GameThread for Buffalo Bulls at Kent St. Golden Flashes

Were the MAC Championships to start today Buffalo would get a ticket right past the play in games. Thanks to Toledo's post season ban for point shaving, or whatever else the Rockets have done lately, the number five seed is the cutoff for a free trip.

Unfortunately for Buffalo they still have to play both Ohio and Akron so the games against Kent and Bowling Green are absolutely critical contests. If Buffalo loses either their chance at a bye are virtually non existent. Kent, on the other hand, already has their second Ohio game out of the way and they get the Falcon's at home. So despite being one spot behind UB, and tied with Bowling Green, in the standings they seem to occupy the poll position for that last seat.

Kent is also coming off a Bracket Buster win over Loyola where as UB's turnover fest costs them a game against Manhattan.

And Turnovers should really concern UB against Kent. The flashes are rocking a 1.06 points per possession which rankes then #73 in the nation. UB's offense means turnovers, and turnovers play right into Kent's hands. They are stingy decent shooters with a good transition game.

What Kent is not very good at is pulling down Rebounds. Buffalo needs to play the offensive glass hard to limit Kent's number of possessions. Kent is a bit better on the Offensive side than they are the defensive end of the court but the Bull's size inside, should they choose to use it, gives them a distinct advantage.

In the first contest The Buffalo Bulls trailed most of the game until a 13-4 run led to a 60-56 advantage with 9:29 left. Then teams exchanged the lead three times until Kent's Devareaux Manley scored five straight points to put Kent State ahead 69-66 with 4:42 left. The points started a 16-2, game-ending run for Kent State, with Buffalo held scoreless after Javon McCrea hittwo free throws with 1:59 left.