted the season to be over. Had Indiana gave Bobby 1 more chance to get his act together (although having been at that game, it would be hilarious to see Bobby in action) Indiana would probably beat us, and Gary would probably still be the coach for the 01/02 season.

(03-08-2024 04:40 PM)AlphaFlash Wrote:  

(02-24-2024 12:36 PM)anti-zip Wrote:  The big loss is in quality of the product. Players playing together for years produces a more enjoyable product to watch. No chance Kent goes to the elite 8 with the same talent if it was all assembled that off season. No chance LeBron leads a HS team with only 2 mid major caliber players to a national championship if they hadn't played together for a decade. It's like when you play pickup games at the Rec. If 5 guys walk in together and say they got next, there's a good chance that team will win over 5 guys that don't know each other.

That Elite 8 team was the epitome of lightning in a bottle. There were so many strokes of luck that happened that offseason. If Perry didn't leave school, there wouldn't be a C position for a random bench warmer from MSU to transfer to. And how about we just so happen to hire a coach and he just so happens to convince his backup center to transfer to a place like Kent. How about lining up two guys Mitchell/Huffman that could both go coast-to-coast in 1.5 seconds. And man, Trever was not great his freshmen year.
If we lost to Indiana in 2001, Waters would have stayed, and none of those things would be put into place. I remember how out-of-place Indian looked in 2001 too. They just lost Bobby Knight and pretty much wanted the season to be over. Had Indiana gave Bobby 1 more chance to get his act together (although having been at that game, it would be hilarious to see Bobby in action) Indiana would probably beat us, and Gary would probably still be the coach for the 01/02 season.

In 2002 Indiana was lucky to beat Duke. Only did because they essentially had a home game in Lexington. I am convinced Duke’s guards that year would have been dominated by Huffman and Mitchell but we never got the chance.

(03-08-2024 04:40 PM)AlphaFlash Wrote:  

(02-24-2024 12:36 PM)anti-zip Wrote:  The big loss is in quality of the product. Players playing together for years produces a more enjoyable product to watch. No chance Kent goes to the elite 8 with the same talent if it was all assembled that off season. No chance LeBron leads a HS team with only 2 mid major caliber players to a national championship if they hadn't played together for a decade. It's like when you play pickup games at the Rec. If 5 guys walk in together and say they got next, there's a good chance that team will win over 5 guys that don't know each other.

That Elite 8 team was the epitome of lightning in a bottle. There were so many strokes of luck that happened that offseason. If Perry didn't leave school, there wouldn't be a C position for a random bench warmer from MSU to transfer to. And how about we just so happen to hire a coach and he just so happens to convince his backup center to transfer to a place like Kent. How about lining up two guys Mitchell/Huffman that could both go coast-to-coast in 1.5 seconds. And man, Trever was not great his freshmen year.
If we lost to Indiana in 2001, Waters would have stayed, and none of those things would be put into place. I remember how out-of-place Indian looked in 2001 too. They just lost Bobby Knight and pretty much wanted the season to be over. Had Indiana gave Bobby 1 more chance to get his act together (although having been at that game, it would be hilarious to see Bobby in action) Indiana would probably beat us, and Gary would probably still be the coach for the 01/02 season.

Who was the bench warmer from MSU? Who was the backup center Heath brought with him? And while Huffman was not great as a freshman compared to later, he was one of their best players. He was 5th in minutes per game, 3rd in points per game, and 3rd in assists per game.

(03-08-2024 04:40 PM)AlphaFlash Wrote:  

(02-24-2024 12:36 PM)anti-zip Wrote:  The big loss is in quality of the product. Players playing together for years produces a more enjoyable product to watch. No chance Kent goes to the elite 8 with the same talent if it was all assembled that off season. No chance LeBron leads a HS team with only 2 mid major caliber players to a national championship if they hadn't played together for a decade. It's like when you play pickup games at the Rec. If 5 guys walk in together and say they got next, there's a good chance that team will win over 5 guys that don't know each other.

That Elite 8 team was the epitome of lightning in a bottle. There were so many strokes of luck that happened that offseason. If Perry didn't leave school, there wouldn't be a C position for a random bench warmer from MSU to transfer to. And how about we just so happen to hire a coach and he just so happens to convince his backup center to transfer to a place like Kent. How about lining up two guys Mitchell/Huffman that could both go coast-to-coast in 1.5 seconds. And man, Trever was not great his freshmen year.
If we lost to Indiana in 2001, Waters would have stayed, and none of those things would be put into place. I remember how out-of-place Indian looked in 2001 too. They just lost Bobby Knight and pretty much wanted the season to be over. Had Indiana gave Bobby 1 more chance to get his act together (although having been at that game, it would be hilarious to see Bobby in action) Indiana would probably beat us, and Gary would probably still be the coach for the 01/02 season.

As I recall, the C position was filled by GWs last recruit, Fr. Nate Gerwig, and was backed up by a walk-on, John Edwards. Gaining Gates from like his third JUCO was no doubt a plus, but Mike Perry was far from chopped liver, a proven starter, and a legit 6-9 to boot. Even switching out Gates for Perry, this was still a MAC Championship caliber team and a Sweet 16 team at least.

The real plus on that team was (1) two point guards in Mitchell and Huffman and (2) a plethora of interchangeable wings from 6-1 Eric Haut to 6-6 Eric Thomas to Shaw, to Bedford to Wilkins. Few mid-majors or power conference teams could match that depth and versatility.

BTW, Trevor was a stud as a freshman coming off the bench.

(03-09-2024 03:22 PM)cleveland Wrote:  

(03-08-2024 04:40 PM)AlphaFlash Wrote:  

(02-24-2024 12:36 PM)anti-zip Wrote:  The big loss is in quality of the product. Players playing together for years produces a more enjoyable product to watch. No chance Kent goes to the elite 8 with the same talent if it was all assembled that off season. No chance LeBron leads a HS team with only 2 mid major caliber players to a national championship if they hadn't played together for a decade. It's like when you play pickup games at the Rec. If 5 guys walk in together and say they got next, there's a good chance that team will win over 5 guys that don't know each other.

That Elite 8 team was the epitome of lightning in a bottle. There were so many strokes of luck that happened that offseason. If Perry didn't leave school, there wouldn't be a C position for a random bench warmer from MSU to transfer to. And how about we just so happen to hire a coach and he just so happens to convince his backup center to transfer to a place like Kent. How about lining up two guys Mitchell/Huffman that could both go coast-to-coast in 1.5 seconds. And man, Trever was not great his freshmen year.
If we lost to Indiana in 2001, Waters would have stayed, and none of those things would be put into place. I remember how out-of-place Indian looked in 2001 too. They just lost Bobby Knight and pretty much wanted the season to be over. Had Indiana gave Bobby 1 more chance to get his act together (although having been at that game, it would be hilarious to see Bobby in action) Indiana would probably beat us, and Gary would probably still be the coach for the 01/02 season.

As I recall, the C position was filled by GWs last recruit, Fr. Nate Gerwig, and was backed up by a walk-on, John Edwards. Gaining Gates from like his third JUCO was no doubt a plus, but Mike Perry was far from chopped liver, a proven starter, and a legit 6-9 to boot. Even switching out Gates for Perry, this was still a MAC Championship caliber team and a Sweet 16 team at least.

The real plus on that team was (1) two point guards in Mitchell and Huffman and (2) a plethora of interchangeable wings from 6-1 Eric Haut to 6-6 Eric Thomas to Shaw, to Bedford to Wilkins. Few mid-majors or power conference teams could match that depth and versatility.

BTW, Trevor was a stud as a freshman coming off the bench.

Right, Cleveland. Gerwig was a Waters recruit and Edwards was a walk-on under Waters, too. Huffman was a terrific freshman. Even though he came off the bench until the MAC tournament his sophomore year, he was fifth in minutes played and was always in the game at the end if the game was close. His frosh year they also had Ed Norvell, Andrew Mitchell, Nate Meers and John Calloway in the backcourt, so none averaged even 30 minutes per game. Norvell averaged the most at 29.4. Gates never played basketball at MSU. He started at MSU in football, played basketball at Eastern Michigan his second season and did not play sports at his JUCO his third season.

I could talk about that team all day. What I enjoyed was the depth that allowed us to play a 90 foot game for 30-40 minutes per game. Our opponents were dragging at the end of the game. Huffman a Mitchell seemed to play with one brain. One always knew what the other was doing. Loved that team.

Idk where this fits, so I'll throw it here. The Ravens drafted Devontez Walker in the 4th round (#113) overall. Pulling for him as a former flash just got more complicated for us Browns fans.