It's not strictly for bashing the rest of the league, but there doesn't need to be a concerted effort to constantly defend Kent like there has been on this board for the past 2-3 months; propping them up when they don't deserve it, defending their mediocre success, etc. I'm well aware of their undeserved NIT run this year and the historical differences between them and CMU. However, the MAC last year was the same exact rating as the MAC this year despite Akron & Miami OH being much much better. The last two years, CMU is 19-17 in the MAC. Kent is also 19-17 in the MAC. Kent had an opportunity at a NIT run this year because of LOSSES to UC Irvine, Auburn, and Bama. Otherwise, they've ultimately had the same success these last two seasons. CMU fired their coach. Kent extended theirs and doubled his salary (none of this even touches on the character problems that have been a constant at Kent under Sendy, or that Sendy allegedly doesn't even want to be at Kent but is too crappy to get hired by Fordham). That's funny, you're allowed to laugh, and it doesn't need explained away. Kent being an utter failure is the only positive in the existence of Kent; otherwise, they do nothing but harm the University of Akron by siphoning enrollment and funding in an already lesser-populated area.