No question Jason Carter was the difference tonight. Jeff mentioned postgame that he had been injured the previous 5 games. If that is the explanation, then let’s hope he stays healthy tomorrow. Defense has to hold up as well. We can’t afford to let Kent shoot north of 50% again as we also did with Toledo twice and with Akron 2 weeks ago.

I see Kent is only favored by 1 point. Seems low, hoping I'm wrong!!!

This is pretty much my take as well. It's hard to avoid disappointment based on where we were in January, but if you told this board in November 2021 that we'd be a top four seed and in the semifinals with 20+ wins, we'd have been all over it. Not many mid-majors lose an NBA player and have a season like Ohio just did. It really is house money. But we damn well better shoot above 8% in the first half.

The spread has moved to Ohio -1 1/2

Weird.

KenPom adjusted late and the numbers caught up to him.

The best news last night was holding Ball State 2FG% in the low 30s until the very end. No easy 2s for anybody in red outside a couple Sparks dunks.

Odd that Davis and Odusipe started but played so little (12 and 7 mins, respectively). I didn't see the game, and none of the press reports mention anything about why.

Carry's 38 mins and Jacobs's 36 means they got little rest, same as Sears (38 mins) and BVP (35).

We need a better game out of Schmock tonight. When he's on, life is better for the rest of the team.

Keys to tonight IMO

1) Defense and Rebounding
These two aspects always travel well in March, on short rest, even if/when the offense isn't great. We guarded Balls well for the most part last night. Need another effort like that tonight. Can't allow Kant to shoot over 50% or it's over.

2) Get bigs involved in the offense
Our offense is SO much better when Carter (or BVP) are getting touches and scoring from the interior. Sears is going to get his points from the line, driving and maybe some 3s like last night. We're going to shoot 3s (making them is a different story) - that 3rd aspect of interior scoring is what truly makes our offense balanced and difficult to guard. Shots start opening up etc.

3) Stay out of foul trouble
We aren't deep enough to absorb it. Plus we need our bigs on the floor for rebounding (see #1) and scoring (see #2). Exception is IJ Ezuma - play the man and fouls be darned. We need his energy for defense and rebounding (see #1) and keep Carter fresh for scoring (see #2).

4) Somebody has to knock down 3s
Honestly doesn't matter who. Could be BRod (wishful thinking) could be Miles (he hit a couple last night), could be Tommy off the bench, or could be Sears and BVP like last night. Point being we shoot so many 3s, so some better go in or we're toast. A 3-19 night from 3 will result in a 20 point beatdown. Have to make shots. Hopefully an effective inside game (#2) makes these shots more open and therefore more successful.

5) Our Big 3 have to play like Big 3
Sears, BVP and Carter have generally been pretty steady as our 3-headed monster all season and it served us well. When one of them isn't clicking (see Carter during our skid) we just don't have enough depth and talent to make up for it against quality opponents.

I have 3 extras for tonight

Trapped a coyote today as blood sacrifices to end Kent's "13" game winning streak!!!

Kent State has won 13 straight games, including at Akron, at Toledo and by 23 at home against us. Why in the world are we favored?

No Carter for the last few minutes.

For a minute we were doing a really good job working inside out with Carter and BVP inside and then the kick out to Brown.

When we abandon that, we turn into stand around and chuck a 3. And they go on a 12-0 run. Coincidence? No.

Can Jason Carter pass the basketball? He is beyond predictable.