UNLV foe proves it belongs in field

Every basketball team that makes it to the NCAA Tournament has a defining moment that proved it was worthy of making the field of 65.

Kent State coach Jim Christian said his team had two such moments.

The first was Dec. 8 when the Golden Flashes defeated George Mason 73-55. That win showed Christian's team, which has just two seniors, that it had a chance to be pretty good.

The second, and probably more visible moment, came Feb. 23 when Christian took his team on the road in the ESPN BracketBusters and beat St. Mary's, which was ranked No. 23 in the country at the time, on national television.

"That win opened up a lot of eyes nationally," Christian said of the 65-57 win over the Gaels.

The fact Kent State (28-6) won the Mid-American Conference Tournament meant it didn't need to impress the NCAA selection committee in terms of getting a spot in the field. But it probably helped with the seed the Golden Flashes received Sunday when the field was announced.

On Thursday, the Golden Flashes go as the No. 9 seed against No. 8 UNLV in the NCAA Tournament's Midwest Region in Omaha, Neb.

The winner probably will face No. 1 Kansas in the second round Saturday.

"I'm proud of it," Christian said of the No. 9 seed. "It's the highest seed we've ever had."

It's the first meeting between the two schools, and UNLV can expect a tough battle. Kent State's victories included wins over three teams -- St. Mary's, George Mason and Coppin State -- that are in this year's NCAA Tournament.

The Golden Flashes won their regular-season division and won the MAC tournament Saturday in Cleveland, surviving a scare from Miami in the semifinals to prevail 49-47.

"They're a team that mirrors ours," Christian said of the 26-7 Rebels, who won the Mountain West Tournament Saturday to secure the league's automatic bid to the NCAAs. "What's scary is their field goal percentage defense is under 40 percent. That's incredible."

But Christian, who was selected as the MAC's Coach of the Year, has a few weapons of his own.

Junior guard Al Fisher, who has averaged 14.3 points and 4.2 assists per game, was tabbed as the MAC's Player of the Year.

Forward Haminn Quaintance was named the conference's Defensive Player of the Year and was a second-team all-MAC selection along with forward Mike Scott.

"Al Fisher gave us a dimension we were lacking," Christian said. "He's a very confident player who can generate offense on his own and raise the level of his teammates' play."

Christian said he's expecting a tough game from UNLV, but his team, which has won 11 of its last 12, will be ready.

"We've grown a lot since the start of the season, and we've had great leadership," he said. "Anytime you play a Lon Kruger-coached team, you're in for a battle. But I believe our kids will come in and compete the way they've battled all year."

Contact reporter Steve Carp at scarp@reviewjournal.com or (702) 387-2913.