03/16/08
Posted: March 16, 2008
KENT, Ohio (AP) -- With the Kent State campus mostly empty because of spring break, the Golden Flashes decided to get together at a downtown tavern to see where they'll be headed next.
When a television at the Water Street Tavern showed they'd made school history, the Golden Flashes and about 200 fans had reason to hug and whoop.
The Mid-American Conference champions got a No. 9 seed in the NCAA tournament -- the best in their history -- and a first-round matchup with UNLV. They'll play the Running Rebels in Omaha, Neb., on Thursday.
If they win that one, they'll most likely play Kansas, the top seed in the Midwest Regional. That daunting thought didn't take the edge off the moment.
"We'll worry about the next round if we get there," coach Jim Christian said.
It will be Kent State's fifth trip to the NCAA tournament, where the Golden Flashes are 4-4 overall. They reached the final eight in 2002 before losing to Indiana. Most recently, they lost to Pittsburgh in the first round in 2006.
The only suspense on Sunday was where the Golden Flashes would go.
"Obviously, we knew we were in, but it's a great feeling just to hear them say our names," senior forward Mike Scott said. "That's when it hits you that you are really in. Now it's time to get down to work, and I think this team is ready to do some great things."
The Golden Flashes have never played UNLV. When their bracket was revealed on Sunday evening, they were more wrapped up the accomplishment than the opponent.
"This is something you dream about when you are a little kid," point guard Jordan Mincy said. "But when it comes true like this, it's better than you ever thought it would be. I never thought it would feel like this, and now I've had the chance to experience this twice."
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