Kyle Borland Coaching Legacy (CH2K8)

[kblu54]

KSU wins 2

Kent State remains unbeaten in MAC play, wins 2 this week
Kent State Basketball News

Kent State continued their impressive start to conference play this week, picking up 2 big wins to push remain unbeaten in the MAC at 3-0.

In the first matchup, the Flashes hit the road but didn't go far to take on in-state rival Miami (OH). It wasn't much of a contest as the Flashes used a balanced scoring attack and some stifling defense to win big 60-34. Freshman PF E.J. Dukes continued his impressive freshman campaign with another double-double and sophomore C Chad Lang led all scorers with 15 points.

In the 2nd game, Kent State returned home to welcome a tough Western Michigan team. Western Michigan was the top-rated MAC team to begin the season and was predicted to finish 2nd in the preseason poll. In this game, it was the clutch performance of senior PG Dallas McBride that led the way, as he scored the Flashes' final 6 points down the stretch to secure a 61-57 victory. McBride nailed a 3-pointer with just under a minute left to give the Flashes a 58-55 lead, and then hit 3 of 4 free throws in the closing seconds to give Kent State just enough breathing room.

Final Score:
Kent State, 60
Miami (OH), 34

Kent State Top Performers:
E.J. Dukes, PF --- 11 pts, 10 rebs
Chad Lang, C --- 15 pts, 2 blks

Final Score:
Kent State, 61
Western Michigan, 57

Kent State Top Performers:
Dallas McBride, PG --- 12 pts, 3 rebs, 5 asts, 3/4 3PT
Chad Lang, C --- 12 pts, 5 rebs

The Golden Flashes continue MAC play next week on the road, traveling north to Buffalo before meeting up with Ball State.

Current Record: 7-8 (3-0 MAC)
Next Game: Kent State @ Buffalo

[doncoryell]

Re: KSU wins 2

Congrats on your 3-0 start in MAC play.

Looks like Lang is your most consistant player with Dukes providing strong support, although he wasn't one of your top performers against Western Michigan.

[kblu54]

KSU wins 2 more

Kent State pushes winning streak to 6, record over .500
Kent State Basketball News

Kent State hit the road for 2 MAC contests this week but came away unmarked, as they picked up 2 more wins to push their current winning streak to 6 and get their record over the .500 mark for the 1st time since the season opener. Senior PG Dallas McBride continued his hot streak in both games, averaging 13 ppg and 5 apg for the week while shooting a deadly 57% from beyond the arc.

Final Score:
Kent State, 68
Buffalo, 61

Kent State Top Performers:
Dallas McBride, PG --- 16 pts, 5 rebs, 5 asts, 3 stls, 2/4 3PT
Chad Lang, C --- 11 pts, 12 rebs, 3 blks

Final Score:
Kent State, 65
Ball State, 58

Kent State Top Performers:
E.J. Dukes, PF --- 13 pts, 8 rebs, 5 blks, 5/7 FG
Dallas McBride, PG --- 10 pts, 4 rebs, 5 asts, 2/3 3PT

The Flashes return home next week to welcome Central Michigan.

Current Record: 9-8 (5-0 MAC)
Next Game: Central Michigan @ Kent State

[kblu54]

KSU loses 2

Cold shooting week ends Kent State's unbeaten streak
Kent State Basketball News

Kent State's unbeaten conference mark was ruined this week due to very poor shooting performances, as the Flashes dropped two straight MAC contests. Kent State shot an abysmal 23% from the field in both games combined and averaged only 44.0 ppg as a team. The Flashes ended their streak in a tough 53-37 loss at home to Central Michigan and watched their losing streak continue in blowout fashion, falling hard on the road to Bowling Green 73-51.

Final Score:
Central Michigan, 53
Kent State, 37

Kent State Top Performers:
Deon Diggs, SF --- 4 pts, 10 rebs, 2 stls, 2 blks
E.J. Dukes, PF --- 6 pts, 6 rebs

Final Score:
Bowling Green, 73
Kent State, 51

Kent State Top Performers:
Dallas McBride, PG --- 10 pts, 2 asts, 4 stls
Deon Diggs, SF --- 8 pts, 7 rebs, 3 asts

Kent State will look to get back on track at home against Toledo next week.

Current Record: 9-10 (5-2 MAC)
Next Game: Toledo @ Kent State

[kblu54]

KSU wins

KSU recovers with win in defensive slugfest
Kent State Basketball News

Kent State ended their 2-game losing streak in rough fashion, beating Toledo at home 51-35 in a tough defensive battle that saw 4 players foul out and 2 players leave with injuries. Junior SF Deon Diggs led the Flashes with a double-double before fouling out late, and sophomore C Chad Lang led all scorers with 13 points.

Final Score:
Kent State, 51
Toledo, 35

Kent State Top Performers:
Deon Diggs, SF --- 10 pts, 10 rebs, 5 stls, 3 blks
Chad Lang, C --- 13 pts, 8 rebs

Kent State will hit the road for 2 MAC contests next week, looking to start a new winning streak. The Flashes face Eastern Michigan first before traveling to meet in-state rival Akron.

Current Record: 10-10 (6-2 MAC)
Next Game: Kent State @ Eastern Michigan

[kblu54]

KSU wins 2

Flashes sweep road contests
Kent State Basketball News

Kent State pushed their winning streak to 3 as they collected 2 MAC wins on the road this week. The Flashes easily topped Eastern Michigan 66-46 before holding off a late Akron rally to win 68-67.

In the 1st matchup, Kent State built and early lead and never trailed, led by senior PG Dallas McBride's 17 pts. In the 2nd game, the Flashes led for the majority of the game, including a 11-point lead with only 5 minutes to go. The Zips turned the tide and fought back, and a 3-pointer with only 9 seconds to go cut the lead to one at 66-65. McBride nailed two free throws and the Zips could only get a putback at the buzzer for the final score.

Final Score:
Kent State, 66
Eastern Michigan, 46

Kent State Top Performers:
Dallas McBride, PG --- 17 pts, 5 rebs, 5 asts, 3/4 3PT
Deon Diggs, SF --- 8 pts, 10 rebs, 2 stls, 2 blks

Final Score:
Kent State, 68
Akron, 67

Kent State Top Performers:
Deon Diggs, SF --- 14 pts, 8 rebs
Rayle Peters, PG --- 14 pts, 2 asts, 2 stls, 2/5 3PT

The Flashes have shown great play on the road against MAC opponents so far, having a 5-1 conference record away from home. Next week, Kent State returns home to welcome cellar dweller Ohio before hitting the road again for a rematch with Northern Illinois. The Flashes knocked off the Huskies 93-80 in the MAC opener.

Current Record: 12-10 (8-2 MAC)
Next Game: Ohio @ Kent State

[kblu54]

KSU wins 2

Kent State pushes win streak to 5, inches closer to possible MAC title
Kent State Basketball News

Kent State swept both MAC contests this week to push their current winning streak to 5 and make a possible MAC regular-season championship a much brighter thought. The Flashes dominated Ohio at home 71-27, holding them to only 18% shooting, before completing the season sweep of Northern Illinois with a 66-59 victory on the road. Freshman PF E.J. Dukes had the strongest week, averaging 14 ppg and 7.5 rpg on the week, while sophomore C Chad Lang chipped in with another double-double in the NIU game.

Final Score:
Kent State, 71
Ohio, 27

Kent State Top Performers:
E.J. Dukes, PF --- 16 pts, 8 rebs, 2 stls
Dallas McBride, PG --- 12 pts, 3 asts, 2 blks, 7/8 FT

Final Score:
Kent State, 66
Northern Illinois, 59

Kent State Top Performers:
Chad Lang, C --- 16 pts, 12 rebs, 3 blks
E.J. Dukes, PF --- 12 pts, 7 rebs

The Golden Flashes are sitting pretty at the top of the MAC standings, and with only 4 games remaining, the possibility of claiming the MAC regular-season title is in sight. Kent State only needs to win 2 out of their final 4 games to clinch the title. The quest for the title begins next week at home against Miami (OH). The Flashes crushed the Redhawks 60-34 on the road in their first matchup.

Current Record: 14-10 (10-2 MAC)
Next Game: Miami (OH) @ Kent State

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KSU loses

Redhawks shock Flashes at home
Kent State Basketball News

Kent State welcomed Miami (OH) to their home arena, looking to complete the season sweep of the Redhawks. But unfortunately, this time around the Redhawks were a much more formidable foe, upsetting the Flashes 58-51 to put a damper on Kent State's MAC title chances.

The Redhawks outrebounded the Flashes by 15 and forced Kent State to commit 19 turnovers, including 3 in the final minute to prevent a comeback.

Final Score:
Miami (OH), 58
Kent State, 51

Kent State Top Performers:
Chad Lang, C --- 16 pts, 5 rebs, 2 blks
Dallas McBride, PG --- 9 pts, 4 rebs, 7 asts, 2 stls

Coach Borland, following the loss:
"Well we came in expecting an easy win and they just weren't going to lay down for us. I know we're still in position to win the MAC championship but we still need to take each game one step at a time. We were already looking ahead and we can't do that. We had poor communication on the offensive end and Miami (OH) did just enough on their end to win the game. Simple as that. We just didn't execute."

The Flashes are still in good shape to win the MAC regular-season title, needing to win 2 out of their final 3 games to clinch the spot. Bowling Green and Akron are hot on Kent State's tail but both teams still need to win out to catch the Flashes.

Kent State stays at home to welcome Buffalo, 68-61 losers to the Flashes in their 1st meeting.

Current Record: 14-11 (10-3 MAC)
Next Game: Buffalo @ Kent State

[kblu54]

KSU wins

Kent State gets needed win
Kent State Basketball News

It was the veteran Kent State players leading the way as the Flashes picked up a much-needed win over visiting Buffalo. Junior SF Deon Diggs recorded a double-double and senior PG Dallas McBride added 13 points as Kent State won 66-58.

Final Score:
Kent State, 66
Buffalo, 58

Kent State Top Performers:
Deon Diggs, SF --- 12 pts, 13 rebs
Dallas McBride, PG --- 13 pts, 6 asts, 3/5 3PT

Kent State will honor their 2 seniors next game as they host Ball State on Senior Night. Seniors PG Dallas McBride and backup PG Rayle Peters have been amazing leaders in head coach Kyle Borland's first year at the helm, running his up-tempo style well and putting the Flashes in position to win the MAC title. On the season, McBride has averaged over 9 ppg while dishing out over 4 apg, and shooting better than 40% from beyond the arc. Peters, one of the first players off the bench, has been a hot scorer off the bench at nearly 6 ppg and has shown great all-around skills, chipping in nearly 2 rpg and 3 apg.

What a great ending for these men's careers at Kent State it would be if they could clinch the MAC regular-season title at home on Senior Night. The Flashes have already beaten Ball State once this season, a 65-58 decision on the road.

Current Record: 15-11 (11-3 MAC)
Next Game: Ball State @ Kent State

[kblu54]

KSU loses

Flashes fall on Senior Night, MAC title in jeopardy
Kent State Basketball News

Kent State could not pick up a win on Senior Night, falling 48-47 to Ball State in a low-scoring, defensive thriller. Junior SF Deon Diggs had a solid game to lead the Flashes and senior PG Rayle Peters chipped in with 10 points off the bench in his final home game, but missed opportunities late in the game cost them the win.

Free throws with 1:38 left put Ball State up 48-45, but it took two Kent State possessions for them to cut the lead to 48-47 with 53 seconds to play. Unfortunately, it was the closest the Flashes would get, as they missed 6 shots down the stretch, all which could have won the game.

Final Score:
Ball State, 48
Kent State, 47

Kent State Top Performers:
Deon Diggs, SF --- 15 pts, 8 rebs, 2 blks, 6/8 FG
Rayle Peters, PG --- 10 pts, 2 rebs, 4/6 FG

The loss now puts a lot of pressure on Kent State's regular-season finale. The Flashes now travel to the unfriendly confines of Western Michigan to close out the season, needing to win to clinch the MAC regular-season title. If Kent State loses, Bowling Green and/or Akron still need to win their respective games to overtake the Flashes.

Kent State beat Western Michigan 61-57 in their first matchup this season.

Current Record: 15-12 (11-4 MAC)
Next Game: Kent State @ Western Michigan (Regular season finale)

[crques]

Re: KSU loses

Flashes fall on Senior Night, MAC title in jeopardy
Kent State Basketball News

Kent State could not pick up a win on Senior Night, falling 48-47 to Ball State in a low-scoring, defensive thriller. Junior SF Deon Diggs had a solid game to lead the Flashes and senior PG Rayle Peters chipped in with 10 points off the bench in his final home game, but missed opportunities late in the game cost them the win.

Free throws with 1:38 left put Ball State up 48-45, but it took two Kent State possessions for them to cut the lead to 48-47 with 53 seconds to play. Unfortunately, it was the closest the Flashes would get, as they missed 6 shots down the stretch, all which could have won the game.

Final Score:
Ball State, 48
Kent State, 47

Kent State Top Performers:
Deon Diggs, SF --- 15 pts, 8 rebs, 2 blks, 6/8 FG
Rayle Peters, PG --- 10 pts, 2 rebs, 4/6 FG

The loss now puts a lot of pressure on Kent State's regular-season finale. The Flashes now travel to the unfriendly confines of Western Michigan to close out the season, needing to win to clinch the MAC regular-season title. If Kent State loses, Bowling Green and/or Akron still need to win their respective games to overtake the Flashes.

Kent State beat Western Michigan 61-57 in their first matchup this season.

Current Record: 15-12 (11-4 MAC)
Next Game: Kent State @ Western Michigan (Regular season finale)

Looks like you might be heading to the NIT this season, unless of course you win the MAC Tournament. Not a bad first year though.

[kblu54]

KSU loses

Kent State falls in finale, loses MAC title
Kent State Basketball News

Kent State couldn't come through when they needed it, falling 50-45 on the road to Western Michigan in the regular-season finale and in turn, losing the MAC regula-season championship. The Flashes shot a horrid 25% from the field and couldn't score down the stretch.

The loss drops Kent State to 11-5 in MAC play, which ties them with Bowling Green and Akron. Unfortunately, both Bowling Green and Akron have better overall records than the Flashes, giving them the tiebreaker edge. The Flashes finish the regular season in 3rd place and earn the #3 seed and a 1st-round bye for the MAC Tournament, but letting a regular-season championship slip through their fingers leaves a sour taste in their collective mouths.

Final Score:
Western Michigan, 50
Kent State, 45

Kent State Top Performers:
Mike Brower, SF --- 10 pts, 8 rebs
Deon Diggs, SF --- 6 pts, 14 rebs, 5 stls

As stated earlier, Kent State earns the #3 seed in the MAC Tournament. The final regular-season standings and the MAC Tournament matchups are as follows.

MAC Final Standings
MAC record in ()

1) Bowling Green --- 20-8 (11-5)
2) Akron --- 16-11 (11-5)
3) Kent State --- 15-13 (11-5)
4) Northern Illinois --- 18-10 (10-6)
5) Western Michigan --- 15-11 (10-6)
6) Ball State --- 15-12 (9-7)
7) Toledo --- 14-15 (8-8)
8) Miami (OH) --- 12-16 (7-9)
9) Buffalo --- 13-15 (6-10)
10) Ohio --- 8-19 (5-11)
11) Central Michigan --- 8-18 (4-12)
12) Eastern Michigan --- 7-19 (4-12)

MAC Tournament

First Round

#8 Miami (OH)
#9 Buffalo

#5 Western Michigan
#12 Eastern Michigan

#6 Ball State
#11 Central Michigan

#7 Toledo
#10 Ohio

The top 4 seeds in Bowling Green, Akron, Kent State and Northern Illinois all earn 1st-round byes.

Who will the Flashes face in their first MAC Tournament game under head coach Kyle Borland? And how far will they go?

Current Record: 15-13 (11-5)
Next Game: TBD

[kblu54]

KSU to face Central Michigan

Kent State to face #11 seed in 2nd round
Kent State Basketball News

Kent State will take on #11 seed Central Michigan in the 2nd round of MAC Tournament after the Chippewas upset #6 seed Ball State 62-54 in their 1st round matchup. The Flashes are looking for some major revenge after losing to Central Michigan in their only regular-season contest, a tough 53-37 loss on the road.

Here is the rest of the MAC Tournament 1st round results.

MAC Tournament

First Round

#9 Buffalo, 64
#8 Miami (OH), 62

#5 Western Michigan, 77
#12 Eastern Michigan, 51

#11 Central Michigan, 62
#6 Ball State, 54

#7 Toledo, 72
#10 Ohio, 61

Second Round

#1 Bowling Green
#9 Buffalo

#4 Northern Illinois
#5 Western Michigan

#3 Kent State
#11 Central Michigan

#2 Akron
#7 Toledo

The Flashes need to get out of their recent rut if they want to make a statement in the MAC Tournament, and it starts with a big win over the Chippewas.

Current Record: 15-13 (11-5 MAC)
Next Game: #3 Kent State vs. #11 Central Michigan (MAC Tournament --- 2nd Round)

[kblu54]

KSU wins

Flashes survive scare from #11 seed, move on to semifinals
Kent State Basketball News

Kent State came into their 2nd round matchup with #11 seed Central Michigan looking for revenge, but it did not come as easily as they thought. The Flashes couldn't hold onto a 12-point lead late in the 2nd half but still managed to recover in overtime to win 67-63.

Kent State led 54-42 with only 6 minutes to play but the Chippewas were resilient and fought back, cutting into the lead slowly until a 3-pointer with 35 seconds left tied the game at 58. Neither team could get a bucket and the score would stay tied at 58 as the game was sent into overtime.

In the extra period, both team battled hard for any advantage, but it was Central Michigan's poor shot selection in the final minutes that made the difference. The Chippewas only made 1 of 8 shots down the stretch and the Flashes were clutch from the stripe, nailing all 6 free throws in the final minute.

Freshman SF Mike Brower led all scorers with 17 points off the bench while shooting 75% from the field and also grabbed 6 rebounds.

Final Score (OT):
#3 Kent State, 67
#11 Central Michigan, 63

Kent State Top Performers:
Mike Brower, SF --- 17 pts, 6 rebs, 6/8 FG
Dallas McBride, PG --- 10 pts, 5 asts, 3 stls, 2/3 3PT

Thanks to an upset, the Flashes will not have to face #2 seed Akron in the semifinals. All of the 2nd round results are as follows.

MAC Tournament

2nd Round

#1 Bowling Green, 63
#9 Buffalo, 55

#5 Western Michigan, 66
#4 Northern Illinois, 59

#3 Kent State, 67
#11 Central Michigan, 63

#7 Toledo, 78
#2 Akron, 45

Semifinals

#1 Bowling Green
#5 Western Michigan

#3 Kent State
#7 Toledo

Kent State will take on #7 seed Toledo in the semifinals following their surprising blowout of #2 seed Akron. The winner will move on to the MAC Final to meet the winner of Bowling Green and Western Michigan, the top two rated teams in the MAC.

Current Record: 16-13 (12-5 MAC)
Next Game: #3 Kent State vs. #7 Toledo (MAC Tournament --- Semifinal)

[kblu54]

KSU wins

Brower does it again as Kent State rolls past Toledo
Kent State Basketball News

Freshman SF Mike Brower continued his amazing play off the bench during the MAC Tournament, pouring in 18 points as #3 seed Kent State rolled past #7 seed Toledo 65-49 to advance to the MAC Tournament final.

Besides Brower, the Flashes gave Toledo a balanced offensive attack as the next leading scorer only had 10 points.

Final Score:
#3 Kent State, 65
#7 Toledo, 49

Kent State Top Performers:
Mike Brower, SF --- 18 pts, 4 rebs, 2 stls
Dallas McBride, PG --- 8 pts, 5 rebs, 3 asts, 2 stls

The Flashes will have another chance for revenge in the MAC Tournament final, as they take on #1 seed Bowling Green.

MAC Tournament

Semifinals

#1 Bowling Green, 57
#5 Western Michigan, 46

#3 Kent State, 65
#7 Toledo, 49

Final

#1 Bowling Green
#3 Kent State

Bowling Green crushed the Flashes 73-51 at Bowling Green earlier in the season. Who will earn the MAC automatic bid?

Current Record: 17-13 (13-5 MAC)
Next Game: #3 Kent State vs. #1 Bowling Green (MAC Tournament --- Final)