Kent State was mere moments away from a MAC Tournament title and automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament. Now, the Golden Flashes will be at home for the Big Dance after losing in one of the worst fashions imaginable.

The 8-seed in the MAC, Kent State was able to take a one-point lead with Cli’Ron Hornbeak scoring with 8 seconds left remaining. Unfortunately, Julius Rollins lost track of the fact Kent State led Akron 61-60.

With 6 seconds remaining, Rollins immediately intentionally fouled as soon as Akron inbounded the ball. Greg Tribble went to the free-throw line and sunk both shots as the Zips hung on for a 62-61 win.

For many teams in the country, winning the automatic bid via a conference tournament championship is their only path to the NCAA Tournament. That was the case for Kent State as the MAC’s 8-seed and a 17-16 overall record entering Saturday’s final.

At the end of the day, March is full of heartbreak and jubilation, and Kent State experienced it all in the span of a few seconds. Instead of a shot at a Cinderella run after a remarkable tournament path this weekend, the program will be left to wonder what could have been.

In the meantime, fans around the country can track the latest postseason odds with SDS’s best apps for sports bettors ahead of Selection Sunday.