MAC Conference Play Preview - Kent State
Saturday, January 5th, 2008This is a continuing feature where VanDelay Sports will post capsules on each team focusing on what we’ve seen so far, and what to expect through the rest of the season.
Kent State Golden Flashes
What We’ve Seen So Far
A tenacious defense, balanced scoring attack, and a start that makes an unprecedented 10th straight 20-win season incredibly likely. Kent’s attack is led by their two athletic front-court players Mike Scott and Haminn Quaintance. Neither Scott nor Quaintance tower over the opposition, at 6-7 and 6-8 respectively, but both are quick enough to give bigger slower players fits trying to guard them. With the addition of combo-guard Al Fisher from JUCO powerhouse Redlands Community College, the Golden Flashes have three guys who can take over any given game.
What to Watch
The story with Kent is their depth. They go 10-deep with 9 players averaging 15 minutes a game. This allows them to keep up the pressure on the defensive end, their strength, while being able to consistently rotate in fresh legs. Going this deep hasn’t been a problem on the offensive end either with everyone in Kent’s top 9 averaging 5+ points per game. Jim Christian has to love how everyone can be a threat on offense.
To beat the Flashes teams must rely on excellent ball movement to counter their high-intensity, trapping style defense. If there is one chink in Kent’s armor it could be their perimeter game. Mike McKee is a real threat from the outside. After McKee the options get a little dodgier. Rashard Woods and Scott have been effective from 3 so far this season, but both are considered post-players and it’s hard to tell if their hot outside shooting will keep up.
Outlook
Kent’s the class of the MAC this year. With as much defense as they play, the post prowess of Quaintance and Scott, the spread attack that they feature on offense, and possibly the best coach in the conference manning their sideline, they’re going to be really tough to beat. I’ve got the Golden Flashes pegged as the team to beat in the MAC this year.
Dan Whitmyer is the head basketball writer at VanDelay Sports. He can be reached at dwhit@vandelay-sports.com