The No. 2-seeded Kent State Golden Flashes may be the nominal favorite against the four-seeded Akron Zips in Saturday’s Mid-American Conference Championship, but they’ll have to play for a spot in March Madness while shorthanded.
Four Golden Flashes players have been suspended for the contest in the aftermath of a video posted to Snapchat after a win over Ohio in the semifinals on Friday night. In the video, the players are seen singing a rap song that featured anti-Akron lyrics, including the phrase “[expletive] Akron.”
Among the players suspended is starting guard Malique Jacobs, who will sit out the first half alongside reserves Cli’Ron Hornbeak and Julius Rollins. Forward D.J. Johnson, meanwhile, has been suspended indefinitely for the incident.
The MAC has suspended 4 Kent State players from the first half of their Championship game against Akron today, in retaliation for this video that was made trash talking Akron on Snapchat. https://t.co/OTmUdHgCK3
— RedditCFB (@RedditCFB) March 12, 2022
Here’s what MAC commissioner Jon Steinbrecher said in a statement.
I’m disappointed this occurred. This does not represent the values of Kent State or the Mid-American Conference. However, I commend the leadership of Kent State for being proactive in addressing this matter and collaborating with my office to bring this situation to resolution.
— #MACtion (@MACSports) March 12, 2022
There is certainly a rich rivalry history between the two schools, whose campuses are situated just 10 miles apart from one another. There’s also a lot on the line with the league’s auto-bid up for grabs on Saturday night.
The Zips are coming off a win over top-seeded Toledo in the semifinals and are searching for their first NCAA Tournament berth since 2013, while the limited Flashes will look to return to the big dance for the first time since 2017.
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