Bracket Busters (Definitely! Maybe?) #3

May I present to you the Kent State Golden Flashes!

Horrible team name, but please stay with me.

Now it's hard to give Kent State credit, as they prevented a very good Pitt team from going to the Elite Eight back in 2002. That sweet sixteen game remains one of the most difficult Tournament disappointments for Pitt fans to get over. That Panther team was stacked with Brandin Knight (the co-Big East player of the year that year), Julius Page, Jaron Brown, & Chevy Troutman. The interesting thing about that 2002 Kent State team was that it featured future NFL star and Fantasy Football hero Antonio Gates. I can't believe that it has been 6 years since that game. I'm getting way too old way too quickly. Let's move on from past Pitt defeats.

Kent State is currently 24-6, 12-3 in the Mid-American Conference after defeating Miami of Ohio last night, 50-39. I watched most of this game and yes, the action was about as exciting as a 50-39 score gets. Because of extreme prejudice, and the fact that I'm making Kent State one of my five Bracket Busters, I'm blaming the style of play, execution, and low score solely on Miami of Ohio. I still like this team. The Golden Flashes solidified their place in the field of 65 (at least I think so) after winning AT Saint Mary's during BracketBusters week (a contrived week of games pairing mid-major teams against each other to help give them national exposure, as well as to help better define the bubble picture). They have clinched the #1 seed in the MAC tournament and was ranked for the first time ever in a national poll when they came in at #23 in the AP two weeks ago. Actually, clinching the #1 seed in the MAC might actually be a bad thing, as the #1 seed hasn't won the MAC Tournament for like 15 years or something. But I still have faith! Even if Kent State doesn't win their Conference Tournament, I think they deserve an at-large bid into the field. This is the best team Kent State has had since that 2002 team, which was their best team ever, so it's time for them to take care of business. Some facts and info about the Golden Flashes:

• They have an RPI of 34 - which is ahead of 'bubble' teams like West Virginia, Kentucky, Ohio State, Syracuse, USC, & Oral Roberts. I know, I know...I just REALLY wanted to get Oral Roberts into this blog. Welcome Oral Roberts!


• They've beaten George Mason, the Rick Majerus coached Saint Louis squad, and Saint Mary's when Saint Mary's was #20 in all the land. Actually, they don't have many great wins outside of the always tricky MAC. They even lost their season opener to Detroit...yikes! Detroit just lost to Wright State 60-37 in the Horizon League Tournament (gulp). But wait...Kent State defeated Cleveland State earlier this season 84-69 and Cleveland State was better in the Horizon League than Wright State. Phew...order restored. I'm sticking with this Kent State pick!!!


• There are like a million jokes the announcers can make during a Kent State game when discussing their shooting...or outside shooting...or shooting percentage, but they never seem to go there. Probably a good call.


• Kent State (also known as Kent or KSU) is the third largest university in Ohio. Who would have known? Take that you pompous assholes at the University of Toledo!


• Now for what has become my favorite running segment - some notable Kent State alumni include: Arsenio Hall (insert your own joke here), Antonio Gates (as mentioned above), Jack Lambert (go steelers), Lou Holtz (go irish), actors Michael Keaton and Drew Carey both dropped out of Kent State, Nick Saban (turncoat football coach), and my personal favorite...all 4 of the founding members of the band Devo - Mark Mothersbaugh, Gerald Casale, Brian Chojnowski, and Bob Lewis. Damn I love researching that segment.

Kent State has enough athleticism to give any team fits, and they play good enough defense to stay close in any game. They are a great first round upset pick as they will probably end up with an 11 or 12 seed. Come on now boys, make me look good. Just don't beat Pitt again, I can't take it anymore. And hopefully I'll pick up Antonio Gates this year in my Fantasy Football draft.