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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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
I think I can guess a few of the bottom 5. I'm betting most of them will be a game in February or March.
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