Official Sam Lickliter prepares to give Kyrem Massey the OK to put the ball into play during the second half of the game. (Photo by Greg Ruffing)

2:40 p.m. Kent State Provost Paul Gaston makes going to a basketball game look like an intellectual activity. He sits in the second row of seats, gazing across the court at the players warming up. He appears contemplative, thoughtful but not serious, and occasionally sips on a cup of coffee as he speaks.

Gaston is good-naturedly diplomatic as he discusses the game.

"I love college basketball," he says. "Especially when Kent's playing."

And Akron?

"It's very easy to root against a team named the Zips," he says, "if for no reason other than their name "

2:45 p.m. Kent State President Carol Cartwright is standing courtside, cheering on the Golden Flashes as they warm up. She's dressed for the day, with a navy blue suit and a golden-yellow blouse. Cartwright says she has no problem getting excited for the Kent-Akron game.

"Oh, yes. I think it's a natural rivalry," she says. "Especially this year, with both teams doing so well. It takes the rivalry to a new level.

"I'm fond of saying that institutions of higher education need to do a lot of collaborating — except, of course, on the basketball and the football field."

At that moment the Flashes trot off the court. Immediately, Cartwright pivots towards the players and applauds as they pass her. She shakes a few hands, too.

"I think it's going to be Kent by 10," she says when they have all left the court. "And I've got my last year's championship pendant on as a good luck charm."

2:47 p.m. The pep band begins to blare the tune Eye of the Tiger. The upper and lower levels of seating are packed. It's almost game time.

2:50 p.m. On the scoreboard, the clock begins to count down. 16:13...16:12...16:11... The team huddles on the court, raises its hands in the air and then departs from the gym. The crowd gives them a huge round of cheers and screams as a farewell.

The Akron team remains shooting on the floor for a little while longer. As these players head to the locker room, the cheers and screams are replaced with a deep booooo.

2:53 p.m. Fans in the standing room only sections jockey for a good position from which to watch the game.

They will spend the next two hours stacked two deep.

2:55 p.m. Reginald Holmes stands at center court with a microphone in hand. In his red shirt and black pants, he sings the national anthem as a handful of fans searches desperately to find any last remaining seats.

2:57 p.m. Proudly waving their flags bearing the letters "K," "E," "N," "T," the cheerleaders run onto the court. The fans have risen to their feet and have started clapping furiously.

2:58 p.m. Cartwright makes her way to center court where she greets the four senior players who will be making their final homecourt appearance: Ryan Lehrke, Al Moore, Geoff Vaughn and John Whorton. As Whorton walks out with a parent under each arm, the crowd rises to its feet once again. He takes Cartwright in his arms and gives her a hug.

3:10 p.m. It's finally time for tip-off. Andrew Mitchell takes control of the ball, and the "Let's Go Kent" chant fills the gym. The Flashes start off on an emotional high, which they will ride for the entire game. An early Whorton slam triggers a roar from the crowd, and then a Demetric Shaw layup off a turnover increases the volume.

3:20 p.m. The game is barely 10-minutes-old, and the Kent State crowd has already begun to chant "FAT-BALD- CON-VICT" in reference to stocky Akron guard Jami Bosley, who had been arrested a few years earlier for breaking into a car at Ohio State.