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Kent's last-second defeat in the MAC finals was bad enough, but the Golden Flashes find themselves seeded lower in the National Invitation Tournament than some inferior teams.  As a result, they had a quick turnaround to Moraga, California for an 11 p.m. (EST) meeting with the St. Mary's Gaels.

It won't take much plumbing of the memory for fans of these teams to remember each other.  The Gaels will be glad Al Fisher isn't walking into McKeon Pavilion and KSU will remember they won in SMC's gym in 2008, the last time they visited Moraga.  But SMC returned the favor in Kent the next season.  Overall, the Gaels lead the series 2-1.

This is not a good draw for the Flashes.  The Gaels are an NCAA Tournament-worthy team that likely has some anger after feeling snubbed because they didn't get an invite to the Big Dance.  If St. Mary’s didn't get blown out by Gonzaga in the West Coast Conference finals, KSU would likely have a different opponent.  But they did, and they don't, so here we are.

GOOD RECORD WITH QUALITY LOSSES
SMC is 25-8, and seven of their losses are to very good teams.  The other loss?  A 74-66 baffler at San Diego Feb. 16 (another loss that probably cost them in the eyes of the selection committee). They have two losses in McKeon - to Gonzaga and Utah State.  Those are both very good teams, and KSU will have to play to that level in order to win.

The Gaels boast the country's fourth-best offense (1.149 offensive points per possession).  They excel in all areas of offense: Fifth nationally in effective field goal percentage (55.9 percent), second in points per weighted shot (1.19), 10th in free throw percentage (76.4 percent), fourth in true shooting percentage (59.9 percent), 15th in turnover rate (16 percent), and eighth in assist-to-turnover ratio (1.476).  They are no slouches defensively, either, allowing 0.976 defensive points per possession (115th nationally).

GOOD PERIMETER GAME
But KSU allows 0.953 D-PPP (64th nationally) and needs to have the defensive screws tightened from tip-off.  It's not often the Flashes are outclassed on the perimeter, but they are in this matchup – 38 percent of SMC's field goal attempts come from behind the three-point arc, and they love to stretch defenses. 

In addition to standout guards Mickey McConnell and Matthew Dellavedova, forwards Clint Steindl and Rob Jones both have at least 135 attempts from three.  Geno Ford would be wise to let Jones shoot as much as he likes; Jones is a 32 percent  shooter from deep and is not prone to hot streaks.  Inside the arc, he's a much more accurate 46.4 percent.  Get out on Steindl, though, the 6'7” forward is a 43 percent marksman.

GREEN SHOULD BE KSU ADVANTAGE
As usual, the KSU offense will have to go through Justin Greene. This is where KSU has a big advantage.  None of SMC's bigs (the tallest is listed 6'9”) play more than 21 minutes a game.  Junior Kenton Walker II only plays 15.9 minutes per contest, but he makes them count, scoring 6.1 points, pulling down 3.7 rebounds, and blocking 1 shot on average. 

Greene will likely command a double team.  If Justin Manns can show some of the improved form he had on display in Cleveland, he'll make them pay.  It will also open up cuts for Rodriquez Sherman and Michael Porrini. It will help if Carlton Guyton use his three-point shooting to discourage any thoughts Randy Bennett has about going zone.  He prefers to play man-to-man, which suits KSU's offensive style much more.

OFFENSE VS. DEFENSE
This shapes up to be a classic offense versus defense struggle.  KSU isn't likely to force too many turnovers, but they have to take advantage of them by getting transition baskets whenever they can.  Akron did a great job taking those away Saturday, and that really hamstrung the Flash attack.  A faster-paced game also suits KSU more.  If they can speed SMC up, they might force poorer shot selection than the Gaels normally work for.  It won't be easy, but a blueprint is there.