MAC Memories - Volume 2 - Games 5-1

Hi again everybody! Well it's almost the eve of another Kent State/Akron basketball game here at the MAC Center.

A couple of weeks ago, I rolled out five of the top Mid-American Conference games I've witnessed in person. It's seems fitting to wait until today to reveal my top five. I would like to say thanks to the great number of loyal Flashes fans who either emailed me or mentioned to me in person their own personal top MAC memories. Many of them are on this list!

So here they are, and here's to making another one tomorrow night!

Go Flashes!

TL

#5 – March 12 2011 – Kent State vs. Akron – MAC Championship

After splitting the two regular season meetings, no one was surprised when the two rivals survived the first two rounds of the MAC Tournament and met for a third time in the finals. Cleveland’s Quicken Loans Arena was abuzz hours before the game with fans eager to see the two belligerents decide the MAC title.

From the outset, the intense pressure of a championship game against a rival was palpable. Key plays and mistakes were both made as the game wore on into the night. With the game tied late, KSU’s Rodriguez Sherman fired a prayer as the buzzer sounded that sailed wide, sending the game into overtime.

With 9,000 fans on their feet for the five-minute overtime, KSU took a 62-59 lead but then hit a dry spell. Akron’s Brett McKnight buried two free throws with 12 seconds left to give the Zips a 66-65 lead and the Golden Flashes’ final two shots were blocked to bring the game to its final heartbreaking result.

The Flashes managed just six points in the extra session on 2/13 shooting, but found their stroke the next week in California as they upset St. Mary’s in the NIT.

Akron 66, Kent State 65 F/OT

#4 – March 8 2003 – Kent State vs. Ohio – MAC Semi-finals

It was like a scene out of “Gunfight at the O.K. Corral.”

But instead of Claiborne, Clanton and McLaury against Virgil, Morgan, Earp and Holliday, it was Gates and Wilkins against Hunter and Esterkamp.

Antonio Gates

For twenty tantalizing minutes in the first half, Kent State and Ohio fired bullet after bullet at each other. Defense seemed to be optional as the two teams headed for their locker rooms deadlocked at 38. The second half was equally as entertaining. Wilkins enjoyed a phenomenal night, striking for 22 points in his hometown. The Gates/Hunter match-up was worth the price of admission in itself as the two big-bodied forwards locked horns all night. Gates finished with 21 and Hunter tallied 26 points and six rebounds in the back-and-forth affair.

A Gates jumper late gave the Flashes some breathing room and they calmly hit their free throws to clinch a spot in the title game.

Kent State 73, Ohio 70 F

#3 – January 23, 2008 – Akron @ Kent State

Thanks to the miracle of television, the first regular season encounter between the hated rivals was my first ever chance to call a Kent State/Akron men’s game on radio. With Bill Needle and Tom Linder sliding over to the TV side, I jumped into the radio air chair for my first taste of the rivalry.

It was a messy first half for the good guys who trailed a hot-shooting Zips squad, 35-25. But in the second period, the Flashes rallied and dropped 50 on their unsuspecting guests. The frustration piled up as an ugly shoving match broke out in the corner near the end of the game following a foul. To compound matters, some unruly fans showered Zips’ players with debris in the melee, prompting head coach Jim Christian to grab the PA mic and demand order – a la Sam Wyche of the Cincinnati Bengals.

The Flashes were paced by Chris Singletary, whose 7/8 shooting night led the way for the winners. This triumph would be the first of three in 2008 for the Golden Flashes over the Zips – including a resounding win in the tournament finals.

Kent State 75, Akron 69 F

#2 – February 3, 2003 – Miami @ Kent State

It was called the “Greatest Team in Kent State Basketball History.” The 2001-2002 Golden Flashes shattered the school record books, rolled through the Mid-American Conference and jumped into the national spotlight with an appearance in the NCAA Division I Basketball Tournament’s Elite Eight.

Not quite a year after they become a national sensation, four key members of that historic squad were summoned back to the MAC Center for a jersey retirement ceremony. It was a big party in Kent, Ohio and there was just one little problem.

Someone put Charlie Coles and the Miami RedHawks on the guest list.

Kent State's Fab Four

The 5,682 other party-goers were stunned as the rude RedHawks seized command of the game, going up by 19 in the first half. KSU could do nothing right. But during a timeout, Trevor Huffman, Demetric Shaw, Andrew Mitchell and Eric Thomas moved from the seats to behind Kent’s bench. And the rally was on.

Led by Antonio Gates – who, at one point scored 12 straight points by himself - the Flashes fought back to within 11 at the break and roared to life after halftime to deliver a haymaker to the bewildered RedHawks. With the MAC Center roof literally vibrating due to the noise, Eric Haut then began a long-distance spectacular, burying three after three as KSU ran away with the game.

Afterward, it was a truly humbling experience to be able to interview both the star of this game (Gates), and the guest of honor (Huffman).

Kent State 70, Miami 60 F

#1 – March 4 2011 – Akron at Kent State

It was a dream setup that even the most ambitious Hollywood writer couldn’t have concocted.

After a mesmerizing regular season, the Kent State Golden Flashes and the Akron Zips had one game to play. All that remained to be settled was the 2011 regular season champion and top seed. The MAC Center was ready for the Friday Night Fight of a lifetime.

The Zips took advantage of a slow shooting start for KSU to go up by four at the intermission. But the second half featured yet another classic MAC Center comeback. Sparked by veteran star Justin Greene, the Golden Flashes made their move. And with the crowd at a constant din, Akron’s Quincy Diggs was called for a foul that he didn’t quite agree with. Frustration then took over and before his dialogue with referee Bo Boroski was over, Diggs was ejected from the game – symbolically ending the Zips’ night.

With nearly 6,500 screaming fans on their feet, KSU piled it on, hitting clutch three after clutch three. Security personnel stood helplessly by as rabid Flashes’ fans stormed the court in celebration of the team’s second consecutive league title.

Kent State 79, Akron 68 F

MAC Memories - Volume 1 - Games 10-6

Hi again everybody! Happy New Year from the Kent State IMG Sports Network!

Earlier this week, both our men and women's basketball teams began the nightly drama (and sometimes torture!) that is Mid-American Conference play. As I was preparing for the KSU/Ohio opener, I started to daydream about some of the classic MAC games I've seen since my involvement with Kent State.

So, to coincide with the start of what is sure to be another exciting MAC season, I have come up with 10 of my favourite moments. The only rule was that it had to be a game I personally witnessed. Watching on television didn't count. We will start the countdown with numbers 10 through six this week and then the top five in a couple weeks leading up to the Akron game!

If you agree, disagree, were there and have memories or just want to share some of your own personal highlights, please feel free!

Without further adieu, let the countdown begin!

#10  - January 25 2004 – Toledo @ Kent State

In marched the first place Toledo Rockets on a frigid Sunday in Kent. With a 13-3, 7-1 record, Stan Joplin’s Rockets were loaded with talent and the pick of many to finally unseat KSU as the MAC’s dominant program. The Flashes were 12-3 overall and a solid 6-1 in conference play.

Eric Haut

The game was tied early before the Golden Flashes made a run – one of several they’d make on the afternoon. And when Eric Haut, Jason Edwin and Bryan Bedford unleashed a long-range barrage, Joplin could do little to slow KSU’s furious pace other than burn timeout after timeout. A raucous MAC Center crowd of 5,879 witnessed Haut and Edwin combine for 40 of Kent State’s 92 points. But perhaps more impressive was the Flashes’ defense – holding Keith Triplett to a 2/12 shooting day with four turnovers and a frustration-induced technical foul.

Kent State 92, Toledo 56 F

#9 – March 8 2013 – Kent State @ Akron

The national television lights shined bright on the MAC’s two powers for the regular season finale at James A. Rhodes Arena. And as a sellout crowd of better than 5,000 white-clad Zips fans looked on, a KSU newcomer stole the show.

With the game still hanging tantalizingly up for grabs, Kent State junior Darren Goodson simply took over the game. On one end, he made clutch shot after clutch shot. On the other, he grabbed rebounds, outmuscled larger opponents and took a key charge that turned the game around. And in between he came of age as a team leader, taking command of the huddle both on and off the court. His 19 points and 8 rebounds were just enough to lead the Flashes to victory on Akron’s Senior night.

Kent State 68, Akron 64 F

#8 – February 21, 2011 – Kent State @ Western Michigan

The only thing he didn’t do was drive the bus home.

KSU’s Michael Porrini put the Flashes on his back at Western Michigan’s University Arena down the stretch, helping Kent to a road win that completely changed the complexion of the conference race.

Michael Porrini

Trailing 70-69, the Massillon product caught fire, capitalizing on a three-point play to give the Flashes a lead with a minute to play. After a quick Bronco bucket, the Flashes had the ball with 30 seconds remaining, tied at 72. Although the first shot attempt was missed, Porrini skied to the rafters to snare the offensive rebound – allowing Kent State to set up a final play. 

Following a time out the Golden Flashes ran the clock down to under 10 seconds when the 6'2" guard was isolated at the top of the key.  Porrini, who had 15 of his team high 19 points in the second half, then delivered once again hitting a 17-foot pull-up jumper to give the Golden Flashes their two point lead.  Not to be outdone he then stole a three-quarters court desperation in bounds pass to seal the win and give Kent State's its 23rd consecutive victory over a West Division opponent.

Kent State 74, Western Michigan 72 F

#7 – February 27 2013 – Buffalo @ Kent State

Throughout Kent State’s basketball renaissance, the Memorial Athletic and Convocation Center has been a house of horrors for many teams who attempt to brave its confines. But no team had found the venerable structure more terrifying than the Buffalo Bulls. And as they made the trek down I-90 for the second regular season meeting, the Flashes had perhaps the most gruesome finish in store for them, yet.

Down 15 points in the final 12 minutes, it would have taken quite a leap of faith to expect KSU to keep the Bulls winless in Portage County. Six times already this year they’d lost excruciatingly in the final seconds. But Melvin Tabb – banished to the bench in the first half – was called from it in the second and provided just the spark KSU needed. His 14 points and five rebounds in the final 14 minutes of regulation sent the game into overtime tied at 73.

Evans beats the Bulls

As the two clubs slugged furiously away at each other in the extra session, the game remained deadlocked at 81 as Kent State prepared for the final possession. The Flashes put the ball in the hands of Chris Evans and he started his drive as the seconds ticked away. Three different Buffalo players challenged Evans as he drove for the basket, including Bulls star Javon McCrea, but the Kent State senior managed to hang in the air just long enough to get off the first buzzer beater of his life.

The four footer banked in to set off a wild celebration as the clock hit zero, sending KSU to a MAC tournament bye, and Buffalo to 0-16 lifetime at the MAC Center.

Kent State 83, Buffalo 81 F/OT

#6 – January 19 2005 – Buffalo @ Kent State

Head coach Reggie Witherspoon had guided a long-dormant Buffalo Bulls basketball program into constant Mid-American Conference contention. His 2004-2005 squad was his best to date, with three-point sharpshooter Calvin Cage and MAC Player of the Year favorite Turner Battle.

Turner Battle

As the two new rivals took to the parquet for an early conference showdown, the drama began instantly. Battle and Cage were magnificent and the Flashes got contributions from up and down head coach Jim Christian’s lineup. With a 30-29 lead at halftime, KSU watched UB shoot 64 percent in the second half. Yet the Flashes moved ahead by three on a couple of Kevin Warzynski free throws with four seconds left, 70-67. But Battle stole the stage and buried an impossible three at the buzzer to send the game into overtime. He then hit the first field goal of OT and seemed primed to run away with the game. But a Jason Edwin three turned the score around and the Flashes outscored the Bulls in the extra period, 15-10 to hold on for the classic win.

Battle finished 9/16 for 25 points to lead all scorers, and won the respect from the KSU crowd in the process. Meanwhile, Kent State had six of its eight players in double figures – led by Edwin’s 18. There were five ties in the remarkable contest and an astounding 18 lead changes.

Kent State 85, Buffalo 80 F/OT

There you have it! My sixth through tenth picks. Check back in a week or so for my top five. Until then, and as always,

GO FLASHES!

-TL