SECOND HALF
FIRST HALF
PREGAME
FINAL ... Kent State beats Ohio 75-61 on Senior Night at the Convo
The shocking stat is star guard Nick Kellogg going 0-for-6 from the field and 0-for-4 from the arc and scoring just two points in his final home game.
The Bobcats inside game was also limited as T.J. Hall and Maurice Ndour both shot just 1-for-7 from the field.
More coming on www.kentstatesports.com
1:27 ... Kellon Thomas ans Kris Brewer step to the line and go 4-for-4.
The lead is 71-61, but the Flashes are poised to handle things from the line where they are 18-for-21 today.
2:20 ... A Henniger old fashioned three-point play answering an old-fashioned three by Taylor earlier has played a big part in holding off another Ohio run.
Bobcats not going away, though. Wilkins with a three before this timeout has cut the KSU lead to 67-57.
4:47 ... Kent State doing a good job of keeping Ohio from scoring in transition. After getting 20 transition points earlier this year in Kent, the Bobcats have just two fast-break points today.
The Flashes have had a few killer turnovers in the last minute and that has allowed Ohio to cut the lead to eight points at 61-53.
Stevie Taylor just converted an old fashioned three-point play after a Jackson turnover, but that was on a very questionable call against Kris Brewer who appeared to be in position to get a charge call ... planted outside of the circle.
Free throw difference is 24-14 in Ohio's favor.
7:58 ... Every time Ohio starts to put together a run, Dev Manley has an answer.
He hit a three from the right corner on an inbound pass at around the nine minute mark. He just hit another from the same corner to put Kent State up 59-48.
Manley leads all scorers with 17 points on 5-of-6 shooting from three-point range.
As a team Kent State is 9-of-14 from the arc.
11:03 ... Six second-half points by Antonio Campbell off of the bench and a tough fadeaway jumper on the baseline by Javarez Wilis have led another mini run by Ohio. But Kent State still maintains a 49-40 lead.
15:24 ... A Devareaux Manley three has ended a mini Ohio Bobcats run. The Flashes lead is 43-31 even as Ohio continues to get second looks on the offensive end. The Bobcats have 12 offensive rebounds.
The shocking stat is star guard Nick Kellogg going 0-for-6 from the field and 0-for-4 from the arc and scoring just two points in his final home game.
The Bobcats inside game was also limited as T.J. Hall and Maurice Ndour both shot just 1-for-7 from the field.
More coming on www.kentstatesports.com
1:27 ... Kellon Thomas ans Kris Brewer step to the line and go 4-for-4.
The lead is 71-61, but the Flashes are poised to handle things from the line where they are 18-for-21 today.
2:20 ... A Henniger old fashioned three-point play answering an old-fashioned three by Taylor earlier has played a big part in holding off another Ohio run.
Bobcats not going away, though. Wilkins with a three before this timeout has cut the KSU lead to 67-57.
4:47 ... Kent State doing a good job of keeping Ohio from scoring in transition. After getting 20 transition points earlier this year in Kent, the Bobcats have just two fast-break points today.
The Flashes have had a few killer turnovers in the last minute and that has allowed Ohio to cut the lead to eight points at 61-53.
Stevie Taylor just converted an old fashioned three-point play after a Jackson turnover, but that was on a very questionable call against Kris Brewer who appeared to be in position to get a charge call ... planted outside of the circle.
Free throw difference is 24-14 in Ohio's favor.
7:58 ... Every time Ohio starts to put together a run, Dev Manley has an answer.
He hit a three from the right corner on an inbound pass at around the nine minute mark. He just hit another from the same corner to put Kent State up 59-48.
Manley leads all scorers with 17 points on 5-of-6 shooting from three-point range.
As a team Kent State is 9-of-14 from the arc.
11:03 ... Six second-half points by Antonio Campbell off of the bench and a tough fadeaway jumper on the baseline by Javarez Wilis have led another mini run by Ohio. But Kent State still maintains a 49-40 lead.
15:24 ... A Devareaux Manley three has ended a mini Ohio Bobcats run. The Flashes lead is 43-31 even as Ohio continues to get second looks on the offensive end. The Bobcats have 12 offensive rebounds.
And After a foul with 14:59 to play, Kent State has already committed its seventh foul. Ohio will be shooting free throws the rest of the day.
FIRST HALF
HALFTIME ... Kent State leads Ohio University 36-24
Back-to-back three-point plays by Derek Jackson gave Kent State a 36-22 lead late in the half before a questionable foul sent Ohio back to the foul line.
Kent State just can't catch a break with officials this season.
Yes, some of that may have to do with their reliance on threes earlier in the year. But now Kent State is attacking the rim and can't get the same calls opponents are getting.
Here are some interesting numbers:
Kent State attempted 24.9 free throws per game in the non-conference season ... when they were shooting more threes and attacking the paint less.
In MAC play, the Flashes are attempting 17.9 free throws per game.
Opponents were shooting 22.5 free throws per game in the non-conference season. They are attempting 26.3 per game. That's a huge difference.
And on the road, the average free throw attempt difference is -11.3 per game for Kent State.
Today Ohio has attempted 15 free throws to Kent State's six.
Kent State has attempted 25 field goals today and only eight of them have been threes. The Flashes have hit six of those threes.
Brewer is 2-for-2 from the arc while Jackson and Manley are both 2-for-3.
Here's the strangest number of the day, though ... Ohio has nine offensive rebounds, but the Bobcats are getting out-rebounded by Kent State 24-16.
Ohio shot just 20.7 percent from the floor in the first half (6-of-29). Kent State, despite missing a ton of layups, shot 48 percent (12-for-25).
3:35 ... The Kent State lead is now 30-18 as the defensive clinic continues.
This is probably the best I have seen the Flashes follow a game plan all season long. Jim Christian is probably the best offensive mind in the league, and Kent State defenders aren't falling for any of the wrinkles in this Bobcats offense.
Ohio is being forced into tough shots, and making just 6-of-24. The Bobcats are staying in this game only with free throws (12 attempts so far).
7:15 ... The Kent State run reached 17-0.
The lead is now 22-12 for the Golden Flashes, who are putting on a defensive clinic.
I sat in on film sessions yesterday and this morning, and a complicated game plan clearly sunk in with this group.
The Flashes bigs are keeping their feet in the paint and not falling for guarding Treg Setty or Maurice Ndour when they set up 15-to-20 feet on the perimeter. Force those lower percentage shots with good close outs late instead of giving up the easy dunk.
11:36 ... Kent State defense has been excellent, with the exception of maybe a few too many fouls.
The Bobcats didn't score a point from last media timeout to this media timeout, and that has allowed Kent State to extend its current run to 11-0.
Kent State leads it 14-8 despite shooting 4-of-12 from the field and missing a few too many looks right on top of the rim.
Kris Brewer is off to a nice start ... 2-of-2 from three-point range for 6 points. Derek Jackson also has 6 points, the first six of the game for the Flashes.
14:44 ... Good start for the Flashes, despite having a tough time converting while attacking the rim just as they did at Bowling Green on Tuesday.
Back-to-back three-point plays by Derek Jackson gave Kent State a 36-22 lead late in the half before a questionable foul sent Ohio back to the foul line.
Kent State just can't catch a break with officials this season.
Yes, some of that may have to do with their reliance on threes earlier in the year. But now Kent State is attacking the rim and can't get the same calls opponents are getting.
Here are some interesting numbers:
Kent State attempted 24.9 free throws per game in the non-conference season ... when they were shooting more threes and attacking the paint less.
In MAC play, the Flashes are attempting 17.9 free throws per game.
Opponents were shooting 22.5 free throws per game in the non-conference season. They are attempting 26.3 per game. That's a huge difference.
And on the road, the average free throw attempt difference is -11.3 per game for Kent State.
Today Ohio has attempted 15 free throws to Kent State's six.
Kent State has attempted 25 field goals today and only eight of them have been threes. The Flashes have hit six of those threes.
Brewer is 2-for-2 from the arc while Jackson and Manley are both 2-for-3.
Here's the strangest number of the day, though ... Ohio has nine offensive rebounds, but the Bobcats are getting out-rebounded by Kent State 24-16.
Ohio shot just 20.7 percent from the floor in the first half (6-of-29). Kent State, despite missing a ton of layups, shot 48 percent (12-for-25).
3:35 ... The Kent State lead is now 30-18 as the defensive clinic continues.
This is probably the best I have seen the Flashes follow a game plan all season long. Jim Christian is probably the best offensive mind in the league, and Kent State defenders aren't falling for any of the wrinkles in this Bobcats offense.
Ohio is being forced into tough shots, and making just 6-of-24. The Bobcats are staying in this game only with free throws (12 attempts so far).
7:15 ... The Kent State run reached 17-0.
The lead is now 22-12 for the Golden Flashes, who are putting on a defensive clinic.
I sat in on film sessions yesterday and this morning, and a complicated game plan clearly sunk in with this group.
The Flashes bigs are keeping their feet in the paint and not falling for guarding Treg Setty or Maurice Ndour when they set up 15-to-20 feet on the perimeter. Force those lower percentage shots with good close outs late instead of giving up the easy dunk.
11:36 ... Kent State defense has been excellent, with the exception of maybe a few too many fouls.
The Bobcats didn't score a point from last media timeout to this media timeout, and that has allowed Kent State to extend its current run to 11-0.
Kent State leads it 14-8 despite shooting 4-of-12 from the field and missing a few too many looks right on top of the rim.
Kris Brewer is off to a nice start ... 2-of-2 from three-point range for 6 points. Derek Jackson also has 6 points, the first six of the game for the Flashes.
14:44 ... Good start for the Flashes, despite having a tough time converting while attacking the rim just as they did at Bowling Green on Tuesday.
But following the defensive game plan to a tee has led to some turnovers and misses by the Bobcats. Mark Henniger kept both feet in the paint instead of chasing Ndour to the corner for a spot up, throwing off a possession. Then a good plug on a drive led to a turnover and bust out the other way.
The Flashes are doing a nice job of playing physical with Ndour on the defensive glass since allowing an offensive rebound on the game's third possession.
PREGAME
1:50 p.m. ... It is spring break here in Athens, but we still have a pretty good crowd here at the Convo with a little over 10 minutes to go before the tip.
The "OZone" student section still has a nice turnout. Kent State might not get the break you'd expect for a spring-break game.
Senior Day may also help this crowd. Nick Kellogg just received a nice ovation as he was introduced to the crowd. His father Clark, of CBS Sports and formerly of the Indiana Pacers, is in attendance.
Kellogg has really improved in his senior season. Earlier in his career he was primarily a spot-up shooter. But just like former Kent State star Chris Evans between his junior and senior seasons, Kellogg dramatically changed his game during the last offseason. Seniors are keys to winning at this time of year. Kellogg continues to get better. For Kent State, Mark Henniger and Darren Goodson have struggled during the MAC season. Their challenge is to up their games in these last three MAC dates and the upcoming tournament. If Goodson can play like he did in the 2012-13 MAC regular season and Henniger like he did in the non-conference season this year, Kent State is a very tough out.
1:28 p.m. ... Kent State will continue its fight for a home first-round game in the upcoming Mid-American Conference men’s basketball tournament, and a win today at Ohio University or on Tuesday against Miami University at the M.A.C. Center would go a long way towards securing that opportunity.
The "OZone" student section still has a nice turnout. Kent State might not get the break you'd expect for a spring-break game.
Senior Day may also help this crowd. Nick Kellogg just received a nice ovation as he was introduced to the crowd. His father Clark, of CBS Sports and formerly of the Indiana Pacers, is in attendance.
Kellogg has really improved in his senior season. Earlier in his career he was primarily a spot-up shooter. But just like former Kent State star Chris Evans between his junior and senior seasons, Kellogg dramatically changed his game during the last offseason. Seniors are keys to winning at this time of year. Kellogg continues to get better. For Kent State, Mark Henniger and Darren Goodson have struggled during the MAC season. Their challenge is to up their games in these last three MAC dates and the upcoming tournament. If Goodson can play like he did in the 2012-13 MAC regular season and Henniger like he did in the non-conference season this year, Kent State is a very tough out.
1:28 p.m. ... Kent State will continue its fight for a home first-round game in the upcoming Mid-American Conference men’s basketball tournament, and a win today at Ohio University or on Tuesday against Miami University at the M.A.C. Center would go a long way towards securing that opportunity.
According to some quick math by men’s basketball sports information director Jay Fiorello, if the Golden Flashes can beat Miami and the teams with the better records win out in the other East Division games today and next week, KSU would get a home game.
And of course a win today would help. While Ohio University is 19-9 overall and 9-6 in MAC play, this Bobcats team has some issues heading into March. Stevie Taylor’s injury is limiting him to about 10 minutes per night, and that means extended minutes for Javarez Willis at the point. Willis is turnover prone, so don’t be surprised if Kent State pressures him for 94 feet.
Taylor has enjoyed some success against the Golden Flashes in his three seasons, including the Bobcats’ win in Kent earlier this season. His loss makes it tougher for Ohio to score in its halfcourt sets, so the Bobcats will look for points in transition even more than that game from January when they scored 20 points on the break.
Ohio gives up a ton of offensive rebounds, so Kent State’s 3, 4 and 5 need to crash the offensive glass. The ability to balance getting second-chance points while also getting back to stop Ohio in transition will be the biggest keys to the game. If the Flashes can get 15-plus offensive rebounds, they’ll find themselves in position for an upset. At the same time, they have to keep Jon Smith and Maurice Ndour off of the offensive glass. Smith is one of the best offensive rebounders in the MAC, but the slight-framed Ndour may have hit a bit of a wall late in the season.
Derek Jackson will draw the assignment on Ohio senior Nick Kellogg. KSU understands that Kellogg will get his 14-to-20 points tonight. What the Flashes can’t allow is another surprise player to have a career night agains them.
I’m hoping for a big game from Kris Brewer and Dev Manley. The Bobcats guards are not great defenders, so Brewer and Manley should be able to work for good looks. Injuries are also forcing Jim Christian to use more zone than he likes. That should set up some perimeter looks for the likes of Manley, who was on fire at the Convo in shoot-around early this morning.
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