3/10/2004

Their time?
Seniors look to regain title

Matt Goul
Daily Kent Stater

All five of them have experienced success in their time at Kent State.

For Bryan Bedford, John Edwards and Eric Haut — the three who have played all four years in gold and blue — that has been four 20-win seasons, four Mid-American Conference East titles, two MAC Tournament Championships and two NCAA Tournament appearances.

The last two are bound together because in the MAC, winning its tournament is seemingly the only way to advance and dance in the field of 65.

There was a time when this Kent State team looked to be on the verge of a season similar to 2002. The Flashes had a 10-game winning streak, their longest since that season, and were on their way to matching, if not surpassing, that team’s regular-season win total.

But that came crashing down with the four-game losing streak the Flashes have heading into tomorrow’s MAC Tournament Quarterfinal. Kent State did not lose consecutive games all season until the present streak. So instead of 2002-esque, the 2004 Flashes’ regular-season ending was closer to last year.

Because of that, the Flashes and their seniors now face their most difficult obstacle in overcoming their late-season freefall. They lost six of their last eight games before the MAC Tournament last season. And then, they were still able to advance to the MAC Championship before losing to Central Michigan.

Kent State settled for a spot in the National Invitation Tournament because of the late-season struggle and failing to win a MAC Tournament Title. The Flashes may face another NIT berth unless they can win in Cleveland, which gives the champion an automatic NCAA Tournament bid.

“I’ve never gone to the NCAA Tournament with an at-large bid since I’ve been here,” Haut said. “We’ve always won the MAC Tournament Championship, and that’s our goal. That’s what we’re going to work to do. We’re going to work hard to do that.”

First, the Flashes have to get there.

Kent State will start with Bowling Green, which defeated Ohio 56—54 in the MAC’s opening round yesterday. The Flashes beat the Falcons twice this year, but Bowling Green owns a win over the Bobcats, who gave Kent State the latest of its last four losses.

Should the Flashes snap their streak tomorrow, Miami may be looming in the semifinals Friday. The RedHawks are the only MAC team to beat Kent State twice this season. The first was a 74—65 loss in Oxford Jan. 14 — the Flashes’ first conference loss. The second was a 59—57 rally at the M.A.C. Center a week ago when Miami erased a 17—point second—half Kent State lead.

But neither Miami’s regular—season sweep nor the Flashes’ entire four—game losing streak can be blamed for the disappearance of the safety net of a possible at—large bid under Kent State. Kent State coach Jim Christian said one loss can easily end a school’s at—large hopes when not in a high—profile conference.

“If anyone in our league, who was really being considered for that at—large bid – us or Western Michigan – was to lose at home to Central Michigan, our tournament chances would be done,” Christian said before playing Creighton in an ESPN Bracket Buster game. “Yet Notre Dame lost to Central Michigan at home, and they still have all these other opportunities to get in. We just don’t get as many opportunities.”

The MAC has not had multiple teams qualify for the NCAA Tournament since 1999 when Miami and Kent State made it. Yet in each of the last three seasons, three MAC teams have had 20 wins. In 2000, the MAC had five 20—win teams, and only Ball State qualified because it won the conference’s automatic bid. Kent State (23—8) and Bowling Green (22—8) both had better records that season.

The Flashes, though, have been the MAC’s tournament champion in three of the last five years. Bedford said that mystique is still alive.

“We always talk about playing for the guys that set the tone for this program,” he said of the former players like Trevor Huffman, Demetric Shaw and Andrew Mitchell from two years ago. “That’s kind of the motivation, especially this time of the year going into the MAC Championship. When they were upperclassmen, they were able to get it done. We were kind of the role players, and now it’s time for us to carry the torch.”

Christian said he has seen this year’s seniors take that responsibility. He also said this may be the closest senior group he’s ever coached. Bedford said, as a player, he feels the same.

“This is probably one of our closer teams since I’ve been here,” Bedford said. “We hang out all the time, and you can see it out there on the court. Even when we’re not doing as well as we’d like to, we are always together, and each person understands what he can bring.”

Bedford brings experience – the most of any player on the Flashes’ roster – just add the ability to defend in the post and shoot on the perimeter.

Haut, known for his shooting touch, brings more than that. Add defensive intensity to his resume. He had steals late in close home wins against Bowling Green and Buffalo.

Edwards, Kent State’s all—time blocked shots leader with 172, gives the Flashes what no other team in the MAC has – a 7—foot center that alters opponents’ game plans.

Add Matt Jakeway, a former standout prep football quarterback, and Brian Howard, and the senior unit is complete.

They have put together enough to win another East Division Title, but for these seniors, the championship run is far from complete. For the Flashes, what they have accomplished is far from enough.

“It’s a good feeling, but if you were to take a marker and go up to the chalkboard and write what we’ve accomplished this year, I know for the seniors it’s nothing,” Haut said. “Our goal is to win a MAC Championship – a MAC Tournament Championship. Those are our goals. For me and for the rest of these seniors, our business isn’t finished yet.”

E—mail: mgoul@kent.edu