Findlay Preview

The Findlay Oilers come to town Sunday.  On paper, this might appear to be a win day for BG--and it should be--however, Findlay is no joke as a DII program and if BG comes in and does the zombie routine then the Oilers will make BG look very bad.

Just to recap it, Findlay has made the DII Sweet 16 the last two years. They've made the DII tournament 14 times and won it in 2009.

They were picked to win the Great Midwest this year in the preseason, and they're off to an 8-1 start.  They are the #14/#20 ranked DII team right now.

For common opponents, they beat UT last year (as compared to BG??) and both teams have a common win over Tiffin.  This is no guaranteed win game.

This is one of BG's oldest opponents.  This is the 72nd meeting in a series that started in BG's first season of basketball.  They played twice that year...BG also played EMU and UT from the current schedule.

BG is 55-16 in the series.  The teams have played only 3 times since the early 90's, and Findlay beat BG in 1991.

We don't have the usual statistical breakout, but here are a couple nuggets.  There are 305 teams in DII, for reference.

#81 in scoring offense
#160 in scoring defense
#12 in A/T ratio
#11 in Assists per game
#91 in FG%
#228 in FG% Defense
#71 in 3FG%
#219 in 3FG% Defense

So, you can see a team that shoots well and takes very good care of the ball, while being perhaps a little more porous defense.

Individually, they are led by Alex White, who is averaging a double-double.  He's a 6'7" SR averaging 18 and 10 with 6 double-doubles, 10th in the nation.  He's a 48% shooter and is #11 in blocked shots.

Next is Aaron Overhiser, a 6'7" JR.  He has 16 PPG and 6 RPG on 54% 2FG shooting and 58% 3FG shooting.  Trey Smith is a 5'11" Sr. G who is shooting 47% and 43% and scoring 12 a game.  Tommy Schmock has 6 assists per game and is #25 in the nation.  He's a 5'11 SO from Cleveland St. Ed's.

This is a good team that is well-coached and used to winning.  If BG comes into this game thinking this is an easy win coming out of finals, Findlay will get the win.   BG has played well at home, let's hope they bring the focus to this one and get the W.